Sound Matters.

As much as most people love music, it's amazing how few books are written exploring the stories "behind" the music. Even more amazing is how few people read these books -- when they are available.

That's why I've said for years that some of the most insightful writing about music is to be found in the pages of magazines like the Village Voice and the Bay Guardian (San Francisco area) and, of course, The Monthly Aspectarian. But how are you to know when the words you read are written by that writer, or merely paraphrasing the text of the album's liner notes or advertising literature?

In forthcoming weeks, I'll offer some suggestions under the general heading of "how to read a review." But first, I'd like to pass along the announcement of two new books on one of the giants of jazz, Miles Davis: The Making of "Kind of Blue": Miles Davis and His Masterpiece by Eric Nisenson; and Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece by Ashley Kahn.

By this time, many of you will have seen at least some of Ken Burns' Jazz series on your PBS-TV station. From what I've already seen, it's extraordinary. With all the marketing tie-ins as well as other educational programs, this is a long-awaited and much-deserved project. Jazz has been called "the one truly original American art form." Whether or not you agree, it's certainly one of the most significant. (Just in music alone, we also have rock and roll, new age music, etc.)

What makes these books so fascinating is that they note that the new form of music, "cool" jazz, was not just a smoldering expression of jazz trends in l959, but also a "reflection of the emerging black civil rights movement and quest for equality".The parallels between the lives of African-Americans battling for their freedom as citizens and that of jazz musicians for their freedom from European harmony and song structure are too close to be mere happenstance", Nisenson writes.

What Miles brought into Western jazz was the Eastern musicians' approach to playing music modally, i.e., with one tonal center, and without all the tonic=subdominant-dominant seventh chord patterns that dominate classical music.

Astute readers will also recognize that the same precise words can be used to describe the birth of New Age music. (But don't hold your breath for a PBS special.)

Being in the presence of great live jazz is a truly transcendent experience. My life was changed for the better in l965 when I participated in my first high-energy jam session. You might even recognize some of the names: Charles Gayle, a tenor sax player who played like a hurricane -- a living legend in Buffalo at the time -- and Charles Kiel on bass, and Jack Clarke on piano. Clarke was a teacher in the tradition of Charles Olson and William Blake.

But I digress. If artists like McCoy Tyner, Larry Coryell, Al diMeola, Freddie Hubbard or any number of other masters are scheduled in your area, treat yourself and buy a ticket. Or better yet, buy two tickets, and take a special friend.

For those of you who have more sensitive ears, I would also recommend always taking along a set or two of Sonic II sound filters as I do. They really help to cut the volume down to below painful decibel levels. If you can't find them locally, try North Safety Products, 2664-B Saturn St, Brea, CA 92821. Many music stores and gun stores should have them, though.

And finally, if you are flying these days, I would remind you that one of Dr. Sound's recommendations for safer flying is to pack a pair of noise-reducing headphones. Sharper Image and many other companies now offer them. Prices vary, but most any version will make a big difference in how you feel during, and after, your flight if it's longer than an hour. I'll be featuring a more complete listing on my website in the near future.

Speaking of website and live chats, I want to invite you to join me at www.wellplace.com where I host a biweekly interactive chat on Thursdays. Check their schedule for details.

Until next time, stay tuned!

Steven Halpern has earned a reputation as one of the most influential New Age recording artists and is an outspoken advocate for sound healing. He invites you to check out his latest releases, tour schedule and catalog, free of charge, at (800) 909-0707 or at his website, www.stevenhalpern.com.
For previous columns, see The Monthly Aspectarian at www.lightworks.com.

	Lip Service, Ear Service And Soul Service What are the stories behind the music you love? As much as most people love music, it's amazing how few books are written exploring the stories "behind" the music. Even more amazing is how few people read these books -- when they are available. That's why I've said for years that some of the most insightful writing about music is to be found in the pages of magazines like the Village Voice and the Bay Guardian (San Francisco area) and, of course, The Monthly Aspectarian. But how are you to know when the words you read are written by that writer, or merely paraphrasing the text of the album's liner notes or advertising literature? In forthcoming weeks, I'll offer some suggestions under the general heading of "how to read a review." But first, I'd like to pass along the announcement of two new books on one of the giants of jazz, Miles Davis: The Making of "Kind of Blue": Miles Davis and His Masterpiece by Eric Nisenson; and Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece by Ashley Kahn. By this time, many of you will have seen at least some of Ken Burns' Jazz series on your PBS-TV station. From what I've already seen, it's extraordinary. With all the marketing tie-ins as well as other educational programs, this is a long-awaited and much-deserved project. Jazz has been called "the one truly original American art form." Whether or not you agree, it's certainly one of the most significant. (Just in music alone, we also have rock and roll, new age music, etc.) What makes these books so fascinating is that they note that the new form of music, "cool" jazz, was not just a smoldering expression of jazz trends in l959, but also a "reflection of the emerging black civil rights movement and quest for equality".The parallels between the lives of African-Americans battling for their freedom as citizens and that of jazz musicians for their freedom from European harmony and song structure are too close to be mere happenstance", Nisenson writes. What Miles brought into Western jazz was the Eastern musicians' approach to playing music modally, i.e., with one tonal center, and without all the tonic=subdominant-dominant seventh chord patterns that dominate classical music. Astute readers will also recognize that the same precise words can be used to describe the birth of New Age music. (But don't hold your breath for a PBS special.) Being in the presence of great live jazz is a truly transcendent experience. My life was changed for the better in l965 when I participated in my first high-energy jam session. You might even recognize some of the names: Charles Gayle, a tenor sax player who played like a hurricane -- a living legend in Buffalo at the time -- and Charles Kiel on bass, and Jack Clarke on piano. Clarke was a teacher in the tradition of Charles Olson and William Blake. But I digress. If artists like McCoy Tyner, Larry Coryell, Al diMeola, Freddie Hubbard or any number of other masters are scheduled in your area, treat yourself and buy a ticket. Or better yet, buy two tickets, and take a special friend. For those of you who have more sensitive ears, I would also recommend always taking along a set or two of Sonic II sound filters as I do. They really help to cut the volume down to below painful decibel levels. If you can't find them locally, try North Safety Products, 2664-B Saturn St, Brea, CA 92821. Many music stores and gun stores should have them, though. And finally, if you are flying these days, I would remind you that one of Dr. Sound's recommendations for safer flying is to pack a pair of noise-reducing headphones. Sharper Image and many other companies now offer them. Prices vary, but most any version will make a big difference in how you feel during, and after, your flight if it's longer than an hour. I'll be featuring a more complete listing on my website in the near future. Speaking of website and live chats, I want to invite you to join me at www.wellplace.com where I host a biweekly interactive chat on Thursdays. Check their schedule for details. Until next time, stay tuned! Steven Halpern has earned a reputation as one of the most influential New Age recording artists and is an outspoken advocate for sound healing. He invites you to check out his latest releases, tour schedule and catalog, free of charge, at (800) 909-0707 or at his website, www.stevenhalpern.com. For previous columns, see The Monthly Aspectarian at www.lightworks.com.


	by Steven Halpern