MUSIC

The Universal Language of Healing

by | Aug 17, 2016 |

Throughout the ages, a diverse cast of philosophers, poets, mystics and musicians have all hailed the beneficent energies of music. The Greek philosopher, Plato once wrote, "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind and flight to the imagination." For Plato, music is a sonic gift from the gods intended to educate and enlighten the soul to its highest virtues. Some two thousand years after Plato, Martin Luther, the father of the Protestant Reformation, echoed...

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Stephen Doster’s “Arizona” Is One For The Ages

by | Apr 10, 2016 | ,

Stephen Doster is one of Austin music’s secret weapons, at least outside of Austin. Around here, it’s not such a secret. Not counting his collaboration records with Will Sexton and Bill Carter, Arizona is his first solo album, since Rosebud, his power pop chestnut from 1996. However, Arizona is an altogether different affair. Where Rosebud employed the rock muscle of chiming guitars as its principal brushstroke, “Arizona” offers a more diverse, subtle use of guitar sonics. Added musical color...

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Tangled Up In Dylan (Or, My Favorite Song Of All Time)

by | Apr 20, 2011 | ,

About a year ago, an old friend from high school tagged me on Facebook and asked me what was my favorite song of all time? For a certified lunatic for music such as myself, one might think this kind of question would be impossible to answer. Apparently, my friend had second thoughts about such a possibility as well, because before I could undertake to frame an answer, I received a second message from her apologizing for posing such an impossible question and further explaining the real reason...

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