Contemporary music (2)

I had a chance to listen to Terry Riley here in Portugal last October 23rd, at the Theatro Circo in Braga. I may have to swallow some of my remarks written in a previous post. Terry is a wonderful composer, a fantastic musician and singer and this little group he put together with Talvin Singh and George Brooks is everything but “the peppered cocktail”, the phrase I mentioned in my post with which Panikkar once characterized shallow inter-cultural relations.

It is possible to mix different musical cultures and create a new meaningful and profound reality. The music of this celebration of Terry’s 75th birthday tour is food for (musical) thought. I will try to return to this subject sometime.

Noise control: the do-it-yourself approach

My friend Pedro D. S.  brought this into my attention. It’s called “Revenge Against Noisy Neighbors”. The title is self-explanatory, I think.  It’s a CD whose track selection includes precious gems such as the recording of a 200 guest party, an orgasm, walking with high heels, door slams, an unhappy dog, infant crying, violin scales practicing, etc. 

If you have noisy neighbors, tried to reason with them in a civilized manner, called the police or your local noise control authority, but the nightmare goes on, fight back: give them a taste of their own medicine. Here you have a “tool” for every occasion.

The complete track list with respective comments (in French) includes: 

01. Perceuse 

02. Fête (200 personnes) 

03. Orgasme (exceptionnel) 

04. Train 

05. Tambour (joué par un enfant) 

06. Cris inhumains 

07. Marcher (talons aiguilles) 

08. Scène de ménage 

09. Claquements de portes 

10. Bowling 

11. Chien malheureux 

12. Faire ses gammes (violon) 

13. Embouteillage 

14. Camion poubelle 

15. Nouveau né 

16. Sonnerie de téléphone 

17. Jeu de ballons 

18. Ménage (en grand) 

19. Cocorico !

This simple device may very well succeed where highly complex and technically evolved noise abatement regulations have failed. Believe me, I know what I am talking about...

This simple device is in itself a textbook on the philosophy of  noise pollution!

They even throw in a pair of ear plugs. Available here. Génial!