Astro Music

[petep]

I don’t know about you, but having music in the background is part of my observatory routine. Lately I’ve been looking for a couple of pieces that would fit well into a program I’ve been asked to put together.

I’m an old folkie, and haven’t had a lot of exposure to some of the classic and contemporary music that might be more appropriate to the tone I’m trying to set than Elton John’s Rocket Man.

Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major (first movement) is a sparkling piece that was launched into outer space aboard the Voyager 1 and 2 back in 1977, and it might make a good prelude while people are arriving and settling in.

And George Huftalen inadvertently brought my attention to John Serrie’s And the Stars Go With You – a delightful synthesized work that puts your mind out in space.

Has anyone got any thoughts on other music that might fit into a program – or just some good stargazing music?

Pete

[Paul D]

Pete,

If you go to a lot of the bookstores now a days they have play before you pay. Once there you might want to check out some of the New Age titles and even some Celtic instrumentals might be just what your looking for. Since everyone seems to have their own taste in music its hard to recommend any title in these two groups, not to mention that the music and tones vary greatly as well.

Personally I do not like words when I observe because it tends to distract me from the task at hand so its always instrumentals for me...

[petep]

Thanks Paul,

Most of my personal music is contemporary folk, because there's usually a story with a bit of philosophy that I can think on subconsciencely.

But this is for a general audience. I just remembered Gustav Holst's The Planets suite, and that may work out well.

[ASSNEman1]

To listen to some titles use the search feature of http://www.jango.com/music?l=0


Roy Buchanan:
The Messiah Will Come Again

Merl Saunders
"Blues from the Rain Forest" Amazon $5.94



http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Rainforest- ... B0000023LH

Pink Floyd comes to mind. Astronomy Domain is "classic" Floyd.

Eclipse

Great Gig in The Sky

Echos

"Momentary Lapse of Reason" has some instrumental stuff you may think appropriate?

Terminal Frost

Keep Talking features David Hawkins on some of the lyrics. Pretty cool song actually.



Garcia


Gotta love an album cover with the word NGC891 on the cover

The Greatful Dead have long "space jams" on some CD's.

Robin Trower: from Procal Herum
Bride of Sighs
Too Rolling stoned

I also agree with Paul on the Celtic and New Age titles. As well as the book store try before you buy idea.

[NGC7000]

Great topic. I am always out there with the MP3 player when observing. I think I have every Jonn Serrie CD made. The one to look out for is Century Seasons, which is a 2 CD set of his best. That would really do it, as the rest is redundant.

Here's a few more that are mostly very light background, New Age planetarium music minus the wild syborg organs and simulations that you are heading into a level 5 gravity strain on the ears...One more thing...most are available used on Amazon.com . I have never had a problem with ordering any of the 100+ CDs that way.

Structures from Silence...Steve Roach

Encounter... Michael Stearn

Sanctum Sanctorum....Constance Demby

All have a space theme to them..Oh, and One more. The Soundtrack from Red Planet....Some good instrumentals and some singing from Opera diva Emma Schapplin.


I've got more, but that's it for now!

Tom

[AstroGeek]

I find nothing is more serene than Megadeth's "Countdown to Extinction" on a tranquil star-lit evening.

[NGC7000]

I wish we had the little emoticon that rolls back & forth megadeath laughing....

Tom

[ASSNEman1]

Good one Steve!

I held back on posting Ted Nugents Double live Gonzo



and



and

Cat Scratch Fever


http://www.jango.com/stations/19804567/ ... g_id=31113

I'm sure the general population will just love Megadeth & Nugent

[NGC7000]

Yeah, Holst's Planets sounds pretty good, Pete.

Tom

[gnhuftalen]

I don’t know about you, but having music in the background is part of my observatory routine. Lately I’ve been looking for a couple of pieces that would fit well into a program I’ve been asked to put together....

...And George Huftalen inadvertently brought my attention to John Serrie’s And the Stars Go With You – a delightful synthesized work that puts your mind out in space.

Has anyone got any thoughts on other music that might fit into a program – or just some good stargazing music?

Pete

When I put that link regarding John Serrie's "And the Stars Go With You" into my Waterfire post, It was definitely with purpose and not inadvertent...Tom Hannigan and I both love John Serrie's work as does the Christa McAuliffe Planitarium and IMAX and NASA and other "space venues."(check out the article at that link!) Tom & I discussed observing music when we were observing at Stellafane this year. Serrie has other works, "The Stargazer's Journey," and John Serrie's "Planetary Chronicles Volume 1" and "Planetary Chronicles Volume 2" . Mr. Serrie has many other "Space" related works and when you click on the links I posted, you'll be led by Amazon to samples to listen to and listings of other works.

One of my other favorite pieces is Gustav Holst's "The Planets." Less contempletive than Serrie's work, Holst's signature work is a rousing celebration on both the mythological and inspirational meaning of our Solar System and a glorious classical masterpiece. The link that I've provided gives a list of several versions of "The Planets" by various orchestras and conductors. The pace, volume and mood of this work really changes by who performs it, so listen to samples to find your preference. I find that my favorite movement within "The Planets" is "Jupiter." BTW, I started posting this before Mark & Steve got "droll" (but I agree with Pink Floyd) and you mentioned "The Planets," Pete. Looking up the links took awhile...

The Soundtrack to "2001: A Space Odyssey" is a good choice.

Try some Anthologies, like "Classics at the Movies: Sci-Fi" or "The Classic Spielberg Movie Scores by John Williams & The Boston Pops" or also "Great Composers: John Williams".

Also, any Windham Hill Sampler might give you the listening experience you're looking for...

Finally for those of you who enjoyed the Toyota Sequoia Star Party Commercial with "Going Whichever Way the Wind Blows" by Pete Droge, click the link to download or listen to samples from the Album and to buy the CD, "Under the Waves"; the song from the commercial is cut 9.

Good listening! I look forward to hearing others' suggestions to expand my observing music.

[AstroGeek]

Ya, I HAVE ALL those Nuge vinyl albums in case anybody wants to borrow them...

[ASSNEman1]

Ya, I HAVE ALL those Nuge vinyl albums in case anybody wants to borrow them...

Same here CD's too.

[stevew]

Ya, I HAVE ALL those Nuge vinyl albums in case anybody wants to borrow them...

Weekend Warriors is one of my favorite album covers of ALL time.

The Nuge. Awesome.

Steve

[NGC7000]

You guys definitely rock...

Truly an inspiration for us older fellows.

Nice reviews, George.

Tom

[gnhuftalen]

You guys definitely rock...

Truly an inspiration for us older fellows.

Nice reviews, George.

Tom

Well, inspiration, maybe...but they did make me feel "older"...

[AstroGeek]

Mark,

That jango link is great!! THANKS!!!

"HeadBanger Steve"

[gnhuftalen]

Actually, I googled "Space Lyrics" and I was surprised at how fast Megadeath came up! True! No Kidding!

[petep]

I'd love to have a variety of music types and am open to everything. But I'm not famialiar with the works of many of these musicians. Citing specific tracks/movements would be very helpful.

For example, George mentioned the Jupiter passage when he suggested Holst's The Planets.

Thanx all,

Pete

[gnhuftalen]

I'd love to have a variety of music types and am open to everything. But I'm not famialiar with the works of many of these musicians. Citing specific tracks/movements would be very helpful.

For example, George mentioned the Jupiter passage when he suggested Holst's The Planets.

Thanx all,

Pete

Holst did a wonderful job in capturing a mood and character for all of the planets. "Mercury" is my second favorite movement...

However, since Pluto had yet to be discovered when Holst wrote "The Planets," many newer recordings include "Pluto, the Renewer" composed by Colin Matthews with "The Planets" Suite. But what about Ceres, Makemake and Eris, the official named dwarf planets? Who will compose for them? Not to mention: 2003 EL61 ("Santa"), Sedna, Quaoar, Orcus, Ixion, and 2002 AW197 ...sorry, too lazy to link all of those potentiates! Look 'em up! Google works!:lol:

Further, John Serrie's "And the Stars Go With You," first cut, "Gentle; the Night" is my favorite, but the entire CD may be played as one long observing suite...ALSO, PLEASE NOTE: This CD had been out of print and not long ago could only be bought used; HOWEVER, the link I have provided is to a new, remastered album due to popular demand! If you haven't heard this great CD, Sample "And the Stars Go With You" here.

Also, John Serrie's "The Planetary Chronicles Volume 1" Reminds me a lot of Holt's "The Planets" (but with synthesizer) except for "Star Moods" and "Auran Vector" cuts 4 & 5...Sample the entire album here. "Planetary Chronicles, Volume 1" has many moods and styles and may, like the Holst coposition, work better for Planet hopping...

However, John Serrie's "Planetary Chronicles Volume 2" is much more in the style of John Serrie's "And the Stars Go With You," allowing for the entire CD to be played as one long piece: You may Sample "Planetary Chronicles Volume 2" here. This CD really sets a prolonged mood.

Finally John Serrie's "Stargazers Journey" follows the formula of John Serrie's "Planetary Chronicles Volume 2" and his "And the Stars Go With You," allowing for the entire CD to be played as one long piece: You May sample "Stargazers Journey" Here. This CD also sets a real deep sky observing mood, IMHO...

Almost forgot. Jack Johnson has a great album with two astronomy-related songs. One loosely related and one right on with kids making up their own constellations and stories... Here are samples: "Better when We're Together" and "Constellations." Please note: to hear the samples of these songs, you must push the "play" button next to the song title, they do not start upon the page opening...

I am also providing the lyrics:

Better When We're Together

There's no combination of words
I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing
But I can try for your heart,
our dreams, and they are made out of real things
like a shoebox of photographs
with sepia-toned loving
Love is the answer
at least for most of the questions in my heart, like
Why are we here? And where do we go?
And how come it's so hard?
It's not always easy and
sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together

Mmmm, It's always better when we're together
Yeah we'll look at the stars and we're together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah it's always better when we're together

And all of these moments
just might find their way into my dreams tonight,
But I know that they’ll be gone
when the morning light sings
and brings new things
for tomorrow night you see
that they’ll be gone too,
too many things I have to do
But if all of these dreams might find their way
into my day to day scene
I'd be under the impression
i was somewhere in between
With only two,
Just me and you,
Not so many things we got to do
or places we got to be
We'll sit beneath the mango tree, now,

Yeah It's always better when we're together
Mmmm, we're somewhere in between together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together

mmmmmmm

I believe in memories
they look so, so pretty when I sleep
Hey now, and when I wake up,
you look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time,
There is no, no song I could sing
and there is no combination of words I could say
but I will still tell you one thing
We're Better together

Constellations
The light was leaving
in the west it was blue
The children's laughter sang
and skipping just like the stones they threw
the voices echoed across the waves
its getting late

It was just another night
with the sun set
and the moon rise not so far behind
to give us just enough light
to lay down underneath the stars
listen to papas translations
of the stories across the sky
we drew our own constellations

The west winds often last too long
but when they calm down
nothing ever feels the same
Sheltered under the Kamani tree
waiting for the passing rain
clouds keep moving to uncover the scene
stars above us are chasing the day away
to find the stories that we sometimes need
Listen close enough
all else fades
fades away

It was just another night
with the sun set
and the moon rise not so far behind
to give us just enough light
to lay down underneath the stars
listen to all the translations
of the stories across the sky
we drew our own constellations




I hope this helps and I will be bringing some of this music with me to Arunah Hill, If you'd like a listen...great listening!

[RobCos]

Pete, my musical taste is all over the map but one piece of music I like to listen to is this one:

http://www.gimell.com/recording-Josquin ... re-mi.aspx

The Tallis Scholars sing ancient music going back to the twelfth to fourteenth centuries. They're amazing. Skip the first Gregorian Chant track when you listen to the snippets. It's the basic melody that the rest of the piece is based on and isn't a true representation of the polyphony on the rest of the album.

Or, I can recommend Rush's 2112 album. Very relaxing.

[ASSNEman1]

Pete,

Perhaps these help. Thanks for a great suggestion. I've enjoyed this post and listening to all the music suggestions.

I'll put all my eggs in the Pink Floyd basket. I'll bet one of these may fit into your plans for a song list.

I hope the links work for those trying them.


Great Gig in the Sky
http://www.jango.com/stations/46973504/ ... g_id=20081

(Instrumental) with a women singing emotional ohh through the whole song.

"And I am not frightened of dying. Any time will do, I don't mind. Why should I be frightened of dying? There's no reason for it. You've gotta go sometime."

"I never said I was frightened of dying."

Keep Talking
http://www.jango.com/stations/1755/tune ... g_id=55771

(David Gilmour/Richard Wright/Polly Samson) also David Hawkins on some lyrics

For millions of years mankind lived just like animals
Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination
We learned to talk

There's a silence surroundiing me
I can't seem to think straight
I'll sit in the corner
No one can bother me
I think I should speak now (why won't you talk to me)
I can't seem to speak now (you never talk to me)
My words won't come out right (what are you thinking)
I feel like I'm drowning (What are you feeling)
I'm feeling weak now (why won't you talk to me)
But I can't show my weakness (you never talk to me
I sometimes wonder (what are you thinking)
Where do we go from here (what are you feeling)

It doesn't have to be like this
All we need to do is make sure we keep talking

Why won't you talk to me (I feel like I'm drowning)
You never talk to me (you know I can't breathe now)
What are you thinking (we're going nowhere)
What are you feeling (we're going nowhere)
Why won't you talk to me
You never talk to me
What are you thinking
Where do we go from here

It doesn't have to be like this
All we need to do is make sure we keep talking

Terminal Frost
http://www.jango.com/stations/18227031/ ... g_id=20103

Instrumental

Time
http://www.jango.com/stations/1613/tune ... g_id=20090

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

Tired of lying in the sunshine
Staying home to watch the rain
And you are young and life is long
And there is time to kill today
And then one day you find
Ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run
You missed the starting gun

And you run, and you run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death

Every year is getting shorter
Never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught
Or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
The time is gone
The song is over
Thought I'd something more to say

Home, home again
I like to be here when I can
When I come home cold and tired
It's good to warm my bones beside the fire
Far away across the field
The tolling of the iron bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken magic spells


Sorrow
http://www.jango.com/stations/12794003/ ... g_id=20071

The sweet smell of a great sorrow lies over the land
Plumes of smoke rise and merge into the leaden sky:
A man lies and dreams of green fields and rivers,
But awakes to a morning with no reason for waking

He's haunted by the memory of a lost paradise
In his youth or a dream, he can't be precise
He's chained forever to a world that's departed
It's not enough, it's not enough

His blood has frozen & curdled with fright
His knees have trembled & given way in the night
His hand has weakened at the moment of truth
His step has faltered

One world, one soul
Time pass, the river rolls

It's not enough it's not enough
His hand has faltered
.... .... ......

And he talks to the river of lost love and dedication
And silent replies that swirl invitation
Flow dark and troubled to an oily sea
A grim intimation of what is to be

There's an unceasing wind that blows through this night
And there's dust in my eyes, that blinds my sight
And silence that speaks so much louder that words,
Of promises broken


Astronomy Domain
http://www.jango.com/stations/12794003/ ... g_id=20071

Lime and limpid green, a second scene
A fight between the blue you once knew
Floating down, the sound resounds
Around the icy waters underground
Jupiter and Saturn, Oberon, Miranda and Titania
Neptune, Titan, Stars can frighten

Lime and limpid green, a second scene
A fight between the blue you once knew
Floating down, the sound resounds
Around the icy waters underground
Jupiter and Saturn, Oberon, Miranda and Titania
Neptune, Titan, Stars can frighten

Blinding signs flap
Flicker, flicker, flicker blam
Pow, pow
Stairway scare Dan dare who's there?

Lime and limpid green, the sounds around
The icy waters under
Lime and limpid green, the sounds around
The icy waters underground


Eclipse
http://www.jango.com/stations/46778140/ ... g_id=20085


All that you touch
And all that you see
All that you taste
All you feel
And all that you love
And all that you hate
All you distrust
All you save
And all that you give
And all that you deal
And all that you buy
Beg, borrow or steal
And all you create
And all you destroy
And all that you do
And all that you say
And all that you eat
And everyone you meet
And all that you slight
And everyone you fight
And all that is now
And all that is gone
And all that's to come
And everything under the sun is in tune
But the sun is eclipsed by the moon

"There is no dark side of the moon really. Matter of fact it's all dark."

Is There Anybody Out There
http://www.jango.com/stations/1712480/t ... g_id=20020

Overhead the albatross hangs motionless upon the air
And deep beneath the rolling waves
In labyrinths of coral caves
The echo of a distant tide
Comes willowing across the sand
And everything is green and submarine

And no-one showed us to the land
And no-one knows the where or whys
But something stirs and something tries
And starts to climb towards the light

Strangers passing in the street
By chance two separate glances meet
And I am you and what I see is me
And do I take you by the hand
And lead you through the land
And help me understand the best I can

And no-one calls us to move on
And no-one forces down our eyes
And no-one speaks and no-one tries
And no-one flies around the sun

Cloudless everyday you fall upon my waking eyes
Inviting and inciting me to rise
And through the window in the wall
Come streaming in on sunlight wings
A million bright ambassadors of morning

And no-one sings me lullabies
And no-one makes me close my eyes
And so I throw the windows wide
And call to you across the sky

On of These Days
http://www.jango.com/stations/6068665/t ... g_id=20055

Fast paced spacey instrumental

One of these days
I'm going to cut you into little pieces

Echoes
Very long (20+? minutes)spacey song it may fit in your plans...

http://www.jango.com/stations/24292295/ ... g_id=20072

Overhead the albatross hangs motionless upon the air
And deep beneath the rolling waves
In labyrinths of coral caves
The echo of a distant tide
Comes willowing across the sand
And everything is green and submarine

And no-one showed us to the land
And no-one knows the where or whys
But something stirs and something tries
And starts to climb towards the light

Strangers passing in the street
By chance two separate glances meet
And I am you and what I see is me
And do I take you by the hand
And lead you through the land
And help me understand the best I can

And no-one calls us to move on
And no-one forces down our eyes
And no-one speaks and no-one tries
And no-one flies around the sun

Cloudless everyday you fall upon my waking eyes
Inviting and inciting me to rise
And through the window in the wall
Come streaming in on sunlight wings
A million bright ambassadors of morning

And no-one sings me lullabies
And no-one makes me close my eyes
And so I throw the windows wide
And call to you across the sky

Embryo
http://www.jango.com/stations/813/tunei ... g_id=55781

A ball is all I am
I'm so new compared to you
And I am very small

Warm glow, moon bloom
Always need a little more room
Waiting here seems like years
Never seen the light of day

All around I hear strange sounds
Come gurgling in my ear
Red the light and dark the night
I feel my dawn is near

Warm glow, moon bloom
Always need a little more room
Whisper low, here I go
I will see the sunshine show

To research other Pink Floyd Lyrics
http://www.metrolyrics.com/pink-floyd-lyrics.html

Or other lyrics
http://www.metrolyrics.com

[petep]

Oh wow!!!!! You guys have opened me up to many new wonders here.

Cos, the Tallis Scholars are fantastic.

But Mark, I have for some reason avoided Pink Flyod, and what I've been missing. Great Gig in the Sky is phenomenal. Eclipse, too, is unique and results in great introspection. I love em.

Music and the stars, they just go together. I never sit and just meditate, but out under the dome the stimulus of stars and music makes my mind wander to many strange places.

Pete

[gnhuftalen]

The Tallis Scholars sing ancient music going back to the twelfth to fourteenth centuries. They're amazing. Skip the first Gregorian Chant track when you listen to the snippets. It's the basic melody that the rest of the piece is based on and isn't a true representation of the polyphony on the rest of the album.

Rob, I love the Tallis Scholars Album! I also went to Amazon and looked up the Tallis Scholars. Click on the link for a full list of the Tallis Scholar's work available on Amazon if Gregorian Chant is not your style...but great choice, Rob!

Mark, Pink Floyd has always been a favorite as I am a fan of Jazz/fusion/rock kinds of music. For me, it is a little bit boppin' for observing--at least much of the tracks I've been listening to, but I think the entire Dark Side of the Moon might be cool for a night of observing...

Oh, and by the way: I just love Jango! Thanks!

There are a lot of good choices shown here and a lot of good music being shared! I would love more members to join in with their suggestions...

I wonder if it would be possible to make a mix CD of this music to play in the background of observing at Rehoboth Skies...? Would anyone be interested in doing so, or are there enough folks who just don't like music while they're observing? Chime in?

Keep those suggestions and sample links coming! I know I am enjoying them!

[RobCos]

Actually George, i've got ALL the Tallis Scholars stuff. LOL.....

[gnhuftalen]

Actually George, i've got ALL the Tallis Scholars stuff. LOL.....

Cool. Well looks like I will be getting some too!

I had a thought About "Quiet Songs" by Aisha Duo Sort of a light, warm jazzy sound that is meditative. Sample this album here. I have two cuts from this album that came with software that was on my computer at purchase. After sampling it, I will likely purchase it. For me, like Pink Floyd some of it may be a little fast, but I like the Vibrophone "vibes" or Xyophone that is being played...