john zorn

Moonhoney’s Film Project

I’m so sorry I haven’t posted anything in a long time, but it is because I’ve been extremely busy with a number of new projects. I feel like I am seriously on my way to completing an album that is a single mix, but each song has its filmclip as a scene to the film. I have an idea written out (depending on which songs I choose), but editing is a lot more time consuming than I first realised. I have become taken by old camcorders (especially their effects) and the character that they force onto a visual memory.

Below are two of the practice clips… They are seriously nothing but good practice to get used to the editing software, although some of the film footage might make it into the album briefly.

One is a tribute to John Zorn: when I think of his Book of Angels, obsessed is an understatement. In my next post I will show you some of his best stuff (but he has hundreds of albums, so its hard to choose!). In this one I wanted to cut out everything but my eyes, because it is really hard to know what I am doing/thinking (I don’t want it revealed until the album film entirety is complete). I also like the idea of ambiguous art having many different subjective interpretations, regardless of misinterpretation.

The other film clip of mine is set to a downtempo-electronica track, with an almost kindergarten/playful feel.. but it is also heavily layered in delay and glitched time signatures (for the delay). I finished it a few months ago, but didn’t know what to do with it.. Anyway, I can’t wait to post my entire collection when completed!

Stay safe and filled with peace!


ZORN


ZENNING

Eclectic Strings, some Jazz then onto the Funk!

Artist: Masada String Trio

Album: Haborym (2010)

Song: ‘Turel’

John Zorn’s Masada String Trio play beautiful eclectic chamber music. Zorn stated that “the idea with Masada is to produce a sort of radical Jewish music, a new Jewish music which is not the traditional one in a different arrangement, but music for the Jews of today. The idea is to put Ornette Coleman and the Jewish scales together..

The owner of my favourite record store suggested this album to me (Haborym), and it is a brilliant one at that. I play this music loud (as with all of my music), so when I am smoking a cigarette whilst driving during peak hour traffic, I sometimes see cars slowing down or speeding up to stay alongside me. It is crazy to notice how many people don’t even have music playing, I feel like they are thankful I am blasting this music rather than anything strange(r).


Artist: Moondog

Album: Moondog (1969)

Favourite Songs: ‘Lament I, “Bird’s Lament”‘ and ‘Symphonique #3 (Ode to Venus)’

Moondog was a blind musician and poet who was born in New York, 1916 but unfortunately passed away in 1999. He called his own music “Snaketime”, and described it himself as “a slithery rhythm, in times that are not ordinary […] I’m not gonna die in 4/4 time”


 

Artist: Art Blakey

Album: The Big Beat (1960)

Song: Dat Dere’

Art Blakey (1919-1990) was the inventor of the influential Bebop drumming style, a Grammy award winner and Grammy hall-of-famer.. need I say more.


Artist: Johnny ‘Hammond’ Smith

Album:  A Little Taste (1963)

Song: ‘Nica’s Dream’ 

Johnny was a soul-jazz/hard-bop style organist (hence the name Hammond), but moved toward Jazz/Funk Fusion in the 70’s which I will post below..

Album: Gears (1975)

Song: ‘Fantasy’


 

Artist: Rotary Connection

Album: Hey, Love (1971)

Song: ‘I am the Black Gold of the Sun’


 

Artist: Funkadelic

Album: Hardcore Jollies (1976)

Song: ‘You Scared the Lovin’ Outta Me’


 

Artist: Sly and the Family Stone

Album: Fresh (1973)

Song: ‘If You Want Me to Stay’


 

Artist: The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Album: Freaky Styley

Song: ‘American Ghost Dance

This video gives insight into George Clinton’s influence on the album Freaky Styley, as a producer. And he produced the best RHCP album IMO, including a cover of If you want me to stay (above). This is my favourite song on the album.