Night of 1000 Furry Toys (RWr) Question

I actually DID send him something 10 December (If I was lucky, think what it might've arrived in time for!). It's too soon to expect an answer, though--ESPECIALLY considering what he's been up to lately. But I didn't ask him that particular question...

But what I sent was VERY detailed--I think he will (or maybe already does?) enjoy it. I wanted him to see what his power is as an artist...because in one essay, there was even something I told him that I don't trust many people with--something about how healing his work was. I believe our best artists are also healers, in a certain way. That is the aim--to affect the spirit.

I send him a full-length analysis/reflection on Broken China (one of many essays in a scrapbook I made for him)...I wanted to put it on my website, but I am not going to do it without permission (it DOES mention the background voice, but I didn't get into EXACTLY what I thought was being said). For now, as far as what I do on my website, I'm trying to restrict myself to my senses, so to speak--what I actually HEAR openly is fair game (listing lyrics, etc.), but what I conjecture I don't want to say too much about. The reason is because this album was about real lives. I feel in order to be honourable, I cannot simply post what I please on my site--I have a responsibility to ensure accuracy, AND to make sure I don't say something that might be hurtful. I always disapproved of tabloids for such reasons...

I don't know if he'll grant me permission to post the analysis to my website. But I do think he will enjoy it, one way or the other--to see that he got me thinking...and more importantly, that he touched my heart with his work.


I take it they don't care for music where you work?

_________________
"But now the day has broken, can see in better ways,
A path leading to the light, a hope that never fades.
All power to the brave."

--"Along the Shoreline" by Richard Wright

__________________
"And with these words I can see
Clear through the clouds that covered me
Just give it time then speak my name
Now we can hear ourselves again..."

WrightSatellite #1

I agree with how theraputic music can be. And some of the best is Pink Floyd (that's why we're all here I guess). There is NOTHING like turning the Floyd waaaay up and zoning out to it...I think you called it a natural 'high'.

I'm afraid Broken China isn't my favourite for zoning out though. A lot of it is very dark, and even a little disturbing. The song with the merry-go-round and kids screaming in the background makes me think of Stephen King's "It"...mixing the innocent sounds of kids having fun with those abstract keyboards and guitars is pretty spooky. I guess that's the effect he wants.

Anyway, I hope Rick writes back to you. I understand what it's like to have an enormous respect for an artist...for me it's Gilmour.

And no this is not exactly the work place for tunes.

__________________
Only the very safe,
Can talk about wrong and right.
Of those that are forced to choose,
There's some who will choose to fight.

On the subject of a "natural high"--indeed. I have experienced altered states of consciousness that some people seem to think you need drugs to reach. If you're willing to put in the effort yourself, it's pretty surprising what you can do. The Floyd DOES make a great focusing tool (Meddle being just about the best for this). But for a natural high...when I actually PLAY some of the songs on the piano--let me tell you: I KNOW I am physically high by the time I am finished. This IS possible, of course. Look at the example of a runner's high. Though the activity levels don't compare, I think there is something to be said for the stirring of the emotions, from the joy from knowing that you create this music with your own hand.

On Broken China: For me, that whole album--taken together as a whole, not in pieces--actually has a TREMENDOUS healing effect. To go so far into the depths...the ascension is twice as beautiful.

I really don't know if Mr. Wright will choose to reply. The ball is in HIS court, so to speak, and that is the way I wanted it. I do not want to be some jerk like the kinds of people who will bug you for autographs regardless of your feelings or the situation you're in. You are right--all of this came out of a high RESPECT, so I operate with that foremost in my mind.

Oh, and I think it's DEFINITELY the effect he wants. A world spinning out of your control...new, foreign--and definitely not as friendly as you thought it would be when you first made your escape. Very easy to get caught up in the turning gears...

Ever read Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes"? That's what I thought. And what's interesting is that the thing THAT carnival preys on is REPRESSED desires...

_________________
"But now the day has broken, can see in better ways,
A path leading to the light, a hope that never fades.
All power to the brave."

--"Along the Shoreline" by Richard Wright

__________________
"And with these words I can see
Clear through the clouds that covered me
Just give it time then speak my name
Now we can hear ourselves again..."

WrightSatellite #1

You think Rick is talking about repressed desires? It's pretty dificult to work out exactly what the origins of the downward spiral in BC are. Obviously it goes back to childhood...but...abuse? Isolation? Desires?

You've thought about this a lot more than me I'm sure

I'll have to see if I can find a copy of that book.

__________________
Only the very safe,
Can talk about wrong and right.
Of those that are forced to choose,
There's some who will choose to fight.

Not desires in Broken China...in this case, it is repressed FEARS.

And there is also a MAJOR repressed fear that the carnival plays on.

It is the notion of REPRESSION that I'm interested in. It is this idea of trying to shove things back in our psyche--when we do that, it will inevitably backlash. And we may only survive the backlash by tbe skin of our teeth--and the dedication of those who love us.

_________________
"But now the day has broken, can see in better ways,
A path leading to the light, a hope that never fades.
All power to the brave."

--"Along the Shoreline" by Richard Wright

__________________
"And with these words I can see
Clear through the clouds that covered me
Just give it time then speak my name
Now we can hear ourselves again..."

WrightSatellite #1

I gotta agree with that, from experience.

__________________
Only the very safe,
Can talk about wrong and right.
Of those that are forced to choose,
There's some who will choose to fight.

It was this album that made me really take note of the fact that I had nearly repressed an entire year or more of my life. It wasn't beyond retrieval, but I had done a good job of shoving it back as far as I could manage. I thought it would help me to "get on with things" if I didn't think about it. Wrong.

It is not easy to make myself remember. But I believe in the end, I only become stronger by dealing with the pain and then using my experience to help others (whether through the strength I gained through it...or directly). In that one essay--I spoke in depth about one of those things...a thing I tell to very, very few people. It was an act of trust...but I feel like it will honour him and his work, for him to know--and do much good for me, by opening the door. Perhaps someday I'll really be able to accomplish something...I already think I am starting to see what I want to do, but it may be a long time...

Who knows? All these hopes and possibilities really are beautiful...it is wonderful when you are no longer held back by the pain--but accept it and grow from it.

__________________
"And with these words I can see
Clear through the clouds that covered me
Just give it time then speak my name
Now we can hear ourselves again..."

WrightSatellite #1

Yeah there's a lot of strength to be gained from music...just to know someone else has felt something that you are feeling. I think that's what a lot of music is missing these days.

I think I'm probably still a little lost after a "year I'd prefer to forget". I've learnt to deal with myself but there's still quite a lot of bitterness there. That's what I was talking about in the song "smile", which is in the "little black book" thread.

Anyway...I'm getting a bit depressing here. I'm sure Rick would appreciate and be flattered by your trust and the affect he has had on you.

__________________
Only the very safe,
Can talk about wrong and right.
Of those that are forced to choose,
There's some who will choose to fight.

You are right about the connection between the artist and listener. It is MEANT to affect the listener. Without that, it is simply hollow. In its best form, art is a dialogue between spirits, if you think about it...

You're not depressing me at all. You would be surprised indeed if you knew how much it took to actually depress me!

But if it bothers YOU, then by all means don't press TOO hard.

__________________
"And with these words I can see
Clear through the clouds that covered me
Just give it time then speak my name
Now we can hear ourselves again..."

WrightSatellite #1

Yeah, getting more introspective than I'd like at this time of day.

Cheers for the chat though.

__________________
Only the very safe,
Can talk about wrong and right.
Of those that are forced to choose,
There's some who will choose to fight.

All right, then, we'll leave it.

I will be interested to see what you think when you get a chance to listen with those notes... :smile:

__________________
"And with these words I can see
Clear through the clouds that covered me
Just give it time then speak my name
Now we can hear ourselves again..."

WrightSatellite #1

You'll be the first to know

__________________
Only the very safe,
Can talk about wrong and right.
Of those that are forced to choose,
There's some who will choose to fight.

OK FW...I've had a few listens. I need to go and have another try cause I couldn't remember one of your suggestions.

I'm 90% sure that I also heard "see them bend". I DID pick up the word quiver, but couldn't remember the other stuff that was supposed to go with it, so I wasn't able to see if I could hear it.

And try as I might...I couldn't pick up the "don't try". A couple of times I imagined I heard it but I wasn't nearly as sure as the "see them bend" bit.

It's quite a distorted voice...it seems to pick up an echo of its own when Rick starts singing, which makes it even more difficult to make out.

__________________
Only the very safe,
Can talk about wrong and right.
Of those that are forced to choose,
There's some who will choose to fight.

I don't think it has an echo of its own...I am very sure I was following a single vocal line--but many words coincide with what Mr. Wright is saying, or rhyme closely. I don't know...sometimes I think I must be kind of an audiophile, because I hear stuff that a lot of people don't, sometimes. Your best shot to hear as much of the second vocal line as possible is to completely ignore the main one that time. I've got to where I just hear the interaction between the two automatically, and the effect for me is almost like in WtIO, where the two vocal lines are going on at once. (In other words, there IS a precedent for this with Mr. Wright! :smile: )

__________________
"And with these words I can see
Clear through the clouds that covered me
Just give it time then speak my name
Now we can hear ourselves again..."

WrightSatellite #1