We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Petits Bleus

by Pneumatic Tubes

supported by
Swedish Columbia Catlord
Swedish Columbia Catlord thumbnail
Swedish Columbia Catlord Put on this album... stand outside and look at the leaves in the trees as the wind blows. Let the birdsong interweave with the sounds on your headphones (don't use noise-cancelling). Then close your eyes and let this take you away. Another great release by the Tubeman! Favorite track: Petit Bleu XII.
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

1.
Petit Bleu I 02:45
2.
3.
4.
5.
Petit Bleu V 02:18
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Petit Bleu X 02:14
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

about

Petits Bleus

16 miniatures for 2 flutes and 2 clarinets

The Poste Pneumatique operated in Paris from 1866-1984. You could send a “pneu” via the vast underground system of tubes from and to just about anywhere in the city. In a matter of minutes, the “petit bleu” (or "little blue," as they were always on blue paper) could reach your friend, loved one, co-worker etc in a matter of minutes. Although the pneumatic post was replaced initially by the telex, and then the internet (a different “series of tubes”), it still invokes a sort of imagined nostalgia about a past future that could have been.

The idea for these pieces came about while I was working on music for the forthcoming documentary I’m producing with Molly Steenson about pneumatic tubes, tentatively called “Air is Real.” Many thanks to Molly for the always-inspiring vignettes and reflections about the tubes.

All of this music was improvised in one take (with the 4 parts overdubbed), usually first thing in the morning, outdoors with the birds when possible, as a sort of cathartic meditation. A re-tuning of the mind. The album cover depicts a petit bleu sent by Claude Debussy, from 1902. Vive la Poste Pneumatique!

credits

released May 5, 2023

Jesse Chandler - Flute and Clarinet

Recorded April & May, 2023 at home in Denton, TX

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Pneumatic Tubes Denton, Texas

featuring Jesse Chandler of Midlake and Mercury Rev

contact / help

Contact Pneumatic Tubes

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

Pneumatic Tubes recommends:

If you like Pneumatic Tubes, you may also like: