Comments on: I'm not an entertainer; I'm a lot closer to a paramedic, a firefighter, a rescue worker.

By: Levi Lemberger

Levi Lemberger — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:12:07 +0000

Well,I think the author is well intentioned. He is saying that music is a spiritual process and of course it is. The wise say that if you are in a deep gray depression, it is important to sing to get out of it. It works, I have found. Music relects the spirital elelment of the humnan being. So does dance andmany other forms of self expression.
In the Temple in Jerusalem a thousand years before the Greeks, there was always a constant stream of instrumental music and song in Praises of God.
Music is also a form of worship.
If you don’t know what worship is find out.
Give me that old time rock and Roll , Bob Seeger says and I couldn’t agree with him more.
When I used to go to Coltrane performances in clubs, I transcended for the man could do things like play counterpoint against his own melody and Coltrane was zooming in on spirituality.
Oh, all the music I have heard and continue to hear and the music I write and play,is beyond the use of words. When I leave this world all I want is a dixieland band to walk me out.

By: bett l.martinez

bett l.martinez — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:14:36 +0000

I saw a performance of Lifehouse recently in Berkeley and I felt very privileged. Although I don’t agree very much with Lane, I do see some of the points she’s making, particularly because it’s very difficult to express these feelings in words. Guess that’s why we do have music. And Townshend’s opera was literally about music’s ability to keep one alive in the face of anti-life forces…like the camp situation I guess, but more modern…whatever that means.

By: Calvin "Sandy" Buckles

Calvin "Sandy" Buckles — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:21:12 +0000

This must be the concept Pete Townsend was trying to express in the Who’s work, ‘Lifehouse’. It is so difficult to express this to a non musician, but you may just have done it! Bravo!

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:31:02 +0000

Perception is the co-pilot of reality. Sounds like someone has an axe to grind.

By: Lane

Lane — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:11:08 +0000

Thanks, Lisa, for your response.

I agree with you that artists should connect emotionally with an audience on some level, but you overreach when you say that artists should “help them develop as human beings.” In addition to being the height of arrogance, it’s also impossible to do.

…and Karl does not do a remarkable job of communicating anything in his speech. His conclusions are non sequiturs, his logic is faulty, and he repeatedly references “the Greeks” and “big, invisible pieces” of something or other as the answer to every issue he purports to bring up. The worst part is that he completely condescends to his audience by addressing them as though they do not know what the function of music is. He insults his parents to that effect in the first paragraph, saying that they were not clear on music’s value, its purpose, or its function.

By the way, thank you for the Ruskin quote. I like it very much. Paulnack should read it.

Since you asked, I am a composer, performer, and university professor. …and I agree with you; I’m glad this conversation is taking place. Thank you for making it possible.

By: Lisa Canning

Lisa Canning — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:40:35 +0000

Lane, are you an artists or a musician? An artists true job, in my opinion, is to emotional connect to their audience in ways that can help them develop as human beings. Such a big job for “entertainment”, wouldn’t you say? And yet I have always felt that when I play music I have a great responsibility to help others.

Do you have a favorite artist you really connect with? What about them do you love? Something deeper than entertainment is connecting you… whatever it is, this is what I am talking about.

While Karl does a remarkable job of communicating how he accomplishes serving the emotional needs of his audience, it is ok if you don’t connect to the way he does it. Each of us has our own special gifts to share through our artistry with those we touch and reach out to.

I am so happy we are starting to talk about all this in ways that can spur personal growth and creative entrepreneurial behaviors…

And Lane, I have a quote for you: “The greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to see something, and tell what it saw in a plain way. Hundreds of people can talk for one who can think, but thousands can think for one who can see. To see clearly is poetry, prophecy, and religion – all in one.”
John Ruskin, (1819 – 1900)
English critic, essayist, & reformer

By: Lane

Lane — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 05:05:10 +0000

This is half-baked nonsense. Who wants this psychobabble to be true? …and why do we find it inspiring? Why does he condescend to explain the function of music to parents? …and what are “big, invisible pieces?” What does that even mean? This is the height of intellectual laziness.

By: Lisa Canning

Lisa Canning — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:16:05 +0000

Great Melissa! So you glad you enjoyed reading it and will share it.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:25:57 +0000

Will print this out on Monday and have all my students read it.

By: DAvid Roode

DAvid Roode — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:34:07 +0000

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!