Like most boys and girls, I am no stranger to mysteries. We encounter them and solve them with logical thought. For example, there comes a time when we conclude cats are not animals but a fur-bearing liquid, for which I have no photos but...
...there are other examples. According to my case-notes, I solved the mystery of The Back Porch Monster by capturing and carefully dismantling it when it hopped and flopped moplike from under the washing machine. I found it was largely made of lint. At its center, I found a very grateful little treefrog which (because I remember how much I enjoyed it when it was done to me), I took outdoors and released into the wild.
However, there are some mysteries by which I confess myself baffled --enigmas I cannot penetrate to any useful depth, no matter how experienced I get, how wizened, gnarled and riven with age... I believe I have just described a dead tree:
But I digress. In order introduce the mystery of The Graceful Ghost, I must ask you to watch and listen to the following YouTube video of two young mediums channeling that particular entity.
This tune has the uncanny ability to get into my head, play itself and cause me to dance loosely and rhythmically from side to side while trying to walk forward. It is not strenuous or taxing, pleasurable actually. It is a friendly sort of possession, carried by the melody itself. I sway, and twirl slowly. My ligaments loosen and even a walk to wheel the garbage bin out becomes a relaxed, fluid experience. I sort of like it, but if I find myself liquifying, overwhelmed in lint or falling down in the forest, I will definitely consult an exorcist.
So essentially the music is turning you into a cat. I can think of a lot of worse things to become...
ReplyDeleteSo can I, EC, but even the exquisite and lively musical efforts of these artists would not likely move cats to take out the garbage bin. Must, at all costs, hang on to my humanity.
DeleteTo be transported to the ethereal plane by music is one of the most divine experiences one can have. Where you become fluid and flow in your movements I float and soar through the day.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to soar and float! Maybe I'll work up to that.
DeleteIt is the most free feeling you can have.
DeleteNow that is something I'd like to watch. It would be so much more enjoyable than much that passes for entertainment these days. You never know, it might catch on.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see it too, Tom. But if too many people learn to fly to music it'll drive air traffic controllers to distraction.
DeleteI hadn't thought of or listened to Bolcom's stuff in several years, thanks for reminding me. I recommend this interview with him:
ReplyDeletehttp://williambolcom.com/index.php?contentID=1038
I'd do my usual dis of your scientific content, but I'm watching re-runs of star trek enterprise. Another time perhaps.
Cheers
Mike
Watching STE is an imminently acceptable excuse, Mike. Best series ever. Will watch interview. Thinking of doing another time-traveling episode into 19th century France. Will welcome your scientific input!
DeleteIf I may be so bold....I recommend Jean-Francois de Galaupe to your consideration as a character in your next adventure......he led a crew of people off in adventure, and never returned with them....evidence is he was in Alaska, Japan, Hawaii, California, Russia, Australia and islands in the South Pacific. If you could satisfy my curiosity as to his ending, I'd appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Mike
I shall put the mystery on my agenda, Mike. Thanks. However, since replying to your previous comment, I went ahead and wrote a Poppy episode about a poet who was summarily passed over in my school days but had a big influence on modern literature. I think Jean-Francois de Galaupe will reward some attention too!
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