This study of the hidden side of music and its subtle effects is one of the most detailed books ever written on the subject.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Musical Madness,
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This review is from: The Secret Power of Music: The Transformation of Self and Society through Musical Energy (Paperback)
The intention of this book is in the right place. It's a wake-up call to society on the destructive effects of modern music, and conversely, the healing power of the more traditional forms.The author discusses 20TH Century classical music (the "New Music"), jazz & rock, Indian, and Chinese music, and discusses the physiological effects of music. His discussion about Chinese and Indian music is fascinating, and he seems fairly objective here (not in being strictly factual (he includes the oriental theories and myths in the material), but rather that he is able to discuss this music without passing esthetic judgement.) His discussion of the "New Music" and Rock/Jazz is much too one-sided. I totally agree with him that early jazz (the blues) and rock are particulary destructive (stand back and examine the lyrics to most songs... I rest my case.) I would also agree with the author that the atonality of most 20TH century "classical" music, not being rooted in the physics of the harmonic series, is also very destructive. (As he points out, this music is so universally disliked that in practice it's not so destructive -- because few people listen to it.) However, there are several inaccuracies in his critique of 20TH century art forms, and he argues his case with the fanaticism ......... that I find most unattractive. He is also quite fond of circular reasoning. As one example, he criticizes composer Steve Reich for having imitated the rythmns of african drumming in his music, claiming that Reich is somehow re-enacting barbaric voodoo rituals in his music. Yes, it's true that Reich's inspiration comes his study of African drumming, but to claim that Reich is consciously (or unconsciously for that matter) attempting to create music suitable for voodoo is absolutely ridiculus. (For one thing, drumming is part of all African ritual, both voodoo and more constructive uses.) In his section on rock, he compares the incessant drumbeat to a shaman's ritual, and notes that rock drummers can sometimes move into a trance state during their performances. Yet, that's the whole point of shamanic drumming (the trance), and that's part of the healing, not the destructive, power of the drum. He spends a page deriding Wendy Carlos' "Switched on Bach" recordings, yet for that whole page, he never really explained what made them bad, except that they were synthesized (so that makes them bad?) and that they made a lot of money. His scathing criticisms about the use of computers to compose or teach music are really unfair and miss the point entirely. Computer composition in the 70's were really about AI experimentation - I'm sure nobody thought that computers would actually compete with a human composer! His main complaint about Jazz is it's over-sesuality. I would agree with him here, after re-listening to some of my (instrumental) jazz recordings. Yet so is the Isolde Liebestod from Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde", yet he holds Wagner's music in high esteem. (as well he should :-) For some people, sensuous jazz would be healing. For others it is unbalancing. Yet the author seems unable or unwilling to provide a more moderate view of music.
22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Important reading for anyone that listens to or makes music,
By
This review is from: The Secret Power of Music: The Transformation of Self and Society through Musical Energy (Paperback)
I see that some of Tame's opinions on "new" music and jazz/blues etc. have angered some of the earlier reviewers, and I do agree that in a few cases he might be a bit harsh in his perspective while boosting music that is not that much better. However, in general, I believe his perspectives to be right on, not out of the mind of strict repressive fundamentalist, but out of the mind and heart of a being who is witnessing music as it really is, and is not afraid to use his discernment with a bigger scope than most might. This book gives important insight into music, and regardless of your orientation to music, it will give you a much deeper perspective, and I recomend it to all of you. His perspectives are greatly needed, and his discernment is in most cases very good. If more musicians read this book and took it to heart, we would at least find ourselves in the midst of a more mindful, selfless, and intelligent music than we would otherwise.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Colorful, interesting, full of writer's passion for music,
By mibek22@aol.com (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Secret Power of Music: The Transformation of Self and Society through Musical Energy (Paperback)
I have not studied music formally, but for many years have been listening, and have taught myself how to read, write and play for the piano. I very much enloyed Mr. Tame's book for several reasons. I believe it to be clearly written (which unfortunately is not a general trait of music writers) replete of the writer's love of music, and with enough wit and irony to punctuate his justified disgust over many forms of modern music. What I liked, however, most about the book was the effort he spent in trying to prove his belief that it is music that more influences culture than the converse. The case he makes for this, whether or not one agrees, is compelling. Especially when one observes what has become of the music that sprang on this culture about a century ago, and how contemporary music of this type is affecting those who listen to it. If one takes only a moment to observe the general effect that punk, rap, and the various forms of heavy metal, have on their respective listeners, I think one would see that it is generally negative. Indeed, if noise, anger and brutality encouragement are not the trademarks of such music, than what are the trademarks? And how could such messages not have a negative impact on an impressionable minds exposed for several hours a day to them? I think in his book Mr. Tame expresses valid concern over the disasterous impact that much of modern music is having on its listeners, and society overall. And I believe his concern is more and more justified as the new millennium approaches.
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