Desert Solitaire (1989 album) - Definition

Desert Solitaire (1989) is a collaborative album by American ambient musicians Steve Roach, Kevin Braheny and Michael Stearns. This album was conceived as a follow up to Roach and Braheny’s 1987 collaboration Western Spaces.

The music consists mostly of subtle electronic textures, tribal percussion and occasional soprano saxophone by Kevin Braheny.

The title of the album is named after a book by American author Edward Abbey. The album is dedicated to Edward Abbey who died in 1989.

Track listing

1. ”Flatlands” (Roach) (4:49)
2. ”Labyrinth” (Sterns) (6:56)
3. ”Specter” (Roach) (9:34)
4. ”The Canyon’s Embrace” (Roach, Stearns) (3:35)
5. ”Cloud of Promise” (Roach, Stearns) (6:38)
6. ”Knowledge & Dust” (Braheny) (3:23)
7. ”Shiprock” (Stearns) (4:00)
8. ”Highnoon” (Roach, Stearns) (10:30)
9. ”Empty Time” (Braheny) (5:51)
10. ”From the Heart of Darkness” (Stearns) (3:50)
11. ”Desert Solitaire” (Roach, Braheny) (6:06)

Personnel

• Steve Roach (Oberheim OB8, DMX, Matrix 12, Xpander, Emax, Arp 2600, Korg M-1, Kawi K-5, ocarina, Taos Drum)
• Kevin Braheny (The Mighty Serge, Prophet VS, Prophet 2002, soprano saxophone, tin whistle, Diamondback rattlesnake)
• Michael Stearns (Roland S-50, D-50, Yamaha TX-7, Oberheim OB8, Serge Modular synthesizer, 12-string guitar)
• Chuck Oken, Jr. (shakers on “Flatlands”)
• Robert Rich (dumbek and gourd drums on “Specter”)
• Goergianne Cowan (voice on “Specter”)
• Miguel Rivera (effects and ghost percussion on “Labyrinth” and “From the Heart of Darkness”)
• Leonice Shinneman (percussion, pakhawaj, manjerra, African berimbau, melodic rattle, claves on “Empty Time”)
• Hyman Katz (flute on “From the Heart of Darkness”)

See also

• Steve Roach
• Kevin Braheny
• Michael Stearns
• Robert Rich
• Ambient music
• Electronic music
• Edward Abbey
• Southwestern United States