Episode 49 – Ambient and Beyond
Ambient music is a genre that focuses on creating an atmosphere or mood rather than following traditional song structures or rhythms. It often incorporates elements such as long, sustained sounds, textures, and drones to evoke a sense of space and tranquility. Ambient music can be found in various forms, including electronic, acoustic, and experimental compositions. It’s often used for relaxation, meditation, or as background music in various settings due to its calming and immersive qualities. The popularly accepted “father” of Ambient is Brian Eno and his ideas of Ambient Music developed whilst he was convalescing after an unfortunate altercation with a motor car in 1975. A friend of his came over to see him when he was (at that time) confined to bed. He couldn’t move, but as she left she asked Brian if she should put a record on and he said “yes please” – so she put a record on and then left. It turns out that the record was too quiet, but Brian couldn’t reach the amplifier to turn the volume up. The record was of 18 century harp music, it was raining outside at the time and Brian initially felt frustrated by the situation but after a while, he started listening to the rain whilst listening to the odd notes of the harp that were just loud enough to be heard above the rain. This was a great musical revelation for Brian and he thought of this idea of making music that didn’t impose itself on your landscape, “that belong to you & something that you could be part of” as he said, in an interview with Al Jazeera. He called this ambient music. He said “Ambient Music should be as ignore-able as it is interesting” Prior to Brian Eno labeling this genre with it’s well known moniker, there were other composers who had the idea of creating this kind of background music. Eric Satie called it “Furniture Music” and described it as the kind of music you could play whilst entertaining guests for dinner that was pleasant to listen to but not overbearing or intrusive. Episode Image: Brian Eno & his Cat from 1974 (from https://gatosyrespeto.org/2020/10/08/el-gato-angel-y-el-musico-brian-eno/)
Modern Life by Sahara Cyberstars
An Ascent by Brian Eno, Roger Eno & Daniel Lanois from Apollo, Atmospheres & Soundtracks (extended edition)
He No Scoot by The Beatnik Preachers
Gymnopedie by European Jazz Trio
Feel It In My Bones by boi&eSKae
N19 by The High Towns from Cyborg Wife
When by Crystal Adele
Toni by Zakir Hussain from Making Music
Saltwater (feat. Máire Brennan) by Chicane from Behind The Sun
Fuck Me by Toque
The Whale, Part 1 by Jade Warrior from Waves
The Sea, Part 1 by Jade Warrior from Waves
The Plateaux of Mirror by Harold Budd and Brian Eno from Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror
An Eagle In Your Mind by Boards of Canada from Music Has the Right to Children
Köln, January 24, 1975, Pt. II C (Live) by Keith Jarrett from The Köln Concert (Live)
Section See by Jade Warrior from Waves