A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from Chris Samson regarding an article he was preparing on Harry Partch’s time in Petaluma. A former reporter and managing editor for the Petaluma Argus-Courier, now retired, Chris noted:
Shortly after I moved to Petaluma in September 1974, I read about Partch in Rolling Stone magazine. He had died recently and the article said that he had once lived and worked in an old hatchery in Petaluma and composed “And on the Seventh Day Petals Fell in Petaluma” here. I became intrigued about Partch and always wondered why he had lived in Petaluma. Finally, 45 years later, I had the opportunity to research and write this story about this fascinating man for the current issue of the Argus-Courier. My article was limited to 1,200 words. Because the Argus-Courier is a hyper-local newspaper, my article had to focus primarily on Partch’s time in Petaluma. But there is so much more about him that I could have included if I had been allowed a longer word count.
Image from front page of the paper - click to go to the article…
I gave Chris some information and resources, he spoke with Danlee, and yesterday the paper hit the streets, as well as the net. It’s a good look at Partch’s time in the early ’60s in a chicken hatchery, and Chris does a fine job of rounding out the picture with current events. We think you’ll enjoy the read - don’t miss the 12 photos in a slideshow at the top of the piece..
In the article, Chris includes links to other Partch materials, one of which is the project we did in 2017 in partnership with New World Records:
The New World Records limited-edition reissue of Petals, with bonus material.
I am lax in adding both this album and our earlier “Harry Partch: A Portrait” to our resources page, but I will correct that this weekend. Just note that these vinyl LPs are limited editions, there are still a few left, and you should go purchase them at New World Records right now. As time moves on, and the world starts to get comfortable with pseudo-Partchian product, it seems all the more important to take a good look at the real thing. Nothing is better than the real thing.