To: K-list
Recieved: 2001/08/15 18:48
Subject: Re: [K-list] music poll
From: Paul Perner
On 2001/08/15 18:48, Paul Perner posted thus to the K-list:
druoutATnospamaol.com wrote:
> .......
> ............. Walked all the way to top of Tilden
> crest. pretty 180 degree view. ... reading list's "understandings"
> listening to wonderful music, sun, fruit salad. feeling rapture.
> ....
Tilden Crest... it has such a nice ring to it.... cool breezes on a
green, grassy hill top.
Today hasn't been the greatest for me :(
I've been dwelling on useless worries since I woke up, but reading your
journal excerpt reminded me that we *are* capable of rising above the
mundane, even if it baffles us at times.
Regarding my experiences with music, I've had many that were
transcendent, that is, ranging from simply enjoyable to emotionally
ecstatic, but I feel I've only had one that was truly mystical, in that
it was born of the music itself as opposed to just being an aspect of an
experience.
In 1976 I went to "An evening of poetry and music with Patti Smith" (so
reads the back of the ticket stub I kept ever since). Patti Smith is
very innovative, edgy rock singer and an accomplished neo-beat poet from
New York. In her interviews she would often express the desire to reach
a state of "total abandon," during her performances... to break through
a "hole in the air" to a timeless dimension.
That night at the Roxy in West Hollywood began with poetry and some of
her earlier, kind of jazzy songs... a few jokes and banter. Then
Hendrix's former drummer took the stage to accompany her on congas...
then a few others joined them.
A rhythm started....
Patti entered an intense steam of consciousness while her guitar player
followed beautifully and effortlessly.
It kept building.... then for an instant, time ceased to exist. The
air... everything.... all reality became pure energy.
Then it passed and I was aware again that I was in a club attending a
very amazing performance on a Saturday night.
I consider this an important mystical experience because is helped
change the course of my life. It showed me the reality of the
transpersonal potential of music and it inspired me to pursue a
rewarding career as a rock music journalist. It was a brief moment that
pushed me forward in several directions.
[twenty five years later] August 9th, 2001.
After years of packing places like Madison Square Gardens and the
Fillmore in San Francisco, by special request Patti chose to play the
little Roxy again. Hundreds of her fans lined up for hours outside the
sold out club waiting for the doors to open. Few people complained. It
more like a big reunion of old friends.
Not all my memories of that section of Sunset (the "Strip") were good
ones. In the 70s I was young and naive... got taken for a ride more than
once. I was easy game and I allowed myself to be led on... and feel like
crap when I was rejected or duped. But off the street, in the music
clubs I felt safe. I was among peers who had one passion in common; rock
'n roll. But into the 80s I decided go elsewhere for live music. The
neighborhood lost it's appeal; too materialistic... too superficial on
the outside and brutal on the inside. But now I see that was my own
vulnerability... my own memory baggage that kept me away.
So this month I found myself back in front of the Roxy. So much had gone
under the bridge. Mystical experiences led to a profound awakening and
now I walked down Sunset Strip drug, alcohol, fear and baggage free.
(And it was so nice to be able to breath without one of those damn
cigarettes hanging out of my mouth).
Patti played an incredible set which included "Birdland" a song about
Wilhelm Reich's son having an out of body experience. At one point the
vocal mic went dead and all you could hear was the audience sing the
final chorus. It was so satisfying for me. It was like coming home. I
looked at strangers to my left and right started and falling in love
again.
Singers and musical styles come and go, but the song goes on forever.
Whether it's a circle of dancers around a tribal drum, a prim and proper
audience enraptured by a finely tuned orchestra... or the wild abandon
of a rock 'n roll club, the mystical is in the ear of the beholder...
and it's the beholders in who's company I feel privileged.
- - - With a big hug to all K-List music lovers - - -
Paul
http://www.kundalini-gateway.org
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