JAM: December 2001/January 2002 Issue: Coda

Mike Metheny

"Just Look at the Stars"
Years ago I played in a band with someone whose favorite line (always uttered impatiently) was, "Just go out and look at the stars." This admonition was usually invoked either when a colleague had become too preoccupied with an earthly dilemma that, compared to the immensity of the universe, was relatively insignificant, or when it was necessary to give everyone a much needed lesson in perspective. All you have to do is gaze up at the nighttime sky to know that we are but a speck in the cosmos, my friend used to say. And, by the way, it's the only speck we have.

Right up until we were ready to go to press, I had a long-winded essay ready to run in this space. A thousand words documenting one person's thoughts about the events surrounding Sept. 11, the insignificance of preoccupations prior to that date, some ranting about a culture that trivializes such real-life horror on shows like "Entertainment Tonight" and "Access Hollywood," and what it all "means" in the bigger picture, yadda yadda. But the more I went through the piece the more inadequate each word became. When many of the world's finest journalists have struggled to sort out America's (and our speck's) new reality, Clint Eastwood's advice that "a man has got to know his limitations" kept coming to mind. And who am I to argue with Dirty Harry?

In the spirit of this issue's main thrust, however, I can tell you about some great music I've been revisiting lately. As others have reminded us in these pages, there are many works both known and obscure that have enhanced value in these uncertain times. And thank goodness for great music in uncertain times.

And so, with lights low and a favorite libation close at hand, I submit to you these sounds that are resonating anew with this observer of a changed human condition. Each are highly recommended. And each are guaranteed to help you look up at the stars with an even deeper appreciation for our tenuous yet invaluable place in the cosmos -- a majestic, infinite and incomprehensible cosmos that contains the speck we all call home.

The 5th Symphony
Dmitri Shostakovich
New York Philharmonic (1959)
Triumph, tragedy, despair, affirmation... the gamut of human emotions is covered with great depth, sensitivity and resolution in this evocative and intensely introspective masterpiece. Conducted by Maestro Leonard Bernstein, this is the definitive recording of an unforgettable work.

The Planets
Gustav Holst
Sir Adrian Boult, conducting
Even in 1916 (well before Pluto was discovered in 1930), the mystique of the seven other known planets captured imaginations and inspired Holst to complete this suite. Each movement reflects elements of the mythology associated with these distant worlds (you may want to avoid "Mars, the Bringer of War" for now), and "Venus, the Bringer of Peace" seems especially apropos for late 2001. Boult recorded "The Planets" several times with different orchestras and choruses, but if you can find it on CD (or even LP), go straight for the one with the New Philharmonia Orchestra featuring the Ambrosian Singers. It is their distant voices that haunt the epilogue, "Neptune, the Mystic," performed pianissimo throughout.

Here's To Life
Shirley Horn with Strings
Ms. Horn's wistful vocals and economical piano, plus Johnny Mandel's lush and subdued strings, make for a wall-to-wall poignancy that almost defies words. Actually, this collection of heartfelt ballads does defy words. So, enough.

And if these three recordings aren't enough to concentrate the mind and make you glad to be alive, there's one more essential track worth rediscovering.

From Peggy Lee's 1969 rendition of Leiber and Stoller's "Is That All There Is?" these words also have new meaning in December 2001.

"If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing... and break out the booze... and have a ball.

"If that's all... there is."

Happy Holidays, everyone.
Hang in there, and be safe.

RETURN TO DECEMBER 2001/JANUARY 2002 MAIN INDEX

© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		Mike Metheny "Just Look at the Stars" Years ago I played in a band with someone whose favorite line (always uttered impatiently) was, "Just go out and look at the stars." This admonition was usually invoked either when a colleague had become too preoccupied with an earthly dilemma that, compared to the immensity of the universe, was relatively insignificant, or when it was necessary to give everyone a much needed lesson in perspective. All you have to do is gaze up at the nighttime sky to know that we are but a speck in the cosmos, my friend used to say. And, by the way, it's the only speck we have. Right up until we were ready to go to press, I had a long-winded essay ready to run in this space. A thousand words documenting one person's thoughts about the events surrounding Sept. 11, the insignificance of preoccupations prior to that date, some ranting about a culture that trivializes such real-life horror on shows like "Entertainment Tonight" and "Access Hollywood," and what it all "means" in the bigger picture, yadda yadda. But the more I went through the piece the more inadequate each word became. When many of the world's finest journalists have struggled to sort out America's (and our speck's) new reality, Clint Eastwood's advice that "a man has got to know his limitations" kept coming to mind. And who am I to argue with Dirty Harry? In the spirit of this issue's main thrust, however, I can tell you about some great music I've been revisiting lately. As others have reminded us in these pages, there are many works both known and obscure that have enhanced value in these uncertain times. And thank goodness for great music in uncertain times. And so, with lights low and a favorite libation close at hand, I submit to you these sounds that are resonating anew with this observer of a changed human condition. Each are highly recommended. And each are guaranteed to help you look up at the stars with an even deeper appreciation for our tenuous yet invaluable place in the cosmos -- a majestic, infinite and incomprehensible cosmos that contains the speck we all call home. The 5th Symphony Dmitri Shostakovich New York Philharmonic (1959) Triumph, tragedy, despair, affirmation... the gamut of human emotions is covered with great depth, sensitivity and resolution in this evocative and intensely introspective masterpiece. Conducted by Maestro Leonard Bernstein, this is the definitive recording of an unforgettable work. The Planets Gustav Holst Sir Adrian Boult, conducting Even in 1916 (well before Pluto was discovered in 1930), the mystique of the seven other known planets captured imaginations and inspired Holst to complete this suite. Each movement reflects elements of the mythology associated with these distant worlds (you may want to avoid "Mars, the Bringer of War" for now), and "Venus, the Bringer of Peace" seems especially apropos for late 2001. Boult recorded "The Planets" several times with different orchestras and choruses, but if you can find it on CD (or even LP), go straight for the one with the New Philharmonia Orchestra featuring the Ambrosian Singers. It is their distant voices that haunt the epilogue, "Neptune, the Mystic," performed pianissimo throughout. Here's To Life Shirley Horn with Strings Ms. Horn's wistful vocals and economical piano, plus Johnny Mandel's lush and subdued strings, make for a wall-to-wall poignancy that almost defies words. Actually, this collection of heartfelt ballads does defy words. So, enough. And if these three recordings aren't enough to concentrate the mind and make you glad to be alive, there's one more essential track worth rediscovering. From Peggy Lee's 1969 rendition of Leiber and Stoller's "Is That All There Is?" these words also have new meaning in December 2001. "If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing... and break out the booze... and have a ball. "If that's all... there is." Happy Holidays, everyone. Hang in there, and be safe. RETURN TO DECEMBER 2001/JANUARY 2002 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.