My work "Ayahuasca Sacred Madrigal" CD1 & CD2 were a perfect opportunity to use sacred ethnic or folkloric chants, polyphony and voices.
The madrigalesque characters of a ritualistic story sung and played in many different settings by ethnic vocals or instruments.
When I think of madrigals, I always think of one of the earliest theatrical works by Orazio Vecchi, "l'Amfiparnaso" (1597),
The characters are vocal groups responding to each other, using the voice to mimic sounds, or caricature, being sometimes perfect songs, other times there is so much going on it sounds comical and almost burlesque, disorganised. The genre went on to develop and reach great heights
notably with Monteverdi's books of madgrigal

The expressive possibilities can go beyond the scope of a libretto.
The ritualistic ceremony and the accompaniment of dream like chants is a narrative of Ayahuasca sacred madrigal, side by side with contemporary elements, interaction of orchestral and ethnic instruments, the use of sound processing and resonances for ambience.

The subject of "ayahuasca" ceremony and effects on perception, was chosen as it involved the possibility of chants taken as a common human experience, but with regional or cultural differences.
Polyphony, plain chant, archaic, native, indigenous and sacred were to be used, alternating themes and preference for many "scenes" relating to one aspect or another of the experience.

Itwas perfect for some indulging in sound textures and ambiences that I love. The loose succession of variuos moments reminds me of the popular "mask" tradition for musical plays that was in favor in England during the baroque.
Purcell's "The Fairy Queen" is a good example.
Less in the way of extraordinary effects, but more because of the instruments, settings and ambiences partially created through instruments routed to a sound processing of some sort.
That reminds of the fervent and the disparate to recreate the other worldly, intangible and out of the ordinary journey in the minds the participants. in a sound and musical setting suggestive or reminiscent of psychotropic effects, altered perceptions and of a profound, meaningful ambience.

It had to be out of the common daily listening experience, but in such a way the listeners not on a journey could still relate and enjoy something. The idea was not to make it "psychedelic" per se, but more, in line with sacred geometry, fractals, textures, and ambiences that without being too wild, could nevertheless keep the work shrouded in allegory.
It was very comical at times, at how unlikely chants (Asia, cultural variety of India, modern, liturgical) were used as the norm in this fantastical musical imagination, where nothing is as usual.
This recording ends with the best choral moment I have ever created, based on the theme for another work I lost ''Long slow migartion of dead souls''
CD2

CD1

 

Last edited: Oct 11, 2024 at 4:15 AM

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The Bar-Kays - I Was Made To Love Her

 

When I was young listened to The The (Matt Johnson) albums (Soul Mining, Infected, Mind Bomb and others). Now, nearly 40 years after, Matt Johnson has released (as The The) a new album "Ensoulment" that is surprisingly good.

 

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2 minutes and 11 seconds of ear candy.. Sundress... from Junior league

 

14 albums later, he/they released this.. just last week.
1973 nervous breakdown

 

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Little Beaver - I Love The Way You Love

 

Mary McCreary - Soothe Me

 

Peter Green - I've Got a Good Mind To Give Up Living

Peter Green - Slabo Day

 

Last edited: Oct 14, 2024 at 6:56 AM

XPDC - Sakinah