Btw, speaking of being a star, you were just quoted by actor and writer Rainn Wilson (of Dwight Schrute fame in The Office). He quoted this same “wisdom is the recovery of innocence at the far end of experience” line four hours ago on his fb author page, and the reactions are extensive…
Authenticity is the enemy of art. But you’ll have to tell me what “bad pop artists” you have in mind. If you refer to metal, it is a vast category, with as much variety in technical mastery as any other genre. I could play you metal you'd grudgingly concede was not "bad." But maybe you mean, like, Taylor Swift? Btw, I'm glad to hear you enjoy some Malian music. How about the Congolese colossi? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zZyGkGN7Sw
You must tell me, Michael. You’ve repeatedly said that musical quality is not essential to rock. Most recently you mentioned the Clash. In the past the Sex Pistols.
Ah, well, the Clash could play. I was being rhetorical. But yes, the Pistols were a mess. They're no longer a particular favorite, but I do like several bands (like Mayhem) whose technical ability is in question. Greil is no fan of metal beyond some early Sabbath, but he wrote Lipstick Traces about the "negation of social facts" that such music can seem to constitute. “‘I saw the Sex Pistols,’ said Bernard Sumner of Joy Division (later of New Order). ’They were terrible. I thought they were great. I wanted to get up and be terrible too.’”
I’m sorry. As a retired cleric in my sixties, I don’t think I’m exactly a candidate to be “one of your people” to advance your case for cool sunglasses like Bono wears, but if I could, I would. I do so find your writings to be deeply challenging and nourishing, so in any case, thanks!
Bands/Performers I Like That Probably Would Like DBH: all Elephant 6 bands, Jane Siberry, Tom Waits (“Down There By the Train” is what Christian rock would be if universalism had won out in the West), Black Sabbath (“‘e ‘elped me with the blewdy drinking”), Sun Ra (not enough etymology tho)
Bands/Performers I Like That Wouldn’t: most of the first wave punks and postpunks. These are inherently puritan movements
I remember reading that interview when it appeared and was excited to learn that a „philosophical treatise on the nature of consciousness“ was in the works. When can we expect that to appear?
Hahaha, I know that you’re a joking, but as a corporate lawyer I can tell you that if you really want those glasses, contacting Bono through the mediation of your people and his people would be far from the ideal approach. Assuming that you are not outright ignored, you will just trigger a slow moving but difficult to stop legal machine. Since admitting directly that Bono may owe your something will be a legal suicide, his team will raise a number of objections (as I am not trained in US law, I can only provide an educated guess), such as fair use, wrong addressee, expired statute of limitation, or even the fact that Mr. Hewson has come up with this phrase by himself in the middle of a very deep mediation. After some exchanges of boring letters, if his lawyers consider that Bono’s position is indefensible in court, they will offer you a 20-plus- page settlement agreement whereby they will grant you the glasses against your waiver of any past and future claims regarding this issue. At the end, the settlement will likely fall through as you will refuse to sign it out of sheer outrage at the violation of the English language which this agreement will undoubtedly turn out to be.
There is still a chance. You are a famous person with some famous friends. Eventually, you may stumble upon him at a public lecture or a book festival, or what have you and, if you catch him without his retinue, you may persuade him to surrender the glasses. (For all we know, he might be a subscriber here and you will receive the glasses in your mailbox within a week.)
Do you have people who could reach out to his people? And what exactly does it mean to have people? Are they employees, or are they just folks who live in your garage?
DBH: You have people! I think we, the readers of Leaves in the Wind, are your people. Provided a way to contact Bono's people, I'm sure many of us would love to reach out to them on your behalf.
I have no people in my garage, which is well as it floods regularly. The people I do know don't know U2, so they're unlikely to help bring those sun glasses to you. But there must be someone here who is moved by your story and can contact the right people. Thoughts and prayers.
I hope this is a sign a music-related article may be coming soon. You (and the commenters) have sent me down a rabbit hole into Malian and gamelan music, for which I'm quite grateful. I recall you mentioning Gagaku at some point. Any recommendations? Here's holding out hope for those sunglasses.
It’s funny that The Experience of God has become your marquis work in pop culture. It’s insanely stretching, but Beauty of the Infinite is the theological equivalent of Liszt’s transcendental etudes, as Schumann put it: “true storm and terror etudes.…Weaker executants will only excite laughter by attempting them.”
In these digital times, many of DBH's postings belong on social platforms. They could be more "popular" than we may suppose, and even rendered concisely (+ links). I just highlighted this about U2 on Twitter @longlooking.
Thanks. Conversely, my postings here, if they're behind the paywall, aren't meant to be generally shared. I have agreements with publishers of my collections to consider.
Start with the recordings of Toumani Diabaté playing traditional kora music. Then find some of Ballaké Sissoko's recordings. Sissokho Yakhouba and Lansiné Kouyaté did some classic recordings of kora and balafon music. It's a wide field.
For more in the way of current Malian music, Mamadou Diabaté. I prefer the traditional classical canon of Mali--a fascinating contrapuntal music, and very beautiful. My nephew Addison could probably give you a catalogue of names.
Btw, speaking of being a star, you were just quoted by actor and writer Rainn Wilson (of Dwight Schrute fame in The Office). He quoted this same “wisdom is the recovery of innocence at the far end of experience” line four hours ago on his fb author page, and the reactions are extensive…
He’s also on board with Roland’s proof of God from the Beatles. Watch this space.
Looking forward to it! He’s Baha'i I think.
Indeed he is.
Authenticity is the enemy of art. But you’ll have to tell me what “bad pop artists” you have in mind. If you refer to metal, it is a vast category, with as much variety in technical mastery as any other genre. I could play you metal you'd grudgingly concede was not "bad." But maybe you mean, like, Taylor Swift? Btw, I'm glad to hear you enjoy some Malian music. How about the Congolese colossi? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zZyGkGN7Sw
So, I got him into Malian music, huh?
I won’t feel truly proud until I’ve got him hooked on electronic organ from Niger.
You must tell me, Michael. You’ve repeatedly said that musical quality is not essential to rock. Most recently you mentioned the Clash. In the past the Sex Pistols.
I asmit that the authenticity line was vicious.
Ah, well, the Clash could play. I was being rhetorical. But yes, the Pistols were a mess. They're no longer a particular favorite, but I do like several bands (like Mayhem) whose technical ability is in question. Greil is no fan of metal beyond some early Sabbath, but he wrote Lipstick Traces about the "negation of social facts" that such music can seem to constitute. “‘I saw the Sex Pistols,’ said Bernard Sumner of Joy Division (later of New Order). ’They were terrible. I thought they were great. I wanted to get up and be terrible too.’”
I’m sorry. As a retired cleric in my sixties, I don’t think I’m exactly a candidate to be “one of your people” to advance your case for cool sunglasses like Bono wears, but if I could, I would. I do so find your writings to be deeply challenging and nourishing, so in any case, thanks!
Bands/Performers I Like That Probably Would Like DBH: all Elephant 6 bands, Jane Siberry, Tom Waits (“Down There By the Train” is what Christian rock would be if universalism had won out in the West), Black Sabbath (“‘e ‘elped me with the blewdy drinking”), Sun Ra (not enough etymology tho)
Bands/Performers I Like That Wouldn’t: most of the first wave punks and postpunks. These are inherently puritan movements
Not Sure: Beefheart
I remember reading that interview when it appeared and was excited to learn that a „philosophical treatise on the nature of consciousness“ was in the works. When can we expect that to appear?
Ah, that. Well, the ms was interrupted by the COVID shutdown, when I could not use the library. But it's in its final stages at last.
I’m looking forward to it! I’ve been preparing myself reading Lonergan and such.
Hahaha, I know that you’re a joking, but as a corporate lawyer I can tell you that if you really want those glasses, contacting Bono through the mediation of your people and his people would be far from the ideal approach. Assuming that you are not outright ignored, you will just trigger a slow moving but difficult to stop legal machine. Since admitting directly that Bono may owe your something will be a legal suicide, his team will raise a number of objections (as I am not trained in US law, I can only provide an educated guess), such as fair use, wrong addressee, expired statute of limitation, or even the fact that Mr. Hewson has come up with this phrase by himself in the middle of a very deep mediation. After some exchanges of boring letters, if his lawyers consider that Bono’s position is indefensible in court, they will offer you a 20-plus- page settlement agreement whereby they will grant you the glasses against your waiver of any past and future claims regarding this issue. At the end, the settlement will likely fall through as you will refuse to sign it out of sheer outrage at the violation of the English language which this agreement will undoubtedly turn out to be.
Joking? Joking? I want those glasses.
But this explains everything
There is still a chance. You are a famous person with some famous friends. Eventually, you may stumble upon him at a public lecture or a book festival, or what have you and, if you catch him without his retinue, you may persuade him to surrender the glasses. (For all we know, he might be a subscriber here and you will receive the glasses in your mailbox within a week.)
The day will come, I just know it.
This is a travesty! Bono needs to do the right thing and supply you with a pair of sun glasses.
Do you have people who could reach out to his people? And what exactly does it mean to have people? Are they employees, or are they just folks who live in your garage?
DBH: You have people! I think we, the readers of Leaves in the Wind, are your people. Provided a way to contact Bono's people, I'm sure many of us would love to reach out to them on your behalf.
I have no people in my garage, which is well as it floods regularly. The people I do know don't know U2, so they're unlikely to help bring those sun glasses to you. But there must be someone here who is moved by your story and can contact the right people. Thoughts and prayers.
I don't really know much about U2 either. I tried to sound like a savant in the interview, but I cribbed it on Spotify beforehand.
I hope this is a sign a music-related article may be coming soon. You (and the commenters) have sent me down a rabbit hole into Malian and gamelan music, for which I'm quite grateful. I recall you mentioning Gagaku at some point. Any recommendations? Here's holding out hope for those sunglasses.
Watch this space.
It’s funny that The Experience of God has become your marquis work in pop culture. It’s insanely stretching, but Beauty of the Infinite is the theological equivalent of Liszt’s transcendental etudes, as Schumann put it: “true storm and terror etudes.…Weaker executants will only excite laughter by attempting them.”
Here I was hoping Roland in Moonlight would be our day’s On the Road.
No, MacGorilla castle. Few noticed the 25 layered allegory embedded in that book, but I, as a fellow sophisticant certainly did.
In these digital times, many of DBH's postings belong on social platforms. They could be more "popular" than we may suppose, and even rendered concisely (+ links). I just highlighted this about U2 on Twitter @longlooking.
Thanks. Conversely, my postings here, if they're behind the paywall, aren't meant to be generally shared. I have agreements with publishers of my collections to consider.
Got it!
Dr. Hart I am with you on enjoying a wide range of musical genres. Do you listen to music from Africa as well?
I mentioned the music of Mali, to which my nephew introduced me. There are others as well
Oh sorry I missed that. That’s really cool. Now I know I am not the only one who enjoys all sorts of music even in languages I don’t understand.
You have me intrigued by Malian music. I can search on Youtube myself, of course, but do you have any artist names or links you can recommend?
Start with the recordings of Toumani Diabaté playing traditional kora music. Then find some of Ballaké Sissoko's recordings. Sissokho Yakhouba and Lansiné Kouyaté did some classic recordings of kora and balafon music. It's a wide field.
For more in the way of current Malian music, Mamadou Diabaté. I prefer the traditional classical canon of Mali--a fascinating contrapuntal music, and very beautiful. My nephew Addison could probably give you a catalogue of names.
Man, I could listen to the Diabate cousins til the cows come home.
I might come back with a decent list later, but I also feel obliged to mention the great Ali Farka Toure.
Ah, thank you kindly, sir! I'll greatly look forward to researching these.
This is a comp of West African pop in general, but it's the best of many anthologies I've heard:
https://www.discogs.com/release/2257060-Various-The-Music-In-My-Head
Guitar Paradise of East Africa is also essential. For Mali, don't sleep on Bassekou Kouyate.
I appreciate the added recommendations, thank you!
I knew it! You were a rockstar all along.
He’s not a rockstar yet. He’s waiting on the sunglasses which only Bono can bestow.
It's the other way round: Bono will become a real rockstar if he can get David to wear his sunglasses.
I think a comparison of our bank accounts would suggest otherwise.
The real real truth. 😎😎