Streets of Alexandria and Canyons Unveiled are short yet epic score pieces inspired by English writer Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet, a set of WWII era novels that would likely on first blush turn you off with their page-long sentences and ponderous poetic narrative. There were times when I seriously wanted to throw the first book, Justine, out the window. However, at a friends insistence I stayed with it and once I locked into the pace and complexity of the writing I was hooked. Set in the city of Alexandria, Egypt both before and during WWII, the 4 novels (Justine, Balthazar, Montolive & Clea) are 4 separate stories told from 4 distinct perspectives describing the same exact set of events.
I read the novels a few years ago but one day recently it occurred to me after reading a few news items about our present day involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan and the middle east in general that it's almost 60 years since these stories were penned and we as "westerners" are still unable to truly understand and identify with that part of the world. To many the middle east, like the desert itself, simultaneously mystifies and terrifies. It's from that caldron of conflict that I constructed Streets Of Alexandria and Canyons Unveiled.
Streets is more of a modern action piece which would drive any exotic, high octane action scene in any city. A lot of street instruments are in there- buckets, pans etc... and all of it was recorded live. It's somewhat claustrophobic and anxious especially with the street market noise towards the end which lends to the texture as well as the tension. Canyons on the other hand could be set in the deserts of Africa or strangely enough, the farthest reaches of space. It's surreal simplicity and menacing ambiguity slowly builds as it picks up density and drama on its way to it's climax with orchestra and Chinese Gong. More sparse and elongated versions of each track are available as well.
For use and licensing information e-mail faithfuldog@jeffprestonmusic.com You can listen to more sample tracks by hitting the Film & TV link above.