Brian Olewnick

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Keith Rowe: The Room Extended is an artistic biography, so do not expect a lot of private information. Rowe’s marriages, him being a father and his day jobs are mentioned, but generally only in passing. The focus is clearly on the ideas and the artistic community Rowe is part of.

The bulk of this book is a history of AMM. The second important part of Rowe’s career – his solo and collaborative work outside AMM – starting somewhere around the turn of the century, is only dealt with rather briefly at the end of the book. If I’m honest, I would have liked this to be more in balance. For me, Rowe has been making his best work this last decade, in his 70ies – something that’s exceptional in whatever art form. I’m guessing the reason for this decision is that Rowe’s late history is much more easily available online. Still, a bit more behind the scenes information – like the telling anecdote on how parts of his 2010 duo recording with Radu Malfatti came about – would have increased the value for us listeners immensely.

So – AMM. Is there enough drama there for the mere casual experimental music fan to enjoy and be persuaded to buy this book? Is there enough history for the general art theorist to do the same?

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