May 2008 Archives
We put up those pics of some Blu pieces we snapped in Berlin, but check this. It's called 'Muto' (Mute).
You probably know a bit about the Isle of Man TT. At least you might have heard of it. But you might not know anything about the North West 200, a road race held in Northern Ireland in the weeks leading up the TT. It’s the most popular sporting event of the year over there, with some 150,000 people from all over the world in attendance. Traditionally it’s been considered a support race, a warm up if you like; but in reality, where the TT has become a kind of festival of biking, the NW has retained its purity. It’s racing. Nothing more, nothing less...
In 1968, under the lights of his dentist’s chair, Philippe Petit got wind of a pair of giant towers under construction in New York City. An idea was born. “When I see three oranges, I juggle,” he once said. “And when I see two towers, I walk.”
Regardless of success and its common units of measurement, fame and fortune, there is that enduring aspect of music that is born of love, devotion and in a few cases outrageous natural talent. Bobby McFerrin, who won Song of the Year in 1988 for ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ never came close to the top of the charts again but he has had an illustrious musical career since, including a period as guest conductor for the NY Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia and London Orchestras.
Most impressive to me though are his unique vocal improvisations. He has an astonishing vocal range of 4 octaves, he is an expert at vocal percussion and is also capable of throat-singing in which he excites the natural overtones from the fundamental vocal pitch, producing a two-or three-part chord of notes from one voice. Throwing all this talent into an improv session is breathtaking. McFerrin is the guy in the red shirt:
