Ascent (2010) – Stellardrone

Posted on August 6, 2022 by observationblogger — 2 Comments
Stellardrone at event “Paralelinės Dimensijos” Vilnius, Lithuania.

I first heard an excerpt of this music in the closing of the How Far Back is the James Webb able to See? with Dr. Klaus Pontoppidan video by Event Horizons. I was fascinated by it and requested details of the music in the comments section and Event Horizons kindly responded to me.

Ascent was released on Stellardrone‘s 2010 album Sublime.

Stellardrone is a pseudonym of amateur composer (Edgaras, b.1987, Lithuania, Vilnius) who started creating music in 2007. Using only computer software (Reason, Ableton, Audacity) and virtual synthesizers. He is mostly interested in ambient/electronic/space music and releases all albums for free (with an option to donate/buy) and promotes free sharing of digital copies.

You can find more music and information about Stellardrone at his following websites:

Bandcamp, Facebook, Soundcloud, Last.fm, & Myspace

Ascent is one of the very few ambient tracks I have presented here at OB. I find it alluring to listen to…so spacey, so dreamy. Try listening to it gazing out a window.

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Posted in Music

Home Improvements (2007) – My Friend the Chocolate Cake (David Bridie)

Posted on August 4, 2022 by observationblogger — Leave a comment

The music of David Bridie (see at piano above) features prominently here. He is one of my favourite Australian music artists. You can read more about him in my other posts. Home Improvements is the title track from My Friend the Chocolate Cake‘s (MFTCC) sixth studio album released in 2007. When I lived in Australia I saw the group MFTCC many times and even spoke to Bridie and other band member’s on occasions. I have very fond memories of these events. This Melbourne ‘gypsy-like romp and ballad’ group always hit the sweet spot in my musical taste-buds. Today’s song Home Improvements is one of my preferred releases from them. I was captivated by it from the first moment I heard it.

As the SMH article reports below, the group chose an ‘odd’ subject for their single. Home Improvements is all about consumer distractions – the trappings stopping many of us from taking time out to indulge in life’s simple pleasures. “I guess the Bunnings-IKEA home-improvements stuff is something that a lot of people spend so much time on,” says singer-pianist David Bridie. “We get caught up with financial traps, too; that we need this and need that. I’m certain that it doesn’t make us any happier…Home Improvements is part two to I’ve Got a Plan in some ways (which will feature later here in this music library project)”.
What entails the ‘Music Library Project’?

How ‘bout we just forget the home improvements
Just stop the wall and leave things as they are
How ‘bout we go and live in Barcelona
All Gaudí boys and girls in tapas bars
Those girls in tapas bars

How ‘bout we eat our dinner ‘round the table
And throw the television down the stairs
Take turns to tell each other fables
Talk only of the things for which we care

My Friend the Chocolate Cake were formed initially as an acoustic side project in 1989 by David Bridie on vocals, piano, harmonium and keyboards and Helen Mountfort on cello and backing vocals. Bridie and Mountfort were members of an ambient, world music ensemble Not Drowning, Waving who have featured here as well. My Friend the Chocolate Cake took their name from a song title by an obscure Sydney band, Ya Ya Choral. Bridie admitted that one reason they chose an all-acoustic act was so they did not have to carry around amplifiers.

Below, I have added their humorous video aptly filmed at a Melbourne Flea market. I always get a kick out of it and I hope you do as well.

References:
1. Sydney Morning Herald – My Friend the Chocolate Cake
2. My Friend The Chocolate Cake – Wikipedia

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Posted in Music

Holberg Suite for Strings Prelude (Alegro Vivace) (1884) – Edvard Grieg

Posted on August 2, 2022 by observationblogger — 4 Comments

This exquisite piece put a spring into my step this Monday morning. Below is the first of a suite of 5 movements written by the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Based on eighteenth-century dance forms it was written to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Dano Norwegian humanist playwright Ludvig Holberg. The Holberg Suite was originally composed for the piano, but a year later was adapted by Grieg himself for string orchestra. It is an attempt to echo as much as was known in Grieg’s time of the music of Holberg’s.

Edvard Grieg is considered one of the main Romantic era composers. His use and development of Norwegian folk music in his own compositions brought the music of Norway to international consciousness, as well as helping to develop a national identity, much as Jean Sibelius did in Finland and who has already featured here with his phenomenal Finlandia Op.26. Edvard Grieg was raised in a musical family. His mother was his first piano teacher and taught him to play when he was aged six. He studied in several schools and eventually studied at the Leipzig University, but he unsatisfied with the course stating ‘I left Leipzig Conservatory just as stupid as I entered it. Naturally, I did learn something there, but my individuality was still a closed book to me.“

After undergoing some life threatening illnesses namely, lung diseases, pleurisy and tuberculosis in 1860 he made his debut as a concert pianist in Karlshamn, Sweden which included Beethoven’s Pathetique sonata. In 1867 Grieg married his first cousin Nina Hagerup a lyric soprano (pictured left).

On 6 December 1897, Grieg and his wife performed some of his music at a private concert at Windsor Castle for Queen Victoria and her court.

Grieg was awarded two honorary doctorates, first by the University of Cambridge in 1894 and the next from the University of Oxford in 1906. Edvard Grieg died at the Municipal Hospital in Bergen, Norway, on 4 September 1907 at age 64 from heart failure. He had suffered a long period of illness. His last words were “Well, if it must be so.” His funeral drew between 30,000 and 40,000 people to the streets of his home town – the city of Bergen, to honor him.

References:
1. Holdberg Suite – wikipedia
2. Edvard Grieg – wikipedia

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Posted in Music

25/07 – 31/07/22 – Reality, Tom Cruise & WHO

Posted on August 1, 2022 by observationblogger — Leave a comment

news on the march

Welcome to Monday’s News on the March – The week that was in my digital world.

What is Reality? – Alan Watts
Audio lecture at Endeavour

The truth of the matter is – it all begins here (present). This is where the creation begins…You can’t conceive reality. You could say God is reality….We are so fixated on the future…It’s much better to have a present because if you don’t, it’s useless to make plans because when they work out you won’t be there to enjoy them, you’ll be thinking of something else.
So this is one activity which is curiously different from all others (meditation) – it has no purpose, it’s rather like music or dancing in that respect. You see, music is peculiar because it is a marvellous pattern of sounds which doesn’t mean anything except itself. In music we come into the present, not a hairline present, but an expanded present. In this you are released into reality. That is why it is said the angels in Heaven have harps and why they circle the throne of God and sing ‘Hallelujah’…(Listen to audio lecture here)

Tom Cruise at 60
Audio presentation at BBC Sounds

As he turns 60, Tom Cruise remains at the top of his game. His latest blockbuster, Top Gun: Maverick, is the world’s highest grossing film of the year so far. So how has he managed to remain relevant and successful for more than forty years? For 5 Minutes On, our Entertainment reporter Steve Holden, has been looking back at the actor’s career and hearing from people who’ve met him. (Listen to audio presentation here)

WHO Nudge Unit chief – ‘So what if I’m a Communist’?
Video presentation at UnHerd

Freddie Sayers reflects on the appointment of Prof. Susan Michie, who he interviewed in 2020 for LockdownTV, to the WHO Behavioural Insights advisory group. (Watch video presentation here)

news on the march the end

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Posted in Movies and TV, politics, Reflections

History, (I was Born Blind) (2008) – Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu

Posted on July 30, 2022 by observationblogger — 2 Comments

History, (I was Born Blind) is the fourth song presented here by one of my favourite Australian artists and it’s from one of my favourite Australian albums ‘Gurrumul‘. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu tragically passed away at just 46 years of age at the peak of his popularity in Australian music. He had lived with liver and kidney damage for many years due to hepatitis B which he had contracted in childhood.

Geoffrey was born blind in Galiwin’ku, Elcho Island, in 1971, situated off the coast of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, about 530 kilometres (330 mi) east of Darwin. A multi-instrumentalist, he played drums, keyboards, guitar (a right-hand-strung guitar played left-handed) and didgeridoo, but it was the clarity of his singing voice that attracted rave reviews. 

I was born blind and I don’t know why
God knows why because he love me so
As I grew up, my spirit knew
Then I learnt to read the world of destruction

United we stand, divided we fall
Together we’ll stand, in solidarity

Ŋarranydja dhuwala Batumaŋ
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Djarrami
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Djeŋarra’
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Gurrumulŋa
M, m

I was just reading in You Tube the following foreigner’s comments when visiting Australia and wanting to take the Opera House in:
‘It was my second trip to Oz and I fancied a concert at the stereotypical place. I took a punt on a man who I’d never heard of (I’m a UK guy) and got this fella. Honest to say I’ll never forget it.‘

As a prelude to my visit to Colombia back in 2009 I sent this CD of Geoffrey Gurrumul to my adopted family as a token of Australia. They were besotted by it as I was. The whole album is just sublime and most songs from it will feature in the Music Library Project. What entails the ‘Music Library Project’?
That UK fellow above who happened to see Geoffrey that night to experience the Sydney Opera House won the music lottery! Geoffrey, The Go-Betweens, Kasey Chambers, David Bridie, Nick Cave and Archie Roach represent the best of quintessential Australian music in my humble opinion.

References:
1. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – wikipedia

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Posted in Music

Should We Assume The Simulation Has Already Been Created? Joe Rogan – Nick Bostrom

Posted on July 29, 2022 by observationblogger — 2 Comments

This is an extemporaneous post from me, but I felt the subject matter or to be more specific ‘this video‘ worth exploring. I have written about Nick Bostrom’s Simulation Argument before, but to watch Joe Rogan above try to derail it or better-put ‘not ingrain it‘ is one for the ages and funny as hell.
Lets do a quick-refresher of Nick’s argument which I published in the above article:

(One of the following statements is true) :
1. No one civilisation in the whole universe is able to attain the technological ability to realize a simulation of conscious forms or they become extinct in the meantime,
2. A civilisation has the technological capacity to build simulations of conscious entities, but decide not to implement the simulation for whatever reason (perhaps for idealogical, ethical, moral or legal reasons) or they simply lose interest.
3. We are part of a ancestral simulation of a technologically advanced culture.

First off, I admire Joe Rogan for all he has achieved and continues to do so in allowing voices to project opinions that otherwise would never have been heard / permitted in Mainstream media space. He has been instrumental in advocating free speech and expression, when at the same time many of his guests have been suppressed, demonetized or cancelled by the major IT Corporations. He has courage and guts, but……noone is perfect as seen in this video. And Rogan himself has humbly admitted on many occasions he’s a dumb-f&/ker or words to that effect.

The above video ‘Should We Assume The Simulation Has Already Been Created?‘ is a stellar example of the following (verbatim as I commented upon hearing):

When an interviewer doesn’t read about his interviewee and his argument well enough before the interview and also when the interviewee can’t explain effectively his argument in layman terms.

Now, if you want to read some of the most chucklesome comments you’ll ever read in response to a video, I point you to the comments section in the video.
I wrote further:

All Bostrom had to say until Rogen could understand it – ‘If our current humanity could arrive at the point of making a simulation of conscious beings, then what is the likelihood that we ourselves are the first to do this and in base reality? Almost zero as Bostrom was trying to argue...That’s all Bostrom had to repeat to Rogan until he got it’.

Watching these two distinct minds in the video, escape each others grasp and capacity of understanding is indeed one for the ages. Good luck finding that in the sh&t that is Mainstream.

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Posted in Science

High (2004) – James Blunt

Posted on July 28, 2022 by observationblogger — 2 Comments

High is the third song from James to feature here at the Music Library Project, but the first from his mega-huge hit album Back to Bedlam. What entails the ‘Music Library Project’?
Amazingly this song received a mixed reception from music critics and failed to make an impact upon release in the UK. It was re-released a year later after the release of his second single You’re Beautiful and killed it becoming a top 20 hit worldwide. Suffer in your jocks critics!

Beautiful dawn
Lights up the shore for me
There is nothing else in the world
I’d rather wake up and see with you

Beautiful dawn
I’m just chasing time again
Thought I would die a lonely man
In endless night

But now I’m high
Running wild among all the stars above
Sometimes it’s hard to believe you remember me

James Blunt was an ex military office like yours truly, only successful. Not only could he lead an Army unit, but sing a wicked ballad and attain international stardom. He’s only sold over 20 million albums. I’m not envious in the little bit. I am still his senior by 37 days so naturally he would have to look up to me, despite his having enough money to feed a small country.

During Blunt’s Kosovo assignment, he had brought along his guitar strapped to the outside of his tank and would sometimes perform for locals and troops. It was while on duty there that he wrote the song No Bravery. Blunt extended his military service in November 2000, and was posted to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in London, as a member of the Queen’s Guard.

During the recording of Back to Bedlam he lodged with Carrie Fisher, (Luke Skywalker’s sister and ‘your Highness‘). Fisher contributed in naming the album, and Blunt recorded the song Goodbye My Lover in her bathroom.

References:
1. High (James Blunt song) – wikipedia
2. James Blunt – wikipedia

Posted in Music

The AnkiDroid Collection (Part 21) – The Christianity Edition

Posted on July 27, 2022 by observationblogger — Leave a comment

Ankidroid additions related to Science, History and Philosophy. More information about Anki can be found in this article.

The following three Ankidroid additions were added last night while I was listening to this intriguing discussion between Lex Fridmen and Catholic Bishop Robert Barron.

Prosperity Gospel

The Prosperity Gospel (Theology) is the belief by some Protestant Christians that financial blessing and physical well being are always the will of God for them. That faith, positive speech and donations to religious causes will increase one’s material health and is a sign of divine favour.

The Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune Christian symbolic meaning and the John Lennon song related to it:

Bishop Robert Barron remonstrated the Prosperity Gospel, and he used the Wheel of Fortune symbol to represent his contention.

The Wheel is a device seen in a lot of Gothic Cathedrals. At the top is a King, the bottom a Pauper, at one side is a king who has lost his crown and the other a man climbing a ladder. In the middle is a picture of Christ. The Wheel represents Life.

Sometime’s you’re up and sometimes you’re down. But try to detach yourself from the rim of the wheel. Where you should live is at the centre, where Christ is. Christ is Love and the eternity of it.

The Bishop remarks that John Lennon rode this wheel like crazy, but at the end of his life he recorded the song ‘Watching the Wheels‘..

I’m just sitting here
Watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll

No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go

Watching the wheels go round and round – This is straight out of the medieval mystics. The Latin word for it is ‘Indifference‘. Detached from success, failure, more success or less success.

The Holy Trinity

What does The Holy Trinity in Christianity represent?

God the Father (The Lover), the Son (The Beloved) and The Holy Spirit (The Love Between Them).

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Posted in Reflections

Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye (1967) – Leonard Cohen

Posted on July 26, 2022 by observationblogger — 9 Comments

I’ve lost count how many songs by Leonard have appeared here and I don’t see that abating, but this is one of the few early ones presented so far. I do not consider it a top-tier output like the accompanying So Long, Marianne seen above, but Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye is a soothing meditative piece containing gorgeous poetry. It seems to be about the imperfect goodbye that’s common with broken relationships.
This song comes from his debut album Songs of Leonard Cohen.  It was first released in November 1967, in a version by Judy Collins on her album Wildflowers and was covered in 1969 by Roberta Flack on her debut album First Take. 

I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm
Your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm
Yes, many loved before us, I know that we are not new
In city and in forest they smiled like me and you
But now it’s come to distances and both of us must try
Your eyes are soft with sorrow
Hey, that’s no way to say goodbye

Cohen wrote the song when staying at the Penn Terminal Hotel on 34th Street in New York City in 1966. He wrote: ‘The room is too hot. I can’t open the windows. I am in the midst of a bitter quarrel with a blonde woman. The song is half-written in pencil but it protects us as we manoeuvre, each of us, for unconditional victory. I am in the wrong room. I am with the wrong woman‘.

Less successful in the US than in Europe, Songs of Leonard Cohen peaked at number 13 on the UK Albums Chart, spending nearly a year and a half on it. It was more of a sleeper hit in the US where it achieved gold status in 1969. Originally Coen was admired as a Poet and novelist, but always had an inclination for music. His intention was to become a Country songwriter in Nashville, but he got caught up in NYC’s folk-scene. He came to the attention of record producer John Hammond who signed Cohen to Columbia Records.

References:
1. Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye – wikipedia
2. Songs of Leonard Cohen – wikipedia

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Posted in Music

18/07 – 24/07/22 – Lynyrd Skynyrd, Supernova Explosion & How Black Lives Truly Matter

Posted on July 25, 2022 by observationblogger — 2 Comments

news on the march

Welcome to Monday’s News on the March – The week that was in my digital world.

Turn It Up! My years with Lynyrd Skynyrd…by Ron Eckerman
Blog article by Max at PowerPop

Good Blogger friend Max recently informed me he is taking a well deserved month long break from his blog to tend to work and home projects after posting 1,112 straight days! Regarding today’s featured article I commented it was one of the best I’ve read by a professional or amateur aficionado of music. It had everything. I feel fortunate to have read it.

This is not an autobiography of the band… it is an account of their mid to late-70s tours. The book was written by an insider (the road manager) book from 1974 to the 1977 plane crash. Lynyrd Skynyrd was a wild bunch who was ruled by lead singer Ronnie Van Zant with an iron fist. It was partly about babysitting a bunch of up-and-coming rock stars and yes…very entertaining. These guys learned from the best… they had opened for The Who on the Quadrophenia tour in 1973. Keith Moon showed them the path to destruction in hotels across the globe. They took it to a new level though…not only fighting with people who annoyed them…they fought each other. Contrary to popular belief…most of them were well-read and intelligent men but with a wild side. (Read entire blog article here)

What Causes A Supernova Explosion?
Video presentation at Dr Brian Keating

A supernova is the second biggest bang in the universe, after the Big Bang. These objects are visible across billions of light-years and have been observed by humans for hundreds of years. This video explains the different types of supernovas and how they’re used to measure everything from the origin of iron in your blood, to the age, expansion rate, and acceleration of the universe.

Along the way, I explain the different types of supernovas and how we use them to determine the relationship between an object’s distance and its redshift, and eventually to measure the Hubble constant and the acceleration of the Universe, resulting in the Nobel Prize to past guests Adam Riess and Brian Schmidt (and hopefully to Saul Perlmutter someday too!) (View video presentation here)

How Black Lives Truly Matter – Magatte Wade and Dr Jordan B Peterson
Video interview at Jordan P Peterson

I had originally dedicated a Stop the Press article to this magnificent interview, but decided to move it here to News on the March. I couldn’t recommend this more highly.

Magatte Wade is a serial entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, and visionary business leader with a passion for creating positive change in Africa. She is the founder and CEO of SkinIsSkin.com, “the lip balm with a mission,” and is dedicated to reducing racial discrimination while creating jobs and prosperity in her home country of Senegal.

Magatte joins Dr Peterson to discuss her emigration from the third world, and how this influenced her unmitigated belief in capitalism and the free market. (View video interview here)

news on the march the end

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Posted in Music, News, politics, Reading, Science

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