Coleman Barks/Rumi TV prog.

[Diane]

Thought I'd put all the links to this PBS program about Coleman Barks, who translates poetry of the Sufi poet Rumi, in one thread, after we came across it in another thread.


Part one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCyjO9wL4ak

Part two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyNUIbZTAZk

Part three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6To2LORE8E

Part four:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1PIf00_ZBE

Part five:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXbETPKSs7g

Part six:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwCQHG8WCu4

Part seven:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEBjnqecBhw

Part eight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X3_wYlpnRo

Part nine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAN7pUDkRp8

[Kush]

Very cool Diane. The combination of a small jazz quartet/combo with spoken word poetry has a certain attraction to it. I know that it is actually quite popular but this is the first time I actually heard it. I only heard 2 or 3 links so far , will check out all of them. It reinforces the belief that jazz is a very mutable, 'fusable' form of music. From poetry readings to Leonard Cohen (Who By Fire with Sonny Rollins) to Indian classical music (John McLaughlin/Shakti, Rudresh Mahanthappa etc) to big band/swing vocals to western swing/country (Bob Wills, Asleep at the Wheel) it travels far and wide over vast musical landscape without ever seeming out of place.

[Diane]

I've had to eat my words a few times since I told you, years ago, that I didn't like jazz, Kush. Jazz seems to one sure way of getting intensity into music. Yes, it really works, 'fused' with poetry! Maybe the dissonance has the effect of constantly puncturing little gaps in the ego, more keenly to deliver the words.

As well as the recitals, what Coleman Barks says in the interview parts of the program is worth returning to over and again. When I've watched this enough, I'll seek out a cd of his readings.

[mat james]

Hi Kush and Diane,
I'm lovin' the Rumi/Coleman Barks/jazz experience also.
Thanks for the intro to this enriching response to Rumi/ human creativity.
I just love that line, "What was said to the Rose....was said to me..."
It just echo's and echoes like a jazz saunter.

MatbbgJ (still belly-button-gazing, but in a jazzy-sufi mantra-esque-spin!!)

[Diane]

Mat:-) ! It was Londubh and yourself who started the Coleman clips going. I have his book of Rumi translations but had never seen or heard him before this week. I love this place.

Here's another Rumi I really like, Say I Am You. I am never sure whether I like text superimposed on a randomish collection of images, but reading it on this does pace it very nicely. Be sure to follow the instruction at the end..:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqVBGv2hpQ4

Rudresh Mahanthappa

Kush - I wonder if I can pick your brain (again) - I have a 26 min piece by Kadri Gopalnath that crops up on the iTunes every now and then - Ragam Thanam Pallavi. Also, Convergence by Rudresh Mahanthappa, from his Kinsmen album, where he is having a most delicious and intricate musical conversation with Kadri G. I think these two saxophone pieces are Exquisite, and I seek similar wonders. But I looked up Rudresh this morning, and find he is no longer working with Kadri, and that his latest album sounds a bit muzaky, from a brief listen to some samples. Any advice?

[mat james]

It was not me.
It must be Londub/Brid.

Not that it matters.
What matters is that.....
"What was said to the Rose, was said to me, deep in my chest"
Just ask T.S.Eliot and his "...moment in the rose garden"
Burnt Norton sort of thing.

xxx

[Kush]

The Kinsmen album was a one time thing I think Diane. His new album is very good indeed but it is more electric Herbie Hancock - with a touch of Indian spice - rather than Kadri Gopalnath. Its the closest RM has gotten to rock. I saw him in Rotterdam last summer where he played this track called 'Breakfastlunchanddinner' from the album - I remember it mostly because of the name.
Don't know so much about 'advice' on music - I merely pass on recommendations that other people pass on to me.

[Diane]

Think it was the carnatic influence that really got me, so I guess I'll revisit the cds I already have, for now. Cheers Kush.



On this beautiful Spring morning:


what was said

to the rose

that made it

open

was said to me

here

in my chest



--------


what was said to the magnolia that made it open, also...

[Steven]

Hi Diane,

Hadn't seen this when it was on TV. Thank you for posting the links. -- They offer an opportunity for
people to experience some of the mystery that comprises Rumi's poetry.

[Diane]

Glad you enjoyed it too, Steven! I still return to the program clips from time to time. I like how Rumi and Barks lived seven centuries apart yet forged a remarkable collaboration.

[mat james]

Yeh,
I like that too.

[lizzytysh]

Thanks for posting these links, Diane. Really looking forward to watching and listening.
More than several years ago, had the pleasure of seeing Coleman in person speaking about ecstatic poetry, Rumi, and Mary Oliver [I remembered her name this evening when I saw a very wide rainbow... fitting.]
At these performances, his 'back up' group was small... three men, who played acoustic Eastern instruments... very subtly. Sublime really says it.
There's something in his accent that, counter-intuitively [as he's 'Southern'] really works well to bring out the meaning in Rumi's lyrics. He recited On this beautiful Spring morning there, as well.

[Diane]

Must have been a real treat to see him, Lizzy. Yes, I find his accent rather appealing. Enjoy...

[lizzytysh]

Yes, it was...

[st theresa1]

Imagine my surprise to visit Athens Ga. --the deep south--and find so many books on Sufism in the library. I didn't know that Coleman Barks lived there--didn't know who he was but discovered him about 12 years ago. I also came across a movie Rumi-Turning Ecstatic featuring Coleman Barks among other Sufis-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&featu ... h0yNbhhzhk
If you have a chance to see this movie--and are interested in Rumi--or sufism, it is certainly worth your time.