Is it cheating to link to programs that are RN, rather than digging deeper? Truth is, I pay regular attention to RN, and find myself enjoying a lot of what I hear. I'm really enjoying Soundproof, on Sunday nights. Field recording, and vinyl records, seem to be two recurring themes on that program! Just discovered in the Soundproof podcasts that a few weeks back one of my favourite local improvising musicians, Jim Denley, produced a full episode, Last Day at Turkey Creek. Jim has been traveling to Turkey Creek to run music workshops for the local Indigenous kids. Jim's main instrument is the saxophone, but he uses the sax unconventionally as a sound producing device. In his music, Jim also engages frequently with the landscape. His CDs have often been distilled documents of weeks walking, camping, and playing in the bush. Turkey creek of course provides a great environment for Jim. What I particularly like about this program is that Jim really holds on his various field recordings from Turkey Creek and surrounding country for a long time, often running at several minutes. You have to listen with focus and patience, preferably on headphones. I felt really immersed in the places, and a subtle narrative emerges as well. At the Turkey Creek shop, in the classroom, the cabin, surrounding hills, and finally at a special waterhole. Where a sudden storm hits. Here there's an unusual twist to Jim's narrative. I won't give it away, but I know exactly what he's talking about having myself entered special places with equipment in hand. And had weird stuff happen!
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/soundproof/last-day-at-turkey-creek/5560634
And on Background Briefing yesterday, this program about Gaza, The shadow of the Israel-Gaza war.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas raged, Hagar Cohen visited two neighbouring villages in the West Bank, one Israeli and one Palestinian. She found a level of hostility that does not bode well for future peace efforts.
The program doesn't provide answers, except that perhaps there are no simple answers in this conflict. The conflict is seemingly based on a pretext from ancient times. In the minds of many, it stretches back thousands of years, and may take as long again to play out. It's particularly chilling that the people Hagar speaks with on both sides are just regular people - mums, dads, farmers - except that they'd all like to kill each other. Reconciliation doesn't seem to be an option.
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/2014-08-17/5343476
I really enjoyed the Turkey Creek piece Sean, and surprisingly in the opening sequence, I was wondering what the other noise was, mistaking the sax for some kind of exotic bird. I wasn't able to listen on headphones, but tuned in whilst on the long and monotonous road to Narrandera, and could really let my mind go with the field recordings.
ReplyDeleteI loved the 'Silverside!' greeting.