These are the distilled remains of many practice sessions. They were recorded during the period just after the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. The air in Brooklyn at that time (where my wife, then fiancÈe, were living) was very smoky and rotten, so I spent a great deal of time indoors. It was a time of great clarity, perhaps through shock, and I think the music reflects this.

"For Laura" was written for my fiancÈe, Laura DiGise, and was the first piece of music I wrote down in standard notation. This version for guitar was adapted for organ, and was played during the bridesmaid's procession of our wedding on June 23, 2002.

The "Solo Guitar" and "Solo keyboard" pieces were taken out of longer improvised practice sessions. I am hoping one day to dissect them and work them perhaps into larger compositions.

"Shock and Discord" is my attempt to recreate the physical sound I heard in my head the morning of Sept. 11. For a period of 45 minutes or so, I couldn't get in touch with my wife, who works within a mile of where the towers once stood. I was in complete shock, and heard a very distinct rumbling in my head, all around me. This piece consists of 4 bowed electric basses and an acoustic guitar played with an ebow.

• for laura (version 1) (2.3 MB)
• solo guitar 1 (3.0 MB)
• solo guitar 2 (2.4 MB)
• solo guitar 3 (2.3 MB)
• solo keyboard 1 (10.4 MB)
• shock and discord (one tuesday morning) (19.2 MB)

all content copyright 2003 nathan bibb unless otherwise indicated