Monday, December 20, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Can't Hear My Eyes
Here's a scan of my retinal exam with an ophthalmoscope at the opticians today. The dark area is my macula, or the part where I focus my vision. This area is dark because the depression of the macula and fovea (the tissue behind the macula) means the retina is thinner in that area, allowing more of the deeply coloured choroid to show through. You can see a tree-like structure of red veins stemming from the optic nerve where the bright light is. So you can see I wasn't looking directly into the lamp.
(all healthy!)
(all healthy!)
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Stop The Press!
Sufjan is back!
On the stereOoOoOoOoo...
Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People EP/The Age of Adz
Caribou - Swim
Helado Negro - Music For Memory
Twin Sister - Vampires With Dreaming Kids EP/Color Your Life EP
Deerhunter - Halycon Digest
On the stereOoOoOoOoo...
Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People EP/The Age of Adz
Caribou - Swim
Helado Negro - Music For Memory
Twin Sister - Vampires With Dreaming Kids EP/Color Your Life EP
Deerhunter - Halycon Digest
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
The Seven Deadly Sins
In my two-year stint at Kingston University, I have been working on a programmatic work for large chamber ensemble in seven movements. The subject’s focus, inclusively titled 'The Eye of God: A 21st Century Reflection on the Seven Deadly Sins', is the portrayal of immorality of the human spirit in modern society, specifically the sins of Lust, Greed, Pride, Wrath, Sloth, Gluttony and Envy, as predicated by Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th century.
The piece below (Gula) exhibits a taste of the series, written for prepared piano. This piece represents gluttony; the act of food comsumption. A stand-out feature of Gula in its performance is my decision to use 'dry pasta' as mutes on the piano's strings. Musical influences that have shaped these compositions, highlight my engagement with 20th and 21st century compositional techniques, cultural inspirations, and concepts that harbour the methods of my own musical idiom. My inspirations stem from historical figures, such as composers, writers, artists, theologians and thinkers of past and present, whom have shaped the popular images of this Christian doctrine.
The finished work is yet to be performed in a live environment (except Gula). I have two/three movements set to be performed by the Kingston Chamber Orchestra in March 2011 at the Parish Church in Kingston-upon-Thames... this includes Avaritia (greed), Ira (wrath), and Superbia (pride) - a 12-minute contemporary study in extended and postmodern techniques. One mentionable aspect about this piece is my use of a thunder tube, a drum-like instrument, with drone-like qualities.
Gula, for prepared piano
Friday, July 30, 2010
Motion Picture Soundtrack
Max Steiner, Jerry Goldsmith, Bernard Herrmann and Ennio Morricone. The four horsemen of 20th century film music, these are the ones that stand out above the rest as the standard setters. The latter currently survives the lot and is still writing music to add to his already prolific career of film scores.
Morricone is the master of melody and atmosphere, and is undoubtedly one of 20th century's greatest sound conjurors. The way he could grab your attention with the most evocative, unconventional, and simplest effects was extraordinary. His music wasn't always ground-breaking, or challenging, but the key to his appeal was finding the right mood, which was like hitting a nerve that lay hidden in the space between the screen and audience.
His best work came in the sixties... Morricone pinoeered the Western Film score with ferocious soundtracks for Sergio Leone's films, and the sensual Italian jazz-lounge grooves that painted a sparkling picture of life in a time of social revolution and thriving artistic creativity.
Into the eighties and nineties, he continued to write memorable scores, that more often catapulted a film's success. His knowledge and awareness of the orchestra as a tool, as you would expect from any contemporary film composer, is highly competent, but Morricone steered clear of the big-budget blockbusters in favour of low-budget European art-house pictures, in which he could experiment with his rich sound palette.
Composer of over 500 scores; his influence defines his legacy. I beg you to listen.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7ZGOIHH4
86.3mb
1hr 20mins
01. Ennio Morricone - Harmonica Intro/Il Buono, Il Brutto, Il Cattivo (Titoli) (3:25)
02. Ennio Morricone - A Lydia ('scusi, Facciamo L'amore') (3:19)
03. Ennio Morricone - Metti, Una Sera A Cena (4:30)
04. Ennio Morricone - L'estasi Dell'oro ('il Buono, Il Brutto, Il Cattivo) (3:22)
05. Ennio Morricone - Astrtto 3 (1:48)
06. Ennio Morricone - Piume Di Cristallo (5:15)
07. Ennio Morricone - Tema Per Oria (2:05)
08. Ennio Morricone - Lontano ('gott Mit Uns') (4:30)
09. Ennio Morricone - Four Friends (2:52)
10. Ennio Morricone - Giu' la testa (4:17)
11. Ennio Morricone - La Lucertola ('una Lucertola Con La Pelle Di Donna') (6:33)
12. Ennio Morricone - Ii Dolore Sulla Casbah (0:54)
13. Ennio Morricone - Ness And His Family (2:46)
14. Ennio Morricone - River (1:27)
15. Ennio Morricone - Il Buio ('l'anticristo') (4:00)
16. Ennio Morricone - The Mission (3:02)
17. Ennio Morricone - H2s ('h2s') (4:22)
18. Ennio Morricone - Le Foto Proibite Di Una Signora Per Bene (4:45)
19. Ennio Morricone - Poesia Di Una Donna (3:15)
20. Ennio Morricone - Ricordo Rosa ('le Ruffian') (2:57)
21. Ennio Morricone - Il Mercenario (I'arena) (4:45)
22. Ennio Morricone - Oceano (6:17)
Morricone is the master of melody and atmosphere, and is undoubtedly one of 20th century's greatest sound conjurors. The way he could grab your attention with the most evocative, unconventional, and simplest effects was extraordinary. His music wasn't always ground-breaking, or challenging, but the key to his appeal was finding the right mood, which was like hitting a nerve that lay hidden in the space between the screen and audience.
His best work came in the sixties... Morricone pinoeered the Western Film score with ferocious soundtracks for Sergio Leone's films, and the sensual Italian jazz-lounge grooves that painted a sparkling picture of life in a time of social revolution and thriving artistic creativity.
Into the eighties and nineties, he continued to write memorable scores, that more often catapulted a film's success. His knowledge and awareness of the orchestra as a tool, as you would expect from any contemporary film composer, is highly competent, but Morricone steered clear of the big-budget blockbusters in favour of low-budget European art-house pictures, in which he could experiment with his rich sound palette.
Composer of over 500 scores; his influence defines his legacy. I beg you to listen.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7ZGOIHH4
86.3mb
1hr 20mins
01. Ennio Morricone - Harmonica Intro/Il Buono, Il Brutto, Il Cattivo (Titoli) (3:25)
02. Ennio Morricone - A Lydia ('scusi, Facciamo L'amore') (3:19)
03. Ennio Morricone - Metti, Una Sera A Cena (4:30)
04. Ennio Morricone - L'estasi Dell'oro ('il Buono, Il Brutto, Il Cattivo) (3:22)
05. Ennio Morricone - Astrtto 3 (1:48)
06. Ennio Morricone - Piume Di Cristallo (5:15)
07. Ennio Morricone - Tema Per Oria (2:05)
08. Ennio Morricone - Lontano ('gott Mit Uns') (4:30)
09. Ennio Morricone - Four Friends (2:52)
10. Ennio Morricone - Giu' la testa (4:17)
11. Ennio Morricone - La Lucertola ('una Lucertola Con La Pelle Di Donna') (6:33)
12. Ennio Morricone - Ii Dolore Sulla Casbah (0:54)
13. Ennio Morricone - Ness And His Family (2:46)
14. Ennio Morricone - River (1:27)
15. Ennio Morricone - Il Buio ('l'anticristo') (4:00)
16. Ennio Morricone - The Mission (3:02)
17. Ennio Morricone - H2s ('h2s') (4:22)
18. Ennio Morricone - Le Foto Proibite Di Una Signora Per Bene (4:45)
19. Ennio Morricone - Poesia Di Una Donna (3:15)
20. Ennio Morricone - Ricordo Rosa ('le Ruffian') (2:57)
21. Ennio Morricone - Il Mercenario (I'arena) (4:45)
22. Ennio Morricone - Oceano (6:17)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
mothface
this would make a good mask for a superhero
Mothman - the legend who fights crime but is susceptible to candlelight
Mothman - the legend who fights crime but is susceptible to candlelight
You say say it's your birthday...
It's my birthday too, yeah!
24 years of existence repays me with Joanna Newsom's splendid new album 'Have One On Me', a b/w check shirt, a black waistcoat (which i'm currently sporting), a Bonsai tree, and a shiny Canon Ixus 110.
Also saw Toy Story 3 last night... great film... my heartstrings were well and truly yanked, quoquoversus.
24 years of existence repays me with Joanna Newsom's splendid new album 'Have One On Me', a b/w check shirt, a black waistcoat (which i'm currently sporting), a Bonsai tree, and a shiny Canon Ixus 110.
Also saw Toy Story 3 last night... great film... my heartstrings were well and truly yanked, quoquoversus.
Friday, July 09, 2010
sound & vision
I watched Up in the Air (2009) last night, it was a good film, it wasn't life-affirming, but gives you something to think about.
Brief glimpses into the personal lives of unsuspecting employees losing their jobs, at times emotional and entertaining, are the best moments of the film. Another strong hold in the film is the relationships concerning the three main characters, and their different perspectives and experiences of love and life in the bubble of career politics. The witty script and sharp-edged direction does at times become clouded by a suffocating smugness, caused largely by the form of George Clooney. The inclusion of Elliott Smith’s Angel in the Snow in the soundtrack was pleasantly apt… but the film went a bit too schmaltzy for my liking by then.
______________________________________
I've also been watching most of Charlie Chaplin's films in the past two months.
I've been enthalled by his talent, his gift of slapstick was pure art.
Every action he gave to the camera was magic... he was a genius. He wrote all his scripts, directed all his films, wrote all the music.
My favourites were The Kid, City Lights and A King in New York.
His earliest are the best, especially when he mixes comedy with emotion. The value of selflessness for the common good is captured in one of the most moving final scenes ever... The scene at the end of City Lights. And his awareness of the current times is needlelike... Modern Times, The Great Dictator.
It's a pity that he began to speak in his later films... this brought out an arrogance/outspokenness that was suitably missing from his silent films... despite all that, a A King in New York is still a classic.
I was moved to tears when I saw this clip (chaplin receiving an honourary oscar in 1972)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Pl-qvA1X8
he doesn't need to speak at all... his expression, as always, says it all.
______________________________________
Current song on the speakers:
http://open.spotify.com/track/4uvKHRmLMlteVh1N4Sxut3
'Range Life'
by Pavement
from, Quarantine the Past (2010)
Brief glimpses into the personal lives of unsuspecting employees losing their jobs, at times emotional and entertaining, are the best moments of the film. Another strong hold in the film is the relationships concerning the three main characters, and their different perspectives and experiences of love and life in the bubble of career politics. The witty script and sharp-edged direction does at times become clouded by a suffocating smugness, caused largely by the form of George Clooney. The inclusion of Elliott Smith’s Angel in the Snow in the soundtrack was pleasantly apt… but the film went a bit too schmaltzy for my liking by then.
______________________________________
I've also been watching most of Charlie Chaplin's films in the past two months.
I've been enthalled by his talent, his gift of slapstick was pure art.
Every action he gave to the camera was magic... he was a genius. He wrote all his scripts, directed all his films, wrote all the music.
My favourites were The Kid, City Lights and A King in New York.
His earliest are the best, especially when he mixes comedy with emotion. The value of selflessness for the common good is captured in one of the most moving final scenes ever... The scene at the end of City Lights. And his awareness of the current times is needlelike... Modern Times, The Great Dictator.
It's a pity that he began to speak in his later films... this brought out an arrogance/outspokenness that was suitably missing from his silent films... despite all that, a A King in New York is still a classic.
I was moved to tears when I saw this clip (chaplin receiving an honourary oscar in 1972)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Pl-qvA1X8
he doesn't need to speak at all... his expression, as always, says it all.
______________________________________
Current song on the speakers:
http://open.spotify.com/track/4uvKHRmLMlteVh1N4Sxut3
'Range Life'
by Pavement
from, Quarantine the Past (2010)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Africa 2010: World Cup Mix
The World Cup is finally here.
Team of Choice: England
Backups: Holland or Argentina or Australia or USA
Booze: Magners
Location: Various London pubs
Prediction: Argentina winners.
And football fever has hit the soundwaves,
so I've taken this opportunity to indulge
in some eclecticism and funky beats...
*********
vol. 1 :: Afropop
60s - 80s retrospective...
mp3:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/rs23h7
(40mb)
01. Fela & The Africa 70 - Who're You (8:45) (Nigeria)
02. The Heroes - Come With Me (2:44) (South Africa)
03. Amanaz - Khala My Friend (3:27) (Zambia)
04. Mahotella Queens - Zwe Kumusha (2:36) (South Africa)
05. Flaming Souls - Mosquito (2:50) (South Africa)
06. Leki Santchi - Napo De Mi Amor (3:25) (Benin)
07. The Monks - Blockhead (2:32) (South Africa)
08. Di Rob - Make It Fast, Make It Slow (5:25) (Ghana)
09. Franklin Boukaka Et Manu Dibango - Le Bucheron (3:28) (Congo)
10. Mahotella Queens - Wozani Mahipi (2:20) (South Africa)
11. Melotone Sisters With Amaqola Band - I Sivenoe (2:48) (South Africa)
12. Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Lomhlaba Kawunoni (The Earth Never Gets Fat) (2:56) (South Africa)
*********
vol. 2 :: Latin America
sounds spanning the past five decades...
mp3:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/joca7u
(91mb)
01. Os Mutantes - Panis Et Circenses (3:38) (Brazil)
02. Troll - Mexicana (3:30) (Mexico)
03. Tom Zé - Elaeu (4:33) (Brazil)
04. Jeanette - Porque Te Vas (3:18) (Spain)
05. Huracanes - Cambio (2:45) (Spain)
06. Los Saicos - Salvaje (2:38) (Peru)
07. Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Black Panta (4:33) (Jamaica)
08. Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Mas Que Nada (2:40) (Brazil)
09. Beth Carvalho - Andança (3:05) (Brazil)
10. Sonya - En Mi Nube (Get Off My Cloud) (2:36) (Spain)
11. Los Mac's - Dear Friend Bob (2:03) (Chile)
12. Caetano Veloso - Alfomega (5:51) (Brazil)
13. Barry Brown - Tourist Season (3:56) (Jamaica)
14. Gilberto Gil - Bat Macumba (2:35) (Brazil)
15. Los Fronterizos - La Anunciación (2:42) (Argentina)
*********
vol. 3 :: Multiculturism in the Modern Age
17 countries represented, not all of them made it to the finals unfortunately...
mp3:
side a http://www.sendspace.com/file/jo46rw
side b http://www.sendspace.com/file/wxmi0l
(110mb)
side a
01. OOIOO - Moss Trumpeter (2:36) (Japan)
02. Konono N°1 - Guiyome (3:26) (Congo)
03. El Guincho - Kalise (5:07) (Spain)
04. jj - from africa to málaga (2:50) (Sweden)
05. Cornelius - Beep It (4:02) (Japan)
06. M.I.A. - Sunshowers (3:18) (Sri Lanka/England)
07. Under Byen - Alt Er Tabt (3:43) (Denmark)
08. Gustavo Santaolalla - The Skin of the Earth (2:51) (Argentina)
09. Turzi - Afghanistan (5:39) (France)
10. Bonde Do Role - Geremia (2:44) (Brazil)
side b
11. Bjork - Vokuro (3:24) (Iceland)
12. Taken By Trees - Watch The Waves (4:25) (Sweden/Pakistan)
13. Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté - Sina Mory (4:28) (Mali)
14. Charlotte Gainsbourg - Le Chat Du Café Des Artistes (4:03) (France)
15. Lau Nau - Painovoimaa, valoa (5:00) (Finland)
16. Amadou & Mariam - Ce N'est Pas Bon (3:49) (Mali)
17. Shugo Tokumaru - Kiiro (4:00) (Japan)
18. Silje Nes - Ames Room (2:19) (Norway)
19. Monkey - Pigsy in Space (2:15) (China/England)
20. Modeselektor - The White Flash (Feat. Thom Yorke) (4:49) (Germany/England)
*********
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, January 08, 2010
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