Music range, how far do you roll?

I've said before that I have a wide range of musical tastes that goes back to the 60s when I was a kid.

In that grouping I would put, Morton Subotnik, Wendy (Walter) Carlos, Glenn Gould, and in later years, Brian Eno, David Byrne, Philip Glass (and others) with such works of theirs as, The Wild Bull, Switched on Bach, Bach Piano Fugues, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, and Koyaanisqatsi: Life out of Balance, respectively, and only to name a few. Of course, I also liked contemporary rock music of those times, Cream, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepplin, Jethro Tull, on and on....

To say the least, my friends thought I was nuts when we were kids. But I've always searched out the Avant Garde, the unusual, the intellectually stimulating, even if I didn't at first (or ever) understand it.

This all came from a conversation with my mother's mother. My Grandmother once told me to always stretch oneself intellectually, to have friends that were above your intellectual capacity, to strive to be more educated. She told me that when you read a book for enjoyment, the next book should be one you don't quite understand in reading it. Or that at least every second or third book should be one that is hard for you to read, to understand; and in that way, you will eventually grow to understand, you will become more intelligent. Don't be afraid to look up words, to ask, to seek understanding.

The same goes, as I translated it, for music. And I've appreciated that greatly ever since. There was a time when I was only into rock. I was a rock snob, this was mostly my teen years. But when I was alone, I listened to all kinds of music and I continued to expand that vocabulary over the years. I still don't care much for Country, or easy listening or smooth jazz. But other than that, I'm good. Still, if its very good quality of any one of those areas I don't care for, I can appreciate it.

I also like a lot of the standard generally accepted music, just like anyone else. But stretching oneself is always a good thing. My kids are great for showing me where I'm falling down on that. Its both irritating at times and rewarding. Because its so easy for us to fall into complacency.

So ask yourself, in the area of music (and other things), just how far do YOU roll?

Being a "Space Cadet" is a bad thing? Not in music.

When I was younger I was frequently told, or it was alluded to, that I was stupid. Later, I was called a "space cadet" when that term first came into use; something I wore like a badge of honor at that time.

In listening just now to Bass Guitarist Victor Wooten, he talked about his drummer JD Blair, who is a genius at using space between the sounds he makes on the drums and who has therefore been touring with the likes of Shania Twain, Shelby Lynn, Lyle Lovett and many other. He had grown up listening to the likes of old funk like, Parliament (P-Funk (also spelled P Funk or P. Funk) is a shorthand term for the repertoire and performers associated with George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic collective and the distinctive style of funk music they performed.).

Victor said he just can't find anything out there, a book, a CD, to teach people better music theory than what is taught, which he sees as shallow, which is all about notes, scales, harmony, chords, melody, modes, but not the use of tone, dynamics, phrasing, articulation, using space and when not to play.

So just consider, space, it can be a good thing. Yes?

"Hey, Ayatollah, leave us kids alone" A New Pink Floyd Song Rendition

Brothers Sepp and Sohl make up the Canadian duo Blurred Vision, avoiding using their last names for obvious reasons and ties to Iran, have updated Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" for the purpose that it was always meant for, as a protest against incorrect use of authority. And now, youth in Iran are downloading, passing along to one another and its become a rallying cry for freedom, both political and intellectual. This song has given strength to millions the world over regarding their being under foot of oppressive parents, and governments.

Much in line with his and the band Pink Floyd's Humanitarian efforts over the years, bassist Roger Waters, who penned the song originally in 1979, has given this good blessings on their use of his song. So, they are free to push ahead on a very cool adventure.

When NPR's Guy Raz asked if the duo would ever perform the song with Pink Floyd — in Iran, the brothers said they'd be happy to, if it became politically feasible. In fact, they say Iran can be thought of as a birthplace of rock and roll.

I think that's stretching it a bit. But I appreciate where they are coming from, and I certainly bow to the elements of R&R that is owed to this ancient culture, of those who would "roam the ancient lands, and drink wine, and speak poetry and sing, surrounded by women."

Here's to them. And here's to hoping no one tries to kill Sepp and Sohl for only doing what governments should do, care about their people and give them the freedom to be happy and live full rich lives as they decide is appropriate. The world needs these kinds of inspiring anthems.

You go, Kids!