Wow…a fabulously intriguing start… Thankyou for your wonderful writing and insights. I am halfway thru your “Music: A Subversive History” … illuminating and deeply inspiring.
I'm reading Oliver Sack's Musicophilia and he touches on the idea that music/song may have preceded language/words. If that's the case, makes sense that music would be an elemental/deeper expression/medium of the hero's journey.
"We tend to use the term visionary loosely nowadays"
Seems to me, we tend to use every term Loosely nowadays. To the point where Everything is overblown & over hyped. Cause I feel, standards have dropped to such an abysmal & mediocre level everywhere in this once great nation that the completion of a simple task at what used to be a given is now Lauded as some kind of a momentous achievement. You want pickles on that Burger ? You open it or take a bite and golly - there is actually a shrunken mediocre Pickle & its a real accomplishment ! Sure, I'm being facetious & ridiculous but a prime example: giving awards/stars/praise to a kid in school who can add up 2x2 ! What do you think is going to happen to this country ?
When all institutions have mostly failed. Almost all politicians are cheats or Liars or traitors or worse ! When REAL Heroes are spit upon for gain of all types. When the loftiest goals of many young people are to become Internet Trolls or (the most Laughable career of all ) ... Influencers.
So Ya, "We tend to use the term visionary loosely nowadays" says it ALL
I expect that a printed book will eventually be published. But I am deferring all decisions on this for the next few months. The Substack is getting all my care and nurturing right now.
My plan is to publish a physical book at some point. But I will probably publish the whole book online first, and worry about a physical book later. Sometimes I feel I'd rather get a root canal than deal with big legacy publishers—but sooner or later I will get around to this.
A hard copy book is a good idea, and many people have asked about this.
Meatloaf 😂👏👏👏👏👏 I feel like Joseph Campbell placed a magic 8 ball into a Christmas stocking and blindsided me for fun. Can’t stop seeing tiny library angels fluttering around my head.
I often ask a question when I'm teaching a writing class: "Why can almost all of us sing the lyrics of hundreds of songs once we hear the first word?"
And, as a part-time screenwriter in Hollywood for almost thirty years (I have a Writer's Guild pension!), I can confirm the common belief: non-artists dominate the artistic process.
It's ridiculous how many silly song lyrics I still remember—even when I haven't heard the song in decades. For a start, I probably know the words to several hundred obsolete commercial jingles. I'd love to free up that disk space for something better.
Even though I grew up in Kiss’ heyday, they never really spoke to me, so I didn’t follow them (although I learned the guitar solo to “Detroit Rock City” cuz, why not?). What I hear in Ace’s cover is bubblegum simplicity. The verse rhythm is Buddy Hollyesque and the chorus is a march - there’s not even a backbeat! The march beat is the perfect rhythm for a lyric that is about being in a “groove”! So, its earworm factor is high. All the bubbleguminess seems way out of step with Kiss’ onstage bad boy persona.
I've been listening to the original version by Hello. I don't know music construction and composition like you do. I can only go by feeling. And the original feels like 3 in the morning and Frehley's cover feels like 10 pm. The original is so much better.
That song was written by Russ Ballard and first recorded by Hello a few years before Frehley did it, but Ace's version is much more well-known. Sorry to be pedantic, haha!
I know the Green Acres and Facts of Life (chorus and first verse) theme songs by heart. I am sure I have not seen these shows in at least 3 decades. I could not agree more with your last sentence
I still find myself singing, "What candy bar gives you mor more more for what you pay your nickel for?" I won't say what the candy bar was but it's the only other word in that jingle I do remember.
That must be why I'm so bored with Hollywood productions. Designed to lull us to sleep. Same with music industry. Pop culture is fast food, and it's bad for you.
wish I knew how to find it...but I'm a senior citizen and don't go to bars/restaurants without my mask, so I'm limited. In the spring, there are some jazz venues I can go to
I like your premise for this new book, Ted. As for the Hero's Journey beyond Hollywood, have you read Iron John by Robert Bly? It's an interesting take on the Hero's Journey from a sacred masculine perspective. Also, have you read The Secret Power of Music by David Tame? I look forward to reading more of Music to Raise the Dead.
Thanks Ted! Im so excited to read your book. I loved reading Curt Sachs, The Wellsprings Of Music. An anthropology framed musicology, more focused on - what (what were these musicians doing?) rather than the more personal - why (why music?) approach your prologue seems to indicate
Wait and see!
I hope not.
I have no idea what a substack is but I am intrigued by what I have read of your book so far.
Wow…a fabulously intriguing start… Thankyou for your wonderful writing and insights. I am halfway thru your “Music: A Subversive History” … illuminating and deeply inspiring.
I'm reading Oliver Sack's Musicophilia and he touches on the idea that music/song may have preceded language/words. If that's the case, makes sense that music would be an elemental/deeper expression/medium of the hero's journey.
Great stuff, Ted! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I have a couple of your books, Mr Gioia, but of late i think you’ve become my favourite contemporary non fiction writer. This is serious stuff
"We tend to use the term visionary loosely nowadays"
Seems to me, we tend to use every term Loosely nowadays. To the point where Everything is overblown & over hyped. Cause I feel, standards have dropped to such an abysmal & mediocre level everywhere in this once great nation that the completion of a simple task at what used to be a given is now Lauded as some kind of a momentous achievement. You want pickles on that Burger ? You open it or take a bite and golly - there is actually a shrunken mediocre Pickle & its a real accomplishment ! Sure, I'm being facetious & ridiculous but a prime example: giving awards/stars/praise to a kid in school who can add up 2x2 ! What do you think is going to happen to this country ?
When all institutions have mostly failed. Almost all politicians are cheats or Liars or traitors or worse ! When REAL Heroes are spit upon for gain of all types. When the loftiest goals of many young people are to become Internet Trolls or (the most Laughable career of all ) ... Influencers.
So Ya, "We tend to use the term visionary loosely nowadays" says it ALL
“Awesome” used to really mean something.
I've have used that word only once; the first time I visited the Grand Canyon. After that, nothing else was awesome.
Exactly as it was. ❤️
When the word “awesome” was first used in the 16th century, it referred to something that inspired overwhelming feelings like fear, terror, and dread.
Thank you! Will we be able to buy a hard copy eventually as well?
I expect that a printed book will eventually be published. But I am deferring all decisions on this for the next few months. The Substack is getting all my care and nurturing right now.
I notice, Mr. Gioia, this Substack book is old news that I'm just now joyfully discovering- any update as to whether there will be a hard copy?
My plan is to publish a physical book at some point. But I will probably publish the whole book online first, and worry about a physical book later. Sometimes I feel I'd rather get a root canal than deal with big legacy publishers—but sooner or later I will get around to this.
A hard copy book is a good idea, and many people have asked about this.
Haha- well, when you're ready for that root canal we'll be ready;-) Thanks for your sharing your brain and efforts!
Meatloaf 😂👏👏👏👏👏 I feel like Joseph Campbell placed a magic 8 ball into a Christmas stocking and blindsided me for fun. Can’t stop seeing tiny library angels fluttering around my head.
I often ask a question when I'm teaching a writing class: "Why can almost all of us sing the lyrics of hundreds of songs once we hear the first word?"
And, as a part-time screenwriter in Hollywood for almost thirty years (I have a Writer's Guild pension!), I can confirm the common belief: non-artists dominate the artistic process.
It's ridiculous how many silly song lyrics I still remember—even when I haven't heard the song in decades. For a start, I probably know the words to several hundred obsolete commercial jingles. I'd love to free up that disk space for something better.
The song I find myself singing all the time is “Back in the New York Groove” by Ace Frehley on his solo KISS album. I have no idea why.
You’re not the only one, Sherman. It’s insanely catchy.
That makes me very happy!
Oh my, I am strangely repulsed and intrigued simultaneously - kind of like watching surgery. I’ll have to check that out.
Hahahaha. Report back please!
Even though I grew up in Kiss’ heyday, they never really spoke to me, so I didn’t follow them (although I learned the guitar solo to “Detroit Rock City” cuz, why not?). What I hear in Ace’s cover is bubblegum simplicity. The verse rhythm is Buddy Hollyesque and the chorus is a march - there’s not even a backbeat! The march beat is the perfect rhythm for a lyric that is about being in a “groove”! So, its earworm factor is high. All the bubbleguminess seems way out of step with Kiss’ onstage bad boy persona.
I've been listening to the original version by Hello. I don't know music construction and composition like you do. I can only go by feeling. And the original feels like 3 in the morning and Frehley's cover feels like 10 pm. The original is so much better.
That song was written by Russ Ballard and first recorded by Hello a few years before Frehley did it, but Ace's version is much more well-known. Sorry to be pedantic, haha!
Not pedantic! You are properly attributive! I'll check it out.
I know the Green Acres and Facts of Life (chorus and first verse) theme songs by heart. I am sure I have not seen these shows in at least 3 decades. I could not agree more with your last sentence
“A horse is a horse, of course, of course, and no one can talk to a horse, of course.”
“Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip...”
“Here we come, walkin’ down the street, we get the funniest looks from, everyone we meet...”
I still find myself singing, "What candy bar gives you mor more more for what you pay your nickel for?" I won't say what the candy bar was but it's the only other word in that jingle I do remember.
That must be why I'm so bored with Hollywood productions. Designed to lull us to sleep. Same with music industry. Pop culture is fast food, and it's bad for you.
There is good and great stuff in pop culture but it's becoming increasingly rare. As Mr. Gioia has written, there's no investment in finding the new.
wish I knew how to find it...but I'm a senior citizen and don't go to bars/restaurants without my mask, so I'm limited. In the spring, there are some jazz venues I can go to
I hope you find music you love!
Wow!
Omg I can't wait to read "Can Songs Actually Replace Philosophy?" aaaahh
This is already speaking to me.
I like your premise for this new book, Ted. As for the Hero's Journey beyond Hollywood, have you read Iron John by Robert Bly? It's an interesting take on the Hero's Journey from a sacred masculine perspective. Also, have you read The Secret Power of Music by David Tame? I look forward to reading more of Music to Raise the Dead.
This is a great call. I knew Iron John was into something when it freaked me out a bit. Haha.
Thanks Ted! Im so excited to read your book. I loved reading Curt Sachs, The Wellsprings Of Music. An anthropology framed musicology, more focused on - what (what were these musicians doing?) rather than the more personal - why (why music?) approach your prologue seems to indicate
Oh hie sweat substantial enorumus and forgiving! Love all the details that are yet to come!