| Lest you
suspect the above title prefaces an article concerning the latest in cassettes or a revolu
tionary stereo-tape system (unique in that it lacks a German name, suffixed by an
assortment of constanants and numerals), allow. me to explain that while "the
latest" and "revolutionary" are apt ad jectives in describing Bruce Haack,
the following piece pertains to a hyphenate (inventor-composer.musician.arranger), a
kaleidoscope of talent who presents the sound of tomorrow today.
The happening holiday to which I refer is an electronic rock
album on Columbia Records entitled THE ELECTRIC LUCIFER CREATED
BY BRUCE HAACK (CS 9991), which is only a few light years ahead
of anything else currently available. "Created By Bruce
Haack" simply means that, in addition to inventing and
constructing the electronic instruments used on the album, Bruce
composed the music for his own lyrics; arranged, performed and
engineered the work and oh yes, co-starred as one of the featured
singers.
A dozen years ago, this modern master of musical magic and magical
music left his native Canada and arrived in NYC with talent, ambition and little else. He
supported himself by means of various odd jobs, one of which was selling peanuts in Times
Square. (Having peanuts work for him, instead of the reverse, is an example of the Haack
sense of whimsy.) "I have to admit that Charles Schulz was a little more successful
with peanuts- it's just not my bag," adds Bruce.
Eventually, he became
an accompanist for dance classes conducted by Esther Nelson. Bruce and Esther found each
other compatible and their mutual interest in children led to the formation of their own
recording company, Dimension 5, for which they wrote and produced five unique children's
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It
is being recorded with the "Clavivox," an invention of another of Bruce's
new associates, the well-known Raymond Scott, who for many years was director of music at
CBS and for NBC's huge success, YOUR HIT PARADE.
"The Scott Clavivox," explains Bruce, "is the only
keyboard electronic instru ment capable of sliding full spectrum from one note to any
other, as well as providing a complete palate of electronic sounds to simulate any
instrument or voice or range." (Author's Note: I am pleased to report that Bruce is
also using the Claivovox to create the music for an original revue for television for
which I have written the lyrics and sketches.)
Raymond Scott has created a new master-instrument which Bruce claims
"will revolutionize the current musical scene." It is called the
"Electronium" and is described as being "saucer-shaped" ... and to
operate it, Scott has chosen none other than Bruce Haack!
An
ecstatic Bruce states, "It's a dream come true! It is instant
head-programming - man and machine in direct com munication.
There is no keyboard; no computer cards. I just sit and steer
my thoughts. The Electronium is polyphonic creation which will
frequently sound like guitars, percussion, bass, strings, brass,
electronics even human vocalization! I can create an entire
forty-minute album
in exactly forty minutes! The Electronium gives me total musical
freedom!"
Coming
attraction for 1971: To every one who is aware prepare for the
arrival invasion-explosion of a lyrical, spherical miracle a.k.a.
the Electronium and its star, Instant Music: Bruce Haack!
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