Robert Wyatt - Dondestan (Revisited) Interview (Part One of Two)

This is a wonderful mini-documentary featuring an interview with the English musician and songwriter Robert Wyatt, in which he discusses his album "Dondestan" and his decision to release a revised version of the project as "Dondestan (Revisited)." The brief film was/is included as an extra feature of the CD release of "Dondestan (Revisited)" in the late 1990s.

For fans of Robert Wyatt who are not acquainted with this album, this document serves as a charming and informative introduction to "Dondestan"'s aesthetic. Through its use of the album's music, the imagery of Alfreda Benge's photographs and paintings, and Wyatt's insightful and unpretentious commentary, the film evokes "Dondestan"'s spare, meditative and (deceptively) tranquil moods and atmospheres.

Those who are not acquainted with Robert Wyatt's music and songwriting, or have yet to explore his solo work, might find this film to be a helpful introduction to Wyatt as an artist—that is, as opposed to Wyatt as a biographical or sociological subject, to the latter two of which there is no shortage of introductions.

It offers insights into Wyatt's approach to songwriting, chord progressions, musical notation (specifically, his heterodox approach to it), record production (which he describes as "low-tech"), lyric-writing, collaboration, technology, musicianship, instrumental virtuosity (or lack there-of), composing as a process of "retrieval" and "simplification," album-sequencing, and what Wyatt calls "find[ing one's] own voice."

DISCLAIMER: The present party played no part in the production of this video. It is being shared for educational purposes, pertaining to the study and appreciation of the work of the musician and recording artist Robert Wyatt. If you are a person relevant to the creation or ownership of this item, or representative of such a person, and you wish for any reason for it to be removed, please communicate this directly, and it shall be removed as promptly as possible. Thanks, etc.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Robert Wyatt
• Wyatt
• Dondestan
• Dondestan (Revisited)
• Alfreda Benge
• documentary
• interview
• mini-documentary
• CP Jeebies
• N.I.O.
• Sight Of The Wind
• Shrinkrap
• Catholic Architecture
• musicianship
• virtuosity
• Worship
• Costa
• Left On Man
• Lisp Service
• songwriting
• lyrics
• music
• composing
• composition
• art
• reflection
• artist
• Soft Machine
• Matching Mole
• collaboration

[creatornat]

I'm glad that he doesn't want the listener to simply listen 'for pleasure's sake'. To me, that shows that he wants to be creative *first*, and I highly respect that. However, I am still glad that I take some pleasure in his music. :)

[amamuffin]

i love him!

[smikestack]

God bless this man and let him know how widely and deeply he is loved. Robert is a National Effing Treasure, and we are so lucky to be alive in his brave lifetime.

(And bless a chap called John Sellars who in 1969 intro'd me to the Soft Machine and hence Wyatta; wonder where JS is, 42 years on?)