Saturday 23 October 2010

Listening now to...

"Shine On You Crazy Diamond (I-V)"

Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom,
blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter,
come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night, and exposed in the light.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome with random precision,
rode on the steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!

14 comments:

  1. Now I understand why you didn't recognise the Overture from Verdi's La Forza del Destino.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Now, now, Albert.

    Preference can depend on many variables so let's share some of my taste in classical music in these proceedings. The setting can be important. This may be a favourite of yours, Albert as it needs a cathedral to do it justice. The piece may have to suit the occasion. Having the perfect instrument might hit the right key. Time and a contrasting tempo can also make all the difference, but some pieces are just meant for quiet contemplation. One piece I can always listen to. Music is to be enjoyed and shared so I enjoy these posts, P.

    I went easy on the Gregorian chants and I tried to avoid Nessum Dorma Nessum Dorma except I couldn't entirely.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The correct link for the "right key" above is this:

    http://youtu.be/BxgmorK61YQ

    Mozart's Clarinet Concerto. Isn't it wonderful?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Some beautiful pieces there, M. Thanks - as you say, music is for sharing.

    Most of those are quite memorable for me. I once went to listed to a setting of the Toccata for a brass band in which a good friend was playing, and the Pachelbel Canon was the centrepiece for a memorable annual meeting of the Robinson College Musical Society (although its famous student had departed by then).

    And as for the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, well, that will always be close to my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It was good for my HTML skills. To my chagrin, I didn't include any Elgar. It is reassuring to know you know what you like and don't like.

    You have a cat then?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the selections measured (and apologies for the delay in replying - I've not been around). Your choices indicate you are a person whose tastes far exceed the dismal, and frankly embarrasing tastes (musical and clothing) of Patently. I love Mozart and Bach. As you missed some Elgar - how about this? . But I'm personally a huge fan a French Church music. See what you think of this or even this great man who is arguably, music's answer to Blessed Fra Angelico

    In heaven, there will be "one equal music", there will no Pink Floyd winging about getting older, and the only queen will be this one.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh yes, and no cats (obviously).

    ReplyDelete
  8. No, because they don't have immortal souls.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's a relief. Just imagine how evil they could be, if they had that power?!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Although the lion is a symbol of Christ - so perhaps they have all power!

    ReplyDelete
  11. No, no.

    The lion is a truly powerful beast. Just look at it; vicious teeth, sharp claws, huge muscles, a mighty roar.

    The domestic cat is like its scrawny little brother, basking in the reflected glory of the bigger sibling that is feared by all. It struts around as if it were king of the neighbourhood, as if it had real power, as if it were something to fear. But all it really scares is mice.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am also no lover of cats; they have a tendency to be unpredictable. It saddens me that animals do not immortal souls. My heaven would have old friends, such as dogs, welcoming me. Lions may be strong and fearless, but given man's cruelty, such attributes have not benefited them. Domestic cats have thrived.

    I thought you might link to Karl Richter. Aren't some organs magnificent? (That comment was not meant to be below the belt, P. ;-)) The most exquisite, stunning and breath-taking painting, which I had the privilege to see this summer, is The Adoration of the Magi by Gentile da Fabriano (known as Giovanni). Painted in 1423, Giovanni was every bit as good as your chap.

    Returning to music, I do like Bach* which is not too heavy. When we depart this world, may music still be food for our souls, some may need it more than others.

    *This may be wee bit racy for the Catholic Church

    ReplyDelete