Album Notes

Tom Doncourt b.1955

I began recording in the progressive rock genre of the 1970's with the American group "Cathedral". The resulting album 'Stained Glass Stories" became something of a collectors item and was re-released on c.d. in the early 90's. My primary instrument was the Mellotron and I was very interested in the orchestrations that were made possible by its enigmatic sound. I was also searching for percussion instruments and sounds that would add dimension to the work. A lot of experimentation preceded Fauve. By the late 70's I was experimenting with loops, tape effects and building my own instruments and sound sculptures. Some of these pieces can be heard on Susan Vega's "98.7".
The "Fauve" disk, which was completed in 1991, is a bridge between all my early work including Cathedral and what I am doing now. Despite similarities, I hesitate to call it "New Age" because I was not influenced particularly by that movement and I think you will find something in it that is intrinsically different. The tools I was using at that time were completely midi based and I used a Kurzweil and sampler in place of my beloved Mellotron. I've thought of going back in and overdubbing some tracks but decided to let the piece stand on its own for now.
When you get to know my work I believe you will start to see my world as well. It is one full of forests, old buildings, sacred places, ghosts and a long-standing relationship with the Museum of Natural History, which has been my home as an artist for many years.
At present I am deep into a new Cathedral album as well as writing a "Neo-Fauve".
The new work is obviously related to "Fauve" but you will see that a lot has been going on.