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Desiderata

I’m not a poetry buff, but this 1927 prose by Max Ehrmann (pictured above) has been one of my favorites since college. During freshman year, a friend showed it to me and I immediately related sharing some of the same aspirations and views. I would read it from time to time, always discovering something new. When summertime came, I went home and one of my chores was to clean out my closet. While sorting through everything, I unearthed an old art piece that had lived on the walls of my bedrooms growing up. It had a medieval scroll pasted on a rectangular piece of wood with routed edges - this was perfect Magic the Gathering decor. I laughed while holding it in my hands reminiscing the past. I then read the text for the first time. It was Desiderata. The poem had been there all along. Puzzled, as my parents never mentioned it before, I questioned the origin. My mom told me that it was one of her dad’s wood working projects. For the first time in my life I felt a real connection with a grandfather I never met... the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree! Bert Nunnallee’s Desiderata is now one of my prized possessions. It is a reminder of the past, parallel with inspiration for the present and future.  

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, 
and remember what peace there may be in silence. 
As far as possible without surrender 
be on good terms with all persons. 
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; 
and listen to others, 
even the dull and the ignorant; 
they too have their story.  

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; 
they are vexations to the spirit. 
If you compare yourself with others, 
you may become vain and bitter; 
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. 
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.  

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; 
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. 
Exercise caution in your business affairs; 
for the world is full of trickery. 
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; 
many persons strive for high ideals; 
and everywhere life is full of heroism.  

Be yourself. 
Especially, do not feign affection. 
Neither be cynical about love; 
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment 
it is as perennial as the grass.  

Take kindly the counsel of the years, 
gracefully surrendering the things of youth. 
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. 
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. 
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. 
Beyond a wholesome discipline, 
be gentle with yourself.  

You are a child of the universe, 
no less than the trees and the stars; 
you have a right to be here. 
And whether or not it is clear to you, 
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.  

Therefore be at peace with God, 
whatever you conceive Him to be, 
and whatever your labors and aspirations, 
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.  

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, 
it is still a beautiful world. 
Be cheerful. 
Strive to be happy.

On a side note, I saw Dave Stanley perform “Part of Something” at a slam poetry show in Dallas last summer. I really enjoyed the content and delivery. Here is an audio recording for your listening pleasure:

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Daptone Turns 10

YES - this is exactly the kind of DIY music that moves me. A bunch of friends get together to renovate an old house in Bushwick, Brooklyn with the vision of creating a home for sound and expression. The narrators are so sincere; they believe in themselves and the art they create. It’s funny because I was record shopping in Austin last weekend and there was a Daptone section right next to Stax in the 45 bin… keep it up guys!

Top 5 2011 Albums

+ Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra + Section.80 - Kendrick Lamar + James Blake - James Blake + Black Up - Shabazz Palaces + Noir - Blue Sky Black Death

I am not much of a writer but decided to add a little commentary to this post.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra :: One of the most unique sounding albums I heard this year. It goes well with summer or winter and has a timeless feel to it that will still be exciting 10 years from now. A pleasant surprise was seeing them SHRED on guitar during their live show in Dallas this October. Talented nerdy guys; looking forward to future releases.

Section.80 :: Jazz rap from Compton? Ok, I'll give it a try. WOW! This album definitely got a lot of play time in my car this year. I'm guilty of listening to beats more than lyrics and Section.80 delivers; a good balance of dusty drums, neo-soul melodies, horns, and hood appeal. Kendrick's flow is mature for a 24 year old with good cadence and substance. Consciousness is there; a step above the swag emitting from his peers.

James Blake :: The white hipster D'Angelo... where's the shirtless music video bro? In all reality, this dude could make a room full of your closest girlfriends cry. Probably the best use of vocal effects I have ever heard. I love that his songs start off with minimal keys and then build into complete layered electronic suites. This album is SMOOTH; light a candle, burn some incense, and ZONE OUT.

Black Up :: Artist is a integral part of the 90's jazz rap movement. Artist releases critically acclaimed albums that help define an era. Artist mysteriously emerges 16 years after his musical peak - behind the wheelz of steel with sunglasses on and a sidekick playing African percussion. This is of course Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler from Digable Planets, the man behind Shabazz Palaces. This is future rap with an OG mentality. The lyrics are sick, the beats are sick. Black Up is the right way for an artist to reinvent themselves; taking cues from the past and spinning them in a new creative direction.

Noir :: This album sounds like the soundtrack to discovering humanity. I can hear a few songs being played at the closing ceremony of the Olympics. Most good rap tracks have strong melodies, so it doesn't surprise me that this instrumental album from producers Blue Sky Black Death is just that. Lush strings, deep synths, steady drums, and airy vocals come together to form beautiful songs that travel with ease through the hour long set. This is mood music that would probably not get the party started on a Friday night, but would be an excellent companion on a train ride across the European plains.

Top 5 Sexy Movies

+ Risky Business + Purple Rain + The Crow + Lost Highway + Drive

Top 5 Texas Bands

+ Toadies + Spoon + At The Drive-In + Ethan Durelle + What Made Milwaukee Famous

Real Hip-Hop

I saw DJ Shadow perform last Sunday and was blown away by the inventive audio/visual experience. My expectations were exceeded, and then some. It is so inspiring to see an artist continue to push the envelope again and again. Here is a sample of his recent "Shadowsphere" tour:



One of my all time favorite Shadow tracks is "Midnight In A Perfect World". I think it is the ultimate atmospheric/ambient hip-hop song:



Here is a list of the samples. It amazes me how well the different records work together. DJ Shadow makes your DJ look like an amateur.

The Human Abstract by David Axelrod (1969)
California Soul by Marlena Shaw (1969)
Sower of Seeds by Baraka (1973)
The Madness Subsides by Pekka Pohjola (1975)
Biography by Meredith Monk (1981)
Dolmen Music (Part 1) by Meredith Monk (1981)
Dolmen Music (Part 2) by Meredith Monk (1981)
Releasing Hypnotical Gases by Organized Konfusion (1991)
Outta State by Akinyele (1993)