In reviewing the music that I've been listening to over the last year earlier this month, I mentioned that I hadn't got round to listening to the latest offering from Kate Bush - 50 Words For Snow. Well, I now have.
Compared to her earlier material, which I've only recently really started listening to, the new collection is quite different. In terms of song length, whereas previously these have been between 3:30 and 6:00, the songs on the new album range from just under 7:00 to 13:30. Musically the sound on '50 Words...' is much mellower, and more minimalist in style. Kate's voice has also mellowed with time, and has lost the sharp edge of some of her earlier recordings.
I found it to be a beautiful, meditative, ethereal collection of songs, all loosely around a winter theme (a concept album?). Stand-out songs for me so far are 'Misty', which seems to be an erotic fantasy about a snowman (?), and the album closer, 'Among Angels', which is simply stunning.
Even if you find Kate's music challenging, I would recommend giving this offering a listen. I don't think you'll regret it.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Saturday, 24 December 2011
A Night Like No Other
This is something I wrote a number of years ago now, when our boys were very small. I hope it still speaks.
The gifts are all wrapped - well, most of them
prepared for the assault of tiny fingers (and not so tiny);
the shops are closed - well, most of them
preparing for the onslaught of the sales;
the children are asleep - well, most of them
awaiting what the morning will bring,
and leaving the parents wondering when that morning will begin.
Our attempts to placate the insistent and the persistent,
our expressions of affection and gratitude,
our tokens of love,
are presented and await the desired response.
It is Christmas Eve - the night before the morning after
and the air is thickening with anticipation;
it is a night like no other.
What's he bringing you?
You'd better be good, or he won't come!
I hope we've not forgotten anyone!
In a draughty shed,
a young girl tries to feed and comfort her Son,
only a few hours old.
Behind her, her fiancé tries to find enough clean straw
to line the feeding trough that will double as a cot
for tonight at least.
Outside the early morning sounds of the city clamour to be heard
soon the light will be here, the day will have come.
No, the Light has already come.
The One Who caused the light,
Who brings the light,
Who is The Light,
is there in the stable
in the arms of a teenage mother.
The Day has already come;
that for which so many had hoped,
and dreamed,
and longed,
and prayed has arrived.
The Gift that all need,
but so few want,
is there, gift-wrapped in swaddling cloths,
but still waiting for a tree.
The pleading of the insistent and persistent has been heard by the Father
their needs have been met;
the greatest expression of affection and token of love is there,
awaiting eager hands to grasp it and claim it and own it,
for their name is there, written in the palms of His hands.
And the Father is waiting to see the look on our faces.
Copyright © John L Simms 1994
A Night like no other - A Meditation on the Eve of Christmas
The gifts are all wrapped - well, most of them
prepared for the assault of tiny fingers (and not so tiny);
the shops are closed - well, most of them
preparing for the onslaught of the sales;
the children are asleep - well, most of them
awaiting what the morning will bring,
and leaving the parents wondering when that morning will begin.
Our attempts to placate the insistent and the persistent,
our expressions of affection and gratitude,
our tokens of love,
are presented and await the desired response.
It is Christmas Eve - the night before the morning after
and the air is thickening with anticipation;
it is a night like no other.
What's he bringing you?
You'd better be good, or he won't come!
I hope we've not forgotten anyone!
In a draughty shed,
a young girl tries to feed and comfort her Son,
only a few hours old.
Behind her, her fiancé tries to find enough clean straw
to line the feeding trough that will double as a cot
for tonight at least.
Outside the early morning sounds of the city clamour to be heard
soon the light will be here, the day will have come.
No, the Light has already come.
The One Who caused the light,
Who brings the light,
Who is The Light,
is there in the stable
in the arms of a teenage mother.
The Day has already come;
that for which so many had hoped,
and dreamed,
and longed,
and prayed has arrived.
The Gift that all need,
but so few want,
is there, gift-wrapped in swaddling cloths,
but still waiting for a tree.
The pleading of the insistent and persistent has been heard by the Father
their needs have been met;
the greatest expression of affection and token of love is there,
awaiting eager hands to grasp it and claim it and own it,
for their name is there, written in the palms of His hands.
And the Father is waiting to see the look on our faces.
Copyright © John L Simms 1994
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Music of 2011
The music press at this time of year produce their 'Best of...' lists for the past 12 months, so I thought I'd look back over 2011 and pick through what I've been listening to.
So what's been exciting and entertaining me musically this year? Well, it's been an interesting and slightly eclectic year, one in which I've got hold of a large amount of music, new and old. But here's my pick of this year's releases.
My love of Scandinavian Progressive music has developed over the year, chiefly driven by the many projects of the prolific Roine Stolt, but elsewhere too. Highlights for me have been 'The Black Forest' by Agents of Mercy, 'Mammoth' by Beardfish, and 'In a Perfect World' by Karmakanic, but for me the outstanding album in this area was 'Rites at Dawn' by Wobbler, a wonderful evocation of the early 1970s with great musicianship reminiscent in places of Yes in their heyday.
2011 was the year I discovered Bandcamp, and was introduced to some great mood music by the likes of Umber, Janes Scenic Drive, The Echelon Effect and Lowercase Noises. Perhaps the most prolific was that of Earlyguard who produced on a monthly basis wonderful minimalist ambient soundscapes with the ability to transport you to quiet and mysterious places.
Although I have a tendency towards Progressive music, I am also partial to a bit of blues too. This year gave us a new release from blues hobo Seasick Steve with the aptly-titled 'You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks', and fresh material from one of the hardest working guitarists in rock Joe Bonamassa, who produced his own 'Dust Bowl', and a second album with Black Country Communion. Both were strong examples of hard-driving blues rock that brought a great deal of joy.
From the Progressive Metal stable came new recordings from Symphony X, with 'Iconoclast' - a dystopian vision of a machine-dominated future, and from Dream Theater, their first recording without the considerable talents of Mike Portnoy on drums following his departure from the band at the end of 2010. His shoes were tough ones to fill, but Mike Mangini rose to the challenge and the band produced a great recording somewhat reminiscent for me of 'Scenes from a Memory'.
On the quieter side of the Progressive spectrum I have enjoyed the work of Lunatic Soul, a side project of the man behind Riverside, Mariusz Duda, who released their third collection, 'Impressions' towards the end of the year; Anathema's reworking of some of their earlier material in a much mellower style in 'Falling Deeper'; and the latest offering from Blackfield, 'Welcome to My DNA'. Blackfield are one of the many musical outings of Steven Wilson, the leading light behind Porcupine Tree, who as well as this release from Blackfield also completed his second solo album, 'Grace for Drowning'.
Veterans of the progressive music world Yes produced their first collection of new material in 10 years this year: my thoughts on 'Fly From Here' can be found here, and there was also 'The King of Limbs' from Radiohead, reminiscent for me of 'Kid A' in many places; and 'Beyond the Shrouded Horizon' from former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. But there were new discoveries too in the guise of Matt Stevens, a talented and versatile guitarist who as well as producing his third solo album, 'Relic' this year, also managed to release 'If it carries on like this we are moving to Morecambe' with his band The Fierce and the Dead; and from a band by the name of 'Majestic' who produced and album of epic prog called 'Labyrinth', available FREE here.
Albums I never got around to this year, that have featured in some of the seasonal listings, included 'Heritage' by Opeth, 'A Grounding in Numbers ' by Van der Graaf Generator, and '50 words for Snow' by Kate Bush. Maybe next year... Anything else I may have missed?
So what's been exciting and entertaining me musically this year? Well, it's been an interesting and slightly eclectic year, one in which I've got hold of a large amount of music, new and old. But here's my pick of this year's releases.
My love of Scandinavian Progressive music has developed over the year, chiefly driven by the many projects of the prolific Roine Stolt, but elsewhere too. Highlights for me have been 'The Black Forest' by Agents of Mercy, 'Mammoth' by Beardfish, and 'In a Perfect World' by Karmakanic, but for me the outstanding album in this area was 'Rites at Dawn' by Wobbler, a wonderful evocation of the early 1970s with great musicianship reminiscent in places of Yes in their heyday.
2011 was the year I discovered Bandcamp, and was introduced to some great mood music by the likes of Umber, Janes Scenic Drive, The Echelon Effect and Lowercase Noises. Perhaps the most prolific was that of Earlyguard who produced on a monthly basis wonderful minimalist ambient soundscapes with the ability to transport you to quiet and mysterious places.
Although I have a tendency towards Progressive music, I am also partial to a bit of blues too. This year gave us a new release from blues hobo Seasick Steve with the aptly-titled 'You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks', and fresh material from one of the hardest working guitarists in rock Joe Bonamassa, who produced his own 'Dust Bowl', and a second album with Black Country Communion. Both were strong examples of hard-driving blues rock that brought a great deal of joy.
From the Progressive Metal stable came new recordings from Symphony X, with 'Iconoclast' - a dystopian vision of a machine-dominated future, and from Dream Theater, their first recording without the considerable talents of Mike Portnoy on drums following his departure from the band at the end of 2010. His shoes were tough ones to fill, but Mike Mangini rose to the challenge and the band produced a great recording somewhat reminiscent for me of 'Scenes from a Memory'.
On the quieter side of the Progressive spectrum I have enjoyed the work of Lunatic Soul, a side project of the man behind Riverside, Mariusz Duda, who released their third collection, 'Impressions' towards the end of the year; Anathema's reworking of some of their earlier material in a much mellower style in 'Falling Deeper'; and the latest offering from Blackfield, 'Welcome to My DNA'. Blackfield are one of the many musical outings of Steven Wilson, the leading light behind Porcupine Tree, who as well as this release from Blackfield also completed his second solo album, 'Grace for Drowning'.
Veterans of the progressive music world Yes produced their first collection of new material in 10 years this year: my thoughts on 'Fly From Here' can be found here, and there was also 'The King of Limbs' from Radiohead, reminiscent for me of 'Kid A' in many places; and 'Beyond the Shrouded Horizon' from former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. But there were new discoveries too in the guise of Matt Stevens, a talented and versatile guitarist who as well as producing his third solo album, 'Relic' this year, also managed to release 'If it carries on like this we are moving to Morecambe' with his band The Fierce and the Dead; and from a band by the name of 'Majestic' who produced and album of epic prog called 'Labyrinth', available FREE here.
Albums I never got around to this year, that have featured in some of the seasonal listings, included 'Heritage' by Opeth, 'A Grounding in Numbers ' by Van der Graaf Generator, and '50 words for Snow' by Kate Bush. Maybe next year... Anything else I may have missed?
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Light in our Darkness
As Advent Sunday approaches, here's a hymn for use when lighting the Advent Candles which I wrote a few years ago. It can be sung to the tune Bunessan (Morning has broken)
Week 1
Light in our darkness;
Joy in our sorrow;
Hope for our future;
Help on our way;
Jesus, your people
Look for your coming,
Bringing deliverance:
Hasten the day!
Week 2
Lord of the future,
The past and the present,
Now and for ever
Always the same:
May we believe
The truth of the Scriptures,
All of us giving
Praise to your name.
Week 3
Voice in the desert,
Calling your people
To new beginnings,
Starting anew:
Jesus, your coming
Challenges us
To offer our lives
In service to you.
Week 4
Mary, you heard
The voice of the Master;
Willingly gave
Yourself to His plan.
Through your obedience
We have salvation:
God is among us,
Now become man.
Christmas Day
Glory to God
And peace to all people;
Jesus is born
Salvation to bring.
This Christmas morning
With all creation
We join in worship:
Praise to the King!
Copyright © John L Simms 1999
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
"Sing and make music..."
I was prompted to think about music and musicians this morning, as I was reminded that today is the Feast of St Cecilia, the Patron of Church music.
Music is a very important part of my life. I don't think a day goes by when I don't listen to music, and thanks to the wonders of digital technology I can now carry my music collection with me wherever I go, and listen (almost) at will. Music can aid relaxation, or can stir one to action. My tastes are diverse, with everything from Bach to the Beatles, from Stravinsky to the Sex Pistols, and from Miles Davis to Iron Maiden. My particular predilection is for Progressive Rock, from the 1970s to today - the great thing about Prog is that it keeps on evolving and pushing the boundaries, which can only be good in the end, as fresh musical expression is found.
Music has the ability to lift the soul, to raise the spirits, and to burrow truth and beauty deep into the psyche. Charles Wesley, through his hymns, used popular music of his day as a way to teach Christian doctrine to those who couldn't read the Bible. At this time of year, as Christmas approaches, I'm always amazed at the ability of music to stir memories of times past, and to bring Scripture to mind. Handel's wonderful combination of stirring music and Old Testament prophecy in 'Messiah' is just one example - I cannot read those words without hearing his melodies: the two for me are now intertwined.
I belong to a Christians tradition that was 'born in song': worship just doesn't seem like worship to me if it doesn't include singing. Having spent the last weekend away on a course it seemed really odd for the times of worship in which we shared to be non-musical. That's part of who I am. St Paul (if 'twas he) urged the Ephesian Christians to 'speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord' [Eph 5:19] and that, to me, is the most natural expression of devotion and worship.
I found the following quote in Butler's 'Lives of the Saints'. At the end of the chapter on Cecilia, he writes:
Music is a very important part of my life. I don't think a day goes by when I don't listen to music, and thanks to the wonders of digital technology I can now carry my music collection with me wherever I go, and listen (almost) at will. Music can aid relaxation, or can stir one to action. My tastes are diverse, with everything from Bach to the Beatles, from Stravinsky to the Sex Pistols, and from Miles Davis to Iron Maiden. My particular predilection is for Progressive Rock, from the 1970s to today - the great thing about Prog is that it keeps on evolving and pushing the boundaries, which can only be good in the end, as fresh musical expression is found.
Music has the ability to lift the soul, to raise the spirits, and to burrow truth and beauty deep into the psyche. Charles Wesley, through his hymns, used popular music of his day as a way to teach Christian doctrine to those who couldn't read the Bible. At this time of year, as Christmas approaches, I'm always amazed at the ability of music to stir memories of times past, and to bring Scripture to mind. Handel's wonderful combination of stirring music and Old Testament prophecy in 'Messiah' is just one example - I cannot read those words without hearing his melodies: the two for me are now intertwined.
I belong to a Christians tradition that was 'born in song': worship just doesn't seem like worship to me if it doesn't include singing. Having spent the last weekend away on a course it seemed really odd for the times of worship in which we shared to be non-musical. That's part of who I am. St Paul (if 'twas he) urged the Ephesian Christians to 'speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord' [Eph 5:19] and that, to me, is the most natural expression of devotion and worship.
I found the following quote in Butler's 'Lives of the Saints'. At the end of the chapter on Cecilia, he writes:
"As to music as an amusement, too much time must never be given to it; and extreme care ought to be taken... that children be not set to learn it very young, because it is a thing which bewitches the senses, dissipates the mind exceedingly, and alienates it from serious studies, as daily experience shows. Soft and effeminate music is to be always shunned with abhorrence, as the corrupter of the heart and the poison of virtue."I'm not sure I could agree with any of that. What do you think?
- How important is music to you in your life?
- How important is it to you in your devotions?
- John Miles wrote: 'To live without my music would be impossible to do'. Do you agree?
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