A Produce & M. Griffin - Overground (a still-image tribute)

(Quick note: to hear more from this CD, or buy this music, visit the Hypnos website at: http://www.hypnos.com/releases-apmg-a.php)

Here is one more in honor of my very good friend and insightful ambient music artist, Barry Craig (aka A Produce), who passed away last weekend. After all these years, I still consider this to be his most moving track, and it was in collaboration with label-head Mike Griffin.

When Barry first played this for me, in 1999, we were seated at the dinner table along with friends-and-recording-artists Loren Nerell and Thomas Ronkin, as well as our partners at the time; we were at Thomas's house in Redondo Beach. The minute the music came on, I was so taken by it that I had to stop eating and even excuse myself from the table. It was too much. The moment was overwhelming me, and I didn't know how to keep "simply existing." The music was playing and they were all talking and eating and laughing in an eternal, epic painting, and I freaked out a little.

I came back and told them all how honored I was to know them. Even though they were already well aware of my odd ways, to be honest, I do think they were a little creeped out, ;) and to this day, I still hope that they didn't assume I did it for less honorable reasons. Regardless, we remained just as close.

And regardless of my initial experience with this music track, one must admit that it has an extreme beauty to it, something beyond aesthetic. To me, it screams of stillness, and somehow reaches deep forgiveness along the way. And it tells a story that goes beyond emotion as well, compounding every tranquil moment that has ever passed through eternity, like an epic saga with no need for character plots or climactic build or any form that lies beyond the core feeling.

Yes... some of my most peaceful memories in life are of listening to this track in various locations.

I was never quite sure if Barry or Mike felt anything for this piece at all themselves. They we're nebulous when I spoke of it, but I suppose that ultimately doesn't matter.

(To read the main thread/homage for Barry Craig, following his passing, visit: http://www.hypnos.com/smf/index.php?topic=4199.0)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ambient
• a produce
• mike griffin
• hypnos
• tranquility
• tribute
• music
• sky
• sunset
• above
• clouds
• beyond