The East is Red

While in China, the only time I heard the national anthem, "The East is Red" was in a brief sampled version at the beginning of a piece of music playing on muzak.
Not that I expected to here it playing on every street corner, but I did sort of expect it at things like the acrobatic show we went to, but no.
I was surprised that the bit I did hear was in this brief sampled extract, but then I guess that the government isn't quite as hard line about somethings as it once was.
(I stress the somethings bit).
The version of "The East is Red" that I know best, is of course, Holger Czukay's version, the title track of his 1984 album, with brass band sampled over the top of Jaki Leibezeit's drumming.

School

"Mum, I learnt something new at school today" shouted A through to her Mum in the kitchen.
Then to herself, (but I heard) she added, "Of course I did" said the 11 year old school girl.

Beijing Phase

On the underground in Beijing there are a number of recorded announcements in Chinese & English. One of which is played for those using the escalators, "Stand firm. Hold the hand rail."
Now the "stand firm" bit does sound a like a military command.
But as it keeps repeating, these two phrases struck me as ideal material for a phased tape piece like those that Steve Reich made in the 1960's namely, "It's Gonna Rain" & "Come Out".
"Stand Firm. Hold the hand rail.
Stand Firm. Hold the hand rail.
Stand Firm. Hold the hand rail.
Stand Firm. Hold the hand rail.
Stand Firm. Hold the hand rail.
Stand Firm. Hold the hand rail."
As the different layers go out of phase, it would be anything other than standing firm.

Reich Again

Travelling music today "Octet" and "Violin Phase" - two of my favourites!
Steve Reich is my favourite composer of the last 50 years. So now you know.

Whirled Service

Just been listening to "Whirled Service" by Robin the Frog. This was a commission by BBC Radio 3's Late Junction programme & is a sequel to "The Ghosts of Bush".
Let me explain.
"The Ghosts of Bush" was an album created only using sounds recorded in the BBC's Bush House studios, the home of the BBC's World Service. And by in Bush House I mean the ambient sound of a stairwell, the sound of the life working, a door banging shut - the actual sounds of the building & the sound of the programmes it made. Some of the sound it treated, some of it as it naturally sounds. A sort of aural portrait of the building, and it's ghosts. Released under the name of Howlround, the artist is actually a studio manager for the BBC and worked in the building.
This new commission is made using the same techniques, but in the new home of the BBC World Service, hence the title "Whirled Service".
Very interesting. Great mood and atmospheres. As good as the first. Hopefully it gets a release beyond the BBC broadcast & short lived podcast version.......

http://robinthefog.com

Ball of Fire

Sitting in the café this morning and through the open door heard some children heading to school for the first day of term, as they went past "....on a ball of fire!" one of them said.
What they did on their holidays?