Pascale Trudel

Ce n'est pas ici (1999)

2:01

Analysis by Matthew Kober

An abrupt piece that moves sequentially in solid, unprocessed blocks. These snippets are never longer than 20 seconds and seem to be mostly arouns 4 and 10 seconds. they are juxtaposed very carefully and craftily, a few having a sort of reference or segue to the next successive sound. An abstaction of the human and natural sound world in a collage of juxtapositions, moving rapidly through 13 quite distinct soundscapes that vary widely in scope and subect proximity.

00:00 to 00:04

A manic calliope in a carnival or amusement park midway, a recorded barkers voice calls: "step right up, give it a try!"

00:04 to 00:08

Marching bagpipes and snares. A parade. Big furry hats and sporrans swinging.

00:08 to 00:13

Hard heeled walking feet heard over a mid-low frequency hum.

00:13 to 00:23

Loud background noise; a large mid-range humming. Near-buried voices talking, possibly about a poker game.

00:23 to 00:27

A woman says "Non, non.. c'est pas ici." A child answers, "C'est pas ici?". This is where the title comes into reference.

00:27 to 00:40

A babble of many voices, reverberating as if in a crowded cafeteria. At the end a childs voice says distinctly "frog".

00:40 to 00:50 (fading out)

The sound of peeper frogs.

00:50 to 01:00

Fire crackles long enough to reveal a contrast in intrinsic frequential elements; the low hiss of air rushing in and out offset by the higher pings of the snapping charcoal.

01:00 to 01:10

Male voices speaking are commingled with a jangling bell-like sound. Someone coughs wetly.

01:10 to 01:30

High, fuzzy rain broken by a sharp and rolling peal of thunder.

01:30 to 01:38

More rain, the drops closer in proximity this time with a snippet of vocal chants that ring as if heard on a radio in a depanneur's doorway.

01:38 to 01:45

Cacaphonous birdsong, sounding vaguely like they are indoors, but for the lone fly that zips suddenly past.

01:45 to 02:00

A left to right pan of what might be a wagon or a stroller pushed over a sandy wooden surface. A child is heard talking. One is again given the impression (albeit vague) of a carnival midway.