Music of the Moment

Judith Browning wrote:I just ran across and played "The Seasons" and " Vocal Works" and some other stuff by John Cage and I got to wondering who his equivalent is today? Michael, I'm guessing you know.

The question comes up as I'm staring at a deck of"cards" created by Brian Eno (and Peter Schmidt). The cards are called"Oblique Strategies - over 100 worthwhile dilemmas". Part of the suggested use is: ".......drawing a single card from the shuffled pack when a dilemma occurs in a working situation. In this case the card is trusted even if its appropriateness is quite unclear.....".

John Cage was first and foremost a philosopher and conceptualist. "Sound" and environment were his vehicles for conveying his ideas. Merce Cunningham, choreographer and Cage's collaborator and partner use to dance,not with but"against" or "at" Cage's music (is that "quite unclear"? ). I sometimes think Cage's anthem could have been the title of a Talking Heads piece: Stop Making Sense. A lot of people who know the name think of John as the guy who wrote a "piano piece which never gets played". The well known piece,of course,is 4'33". Not only is it an environmental piece but especially in the light of today, I "see" as a piece (performance) about "community". I would guess if it is performed today people would be staring at their cell phones for four minutes.

To reply to your question,Judith, I don't have a direct answer. I think Cage was another of those ice breaker "artists" who's ideas spawned many cutting edge performers. People like Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson make no bones about John's influence upon them. Others like Miles Davis, attempted to (and did) break boundaries,especially in the late 60's and early 70's could be considered "out there". People either got it or hated it, no in between. I think that is true of Cage as well.

Obviously I've dated myself as far artist choices but I also think a lot of electronic music today have roots in Cage's concepts. A lot of the electronic sounds have a "found object" quality to them. The sub genre of Intelligence Dance Music - "Glitch" is just one of many examples. Who knows perhaps today's pop music has it's roots in his ideas. I mean one doesn't go to a concert any more,it's now a"performance" one attends, cell phone in hand............

A "sister" had a performance recorded by a local station in her state. It is so cool to see her success. I have that streaming while prepping seeds.

Listening to "Poetry Readings in the Cellar" with the cellar jazz quintet. One side is Kenneth Rexroth reading "Thou Shalt Not Kill" and the other side (its on vinyl) is Lawrence Ferlinghetti reading "The Statue of St. Francis-The Junkman's Obbligato"
recorded in 1957 at The Cellar in San Franciso.
My high school english teacher slipped us a copy of 'Coney Island of the Mind' and I have been fascinated with Ferlinghetti's poetry and other beat poets ever since.

Trampled by Turtles - Silver and Gold

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdwwP1TMrBY

Rolling Stones - Moonlight Mile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gy3PH4Sf6g

Rick, I'm posting the records here in case anyone else is interested...we have two.

Almeda Riddle "Granny Riddle's Songs and Ballads" on Minstrel JD-203 1977
this is the one with "Frog Went a-Courtin'"....to rival Dylan's version.

"How Firm a Foundation and other Traditional hymns" Almeda Riddle Greers Ferry, Arkansas
Arkansas Traditions 1985 c/o Ozark Folk Center, Mountain View, arkansas 72560.
this was recorded and produced here locally...don't know if it ever got out of town.

Have you heard of Glenn Ohrlin?

Hi Judith, Thanks for helping me figure out Mrs. Riddles discography. I think your right about Foundation and Traditional.... thats rare. I will continue to research and let you know what I find. Glenn Ohrlin, No I'm not familiar with his music. Although, the name sounds very familiar. I'm sure I've heard his tunes on the WFMU radio country music show or the "Grand Ole Opry" radio show. I will give him a listen. Thanks! If you have any more interesting records affiliated with the "Beat" generation poetry or music that would be really cool. I will post some of Mrs. Riddles tunes shortly and maybe some neat Beat stuff. Peace Rick