Music and Performance

Another writing prompt from DGM Live just arrived

“Music is a benevolent presence constantly and readily available to all.” - DGM Live Aphorism of the day.

I’m listening now to “I am One” by Pete Townshent from Live > The Fillmore 1996. It is now going into “A Heart to Hang Onto” which was written with Ronnie Lane for Rough Mix. Pete just turned 80 recently. He and Roger Daltrey will be coming to the US for “The Song Is Over” tour which, this time, will likely be the last.

A benevolent presence constantly and readily available to all. Singing brings the melody to the words which convey emotion in ways that no other medium really does. This live recording contains the reactions of the crowd as well - shifts into the minor chords shade the message of the music and how we all need a heart to hang onto.

Here is a later rendition from Late Night with David Letterman. “The Work” of the artist is never really done until we are cold and gone. While breathe is still in the body, we need to reach out to connect with each other and create a world in which we are safe and sound. The fact that this work was devoted to raising funds for disadvantaged and abused children is a good reminder that we need to always work hard to help one another address such issues.

Now as I listen to the Live > The Fillmore 1996, Pete has moved into a rendition of Parvardigar. This is the Universal Prayer laid down by Meher Baba. Pete is a “Baba Lover” as am I. The lyrics are worth reiterating:

“O Parvardigar, the preserver and protector of all
Without beginning are you, Lord, without end
Non-dual, beyond compare and none can measure You
Without color, expression or form, nor attributes to live

You are unlimited and [Incomprehensible]
Imperishable beyond conception by our minds
No one can defy You, oh God, You are eternal
None can see You but with eyes divine

You always were, You always are and always will be
You are everywhere in everything and beyond
In the firmament above and in the deep
On all the seven planes and farther on
And in all that's hidden to our eyes in all we see

Beyond the trinity of words and in the vow
You cannot be perceived or no one shall repent
O Parvardigar, preserve, protect us all
Without begging are you, Lord, without end
You always were, You always are and always will be

You are the Creator, the Lord of lords
The knower of all minds and hearts
Omnipotent, omnipresent, from you we cower
You are knowledge, infinite bliss, infinite power

You are the ocean of knowledge, knowing all
Infinitely knowing would can but tell
The knower of the past, the present and future
Crowning even this, Your knowledge itself

Oh merciful, benevolence eternal
You're the trinity of knowledge, truth and bliss
You are the source of truth, the One with infinite attributes
You are the ocean of love we sorely miss

You always were, You always are and always will be
You are the Ancient One, the Highest of the high
You are Prabhu and Parameshwar

You are the beyond God, beyond, beyond God are you
Parabrahma, Ilahi and Allah
Yezdan, Ahuramazda and God, the beloved

O Parvardigar, the preserver and protector of all
Without beginning are you, Lord, without end
You are named Ezad, the only One worthy of worship
We sing the universal prayer to You, amen.”

With that, what more is there that can be said?