There are times that I move to music. There are times that music moves me. I can’t imagine doing 30 to 45 minutes of cardio without my ipod. I use the music to deliver the tecno dance beat that, like caffeine, provides the cadence I need to keep moving. There are other times that I am completely caught off guard and moved emotionally by music. I can hear a phrase of a song or a cord progression and be immediately transported to places that only reside in my mind or my spirit. You know what a mean. It’s those headphone or earbud sessions that allow your mind to experience emotions and travel to places in your heart. It’s the difference between using music to enhance an environment or experience and losing yourself in the music itself. When the music becomes the experience it’s a powerful thing.
I was recently in Prague with Justin and Jen Powell. He was sharing with me about an experience he had while attending a U2 concert. With vivid detail he shared about a moment during the concert when Bono led the entire stadium in the song Amazing Grace, a capella. Justin said he would never forget singing that song with tears running down his face. He said it was one of the most powerful experiences he had ever had. During that same trip to Europe, Karen and I came upon a small concert during an evening walk in Verona, Italy. In the distance I heard the most beautiful music. I had to find out what was going on. We walked across this very large cobblestone Piazza to discover an outdoor concert during intermission. The music I heard playing was so beautiful that I had to ask the audio crew who it was. In broken English he told me it was Dominic Miller and that he was the guitarist for Sting. That was what a recognized. Although I had never heard the music that was being played, it sounded so familiar to me. I had never heard of Dominic Miller.
Upon arriving home I started researching his Cd’s. I sent an email to Brian Bradner about my new discovery. He, in turn, sent me several Utube links of Dominic in concert with a variety of other artists. I wasn’t prepared for the Sting video that was recorded on 9/11. I found myself overwhelmed with emotion. I wrote Brian back and just said… “The power and the beauty of music.”
Experience it yourself. Sting singing Fragil, recorded the night of 9/11 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=AWl45J8XI-E
Thank you for the link to Sting, I had never heard that before...I appreciate your insights Dennis!
Jen Proehl
Posted by: jen proehl | June 14, 2007 at 10:20 AM