Geir Jenssen - Cho Oyu 8201m: Field Recordings From Tibet

New-time mountain music

Geir Jenssen (better known as Biosphere) made these recordings in 2001 when he climbed the Cho Oyu Mountain in Tibet. It is the sixth highest mountain in the world (8201 metres, in fact), and the climb was not without risk. One of the team members even lost his life on the mountain. During the entire journey, Jenssen’s microphone was constantly at handand recording, and this resulting album is, literally, the soundtrack to his climb. Filled with field recordings of wind, birds, mountain goats, campfires, radio waves (picked up from the satellite telephone) and the voices of the mountaineers, the atmosphere is one of solitude and respect. Jenssen is a true master of sound, and he weaves these field recordings into an audio adventure story. Unfortunately, there will most likely be no sequel to this project. As Jenssen states in the elaborate booklet, ‘once was quite enough’.

Ash International | CD ASH 5.6

Reviewed by Freek Kinkelaar
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