Poet, writer, lecturer and educator Dinesh Allirajah died at the young age of 47 in 2014 following complications from surgery. He was a huge supporter of the arts and was chair of the National Association for Literature Development (1995-97) and Catalyst Dance and Drama (1999-2001) as well as having leading roles in other community organisations. In 2001/02 Phil Hargreaves created several musical pieces with him: The first was ‘The Dislocation Sermons’ which consisted of three pieces for him and large Creative Orchestra, the Frakture Big Band and then the following year they completed a pair of trio pieces, with Hargreaves on electronics and Rob Dainton on drums. It is these five pieces, which have a total length of more than 90 minutes, that have now been released as an album for the first time.
This is the definition of punk if ever there was, with musicians being given free rein to create whatever noise they wish in the background while Allirajah performs some of his work. I am convinced he had to have written his prior to recording as the thoughts and streams of consciousness are wonderful, and anyone who grew up in the UK will recognise many of the names being mentioned, while his discussion on what Willie Dixon would have created if he had been born in the UK, and his comparisons to Nick Drake, are genuinely fascinating and thought provoking.
This is not an album which can be played in the background as it demands attention – do not attempt to try and do anything else when listening to this as it is hugely compelling, strange and quite disconcerting. I had not heard of Allirajah prior to this release, so many thanks to Phil Hargreaves for making this available. He says in the press release, “It’s always bothered me that such valuable work never became pubic”, and he can be rightfully pleased he has finally accomplished just that as this is fascinating.
Rating: 7/10
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Track list:
1. Blue Hazey
2. The Frank Sinatra Joke
3. Cafe (Storch) Piece
4. Toledo (San Miguel de los Helados)
5. Card Game
Links:
https://philhargreaves.bandcamp.com/album/words-and-music