John Dee Is Late For An Experiment

from Potions by The Alchemists

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    POTIONS, the debut studio album of The Alchemists, features improvised, melodic, multi-genre music. Comes in a transmutated jewel case created by the Philosopher’s Stone, liner notes by Emperor Rudolph II and dowsed with original art. Follow the alchemical storyline that frames the album at individual track pages. A CD Baby Editors’ Pick.

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about

THE UNFOLDING TALE - TRACK 9

English-born John Dee, astronomer, mathematician, accumulator of a great library, navigation teacher, promoter of British imperialism, user of scrying crystal balls in efforts to communicate with angels and demons etc etc, was one of the most prominent alchemists of his time. He lived in Rudolph II’s era (Track 1) and in fact spent some time in Central Europe with his sidekick and assistant Edward Kelley, possibly a con man, possibly sincerely deluded, who claimed success in angelic contact.

Historically, Dee attempted to gain the patronage of Rudolph and the King of Poland for his alchemical endeavors, but was not successful, although the flamboyant Kelley did end up as an alchemist to the Emperor. For this tale, let’s say both of them get the nod. Which means Dee, as a scholar of Hermetic philosophy, was thrilled to meet Hermes Trismegistus, the man himself (Track 4), in Rudolph’s conclave.

They often spent evenings, unrecognized, hoisting beers (all craft, all the time) in the pubs below Rudolph’s castle. Which might have made both of them late, more than once, in attending a nighttime experiment.

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You are invited to respond to questions asked in a track narrative, point out significant factual errors in any narratives and, of course, comment on the music itself. To address alchemical issues, send a message via Contact The Alchemists. Material used will be acknowledged. To comment on music you need to buy the CD and have a Bandcamp Fan Account.

For more info about the album and the narrative used to frame it after the recording was made, go to the Potions home page.

credits

from Potions, released December 13, 2015
Tom Hall - Tenor Saxophone
Jerry Leake - Percussion
Dennis Livingston - Flute, Sopranino and Alto Recorders
Bob Nieske - Bass
Randy Roos - Guitar

Full bios are at the Potions home page.

Recorded, mixed & mastered by Randy Roos at Squam Sound, Ashland, NH
Graphic Design by John Colan
Artwork by Chris Gill
Produced and liner notes written by Dennis Livingston

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The Alchemists Boston, Massachusetts

Improvised, melody-driven, inventively original songs. Blues, Latin rhythms, Indian beats, chamber music and other far-flung genres. Wild outbursts of sound. All woven into unexpected compositions.
“Each of The Alchemists improvs on Journey To The East is like a circus act of music, teasing the listener with suspense about what kind of feat will come next.” Steve Elman, critic for The Arts Fuse ... more

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