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Posts Tagged ‘music’

Oliver Sack’s Musicophilia bridges the gap between music and the brain by using case studies he has personally dealt with and otherwise. The stories range from the totally bizarre to the horribly tragic. Music can affect the brain in peculiar ways. The studies cover how music cannot only be a miracle for the brain but also a torturous thing that haunts it.

The book is organized with chapters that focus on specific ways in which music affects the brain. The book primarily focuses on telling the stories of those affected by music. However, it also analyzes the stories to an extent and talks about how our knowledge of music and the brain has grown because of the case presented. The conclusions that Sacks draws throughout the book are interesting and engaging.

One particularly engaging story was about a Parkinson’s patient who used the mesmerizing sounds of a drum circle to calm the tics. His circle consisted of other Parkinson’s patients. Sacks recalls watching this inspiring group all sit down at their respective drums, doing their best to not let their tics get in the way as they waited for the leader to start. As soon as he did, the tics stopped almost instantaneously. It was as if some unexplainable force of nature had somehow seeped into the bodies of these patients and enraptured them in serenity and control. It has been proven that a steady, predictable drumbeat, when played in the presence of Parkinson’s patients, can almost completely prevent any tics for the duration of the drumming. Even so, we have not even scratched the surface when it comes to using music in a therapeutic setting. That being said, Sacks uses this case and many more to prove that the beneficial effects of music are simply overwhelming and must be investigated further.

For anyone who is interested in music, psychology, or just wants to be amazed, Musicophilia is an excellent read and is extremely informative. This book hopefully will encourage many to see the importance of continued research in the field of music psychology.

In 1963 rock ‘n’ roll was, well…rolling right along. But very soon, almost overnight it seemed, a wave of change was about to take place. From across the Atlantic in merry-old England, rock ‘n’ roll had gained a foot-hold and the epidemic had infected British youth all throughout the United Kingdom. The sound was very similar in many ways, but there was something different, something more grown-up about it. Whatever it was, American kids, (especially girls), jumped all over it. At first, just a unique sound, this music, along with the bands that created it, would grow, evolve, alter, and forever effect pop music. This musical movement would create new genres of music and influence thousands.

Four lads from Liverpool, England, “The Beatles”, led the way and would be at the fore-front of it all. Not only of other British bands but of the entire musical arena through the ’60′s and into the ’70′s. Songs like ‘Please, please Me’, ‘I Wanna Hold Your Hand’, and ‘Hard Days Night’, had teenage girls swooning, crying and fainting. Not since Elvis Presley, with his great-looks, unmistakable voice, and gyrating hips, was there such a spectacle. The older folks were properly disgusted but could do nothing. The Beatles, along with bands with names like “The Zombies”, “The Animals”, “The Kingsman”, “The Hollies”, “The Kinks”, and the “Rolling Stones”, had taken the U.S. by storm. Then there were the songs, tunes like the Hollies melodic, ‘Bus Stop’ and the fast-paced, hard rocking, ‘You Really Got Me’, by the Kinks were giving fans more of a variety in the their choice of style, which led to the growing appeal. In 1965, lead guitarist for the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards, hit 15 unforgettable guitar cords at the start of ‘Can’t Get No,(Satisfaction), and a No. 1 classic was born. The song was also an example of how more sexually explicit lyrics were becoming.

The Rolling Stones were a prime example of bands that were starting to follow this pattern. Not just the Brits though. American band, the “Doors” with lead singer, Jim Morrison at the helm were considered very racy. And Morrison’s onstage antics were becoming something of legend, getting him arrested at a few shows.

Most of us go through a stage in our life where we really want to do or try something but most of never take that step. 33 Days tells the story of a group of southern California rock band members who did take the step. Three of the four members had never been on their own on July 29, 1987 when they climbed into a rented van and left LA for a national tour. They had no idea of how they would be received nor what affect the trip would have on each of them.

Bill See, the author of the book and the singer/leader of the group, felt the urge to break away from an unhappy home life and believed at the age of 22 he was ready to let his music help others break away from their own problems. For three years his band, Divine Weeks, had been playing around in the LA area. They had been received well enough that Bill knew they could become a national name.

His closest friend, Rajesh Makwana, was the guitarist in the group and was having an extremely hard time leaving his Indian family. Their culture did not joyfully accept his band association. Raj had been subject also to much taunting both in England before the family moved to the states and then in this country. Bill was the closest and best friend he had ever had. So Raj was definitely in on the idea of the tour since music had been the best release from his somewhat unhappy life.

Another of Bill’s close friends was George Edmondson who was not only the band’s bassist but had been dubbed by some to be the best bassist in the LA area. George was also fired up about the trip because he also had become somewhat depressed with his college life and wanted to see Divine Weeks become a national name. However though unhappy with college he still had plans to go on to grad school and he had become quite serious with a young lady.

Dave Smerdzinski was the fourth and final member of the group. Somewhat older and used to living on his own he had recently joined the group and become a powerful force due to his nature, his drumming ability, and his showmanship.

Ian Bader was the group’s road manager and pretty much the steadying influence and caretaker of all of them.

Whoa! I certainly didn’t expect this book to be anything like it is. I try to keep an open mind but when the son of one of the richest men on the planet writes a book about life, my mind rushes to ask “What does he know about the life that most of us experience?” My answer: “Nothing.” I am excitedly happy to announce that I was wrong, wrong, wrong.

By the time I got through the first chapter, I couldn’t put it down and every chapter was so filled with “quotable quotes” that the book began looking like the rainbow as I put sticky markers in to be sure I didn’t lose the thought. Usually in the course of reviewing a book, I place a half dozen stickers to show me where the “juicy parts” are. With Life is What You Make It I used something between 30 and 40. I would have to write a book about the book if I spoke to all those points.

Peter Buffet writes with an openness and honesty that is bordering on crazy innocence, laying bare his mistakes and errors in judgment to make a point so profound that you sit in stunned silence while you reflect on it. If there is anything spoiled about this “rich kid” it doesn’t show in his writing or his thinking.

The book is a down to earth – where the rubber meets the road – kind of book. At the same time it is deeply insightful. He challenges mediocrity and “luck,” and talks about what happens to people who have been “spoiled by advantages they have been born to but have not earned.” He has such passion for music that I, not being familiar with his work, went to his website and listened to his music as I read the last half of the book. It is a wonderful mix of hearing the passion and reading the words that combine in perfect synchronicity.

It is true that he has friends in high and wealthy places and people who reviewed his pre-published book have recognizable names like Clinton, Bono, Gates, Steinem and Turner. Yes. The book is for them. But the book is just as powerful for me and you, for the blue collar workers as well as middle management. It can speak to the janitor who cleans the office of top management who also should read it. It can speak to the kid in high school who is trying to figure out where his passion is and what he should be “when he grows up” as clearly as it speaks to those of us who are grandparents. It is for each of us who is trying to walk a path of authenticity, passion and generosity.