A Sort of Homecoming

Of Time and the City

2009-11-14T14:46:00.001-05:00

The reason 'Consolation in D Major' is my favorite piece of music this month.

Consolation in D Flat Major; Franz Liszt 1811-1886, played by Annette Servadei.

2009-11-14T14:40:00.000-05:00

My favorite piece of music this month.

Beethoven 9th Symphony: Ode to Joy 3 • Volker Hartung, conductor

2009-10-27T10:43:00.001-04:00

Oh friends, not these tones!
Rather, let us raise our voices in more pleasing
And more joyful sounds!
Joy! Joy!
[...]
Whoever has had the great fortune
To be a friend's friend,
Whoever has won a devoted wife,
Join in our jubilation!
Indeed, whoever can call even one soul,
His own on this earth!
And whoever was never able to, must creep
Tearfully away from this band!
[...]
Be embraced, millions!
This kiss for the whole world!
Brothers, above the starry canopy
Must a loving Father dwell.
Do you bow down, millions?
Do you sense the Creator, world?
Seek Him beyond the starry canopy!
Beyond the stars must He dwell.

Mahler 3rd - Finale - Dudamel

2009-10-27T10:32:00.001-04:00

Kinda obsessed with Mahler right now.

Bring It On Home To Me

2009-10-27T10:22:00.001-04:00

Great cover of a great song.

Finnegans Wake

2009-07-11T11:28:00.005-04:00

I started reading this sometimes frustrating but enjoyable and brilliant Joyce book a couple of weeks ago, and then noticed some twitter activity between Rian Johnson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt about adapting a page of the book into a short film. I'm delighted I could play some small part in this:

Page Four Hundred and Thirty-Nine from Clara Aranovich on Vimeo.

The Page 439 project coincides with my first trip back to Ireland in four years and has deepened my obsession with Joyce and his work. Hopefully, I'll release some more recordings in the near future. Meanwhile, this clip from archive.org incorporates the language of the work and even the song which partly inspired its title and is possibly my favorite MP3 of the year.

Gary Moore with Phil Lynott - Parisienne Walkways (live)

2009-06-22T11:04:00.001-04:00

Buddy Guy

2009-06-22T09:09:00.004-04:00

On Friday evening, I witnessed the greatest live music event of my life. I’ve been to around twenty Mountain Stage shows during my nine years in West Virginia – many were good, some were great, but none prepared me for the raw energy, the electrification of a crown, the transformative experience that was Buddy Guy.

Buddy Guy is noble, a nobility few artists have earned. Buddy Guy is playful, in a way few artists are brave enough to be, taunting the audience with his artistry. He created a unique musical event, flitting between songs he has known intimately for decades, mimicking the playing styles of Clapton, Hendrix and more, calling out to his bandmated and taking joy in their responses. He played his guitar as if it were part of himself, one-handed, or behind his back, or with his teeth. Yet, none of it seemed ostentatious. He was simply sharing his gift. My wife reviewed the entire Mountain Stage show for the Charleston Gazette, and here are some YouTube clips that attempt to capture the magic of Buddy Guy:

Mark Kermode Reviews Mamma Mia - BBC Radio 5 live

2009-06-08T10:45:00.001-04:00

filmspotting #258 massacre theatre - Gladiator

2009-06-08T10:34:00.001-04:00

Fiddler Medley by Pianafiddle

2009-05-18T14:42:00.001-04:00

I was fortunate enough to attend a show by this duo and hope to do so again - the entire performance was amazing but this is my personal favorite.

From my favorite album of the year so far

2009-05-11T10:01:00.001-04:00

King Of The Dogs - Iggy Pop

I listen to this almost every day

2009-05-11T09:50:00.000-04:00

Bach - Cello Suite No. 1, Prelude

On Hiatus

2008-11-16T14:40:00.004-05:00

I leave you with The Lass of Aughrim ...

Mozart gives hope.... KV 622

2008-07-16T10:23:00.001-04:00

a transporting piece of music

re: Your Brains

2008-07-14T11:38:00.001-04:00

Aria (Bach)

2008-07-14T11:20:00.001-04:00

Bellissimo

Paul Potts sings Nessun Dorma

2008-07-09T10:18:00.001-04:00

This one brought tears to my eyes - I heard about him cos they're making a movie about his story.

Des Bishop - léimigí thart / Jump around - House of pain /

2008-07-01T09:16:00.001-04:00

Jump Around in Gaelic.

This poem's been on my mind recently...

2008-06-25T09:46:00.003-04:00

Mirror in February
by Thomas Kinsella

The day dawns, with scent of must and rain,
Of opened soil, dark trees, dry bedroom air.
Under the fading lamp, half dressed - my brain
Idling on some compulsive fantasy -
I towel my shaven jaw and stop, and stare,
Riveted by a dark exhausted eye,
A dry downturning mouth.

It seems again that it is time to learn,
In this untiring, crumbling place of growth
To which, for the time being, I return.
Now plainly in the mirror of my soul
I read that I have looked my last on youth
And little more; for they are not made whole
That reach the age of Christ.

Below my window the wakening trees,
Hacked clean for better bearing, stand defaced
Suffering their brute necessities;
And how should the flesh not quail, that span for span
Is mutilated more? In slow distaste
I fold my towel with what grace I can,
Not young, and not renewable, but man.

Jim Corr on 9/11

2008-06-25T09:42:00.001-04:00

For the week that's in it...

2008-06-11T10:10:00.003-04:00

Dublin, says writer Nuala O'Faolain, may be the only city in the world that has both a patron saint and a patron book.

The saint, of course, is Patrick, who famously rid the island nation of snakes and converted pagans to Christianity. The book: James Joyce's Ulysses.

So begins this NPR page about Bloomsday. There are many more links relating to Ulysses and Joyce at my Joyce appreciation blog.

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Mr. President by Jett Loe

2008-06-09T12:06:00.001-04:00

A compendium of cinematic Presidents

An Encounter

2008-06-09T11:04:00.001-04:00

Over the Ha'penny Bridge, headed for Henry Street. Half four. Thinking of the films I'd seen, formulating sentences in my mind for the reviews I'd write later. Focus on Trim. Wasn't getting paid but any excuse to get up to Dublin and see a few films every week. The Winding Stair? No, Chapters will be easier to navigate.
I'm drawn out of my musings by two strangers acting like they're not strangers. My arms are linked, like a chorus line. Like a propped-up drunk.
- If yeh know what's good for yeh, yeh'll stay quiet. See tha'? His eyes draw mine to his right hand, which cups a syringe. The accent was one I was familiar with through Fair City and radio call-in programmes.
- Do what I say or I'll pump you full of aids. We're just walking somewhere quiet – best buds, righ'? Right. I play my part, try to smile. Probably not aids, but better safe than sorry. I don't know where I am. Amazing that the city can be deserted so close to bustling streets.
- Give us your wallet, he says. I hand it over. A childish Velcro thing. He rummages, takes my twenty quid. I tell him it's all I have. He takes out the ATM card – empty, I swear. His friend has noticed the social welfare card.
- Come on, he says. He's on the dole, same as us. The more aggressive one wants to march me to an ATM machine but eventually he's convinced the trek would be futile. They hustle away, warning me to remain where I am for a minute or two.
- Okay, thanks. Why do I thank them? Any excuse for self pity, like how I'm grateful when Da's beatings leave bruises. I won't tell anyone about today. Ma would try to convince us that I brought it on myself. That time a few months ago when I was ambushed in Patrick's Park.
- You had to have done something. Jesus.
Later, I find a fiver in my back pocket and head for Bus Aras, triumphant.

A New Meme

2008-06-05T10:27:00.004-04:00

Who’s your favorite musical artist?

In recent years my answer to this has been Frank Sinatra, but I'm reverting to my previous favorite, Elvis Presley. His was the first tape I bought, and I was obsessed with him during my formative years. I can respect Sinatra's mastery of the craft more, but in my heart, Elvis reigns as king.

Who’s your favorite artist?

Edward Hopper, mostly because of this:

Who is your favorite blogger?

Muruch / Bill Lynch / Declan Burke

If you could meet anyone (alive or dead), who would it be and what is the most interesting thing about them?

Kurt Vonnegut... I have a feeling that some time spent in his company would be a transformative experience.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

For years, I thought I would be a priest. It all came crashing down in my teens. Later I wanted to be a writer of suspenseful fiction. It could still happen!

What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know?

Erm, Saint Brendan discovered America!

If you could live in any point in history what would it be and why?

1930's... end of the great depression and perhaps the greatest era of American film, music & radio. Plus FDR!

What is the most interesting job you have ever held?

It's still a little hard to believe that I had a part to play in the phenomenon that was Atlantic 252. I recently posted videos from the station here.