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.

http://prezi.com/uwjpgknoisis/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

Peace Bloggers,

Many would answer this question with an emphatically no. I would ask the question why or why not. This is the subject we will be discussing in this blog. When I first hear this album, prior to I was not the biggest Beatles fan. I categorized their music as hippie music likened to a bunch of youths banging away on guitars while singing catchy melodies. But Revolver surprised me with what I perceived to be very well thought out piece of art, with decadent instrumentation and complex arrangements. Not to marginalize the songwriting, which is the heart of the music, and catches the imagination of the listener. For a lack of better words the composition is perfect, creating a seamless listening experience, George Martin being an intricate part of their success. The musical style of the Beatles prior to revolver in my opinion was somewhat Mickey Mouse in nature. With the introduction of LSD and the spirit of experimentation if you will, the Beatles created a piece of history that polarized the idea that drugs can be a good thing for some humans, at least when it comes to producing musical masterpieces. Paul McCartney not only experimented with drugs, but with chord progressions, lyrical content and artistic deviance that proved attractive to the masses. Influence by Bob Dylan and others, playing around with electrical currents, effecting vocals and obscure compression on instruments such as the drums is an example of the progression of the group. They also experimented with playing recordings in reverse, creating sounds that are familiar to the ear, but the source masked, for example bird sounds being played in reverse. Not to sound naïve, I am aware that this was not a group of children in a garage anymore, they were professionals, surrounded by professional of which some were very sober the entire time. This album is not about the some of its parts, but the whole, which is why this album is so fantastic. The overall impression this album left on me is that music really has no limitation. The Beatles in fact produced music that proved to have the ability to change the world, and the Revolver is the album that recorded it all. Fell free to share your thoughts about this epic album. Until next time Peace.

Reference

 Everything Was Right: The Beatles’ Revolver. (n.d.). PRX. Retrieved October 4, 2014, from http://www.prx.org/pieces/15368-everything-was-right-the-beatles-revolver

The Beatles, ‘Revolver’ – 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. (n.d.). Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 4, 2014, from http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/the-beatles-revolver-20120524

http://youtu.be/4w3RlHi2kDc

 

Peace Bloggers,

Pet Sounds, notably the most successful album ever made by the Beach Boys is forever being introduced and studied by musicians and artist alike. What is it about this album that produces such interest and nostalgia? After listening and analyzing this album, I have decided to start a dialog and share some of my thoughts with you. Although the entire album is exceptional, I have decided to focus on a song deemed by Brian Wilson (the primary writer for this album and the group) as the happiest song he has ever written. Being a songwriter and artist myself, I understand inspiration and how it translates into music. Brian Wilson said, “ If there is lovingness in the music, people can relate to the love.” This really embodies the essence of the Beach Boys, the image and feeling people get when listening to their music. The song starts off with bells likened unto that which you would hear at a carnival. This song is focused on childhood love and the desire to do away with adult foolishness and enjoy the love for one another we all have experienced on some level in our youth. I think the genius of this album is how they made painful experiences inspirational and allowed people to listen to the reality of heartbreak, while enjoying themselves. Although there are many aspects of this album that need exploration, mainly the compositional content and Brian Wilsons version of Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound,” I will open this subject up for discussion at a later time, and we can delve into it in more detail and share our thoughts. But for this album as a whole, it has left the impression on me that this music was indeed a labor of love, and that’s why it is so popular. For me its not only how they made sad situations pleasant to the ears, but the feeling that this music is organic, like a living expression from the mind and heart of Brian Wilson. Feel free to add on… Peace

 Reference

http://youtu.be/Q0vAL8dHBxA

http://youtu.be/ofByti7A4uM