“Moondog and His Friends” – Moondog

Album: Moondog and His Friends

Artist: Moondog

Year: 1953

Genre: Experimental Folk

Grade: A

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Experimental folk in the vein of Harry Partch, minimalist classical that predates Steve Reich and Philip Glass, avant-garde ambience that surely inspired Brian Eno — the mysterious musician known as Moondog did it all. Best known for his eccentric appearance (he was blind, bearded and dressed in Viking garb), he performed his strange compositions on Sixth Avenue in New York City, gaining a loyal following. His first LP, Moondog and His Friends, released on Epic in 1953, is a fantastic summation of his various experiments.

Featuring field recordings, percussive instrumentals, trance-like folksongs and serious classical suites, Moondog and His Friends is quite unlike anything else of the time. It’s a fascinating listen, with such a wide range of sounds, from hypnotic low frequencies to high-pitched makeshift tree frogs. If any album deserves cult classic status, it’s this one.

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