Terry Riley is 85 today. His importance can’t be overstated, In C alone is one of the essential works of the 20th century. But what I love most about Riley is just his playing, the man can play, and the albums that feature his musicians ship, like Persian Surgery Dervishes, are desert island discs. Here’s a review I wrote of his appearance at Pioneer Works late in 2019.
“He gets it! He knows music!”
“I ate your book.”
