MINIATURES (A Sequence of Fifty-One Tiny Masterpieces Edited by Morgan Fisher)

Originally issued in 1981, "MINIATURES" is a concept compilation album that is certain to delight the listener on a multitude of fronts simultaneously. Its 2014 reissue on MEGAPHONE/KNOCK 'EM DEAD is truly an occasion to celebrate.

Conceived in 1980 by MORGAN FISHER (erstwhile keyboardist for MOTT THE HOOPLE) as a means of addressing the scope of music and musicians that he loved but lacked time enough to release, "MINIATURES" draws from an array of artists whose submissions exist within the strict framework of a 60-second maximum track length. The pieces wriggle excitedly in their rapid and unrelenting succession, sequenced
with insight sufficient to create an infinitely curious netherworld.

Contributors provide their chosen 60 seconds of indulgence—be it ANDY PARTRIDGE offering "A Brief History of Rock 'n Roll," noted author/psychoanalyst R.D. LAING giving us a father/son duet of "Tipperary," or ROGER MCGOUGH reciting “Wreck of the Hesperus” in its entirety—and, while each track offers a distinct and separate thrill, the whole of "MINIATURES" is both a monument to the creativity of its time and a living reminder of humanity in its preposterous glory.

With no room for filler of any kind, “MINIATURES” is a consistently refreshing revelation. Filled with abrupt, often beautiful, utterances from a bewildering diversity of artists (what other album contains both PETE SEEGER and THE RESIDENTS?), “MINIATURES” is imbued throughout with self-awareness that, beneath an umbrella of shared and voluntary absurdity, scuppers any veneer of remoteness. In its place lies the intersection of naked curiosity with love of music.

ONLY available from our site and The True Vine record store in Baltimore, MD -- a 180 gram RED VINYL version with a 23" x 23" fold-out poster, limited to 200 copies.