Spirit of Eden
“before you can play two notes, learn how to play one note”
“and don’t play one note unless you’ve got a reason to play it”
Regular readers of this very blog will know by now, that I’m very much into music in a big way. You will also know by now, that I believe there is a very tight relationship between music and photography.
Some people are able to conjure up mental images whilst listening to music. Others simply ‘feel’ a mood when listening to music, and that is certainly how I feel when I make images with my camera. I ‘feel’ things when I compose and when I’m working in my digital dark-room too. It’s of no surprise that in the musical world, musicians use words like ‘dark’ and ‘bright’ to describe the ‘texture’ or timbre of a sound, or the mood of a piece of music. The same happens when people look at images, they seem to conjure up moods and feelings that are often stirred when listening to music.
Certainly for me, I find that some of my favourite music seems to accompany me whilst I’m out on location making images. My own music collection seems to act as a canvas for my own image making process.
I discovered tonight that one of my all time favourite albums has been re-issued. It’s a difficult album for some to listen to, but it was so different at the time of its release. No one saw that it would inspire and be used as a template by prominent bands like Radiohead (for one example) in the coming years. Talk Talk’s Spirit of Eden has a lot to offer the listener who’s prepared to engage and work at growing into this ‘sound canvas’. I even think the art-work is an inspired accompaniment to the music contained within the sleeve.
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So for those of you who already own this, you may be interested to know that it’s been released as a 180g vinyl release with a special 96khz DVD rom of the entire album (mmmm…. mine has already been ordered). But has also been re-issued on CD too and apparently it’s the clearest remaster to date.
This album has given me so much inspiration over the years. So much so that I can’t overstate it. It has shown me that you should stay true to your own direction and even if popular culture is going one way, it’s ok to swim against the tide. There was nothing 1988 about this album upon its release. It was brave. It made its own statement and it was confident to be what it was, to not follow current trends. I think that alone, was a message that was powerfully demonstrated for me.
I hope you have albums like that in your collection. One’s that illustrate individuality, and one’s that can, perhaps, help guide you along in your own creative development.
I love, love, love this album and all of Mark Hollis’s work. I think there are moments and phrases which perfectly capture a mood on this album and especially on his solo work, which is probably even less accessible.
I agree with you wholeheartedly about the connection between music and photography. Music can influence our approach, affect our mood and change the way we see things. I think good music is a great accompaniment to photography and I often include an exercise where students photograph whilst they listen to a particularly emotive piece of music during my workshops. The results are fascinating.
Anyway, just wanted to say that I’m delighted to discover another Talk Talk / Hollis fan and I look forward to meeting up later in the year. I think we should have a Talk Talk influenced photo session in Bangkok.
Comment by gavingough — 29 May, 2012 @ 9:27 am
Hi Gavin,
Nice to see you here on my blog :-)
It’s just great to find out that you too, as a Hollis fan.
Q. Magazine say that Spirit of Eden is the template for all the post rock albums from Radiohead to Sigur Ros. I think they’ve hit the nail on the head there.
Will keep you posted about later this year. It seems that discussions have moved onto Sri Lanka….. do you ever visit there? Would love to return to Angkor and also Burma too, so will let you know what is finally decided :-)
Comment by Bruce Percy — 29 May, 2012 @ 9:47 am
I’ve just been reminded, as I’m printing out my flight details to return to Addis Ababa, I have a playlist of tracks to play when I’m flying. I’ve enjoyed compiling a soundtrack to accompany long, lingering looks out of airplane windows and that playlist includes Talk Talk, Mark Hollis, Radiohead and Sigur Ros – all great music to accompany the sight of clouds drifting lazily by.
I don’t know Sri Lanka well but would be happy to find an excuse to visit when you’re there. Whatever your plans, let me know and I’m sure we can arrange to make our paths cross at some point.
Comment by gavingough — 29 May, 2012 @ 2:59 pm
I found one click on my vinyl copy of this classic masterpiece of inspirational music.
Then I found that Amazon were down to their last copy of this remaster….
Ordered! It had to be done really.
Mike
Comment by MikeDGreen — 29 May, 2012 @ 5:22 pm
Like your arm really needed twisting there Mike :-)
I just contacted James Marsh, the illustrator for the cover. He sells A2 prints of his artwork and I’m now waiting for a copy of the Spirit of Eden cover. I’ve always liked the artwork:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=39914228441&set=a.39902498441.47991.838358441&type=3&theater
Comment by Bruce Percy — 30 May, 2012 @ 10:29 am