I'm a big fan now of epic music which didn't exist back then, except perhaps as a foreshadowing in the music of Mason William's "Classical Gas", or Ennio Morricone's famous tune from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

See? Your ear IS changing! (Or maybe how you process music. It's happened to me as well. Normal stuff.

The 'Victory' epic music is strongly reminiscent of 'The Good, Bad and Ugly'. Love that stuff.

Just know that if it's the first time you've heard it and you don't have your stereo totally cranked, it's a crime against humanity. Just so you know.

HA! yeah, I kinda cranked it :-)

Bravo!

Man, one of THE best guitarists ever.

(really nice rendition of Classical Gas, featuring Glen)

Miklos Rozsa is another of the epic flim score composers.

He composed quite a few of the Bible Movie epics and scores of the 1950s and early 1960s (Ben-Hur, King of Kings, El Cid, Quo Vadis)

Here is the London Symphony Orchestra doing an awesome rendition of Rozsa's Ben-Hur:

"He loved Satanist Alistair Crowley...

As did Jimmy Page, LedZep guitarist extraordinaire and the keystone to my favorite band of all time. Love the talent, not the bizarre anti-religion personal journeys...MUD

Of course, 'Turn Turn Turn' uses Ecclesiastes for its lyrics Id always associated 'Jesus Is Just Alright' with the Doobie Bros version.

Just a few others:

'Get Together' (The Youngbloods)

'Spirit in the Sky' (Norman Greenbaum)

'Put Your Hand In The Hand' (Ocean)

Hard to find live version:

Above is the late Dan Peek's ('America') Christian version of 'Lonely People'. He quit America over his beliefs.

Read Dan Peek's book/bio. Inspirational account and story of his faith.

Regads, Mr. Yeltsin, and BSOT**!!

**Be Safe Out There

Regards...MUD

("He loved Satanist Alistair Crowley...)

As did Jimmy Page, LedZep guitarist extraordinaire and the keystone to my favorite band of all time. Love the talent, not the bizarre anti-religion personal journeys...

You're absolutely spot on, Mud.

Page even bought Alistair Crowley's castle/house in England as his own.

Yup, Page and Zep were/are also Satanists. Jimmy Page has even described his creation process and inspiration as being a shared process. (read into the "fine print")

Talented, yes. On loan from WHOM? ;-) I can still enjoy some of Zep's work but not all of it for obvious reasons.

Many talented bands unfortunately have declared allegiance to their "god"; (and it ain't OURS.) Like...The Beatles....Stones...yes, quite a few sing homages to the Devil himself (Stones, Van Halen, AC/DC, etal etal...)

I'd bet that extreme perfectionists wouldn't have the patience to put up with real, human band members.

Makes perfect sense.

Probably annoyed Scholtz to no end. And...maybe even himself.

Pretty much every rock band is un-Christian when you actually look.

There seem to be degrees and delineations. Some are hard core, others more subtle.

Some bands make it a point or matter of branding to advance and promote demonic/satanist symbolism, messaging, and programming.

And...some of the branding and symbolism combined with the music and lyrics serve as mental imprinting devices at a subconscious level. It is actually insidious. "Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll." Teens begin relating to the whole package.

Is some of the music good? Of course. That's what makes it so effective at subversion.

Your taste in music probably is very similar and over-lapping to many here. Mud, I've owned almost every Zep album fwiw.

Like Dire Straits. Have 'Second Helping' (Skynyrd).

...you are correct that my faves are ever-changing.

Mood thang.

I know a lotta people like/love 'em...

Never could get into the vocals. Or melodies. Or them. That's just me.

See? Your ear IS changing! (Or maybe how you process music. It's happened to me as well. Normal stuff.

No, not me. It's the music has come of age. I said "now" because epic music as a genre didn't exist before 5-6 years ago. It might be something that is largely enabled by the digital age as it allows a single artist to not just compose it but to create it as well.

It does resemble classical music which of course goes back centuries, and which I'm no real fan of, but which works for me much better. Maybe because percussion can be emphasized much better in a digital. But I don't know.

HA! yeah, I kinda cranked it :-)

Kinda?? You blew it, dude. hehe.

It's the music has come of age. I said "now" because epic music as a genre didn't exist before 5-6 years ago.

It might be something that is largely enabled by the digital age as it allows a single artist to not just compose it but to create it as well.

I believe you! I believe you!

If it's your own contention that you "know" your own ear is incapable of redefining or parsing past music so that your regard of it remains static (say from age 12 vs age 62), then who am I to say otherwise?

THAT said, I believe you're likely in the vast minority.

I've liked/disliked many a tune/style relative to my kiddie ear to middle age ear to...age 60+ ear. (I'd be curious about forum opinion consensus on the matter at either LF or 4um.)

With respect to the fairly new creation of the contemporary "EPIC" genre of music, true, that music has really come to age, hasn't it? Yes, it has enabled a guys like me and you to compose it, given we now have access to the digital equivalent of entire epic orchestration. Remember Yanni? And Enya from the 1990s? She did it.

Single composers can now pad glorious "epic" music with layer upon layer of different percussion and echo for maximum impact to their heart's desire :-) (Coincidentally, my son just yesterday was showing me how he'd just bought hundreds of additional digital instrumentation and sounds -- many otherworldly.)

Maybe this neo-Epic bender is about mirroring the emotion and "epic" times we're now living in. (Past "Epic" did exist in the form of the olde masters, Bach (Messiah, Mussorgsky ('Great Gate of Kiev'), Tchaikovsky (1812 Overture w/cannons); Even the newer-older Masters, like Morricone, Rozsa, John Williams, and score from 2001 Space Odyssey (orig composer, Richard Strauss end of the 19th century).

This latest new "Epic" music -- maybe best reflects...the "epic-ness" of planet earth as it can now be seen from drones and planes; Or as portrayed in Hollywood's new favorite genre: Epic Superheroes, epic inter-planetory, mega-universe super-powers, and Epic other-worldly alternative "realities." (In other words, flamingo guitar, heavy strings, piano, and harp were NOT gonna do.)

It does resemble classical music which of course goes back centuries, and which I'm no real fan of, but which works for me much better. Maybe because percussion can be emphasized much better in a digital. But I don't know.

I've found olde Classical to be a process of exploration and discovery. Some of it is so epic (But not in the context of contempo "epic" that you know and love.)

I think your observation and sense is spot on regarding the biggest difference or feature of the neo-Epics: Heavy duty, echoed, layered percussion. When paired with a videotaped fight to the death between two gnats, that kind of soundtrack could make even IT seem like an epic duel.

And then there was Yanni composing this epic:

(HA! yeah, I kinda cranked it :-)

Kinda?? You blew it, dude. hehe.

My tinnitus and blown eardrums makes it tough to get there :-)

Can't go there any more :-(

You're full of shit. Some things you said on your comment are true. Others are outright lies. Made up bullshit.

CHALLENGE:

On whatever YOU say is "bullshit" OR "made up."

Put up or shut up.

Many talented bands unfortunately have declared allegiance to their "god"; (and it ain't OURS.) Like...The Beatles....Stones...yes, quite a few sing homages to the Devil himself (Stones, Van Halen, AC/DC, etal etal...)

Bearing false witness is a sin. Kook.

It does resemble classical music which of course goes back centuries, and which I'm no real fan of, but which works for me much better. Maybe because percussion can be emphasized much better in a digital.

I wasn't quite sure exactly what you meant by the term - seems so broad, so I listened to some Epic music on YouTube, sounds like film soundtracks to me.

Seems sorta trance-inducing.

You can hear the classical influences and elements, but it sounds like something no real orchestra could do.

Would you say that Epic music takes classical music theory and uses digital techniques to make it more pompous and modern?

I don't mean pompous in a bad way - more like majestic or monumental.

I wasn't quite sure exactly what you meant by the term - seems so broad, so I listened to some Epic music on YouTube, sounds like film soundtracks to me.

Epic music is definitely well suited for movies that might be described with the same term.

Would you say that Epic music takes classical music theory and uses digital techniques to make it more pompous and modern?

I don't mean pompous in a bad way - more like majestic or monumental.

That description beyond what I could speak to. I just like it. I would, however, say epic music is more sophisticated than probably every other genre of music and therefore can be enjoyed far longer without getting tired of it.

There is a streaming program for epic music. The URL changes periodically so it can't be linked too very well, but YT search "Epic music stream" (www.youtube.com/results?s..._query=epic+music+stream) and it's usually in the top results. Make sure you find the one without a time length and labeled "Live Now". It's a live broadcast of epic music, so there are no commercials, gives a good mix and doesn't end. Thomas Bergersen is quite good but there are other artists who've done quite well also.

I recognize that tune from his "Live at the Acropolis" concert.

Yup. (THAT was a great concert.) Yanni's stuff could be kinda epic, no?

Yup. (THAT was a great concert.) Yanni's stuff could be kinda epic, no?

I would say so, though at the time Yanni became well known in the mid-90's, "New Age" was the genre his work was placed into, perhaps for lack of a better choice at the time.

I wasn't quite sure exactly what you meant by the term - seems so broad, so I listened to some Epic music on YouTube, sounds like film soundtracks to me.

Seems sorta trance-inducing.

Interesting impression.

The neo "Epic" genre Ping enjoys does seem to induce a trance-like state of consciousness, one of elevated or heightened sense of anticipation or even inspiration. Yes...used more and more for film/movie soundtracks, seemingly replacing dialogue.

You can hear the classical influences and elements, but it sounds like something no real orchestra could do.

Would you say that Epic music takes classical music theory and uses digital techniques to make it more pompous and modern?

I don't mean pompous in a bad way - more like majestic or monumental.

I get your drift; Good description (majestic or monumental). Absolutely a derivative of Classical. Ping did mention the feature that seems to elevate or define "Epic": Digital percussion. ("Divine" echos as though from Heaven?)

Remember Simon and Garfunkle's 'The Boxer'? Remember its own "Epic" percussion part that made the song memorable? ("Lie-lie-lie *BOOOOM!!*)

Here is an interesting short explanation on just how they created that "Epic" echoed drum part in the song (Hal Blaine, 'Wrecking Crew'). Very clever and creative:

At the time Yanni became well known in the mid-90's, "New Age" was the genre his work was placed into, perhaps for lack of a better choice at the time.

I guess that category remains: "New Age". I recall even John Tesh's music at about the same time was pegged into the very same category.

The neo "Epic" genre Ping enjoys does seem to induce a trance-like state of consciousness, one of elevated or heightened sense of anticipation or even inspiration. Yes...used more and more for film/movie soundtracks, seemingly replacing dialogue.

Comments on epic vids on YT commonly refer to it being study music or appropriate for writing books and such.

I would consider Yanni's music to be Epic. At least his Acropolis tracks. He's diversified a bit though. One was called "Mexicanisimo" which didn't appeal to me. It's pretty much what the name suggests.

John Tesh was good also though not to the quality of Yanni. I bought his Red Rocks CD and frankly had forgotten about him.

For me it was Lynyrd Skynrd's " What's Your Name?" from about 6th grag de.

IMNSHO,EVERYTHING Skynard did was great,but I think my favorite is still "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe".

Many older folks AND WOMEN are paranoid basket cases.

Cut them some slack on this. They ARE elderly,and they DO live in Jersey.

What we call "paranoid",they call "rational".

ESPECIALLY if they live in a city.

Mason William's "Classical Gas",

I'm old and gassy.

Does that make me a classic?

I'd bet that extreme perfectionists wouldn't have the patience to put up with real, human band members.

Or normal humans in any sort of atmosphere.

I guess that category remains: "New Age". I recall even John Tesh's music at about the same time was pegged into the very same category.

I would consider Yanni's music to be Epic. At least his Acropolis tracks.

Yup. At the time that new category of music did include John Tesh (who actually developed quite a following.) That genre was kind of new and sounded different (aided by the proliferation of high tech synth simulating orchestral sound.)

I agree -- Tesh was not in Yanni's class.

Yanni -- yeah, had to be considered epic. Especially several of his Live at the Acropolis had a number of tracks

("Many older folks AND WOMEN are paranoid basket cases.")

Cut them some slack on this. They ARE elderly,and they DO live in Jersey...ESPECIALLY if they live in a city.

True.

And...given they live in close proximity to NYC/Philly, they are used to being trained like lemmings/hamsters to leap off the cliff as per MSM-goob suggestions/orders. You ought to see the looks I get -- as though *I'M* the nut (I live here in Jersey between the two above Met Areas)

What we call "paranoid",they call "rational".

Yep. There are two ways to looks at this as I see it;

Reality vs. Stockholm Syndrome mentality.

(Mason William's "Classical Gas")

I'm old and gassy.

Does that make me a classic?

You're not asking for eyewitness/nose-witness corroboration, are you? Because...Travel restriction forbid that now ;-)

Let's file your gas (and our gas) under, "Golden Oldies."

Andre Rieu is a very popular conductor that has some great stuff on you tube.

Hear ya.

Among it, notably, Handel's Messiah with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Among it, notably, Handel's Messiah with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Yeah,no kidding on that one!

I tend to love his "fun" concerts more,though.

He is the only classical conductor I have ever seen crack a smile and have fun with it.

I tend to love his "fun" concerts more,though.

He is the only classical conductor I have ever seen crack a smile and have fun with it.

There's a time and room for "fun" and as well as serious pieces. And even then, during serious pieces like during Rieu'/LSO rendition of 'The Messiah,' I'm watching a guy and musicians/chorus smiling and still having a great time.

Part of that "fun" vibe is in the spirited delivery of Andre Rieu.

I've seen musically technically excellent concerts, but the performance have seem labored and heavy... far more precisely *because* the musicians were having a ball! And that vibe is infectious with the audience as you know.

Seems to me that a major attraction of Springsteen concerts is as much about Brucie and his bandmates having a grand old time and sharing it; That same feel-good vibe and rush is felt by the audience.

Bugs-the-Conductor -- I'd stack him up against Andre Rieu here!

Part of that "fun" vibe is in the spirited delivery of Andre Rieu.

True dat!

The man clearly loves what he is doing,and isn't the tiniest bit jaded.

I am FAR from being an expert on classical music or orchestra conductors,but he is the only one I record when I spot him doing a special on PBS.

It would be akin to starting an argument with Groucho Marx.

Notice BOTH of us ol' rednecks misspelled "Skynyrd"...lol. Gotta be the Joe...MUD

NOT gonna worry about it.

It's a good day these days when I don't misspell my own damn name.