You know that list in your head of people you'd love to hang out with, but at whom you would probably just sit staring with drooling, gigglingly wide-eyed awe if you ever got the chance? David Byrne's at the top of mine.
Did you know David Byrne has an online journal? His takes on the oppressiveness of the new Freedom Tower design (..."I think it’s not really about the practicalities of security or protection, but about symbolizing an attitude, a climate of fear and of a walled-in nation.") are so true. But don't stop reading there, because his description of The McCullough Sons of Thunder, a trombone ensemble based out of The United House of Prayer in Harlem (who recently played in Central Park with Byrne), is really worth mentioning:
"It gave me chills. Not just because of the music, but also because here was faith, religion and spirituality that was manifesting itself as joyous, life affirming and uplifting, as opposed to militant, oppressive and death-dealing. We’re getting too much of that these days, from Muslims and Christians alike, so this was a beautiful healthy antidote, and a reminder not to throw out the spiritual baby with the bathwater — those of us who feel the nastiness of fundamentalisms cast doubt on belief of any kind."
Right on. Music has always been a direct pathway to spirituality for me.
Posted by rightmoon at July 8, 2005 12:10 PM