What better way to start the new year?
Aretha Franklin, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (G. Goffin, C. King, J. Wexler), live, Washington, D.C., 2015
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New Year’s Day—
everything is in blossom!
I feel about average.—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), translated from Japanese by Robert Hass
Close your eyes . . .
John Luther Adams (1953-), . . . and bells remembered . . . (2005)
Callithumpian Consort, 2011
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aware of the sun
setting, the butterfly
flits away—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue
more
Mighty Clouds of Joy (feat. Joe Ligon, lead vocals), “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” live, South Carolina (Charleston), mid-1990s
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most end up
stuck in mud . . .
cherry blossoms—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue
lucid, adj. translucent, pellucid, clear. E.g., Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians.
Steve Reich (1936-), Music for 18 Musicians (1974-76)
Ensemble Intercontemporain with Synergy Vocals, live, Paris, 2014
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the door latch
rusting scarlet . . .
winter rain—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue
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random sights
this morning, Chicago (Columbus Park)
drum fest
day three
Perhaps the greatest drummer ever.
Tony Allen—three takes.
Recording studio, 2009
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Paris, 2015
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Istanbul, 2015
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opening the window
I see the butterfly off . . .
into the field—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue
sounds of Iceland
Anna Thorvaldsdottir (1977-), Aura
NorthArc Percussion Group, live, Iceland (Reykjavik), 2012
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Even the crow
has a grove
to grow old in—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue
string festival
day one
György Ligeti (1923-2006), Sonata for Solo Cello (1948-53); Matt Allen, live, Westport, N.Y., 2009
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the butterfly I passed
two miles back
is ahead now—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827; translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue)
sounds of Mali
Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni Ba, “Siran Fen,” 2015
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my rice field too
song by song
is planted—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827; translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue)
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The Beatles (Comiskey Park). The Who (Kinetic Playground). The Velvet Underground (Kinetic Playground). The MC5 (Lincoln Park). Bob Marley (Quiet Knight). The list goes on and on. My musical life is unimaginable without the experiences I’ve had with my brother Don, who turns 65 today. Happy Birthday!
Sometimes nothing is more enlivening than to hear something that sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard before.
Rebecca Saunders (1967-), Fury II (2009); Remix Ensemble (Emilio Pomarico, cond.; Antonio Augusto Aguiar, bass), live, Portugal (Porto), 2011
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after the dance
right away, cutting
the morning grass—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827; translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue)
basement jukebox
Edwin Starr, “Twenty-Five Miles,” 1969
Nothing jumps out of speakers like a track mixed for car radio.
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even poorly planted
rice plants
slowly, slowly . . . green!—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827; translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue)
music clip of the day 