Wordless Wednesday - September 4, 2024

 

                                                             For Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday - May 8, 2024

 

                                                           For Wordless Wednesday

Gordon Lightfoot dead at 84 years

Gordon Lightfoot dead at 84 years

Canadian iconic folk singer-songwriter, Gordon Lightfoot is dead at the age of 84. Among his mentors were Ian and Sylvia, and Bob Dylan. Dylan, commenting on Lightfoot’s music, said that he’s never heard a Lightfoot song that he didn’t like. That certainly is a compliment, coming from another iconic folk singer-songwriter. 

Lightfoot was the winner of numerous awards, given honorary degrees, and honoured as a member of the Order of Canada. His songs were poetic, someone described Gordon as Canada’s poet laureate. In addition to his studio albums, he did a lot of concerts across Canada and globally. I was privileged to attend one of Gordon’s concerts when I was living in Calgary, back in the early 1970s. The concert made me even more appreciative of his excellent musicianship on the 12-string guitar.

Even though there were several struggles and difficulties in Lightfoot’s life—including 3 marriages, alcoholism until the 1980s, and other life-threatening illnesses—his strong will to live and determination, and the grace of God, enabled him to recover and continue with his life as a musician. 

Some of his best songs focussed on Canadian culture and history. My favourite Lightfoot song is the Canadian Railroad Trilogy, an ode to Canadians who built our railroad. The railroad, at one time, was a major employer of immigrant Canadians who came from around the globe.

May the memory of Gordon Lightfoot be a blessing to those who knew, loved, and listened to his music.

Enjoy the following video of Lightfoot singing live the Canadian Railroad Trilogy.

World Singing Day 2022

World Singing Day is celebrated every 3^rd Saturday of October (this year October 15th). Music is the international, universal language of humankind. So how appropriate then to devote one day of the year to singing around the globe.  

WSD was founded in 2012 by Colorado, USA musician, Scott Johnson. The purpose of WSD is to unite humankind through singing. It does not matter who you are, every human being is invited and welcome to sing. Whether you sing in the shower or are a professional musician, check out a WSD event nearest you, and join in the joy, solidarity and unity of making music together.

The 2022 Song of the Year is Dona Nobis Pacem, Latin for Grant us peace, and how we need peace in our world today! 

Bob Dylan's new song

I've always found Bob Dylan's music thought-provoking, and sometimes inspiring, as well as poetic and prophetic. 

   However, the older he gets, the worse his singing becomes. 

   This new song, "Murder most foul," reminds me a bit of a chant rather than a sung performance. Somehow his voice isn't as offensive as recent albums. 

   The song, 15.56 minutes in length, recalls the murder of President John Kennedy. Dylan also poetically and prophetically references many musicians, politicians, historical events, and even alludes to biblical motifs and the divine. Well worth a listen!

The plight of refugees in Bangladesh

I am a member of Amnesty International, which monitors and advocates human rights around the globe. As most readers know, the Rohingya people of Myanmar were forced by the military of that nation to leave and find refuge elsewhere, mainly in Bangladesh, which is one of the poorest nations in the world, and lacking in resources to meet the basic needs of the large numbers of Rohingya refugees. The following video was created by Amnesty to call to peoples' awareness the plight of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The video ends with a tiny seed of hope, which comes through music. 

Polar vortex, retirement, growing older

Recently-as of January 1, 2019-I retired. Almost everyone I meet asks me the same question: How do you like retirement? My answer has always been the same: "It is too early to tell." 

   I keep thinking, when I wake up in the morning, that I should be going to work. As each day unfolds, it occurs to me that on such-and-such a day at such-and-such a time, I would be doing such-and-such. So, obviously, I haven't adjusted to "the retired life" yet. 

   Moreover, I'm still trying to discern what God is up to with regards to my calling as a now retired clergyperson. 

   In the meantime, I am realizing my age as we've been afflicted with polar vortex weather-this morning when I got up it was minus thirty-two celsius! The older I get, the less I like the cold. I don't mind moderate winter temperatures of minus ten or even minus fifteen celsius if there is no wind, as that is ideal weather for cross-country skiing. However this minus thirty or more makes my body complain.

   It reminds me of a Pete Seeger song, the chorus goes like this: How do I know my youth is all spent, my get up and go, has got up and went; But in spite of it all I'm able to grin and think of the places my get up has been!

   I like the last phrase of the chorus, since it awakens pleasant memories of the past, and makes one grateful to God for the life I've been given. 

   Hope you enjoy Pete Seeger's song!

Eclectic and Eccentric Music and Instruments

The dictionary defines eclectic as: Taking from different sources what seems most suitable for one's purpose; not confined to one source or one point of view. 

   The dictionary defines eccentric as: Someone who behaves unconventionally.

   I've always been curious about eclectic sources, and eccentric people--especially the best eclectic Source of them all, and perhaps the most eccentric person who ever lived: Jesus! He was not limited to one source of thinking and behaving. Rather, he challenged the status quo on numerous occasions in the course of his public ministry. And his willingness to associate with sinners and outcasts certainly qualifies him as an eccentric.

   An area of eclectic and eccentric interest for yours truly is the ongoing evolution of music. Recently I came across this interesting eclectic and eccentric inventor-musician. He has created a host of new musical instruments and sounds therefrom. Enjoy the video! 

  

50 Years Ago: The Beatles' Love Is All You Need

I'm still an incurable Beatles fan after all of these years. Here's a recording of their 1967 song, now 50 years old-Love Is All You Need. This is one of my favourite Beatles songs for a couple of reasons. Theologically it is a 1960's version the love commandment in the Gospel of John and the First Letter of John, at least it is for me. Aesthetically it is brilliant and creative music. The Beatles were pioneers in symphonic rock and progressive rock. I love the symphony orchestra in this song, it blends in so well I think with the singing. What do you think? Feel free to leave a comment! 

Beatles - All You Need Is Love from SimDo on Vimeo.

Leonard Cohen dies at 82

Yesterday, November 10, 2016, I saw the news that one of my favourite Canadian poets, novelists, singer-songwriters, Leonard Cohen died at the age of 82 years. 

   The first song I heard of his, if I recall correctly, was Suzanne, when it came out in the 1960s. It was, in a sense, a revelation of what would be for him more to come, with the ever-pervasive motifs of sexual love and spiritual love, sometimes contradicting one another and at other times in a holistic and holy unity. Indeed, in some pundit circles, Cohen was dubbed 'a ladies man,' to which he responded that if that was the case, then why did he spend so many nights lonely and alone? Interesting though that he had two children, a boy and a girl, but he never married. 

   With poetic flair his lyrics spoke volumes not only biographically, but universally. In his most recent album, I like the ponderous turns of phrase in the title track You Want It Darker-especially 'Hineni, I am ready my LORD,' appropriate words to speak or sing at the end of one's life, me thinks. Give it a listen. 

   Rest eternal grant Leonard Cohen LORD, and may your blessed Shalom surround him. 

   

Bob Dylan wins 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature

Congratulations Bob! I've been a fan for a lot of years.

Half a century ago, Bob Dylan shocked the music world by plugging in an electric guitar and alienating folk purists. For decades he continued to confound expectations, selling millions of records with dense, enigmatic songwriting.

   To read the whole New York Times article, click here. 

A short story

Joy was a missionary who had taught school in Iraq for seven years. True to her name, she spread the joy of Jesus’s love to whomever she met. Many of her Muslim students fell in love with Jesus through the beautiful songs Joy sang. Joy had the voice of an angel. Listening to her sing inspired the soul, melted the heart, and was like a drink of cold water in the hot desert sun.

   Then, one day without warning Islamic State fighters invaded Joy’s school. One fighter grabbed Joy and threatened to kill her on the spot if she resisted him.

   She was blindfolded, pushed into a truck with other prisoners, and driven to an Islamic State building. They locked her up in a room for two days with nothing to eat or drink.

   Then, on the third day, a man came in and started ordering Joy to take off her clothes. She refused. Instead she started singing the most beautiful rendition of “Jesus Loves Me” that she had ever sung.

   The man pulled out a knife and threatened to kill her if she refused to do his bidding.

   Joy continued to sing. The man then grabbed her, shook her and yelled at her as he brought the knife closer to her neck: “I told you to take off your clothes!”

   Joy ignored his order and continued to sing, she couldn’t stop singing. As she sang, the man began to listen, he soon dropped the knife and let go of Joy.

   A few moments later, he began to cry. He sobbed uncontrollably, and fell to his knees, and buried his head with his arms.

   Joy stopped singing and looked at him and prayed for him in silence. She prayed as she never had before, for an enemy, one who most likely hated her and everything that she loved and believed in.

   After a few minutes, the man looked up at Joy and said gently: “Forgive me. Please sing that song again, it is beautiful.”

   Shocked, and expecting the worst, Joy was surprised and began to sing again.   

   “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:43-45)

   “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

Today in music history, April 16

Today in music history, April 16:

1964, The Beatles filmed the "chase scenes" for A Hard Day's Night with actors dressed as policemen in the Notting Hill Gate area of London. In the evening they recorded the title track for the film, 'A Hard Day's Night' at Abbey Road. John and Paul had the title first, and had to write a song to order, completing the track in nine takes. 

50th Anniversary of Sound of Silence

Fifty years ago today, January 1, 1966, Simon & Garfunkel's song, "Sound of Silence" reached number one on the hit parade. Give it a listen, and Happy New Year!

A tidbit about the oldest Advent hymn

Did you know that what some consider to be the oldest Advent hymn is O Come, O Come Emmanuel? The hymn dates back to the ninth century, and is based on the O antiphons of Advent, which, in some traditions, are sung on the third Sunday in Advent. 

   Here's another interesting tidbit about O Come, O Come Emmanuel: Even though it is considered the oldest Advent hymn, it was not translated into English until the nineteenth century by a Church of England clergyperson, John Mason Neale. Last night I heard a quartet sing the hymn and the last stanza they sung was not familiar to me or to our Lutheran hymnals. However, upon further investigation, I discovered that it was part of the Mason Neale translation.  

Leonard Cohen's "Almost Like The Blues"

Leonard Cohen has, over the years written some profound lyrics. I like this new song, and think it's a bit of an insightful commentary on what's going on in the world today.

At the Concert Hall

Image credit: www.jessecook.com

Recently my wife and I attended a Jesse Cook concert. He is, by now, a world renowned guitarist. We enjoyed the concert and, judging from the resounding standing ovations in the concert hall, so did the other members of the audience.  He definitely has the ability to encourage an audience to participate, in this respect he reminds me a bit of the old classic folk musician, Pete Seeger.

   Cook seems to have been influenced and inspired by world, jazz, Spanish, and Middle Eastern traditions. If you're not familiar with Jesse Cook, visit his website here to find out more, view a video, and discover where he is touring-perhaps in your city. 

World's only ice music festival

From January 16-19, the world's one and only Ice Music Festival will be held for its ninth year at Geilo, Norway.  Located in the idyllic mountain home of Geilo in Norway, under the watchful eye of the mighty Hallingskarvet Plateau - the Ice Music Festival’s aesthetics, music and nature, melt together under the first full moon of the year. 

   Constructed and formed exclusively from naturally harvested ice and snow, the Festival is a tribute to art, the environment and one of the world’s most vital resources - water. Frozen water.

   Conceived and developed in 2006 by ice music pioneer Terje Isungset and Pål K Medhus, the Ice Music Festival is an annual celebration of collaborative music and expression performed by specially invited artists, curated by Terje.

   Here's a sample of what those who attend will hear and see from the 2012 festival. 

    

James Tenney’s Maxi Music

James Tenney was born in 1934 in Silver City, New Mexico, and grew up in Arizona and Colorado, where he received his early training as a pianist and composer. He attended the University of Denver, the Juilliard School of Music, Bennington College (Bachelor’s degree 1958), and the University of Illinois (Master’s degree 1961). His teachers and mentors have included Eduard Steuermann, Chou Wen-Chung, Lionel Nowak, Carl Ruggles, Lejaren Hiller, Kenneth Gaburo, Edgard Varèse, Harry Partch, and John Cage.

   A performer as well as a composer and theorist, Tenney was co-founder and conductor of the Tone Roads Chamber Ensemble in New York City (1963-70). He was a pioneer in the field of electronic and computer music, working with Max Mathews and others at the Bell Telephone Laboratories in the early 1960s to develop programs for computer sound-generation and composition. He has written works for a variety of media, both instrumental and electronic, many of them using alternative tuning systems.

   Tenney is the author of several articles on musical acoustics, computer music, and musical form and perception, as well as two books: META + HODOS: A Phenomenology of 20th-Century Musical Materials and an Approach to the Study of Form (1961; Frog Peak, 1988) and A History of ‘Consonance’ and ‘Dissonance’ (Excelsior, 1988). He has received grants and awards from the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council, the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, the Fromm Foundation, the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, and the Jean A. Chalmers Foundation.

   Tenney returned to the California Institute of the Arts in the fall of 2000 to take the Roy E. Disney Family Chair in Musical Composition, having taught there at its beginnings in the early 1970s. He has also been on the faculties of at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, the University of California at Santa Cruz and at York University in Toronto where he was named Distinguished Research Professor in 1994.

   James Tenney’s music is published by Sonic Art Editions (Baltimore) and the Canadian Music Centre, and is also distributed by Frog Peak (Lebanon, New Hampshire). Recordings are available from Artifact, col legno, CRI, Hat[now]ART, Koch International, Mode, Musicworks, Nexus, oodiscs, SYR, Toshiba EMI, and New World, among others. [Bio credit: http://www.plainsound.org/JTbio.html]

   The Maxi Music video below gives one a feel for Tenney's love of percussion compositions. 

VICO: Have you heard of them?

The Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra, have you heard of them? I hadn't until today. While checking out contemporary Canadian composers online, I discovered the video below. They are an amazing collection of professional musicians and composers, who have been composing and performing for over a decade now. The creativity of our Canadian composers and musicians is very much alive and flourishing. Hope you enjoy the video.