Recorded in 1966 in Bali, this tune contains roots of: the throttling drum worship & wanton velocity lust that characterize late-period Boredoms; the devotion to subtly disrupted patterns and delicate melodies exemplified in Steve Reich’s most famous works. The enmeshing of these ostensibly contravening properties make for music equally notable for its fragility as for its brutality.

Buy Music from the Morning of the World.

To love about Washington Phillips:

- He alternates between force & fragility with more grace than should be possible.

- He uses “whom” properly (see also Andre 3000).

- He built his own zither-ish instruments.

- His introduction to this tune, which reconciles workmanlike duty with existential dread.

- His full name is George Washington Phillips, and patriotism is cool again.

- Listen!

Available on the Washington Phillips anthology Key to the Kingdom, & ensconced within 6 discs of Americana bacchanalia on Goodbye, Babylon.