Some artists dim over time; others continue to glow.
Neneh Cherry (1964-), “Natural Skin Deep” (N. Cherry, et al.), 2018 (audio, Broken Politics), 2019 (video, directed by Akinola Davies, shot in Beirut)
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill.
This song was released in 2011; the words were written in 1861.
David Sylvian (1958-), “I Should Not Dare” (Emily Dickinson [1830-1886]),* 2011 (Died in the Wool)
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reading table
I look at my father and mother and Vinnie, and all my friends, and I say no – no, can’t leave them, what if they die when I’m gone.
—Emily Dickinson, letter to friend Jane Humphrey (L86), 1852
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*Poem 234 (Franklin):
I should not dare to leave my friend,
Because – because if he should die
While I was gone – and I – too late –
Should reach the Heart that wanted me –
If I should disappoint the eyes
That hunted – hunted so – to see –
And could not bear to shut until
They “noticed” me – they noticed me –
If I should stab the patient faith
So sure I’d come – so sure I’d come –
It listening – listening – went to sleep –
Telling my tardy name –
My Heart would wish it broke before –
Since breaking then – since breaking then –
Were useless as next morning’s sun –
Where midnight frosts – had lain!
It was, I recall, a cloudless morning in Chicago, as it was in New York. I had a hearing scheduled in federal court, but then, after the second plane hit, court was cancelled. We sat in front of the television, unable to turn away.
William Basinski (1958-), “Disintegration Loop 1.1,” 2001
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Photograph from September 11
by Wislawa Szymborska (1923-2012, MCOTD Hall of Fame), translated from Polish by Clare Cavanagh and Stanislaw Baranczak
They jumped from the burning floors—
one, two, a few more,
higher, lower.
The photograph halted them in life,
and now keeps them
above the earth toward the earth.
Each is still complete,
with a particular face
and blood well hidden.
There’s enough time
for hair to come loose,
for keys and coins
to fall from pockets.
They’re still within the air’s reach,
within the compass of places
that have just opened.
I can do only two things for them—
describe this flight
and not add a last line.
more
Jürg Frey (1953-), Extended Circular Music No. 4 (2011-2014); Flex Ensemble (Kana Sugimura, violin; Anna Szulc-Kapala, viola; Martha Bijlsma, cello; Endri Nini, piano) with Yoann Trellu (video art), live, Germany (Hannover aka Hanover), 2017
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Moon, plum blossoms,
this, that,
and the day goes.—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), translated from Japanese by Robert Hass
Why not begin the week with something slow, and quiet, and beautiful?
Jürg Frey (1953-), Petit fragment de paysage (Ko Ishikawa, shō; Mari Adachi, viola), Wen 16 (Seiko Takemoto, cello), Petit fragment de paysage (Mari Adachi, viola; Seiko Takemoto, cello); Wen 29 (Mari Adachi, viola); Petit fragment de paysage (Ko Ishikawa, u; Seiko Takemoto, cello), live, Tokyo, 2016
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even poorly planted
rice plants
slowly, slowly . . . green!—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue
sounds of Palestine
Sama’ (DJ), live, Palestine, 2018
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Chicago (Columbus Park)
Today, MCOTD’s 10th anniversary, we revisit our first post.
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One left Cuba after the revolution, the other stayed. Here they play together: pianists—father and son—Bebo and Chucho Valdes.
string quartet festival
day one
A couple years ago I heard the Chicago-based Spektral Quartet play this piece at the Museum of Contemporary Art—one of the most memorable musical experiences of my life.
Morton Feldman (1926-1987, MCOTD Hall of Fame), String Quartet No. 2 (1983); FLUX Quartet, live, London (The Tanks at Tate Modern), 2016
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Who has not found the Heaven – below –
Will fail of it above –
For Angels rent the House next ours,
Wherever we remove –—Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), 1609 (Franklin)
sounds of Kenya and Uganda
Slikback (DJ, Kenya) featuring MC Yella, Bandana, Swordman (Uganda), live, Uganda (Nyege Nyege Festival), 2018
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Oak Park, Ill.
sounds of New York
James Brandon Lewis Unruly Quintet (JBL, tenor saxophone; Jaimie Branch, trumpet; Anthony Pirog, guitar; Luke Stewart, bass; Warren G. Crudup III, drums), live, New York, 6/15/19
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lagniappe
random sights
this morning, Chicago (Columbus Park)
