News From Babel

News From Babel was an avant-rock studio group led by Lindsay Cooper and Chris Cutler, featuring Dagmar Krause on vocals; they released Work Resumed on the Tower (1984) and Letters Home (1986).

Lineup and contributors mentioned in available review: Lindsay Cooper (composer, bassoon, oboe), Dagmar Krause (vocals), Zeena Parkins (harps, accordion) and Chris Cutler (drums). The review notes the project as largely female, the first release in 1984, and that later recordings included guests such as Robert Wyatt, Phil Minton, Bill Gilonis and Sally Potter. The group is associated with avant-garde, Rock in Opposition and has links to the Canterbury scene.

The available review praises Lindsay Cooper's central role and composition skills, highlights the group's largely female lineup and dramatic, tense atmosphere on the first release. The writing connects the project to avant-garde/RIO and the Canterbury scene and mentions guest contributors on later recordings.

For:Fans of avant-rock, experimental and progressive music; listeners interested in feminist music history and Rock in Opposition.