Thought for the Day (Sept 10)

Subject: Thought for the Day (Sept 10)
From: Peter T.
Date: 10 Sep 99 - 10:30 AM

Sept. 10 -- One of the simplest miracles of music is changing the voicings of chords -- here you have a root note, the other notes stacked above, and by moving the root to the top or the other notes around, you have exactly the same chord, but with a completely different sound. Though I have heard it a thousand million times, it is still a miracle to me: how does music do that? I remember laughing right out loud the moment I first tried creating a smooth bass line by moving the root notes around, so that the chords hung from the ascending notes like charms off a charm bracelet. So ridiculously simple, but still magic.

The woods are like that. Some wet mornings, the forest is rooted deep, everything starts at the bottom and works its way slowly up. On other mornings, like today, the sun fingers through the topmost branches, and it is as if the whole forest is lifted, suspended from its real root, the light in the high sky. And also today, just as I was turning to go to work, suddenly a blurry mass of thrushes rushed through the forest, and lo and behold, the woods played one more fingering of the same chord: the roots and sky held back in support of the middle singing sound of birds pervading everything. Still the same woods: but all these different voicings of its ecological music.
(p.t.)

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Sept 10)
From: Jeri
Date: 10 Sep 99 - 11:03 AM

from http://www.leonardcohen.com/hallelli.html:

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

I heard Michael Cooney close a festival with this one. I'd never heard it before, and thought it was a parody of Cohen's style. It was a great one to sing anyhow. Michael got everyone singing along on the "Hallelulah" chorus, and walked off stage while the audience just kept going.

It's been raining here all day. Except for a few crickets, all is silent but for the soft patter.

The night has it's own music, sometimes heard louder in the soul than the ears - almost subliminal.

It seems to me I hear a dream,
Far away, but drawing nigh;
A sound of dreadful longing,
Like an awe-struck heart's sigh;
A melody of rapture,
A tune we can't begin to capture,
That glides among the shadows in the night,
But soars unreachable, to sky,
With the coming of the light.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Sept 10)
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Sep 99 - 11:45 AM

Wonderful, both of you! Reminded me of the Woody Guthrie, *newly discovered* song which Max played on this week's show, done by Billy Bragg and Wilco(?), Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key.

From my brother, Delton Lorenzo Hudson's, Fourth Symphony (for full orchestra, mixed chorus & soloists):

From the depths of the ocean
To the sky-piercing peaks
From the songs of the whale
To the chirp of the sparrow
All have parts in Creation's choir!

kat

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Sept 10)
From: Neil Lowe
Date: 10 Sep 99 - 11:49 AM

One of the things that makes this forum so special is that it goes without saying everyone who posts to it is far and away more than the mere summation of the words they string together; nevertheless it remains to me a subtle and refreshing revelation how much of the inner, intimate self one can express through the concatenation of characters typed onto a blank, electronic tablet.

Regards, Neil

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Sept 10)
From: catspaw49
Date: 10 Sep 99 - 12:04 PM

Yeah, I know what you mean Neil.........I could almost hear Waylon Heron singing a duet with Willie Woodpecker using all second and third inversions.........Brought tears to my eyes....................

BTW Kat, I bought that album and I think Nora made a mistake.....for me it kinda' sucked the chrome off my bumper hitch, but a friend of mine loved it...and now has it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Sept 10)
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Sep 99 - 12:31 PM

Ah, 'Spaw, thanks, I was wondering about that. Max didn't say too much. I did like that particular song, though. I didn't like the other one he played from it, though, i thought it was way over-produced.

Neil, well put!

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Sept 10)
From: annamill
Date: 10 Sep 99 - 12:43 PM

Gee 'spaw. You sure know how to change a mood ;-)

PT, It constantly amazes me how well you paint a picture with words. Don't stop.

When there are no speeding boats, or obnoxious jetskis swooshing around in front of my gazebo, the rivers make a beautiful series of musicals.

There is the clear, sunny day, when the current is rushing in or goint out, and the ducks, cormorants, terns, seagulls, etc. are all very happy....

There is sunset, when the river is still and looks like glass and all are silent, except maybe for a tern calling to his mate or a fish jumping to get a bug...

There is a foggy morning when you cannot see the river at all unless you go out on the gazebo, and the birds are calling a good morning to each other..

Each one of these scenerios would get a Music Video Award from me.

Love, annap