Label: Audika

Released 5/30/2025

Open Vocal Phrases, Where Songs Come in And Out offers two intimate unedited Arthur Russell solo live performances recorded at Phill Niblock's Experimental Intermedia Foundation in Downtown NYC on 12/20/85 and 06/25/84. Phill curated and produced with Arthur both concerts at EI that would become part of the foundation for the World of Echo album. Arthur titled the performances "Sketches for World of Echo" (released on cassette/DL in 2020) and "Open Vocal Phrases, Where Songs Come in and Out". These extraordinary performances were recorded 18 months apart between 1984/85 by Steve Cellum and overseen by Phill and Arthur. Arthur would later edit sections from both concerts merging it with studio material recorded at Battery Sound to finalize the World of Echo album released in 1986. The double vinyl LP includes the complete nineteen minute plus version of Tower of Meaning/Rabbit's Ear/Home Away along with the previously unreleased songs That's The Very Reason, and Too Early to Tell. Side four includes two instrumental performances from the 06/25/84 Sketches for World of Echo performance, "Changing Forest" and "Sunlit Water" along with a full color insert and liner notes from Audika Records and Arthur Russell archivist Steve Knutson.

Track listing:

1. That's the Very Reason (Live 12/20/85)
2. Tower of Meaning/Rabbit's Ear/Home Away From Home (Live 12/20/85)
3. Happy Ending (Live 12/20/85)
4. All-Boy All-Girl/Tiger Stripes/You Can't Hold Me Down (Live 12/20/85)
5. Introductions (Live 12/20/85)
6. Hiding Your Present From You/School Bell (Live 12/20/85)
7. Too Early To Tell (Live 12/20/85)
8. Changing Forest (Live 6/24/84)
9. Sunlit Water (Live 6/24/84)