James R. Lawson - The Riverside Church CarillonI hope that my visitors are having a wonderful summer (or wonderful winter for those in the southern hemisphere of this planet). There will be some words of wisdom posted here soon to help you be a better person, make more money, tap your hidden psychic powers and get dates. Meanwhile, enjoy some music.From the liner notes:
The Riverside Church Carillon is one of the most notable carillons in the world. Installed at a time when carillons were only beginning to be used in this country, it has provided a new musical experience for thousands of people, many of whom have come to see the gigantic instrument in action. To reach the belfry it is necessary to take an elevator to the twentieth floor and then climb several flights of stairs to the top of the tower. From this point one can look out upon the whole expanse of Manhattan and the surrounding areas. Within, hang the 74 bells of the Riverside Church Carillon.
A carillon is a musical instrument of the keyboard type, having as its basis twenty-three or more chromatically attuned bells. Its development from simpler bell mechanisms began around the fifteenth century in Europe, when small sets of bells were installed in clock towers and mechanically arranged so that they would ring before the sounding of the heavy hour bell. As the number of bells increased the mechanism was arranged to play a melody.
THE CARILLONNEUR
The musician who has played the carillon at Riverside Church since 1960 is James Raymond Lawson.
Mr. Lawson is founder and director of the SOCIETAS COMPANARIORUM (Society of Bell Ringers), an organization for the study and promotion of bell music. A major activity of the society is the publication of carillon, chime, and handbell music.
Tracklisting:
Side 1
1. Crown Him with Many Crowns {1:13}
2. Fairest Lord Jesus {1:15}
3. Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun {1:02}
4. My Country, 'Tis of Thee {1:44}
5. We Gather Together {1:49}
6. O God, Our Help in Ages Past {1:18}
Side 2
1. A Mighty Fortress is Our God {4:15}
2. America the Beautiful {1:33}
3. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross {1:09}
4. Christ the Lord is Risen Today {2:13}
5. Joy to the World! The Lord is Come {1:16}
6. Silent Night, Holy Night {2:51}
Dick Sutphen - Chakra Balance
Dick Sutphen is an expert on metaphysics and a hypnotist. He has written a lot of books and recorded a lot of cassettes and CDs. He also offers services such as private past-life and spirit-contacting therapy, personal "phone-coaching" and seminars to medical professionals on how to use his "life-changing techniques".
Mr. Sutphen has a weekly radio show, "Dick Sutphen's Metaphysical World", which is available for download on the Contact Talk Radio site.
On this cassette, Dick guides listeners on how to balance their chakras through hypnosis to achieve improved health and vitality and heightened awareness. What are chakras, you ask? According to the website, Eclectic Energies, they are:...centers of energy, located on the midline of the body. There are seven of them, and they govern our psychological properties. The chakras are located on the lower part of our body are our instinctual side, the highest ones our mental side.
The chakras can have various levels of activity. When they're "open", they're considered operative in a normal fashion.
Ideally, all chakras would contribute to our being. Our instincts would work together with our feelings and thinking. However, this is usually not the case. Some chakras are not open enough (being under-active), and to compensate, other chakras are over-active. The ideal state is where the chakras are balanced.The site linked above offers a chakra test to determine if your chakras are open, under-active or over-active.
On Side A, as already mentioned, Dick explains how to cleanse and balance one's chakras in a soft slow-paced voice. His voice is combined with a heartbeat and vibrato-tones. On Side B, the person speaking is not Dick, but some woman who is not credited anywhere. She guides listeners to engage in meditation to balance the chakras to achieve higher awareness.Important Note: A Basement of Curiosities along with Mr. Sutphen emphasizes that this tape should not be played while driving your vehicle.Tracklisting:
Side A
1. Hypnosis Programming {29:34}
Side B
1. Directed Meditation {22:12}
John Wayne - America, Why I Love Her
Because it's the 4th of July, son. (Or should that be pilgrim?)
Grab a hot dog, a cold soda or beer and some firecrackers and blast the sentimental heartfelt patriarchal protestant patriotic poetry and music at a high volume.
Tracklisting: (link may be back soon)
Side 1
1. Why I Love Her {2:56}
2. The Hyphen {2:27}
3. Mis Raices Estan Aqui (My Roots Are Buried Here) {2:39}
4. The People {3:42}
5. An American Boy Grows Up {4:27}
Side 2
1. Face the Flag {3:49}
2. The Good Things {2:36}
3. The Pledge of Allegiance {4:18}
4. Why Are You Marching, Son? {3:53}
5. Taps {3:00}
