Wednesday, 28 September 2011

20 years ago today he left. He also left a tremendous legacy..
Thank you Miles.

I originally wanted to select 5 recordings but I'm afraid I was incapable of choosing less than 14.

I place here in separate the recording that I personally feel to reflect his inner persona from his own perspective.
Jack Johnson, as is well documented, was an inspiration and someone with whom he highly identified with. For this reason if I had to choose but one (impossible when dealing with certain musicians) this would probably best serve "my mind's eye" as I try to define and reflect his inner being, though I'm certain it only reflects a fractional portion.

In truth for any one working in the arts their entire ouevre reflects their being, emotions and thought along with people and things surrounding them. Therefore my list is in effect useless to reflect the man.
- I thus place 14 here.. fully knowing their should be more.

The following (some of which were turning points in the history of Jazz in my humble opinion) are some of my favourite Miles Davis recordings. Besides the afore mentioned work (above), these are to me of high significance.

One of his many facets was the challenge he put upon others to work at his side whether it be in performance or composing. He was truly what one could call a Music "Medium" or channel if you will. He had that rare uncanny sense that few have for percieving talent in others in such a way as to instantly capture, captivate and entice into action at the highest degree of one's capabilities.

I thus begin the list, which is in no way in any specific order but rather randomly put forth as I run through my memory, with "Aura".

Aura
- although Miles was a prolific composer, either recording and/or performing various pieces written by his friends and colleagues or music of his own along with the habitual list of jazz standards, in this case he went to Palle Mikkelborg to author the tracks on this album.

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Today I bring you a man that has (to save time I'll quote a page on the myspace network)

«” And yet Leonard Peltier has remained a prisoner for more than 33 years. Fifty five United States Senators and Congressional Representatives (including Democrats and Republicans) have filed an appeal brief demanding that Peltier receive a new trial. Amnesty International has repeatedly called for Peltier’s immediate release from prison, governments from all over the world have passed resolutions insisting that Peltier be released, and a large contingent of distinguished human rights advocates have been very outspoken in their strong support for Peltier - including six people who have already received the Nobel Peace Prize: Nelson Mandela (1993), Rigoberta Menchú Tum (1992), Mikhail Gorbachev (1990), the 14th Dalai Lama (1989), Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1984), and Mother Teresa (1979). Despite his well known status as a political prisoner, however, the basis for Peltier’s Nobel nominations has been his remarkable success in furthering the causes of peace and human rights.»

The first part of this message written July 3rd looked to the east as was in respect to:

US Prisoner #89637-132
Silence, they say, is the voice of complicity. But silence is impossible.Silence screams.Silence is a message,just as doing nothing is an act.Let who you are ring out & resonate
in every word (and) every deed.Yes, become who you are.There's no sidestepping your own beingor your own responsibility.What you do is who you are.You are your own comeuppance.You become your own message.
You are the message.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse

(Leonard Peltier)

Being Portuguese
(and Canadian, but today it is my Portuguese 'persona' that cries)
- the subject of political prisoners, repression and oppressive rule makes my heart bleed.

It is easy to cast an outraged eye to the orient regarding Human Rights (and rightfully so), but in the West there is no less outrage, it's just painted differently.. I bring you a man who has been wrongfully in jail for the past 35 years and is mortally ill. A man who should be at home for the little time he has left to enjoy the laughter of grandchildren..
Moreover in the West there are american states (not all) who take it upon themselves to be above God and decide for themselves the right to live or die.
This is quite ironic since those same states within the United States are the ones that not only have the highest crime rate (violent), but actually increase in violence despite said punishment. I also know it is easy to point to the US when speaking of ill behaviour.
In Europe illegally and/or immorally war mongers bring money to nations such as France, Germany, England, Portugal, Italy.. while they promote profit from Human carnage. I wonder..
In the South Australia cannot leave East Timor alone.. (too much black gold)
and the way they defend their countryman is absurd (Julian Assange) who's crime it appears was to show things such as war crimes.

What is wrong with people..?

What is it that they believe they take with them to the grave, money? Power (over what)?
This inhumanity and other vile atrocities (children in Darfur.. ) is in the North, South, East and West.

Ten years after a cruel day dawning that beyond heartache and suffering to many brought about a terrifying "Police - State" type of world. The globe has become dystopic as consequence but as with everything this evil shall pass, contrary to the recollection of a day in September and the just homage one should bear to victims of intolerance, greed and mindless slaughtering. This blog renders its respects with one thing further, two versions of a piece by Charlie Haden for the people of each fallen tower and a planet that has since then.. therefrom suffered.