For Educational Use Only

Peace Bloggers,
The focus of my blog today is Brian Eno, the artist known for pioneering ambient music. Brian Eno, influence by the church and his father whom was an organ repair guy for the church, and also a postman. When he would repair organs he would collect the pipes, and he would save them for later use. Brian Eno as a youth would play with these pipes, creating ambient sounds even at a very young age. His father was also the owner of a self-playing piano. This intrigued Brian, that this machine could produce so much emotion in people. The first album I will be reviewing will be Eno’s “Shutov Assembly.” First off what I noticed was his use of nature or natural sounds in this album. The sounds were extremely clear and well placed. Every once in awhile although not obvious, there was a beat producing rhythm. I also noticed his use of space, quiet in certain areas, creating a fluid feel as in water or wind. The second project in comparison to Eno’s Shutov Assembly is the album “On Land.” This album had the same use of space and distinct clear sound, but it was much rougher. This time the underline ambient seemed to be close to a storm, or powered equipment such as a helicopter. He used deep horns like a tuba, where as in “Shutov Assembly” he would make use of higher sounds like trumpets and violins. For example, even though he makes use of water in “Tal Coat, they were bubbles, with low residence, as if something was drowning opposed to waves of the ocean in “Shutov Assembly.” One of the characteristics I noticed that was different about Brian Eno’s work that set him apart from some of the other artist in the genre of ambient music, is that I could tell that he spent much more time on his production. Also he did not seem to care that some listeners would not consider what he was making music. Doing my research, I came across another artist by the name of Harold Budd. Harold Budd made similar music but it was much faster, I couldn’t help but think that it may have been because he is a musician. His movement were very precise, and calculated. Brian Eno seemed to be able to make music without a roadmap. Visually, Brian Eno takes you to a place, and allows you to experience what’s there. His take on popular music was very interesting to experience. He took a album like David Bowie’s ‘Lodger’ and added so much depth to what normally would have been a dry 1 2 123 track. For a lack of better words he made the music pop and chime. When he says he does not care about the lyrics, with ‘Lodger,’ he made the lyrics sound a part of a much more complex seamless experience. His influence on popular music transcended what was previously based on live music in my opinion. And his instrumentation is intimate, personal, and again for a lack of better word, perfection. Brian Eno’s work has made a lasting impression on me. Mostly because if I had made music like this, and I have, I would have considered it for personal use only. This music is therapeutic, unlike rock music or Hip-Hop, which usually invoke other emotions meant for the listener to dance or party. Brian Eno’s music invokes peace, and tranquility. I hope you have enjoyed my blog and feel free to add on. Peace
Lodger – David Bowie | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic. (n.d.). AllMusic. Retrieved October 10, 2014, from http://www.allmusic.com/album/lodger-mw0000251982
Harold Budd: the composer with no urge to make music. (n.d.). http://www.theguardian.com. Retrieved October 10, 2014, from http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/25/harold-budd-ambient-composer-interview
APA
(American Psychological Assoc.)
References
Roquet, P. (2009). Ambient Landscapes from Brian Eno to Tetsu Inoue. Journal Of Popular Music Studies, 21(4), 364-383. doi:10.1111/j.1533-1598.2009.01208.x
APA
(American Psychological Assoc.)
References
Sheffield, R. (2014). Brian Eno. Rolling Stone, (1209), 26-28.