One Bright Day

Date

May 25, 2011

Miracler

Arthur Baker

Location

Top of Mount Tamalpais, CA

Stuff about Arthur

He lives, like, on the TOP OF MOUNT TAM. This is one Miracler you want to get to know, SF friends. I just had dinner at his pad and it's something to add to your bucket list: the place, his cooking, the chickens and carp and bees and redwoods and firepit and Arthur's ability to speak effortlessly about every/any topic out there. Not like a not-it-all, just a guy who still loves learning stuff, even on the weekends.

If you haven't been up to the mount in person, you've been experiencing Arthur's magic at lower climes, like Feb. 2009's The Bardo Between, about which Miraclers trilled, "This is a fine, fine mix—reads like a thick, complex novel," "I could listen to that first song all day. In fact, I just did!", "Thanks for a very personal journey. After a break-up, I usually just lose a few pounds and then start dating again," and "Thanks for adding such dimension to the otherwise flatness of the word 'valentine'."

Then there was Nov. '10's Town And Country, garnerer of 16 versions of "Fantastic mix." What will today bring? Click-n-see.

Liner Notes from AB

Given an opportunity to make a bonus mix on the arrival of the Bright Time of the Year, I am taking a cue from a fellow Miracler, the Flaubert quoting, bright mind toting fisherman Monsieur Patterson, who challenged me to get off the heartbreak snide and try my hand at a wholly positive mix. So I chose songs that I thought conveyed in feel and form an unequivocally positive tone and message, and wholly un-ironic. And to try to find songs that are sweet without saccharine drip and warm without melting cheese, not so easy to do in Modern English. And so with a little help from a world beat, and a hand on the New Age throttle, I send out this Ode to the slow arriving Summer, may it be a Bright and Warm one for all and all. Con amizade, Arthur

1) Birds of Southern Woods and Gardens- Arthur A. Allen
Science Nerds Identify Joy.

2) Bom Plantador- Palo do Rubinho
The Planter of Good Things, simplicity sung about with simplicidade.

3) I Need a Roof- The Mighty Diamonds
The Irie message brought in Voice and Harmony before their throats became hoarse.

4) Love Your Neighbor- Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Voice as instrument and message in unity.

5) Indian Water Music- Anayampatti s. Dhandapatti
Two brothers from South India keeping a Carnatic tradition alive playing bowls of water.

6) Io Crido Amor- Johannes Ciconia-- Ensemble Project Ars Nova
I Believe in Love 15th Century style - Pure melody perfect playing.

7) The Mountain (demo)-- Heidi Berry
Sun at Midday casting no shadow

8) Long Time Sun- Snataum Kaur
Ok, So maybe the cream is getting a little thick, but the intention is clear as glass.

9) Codex - Radiohead
Innocence coming from a most unexpected source, the afternoon swim.

10) Desejo- Flavia Wenseslaus
The hearts of children full of hope, things more simple then you can imagine, like rain on the veranda.

11) The Art of Love- Laura Nyro
When the Songwriter can Really Sing. Celebrating in song as her day was coming to a close.

12) Shower the People (Live)- James Taylor
How he can sing this live without a trace of treacle is a testament, alliterally.

13) His Eye Is on the Sparrow- Mahalia Jackson
At the end of the day it is all about the soul, yes? Mahalo, Namaste, Amen and Ciao

Mix is up. Don't forget, we've got a new password—it's in your email. See you back here or on our members-only Facebook page soon.

Until next week,

XOK