Arcana V: Musicians on Music, Magic & Mysticism (Arcana (Hip Road))

For centuries musicians have tapped into mysticism, magic and alchemy, embracing ritual, spell, incantation and prayer, and experimenting with esoteric approaches to harmony, pitch and vibration. In recent decades, avant-garde musicians have rediscovered these overlaps, as occultism has reinvented itself--through Buddhist and other Asian influences, Thelema and Chaos Magic--to accommodate cultural strains from psychedelica through Punk and Industrial music. This special edition of John Zorn's much acclaimed __Arcana__ series focuses on the magical aspects of the act of making music. Neither historical overview nor musicological study, it illuminates the sympathies between music and the esoteric tradition with the help of today's finest experimental musicians and occultists. Among these are William Breeze, Gavin Bryars, Alvin Curran, Fred Frith, Sharon Gannon, Larkin Grimm, William Kiesel, Yusef Lateef, Frank London, Meredith Monk, Mark Nauseef, Pauline Oliveros, Genesis P-Orridge, Terry Riley, David Toop, Greg Wall, Peter Lamborn Wilson and Z'ev. Preface / -- John Zorn De Harmonia mundi -- William Breeze Ornithology for the birds -- Gavin Bryars Regarding the sonic symbolism of when and where -- Steve Coleman When I saw Kosugi get into a large duffel bag with his guitar -- Alvin Curran -- The musician myth and the failed quest -- Frank Denyer Walls & ladders -- Jeremy Fogel On dirt, revelations, contradictions, and breathing through your elbows -- Fred Frith Yoga and music -- Sharon Gannon Music, mysticism and spirituality -- Peter Garland Music extensions of infinite dimensions -- Milford Graves -- The crazy voice -- Larkin Grimm Holy Ghost -- Tim Hodgkinson Sigils -- Jerry Hunt Hyakintos and pardeh -- Jessika Kenney and Eyving Kang Musings on the hermetic lyre -- William J. Kiesel In the name of God the Gracious the Merciful : recognition of the Beloved -- Yusef A.Lateef Notes (to whoever is listening) -- Frank London -- The sacred power of music -- Dary John Mizelle -- The soul's messenger -- Meredith Monk Death : the father of creation -- Tisziji Muñoz Trash -- Mark Nauseef -- The collective intelligence of improvisation -- Pauline Oliveros Thee splinter test -- Genesis Breyer P-Orridge Music-myth -- Terry Riley Music and mysticism, rhythm and form : a blues romance in 12 parts -- Adam Rudolph -- A silence that speaks : the all-embracing unification of space and mind (with sound meditation in 3 parts) -- David Chaim Smith Harmonie aphanes phaneres kreitton -- Trey Spruance -- The dread of the knock : a ceremony of auditory hallucinations for the dead of night -- David Toop Horn o'plenty -- Greg Wall -- The perspectival lute -- Peter Lamborn Wilson Metaphors, mythos and metaphonics -- z'ev. "Mysticism, magic and alchemy all come into play in the creative process. For centuries musicians have tapped into things spiritual, embracing ritual, spell, incantation and prayer deeply into their life and work. Although the connection of music to mysticism has been consistent, well documented and productive, it is still shrouded in mystery and largely misunderstood. For this special edition, Aracana focuses on the nexus of mysticism and spirituality in the magical act of making music. Far from an historical overview or cold musicologist's study, these essays illuminate a fascinating and elusive subject via the eloquent voices of today's most distinguished modern practitioners and greatest occult thinkers, providing insights into the esoteric traditions and mysteries involved in the composition and performance of the most mystical of all arts."-- Page 4 of cover