My OperaDesert Island Discs
Thursday, June 2, 2011 7:09:22 PM
Earlier today (2/6/11 - posting delayed as MyOpera is down) I registered my personal list with the BBC's Desert Island Discs site (there's a deadline if 14.00 BST tomorrow). It was quite an interesting exercise, and I'm not sure my list would be the same tomorrow or the day after, but here is today's version, for what it's worth.
These aren't really my all-time "favourite" tracks - I'm never sure what that really means, to be honest, but more of a useful selection if I were to be stranded on such an island, to help with my emotional and spiritual well-being, if I had to be limited to 8 tracks. Particularly interesting is the absence of any full-blown heavy metal or real reggae, though they are sort of covered by the selections.
1. Klaus Schulze - Bellistique (Live) *Favourite*
2. The Slits - Heard it through the grapevine (12" B-Side, Cut CD)
3. Joy Division - Atmosphere (12" single, Heart and soul CD)
4. New Order - Everything's gone green (12" single, Substance CD)
5. System 7 - Alpha Wave (Plastikman remix, full version) (CD single)
6. Comsat Angels - After the rain (Fiction)
7. Led Zeppelin - In my time of dying (Physical graffiti)
8. Yes - Close to the edge (Close to the edge)
Why?
Klaus Schulze, because there had to be a bit of Berlin School electronica in there, and this track has a combination of all the great things I love about Schulze's work: the semi-hypnotic sequencing, extended soloing, grand washes of synth textures etc. For those unfamiliar with the show, the favourite here is the one you'd keep if you had to save just the one from the waves.
The Slits, as it combines one of the best Motown songs with a dub sensibility, so two for the price of one!
Joy Division, because they were wonderful, and this is fantastic.
New Order, because it's great to dance to and energise yourself, and I'd appreciate it's ability to give me a kick up the pants if I start to mope.
System 7, because it's energising and healing in one, and it reminds me of a period when I did a lot of Gabrielle Roth Five Rhythm dancing (it's great for Chaos).
Comsat Angels, because it gives me hope.
Led Zeppelin, because they were my favourite band in my younger days (maybe still are), and I want this played at my funeral. I love the slide guitar and Plant's singing.
Yes, because it's positive and oddly good to sing along to, though what the lyrics mean is mostly beyond me!
The Beeb's survey doesn't seem to include the book choices, but here are today's for me:
Swap the bible for abbreviated Chenrezig sadhana (it'd be good to do some meditation to keep myself together on the island, and I have a particular fondness for Chenrezig practice, though I hardly ever do any).
Extra book: Iain M Banks - Excession (?) - tough choice, this, but I seem to be able to read this one over and over again and still find new bits, and it makes me laugh in places.
These aren't really my all-time "favourite" tracks - I'm never sure what that really means, to be honest, but more of a useful selection if I were to be stranded on such an island, to help with my emotional and spiritual well-being, if I had to be limited to 8 tracks. Particularly interesting is the absence of any full-blown heavy metal or real reggae, though they are sort of covered by the selections.
1. Klaus Schulze - Bellistique (Live) *Favourite*
2. The Slits - Heard it through the grapevine (12" B-Side, Cut CD)
3. Joy Division - Atmosphere (12" single, Heart and soul CD)
4. New Order - Everything's gone green (12" single, Substance CD)
5. System 7 - Alpha Wave (Plastikman remix, full version) (CD single)
6. Comsat Angels - After the rain (Fiction)
7. Led Zeppelin - In my time of dying (Physical graffiti)
8. Yes - Close to the edge (Close to the edge)
Why?
Klaus Schulze, because there had to be a bit of Berlin School electronica in there, and this track has a combination of all the great things I love about Schulze's work: the semi-hypnotic sequencing, extended soloing, grand washes of synth textures etc. For those unfamiliar with the show, the favourite here is the one you'd keep if you had to save just the one from the waves.
The Slits, as it combines one of the best Motown songs with a dub sensibility, so two for the price of one!
Joy Division, because they were wonderful, and this is fantastic.
New Order, because it's great to dance to and energise yourself, and I'd appreciate it's ability to give me a kick up the pants if I start to mope.
System 7, because it's energising and healing in one, and it reminds me of a period when I did a lot of Gabrielle Roth Five Rhythm dancing (it's great for Chaos).
Comsat Angels, because it gives me hope.
Led Zeppelin, because they were my favourite band in my younger days (maybe still are), and I want this played at my funeral. I love the slide guitar and Plant's singing.
Yes, because it's positive and oddly good to sing along to, though what the lyrics mean is mostly beyond me!
The Beeb's survey doesn't seem to include the book choices, but here are today's for me:
Swap the bible for abbreviated Chenrezig sadhana (it'd be good to do some meditation to keep myself together on the island, and I have a particular fondness for Chenrezig practice, though I hardly ever do any).
Extra book: Iain M Banks - Excession (?) - tough choice, this, but I seem to be able to read this one over and over again and still find new bits, and it makes me laugh in places.
Nigel CliffCaptainPenguin # Sunday, June 5, 2011 5:33:53 PM