paul e graf - Spiritual Blogs - Ashtar Command - Spiritual Community2024-03-29T10:52:28Zhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/paul+e+grafMultilethalead (Octoccata part 8)https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/multilethalead-octoccata-part-82012-12-21T22:30:00.000Z2012-12-21T22:30:00.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://poligraf.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/444px-athletics_tracks_finish_line.jpg?w=444" alt="444px-athletics_tracks_finish_line.jpg?w=444" /><br /> <span style="font-size:x-small;">(« <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Athletics_tracks_finish_line.jpg" target="_blank">Athletics tracks finish line</a> by Petey21)</span><br /></p><div align="center"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" id="audioplayer" height="24" width="290"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param></object></div><br /><p>The eighth and final movement of « Octoccata » is entitled « Multilethalead » and starts on a ostinato-based progression that slowly morphs into a relentless string of offbeat melodies harmonized by an increasing number of voices, building up to a climactic reprise of the « Lethal Lead » theme introduced in the fourth movement.</p><p>The « Multi » part of the section's title comes from the markers identifying some of its passages, namely « Trilead, » « Quadlead, » and « Pentapercular, » that latter tag signaling the moment when the percussions forego their timekeeping role in order to join the other instruments in the joyous fun of underpinning the melody.</p><p>That being said, let me relinquish the pulpit to give our heroic hawker one last opportunity to reach you through his unmatched delivery, and to hopefully close a few lucrative distribution deals...</p><div class="lyrics">O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c cures all ailments<br /> So act quick before it's too late<br />There are no wiser investments<br />Take advantage of our rebate<br />In cash now please make your payments<br />Get your bottle while there's still freight<br />Or in eight easy installments<br />And we will ship you a full crate</div><br /><p>And with that last octameter rhyming with eight ends this hopefully enjoyable series of posts dedicated to « Octoccata. » Please stay tuned for more unique poligrafic goodness coming soon to a blog near you !</p></div>Marimbariation (Octoccata part 7)https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/marimbariation-octoccata-part-72012-12-20T22:00:00.000Z2012-12-20T22:00:00.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://poligraf.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/444px-eight_film_start_cropped2.png?w=444" alt="444px-eight_film_start_cropped2.png?w=444" /><br /> <span style="font-size:x-small;">(« <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eight_%28film_start%29_cropped2.jpg" target="_blank">"8" on the start of a film reel for the projection</a> » by Ryan Baxter)</span><br /></p><div align="center"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" id="audioplayer" height="24" width="290"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param></object></div><br /><p>« Marimbariation » takes its name from the brief passage featuring the marimba that leads this seventh movement of the « Symphony of Eights. »<br /></p><p>Once the percussive instrument concludes its opening statement, the music returns to more traditional orchestrations as it explores a succession of quirky melodies supported by syncopated rhythms.<br /></p><p>The section culminates on a repeated phrase wherein the main riff is a restatement of a previous figure which is now being played in reverse time, producing a most suspenseful effect.<br /></p><p>After having been exposed to much verbal virtuosity, chances are that by now you are totally convinced that it is indeed necessary to keep at least a few bottles of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c handy, just in case some random ailment should hit without warning. But as you accept this much to be true, your always watchful critical sense remains on its guard and wonders how it might be possible for something to be this good. Surely, it mumbles to itself, there must be negative aspects to it. Well, guess what ? Not only aren't there any, but our commendable communicator knew that this line of objections was coming, and as always he is one step ahead of everybody...<br /></p><p><em>No bad odor does it emit<br /> You'll like what you ingurgitate<br />Neither will it make you vomit<br />Even if you exaggerate<br />And the doctor guarantees it<br />No side effects on body weight<br />No sicknesses does it omit<br />It brings you to your normal state<br /></em></p></div>Progigoriation (Octoccata part 6)https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/progigoriation-octoccata-part-62012-12-19T22:00:00.000Z2012-12-19T22:00:00.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://poligraf.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/444px-nixie-eight.jpg?w=444" alt="444px-nixie-eight.jpg?w=444" /><br /> <span style="font-size:x-small;">(« <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenore-m/427759462" target="_blank">Nixie eight</a> » by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenore-m/" target="_blank">L. Marie</a>)</span><br /></p><div align="center"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" id="audioplayer" height="24" width="290"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param></object></div><br /><p>How on Earth can a musical movement be named « Progigoriation » you ask ? Well, obviously, because it's the prog rock variation of another similar movement entitled « Igorchestral » I emphatically reply. And so it is that the music of this sixth movement of « Octoccata » is closely related to that of the aforementioned second movement, with the noticeable difference that it is orchestrated for a 5-piece rock band comprising of drums, bass, guitar, organ, and synth.<br /></p><p>If you still entertain doubts about the virtues of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c at this point, this next series of astonishing abilities should turn you into a believer, or so hopes our ever-persistent salesman who keeps on hammering out his slick speech even when the purported powers it presents border on the puzzling...<br /></p><p><em>When friendship turns to enmity<br /> Burnt bridges it does reinstate<br />When you miss part of the story<br />Plot it does recapitulate<br />When you betray your own country<br />Stranger it does incriminate<br />When you are scared of what might be<br />Future it does anticipate</em></p></div>Reoctoverture (Octoccata part 5)https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/reoctoverture-octoccata-part-52012-12-18T22:00:00.000Z2012-12-18T22:00:00.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://poligraf.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/444px-behind-the-8-ball.jpg?w=444" alt="444px-behind-the-8-ball.jpg?w=444" /><br /> <span style="font-size:x-small;">(« <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/3569072694/" target="_blank">behind the eight ball</a> » by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/" target="_blank">eschipul</a>)</span><br /></p><div align="center"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" id="audioplayer" height="24" width="290"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param></object></div><br /><p>The fifth segment of « Octoccata » is entitled « Reoctoverture. » Basically, this section is a reprise of the introduction, hence the name, as it restates the theme presented therein, albeit through new and generally heavier variations.<br /></p><p>The beginning of this fifth movement is intended as a tribute to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentle_Giant" target="_blank">Gentle Giant</a> as it mirrors the way in which various fragmentary parts progressively recreate the main theme after the middle section of « Proclamation » (from « <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_and_the_Glory_%28album%29" target="_blank">The Power and the Glory</a> »).<br /></p><p>As you have probably guessed by now, our adamant seller is still praising the merits of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c, that most wonderous of drinks, as the troubles it addresses he continues to enumerate...</p><p><em>When you injure your one good knee<br /> Your gait it does recalibrate<br />When you're seduced by apathy<br />Your spark it does reanimate<br />When you can't find your memory<br />Your mind it does resuscitate<br />When no one knows the therapy<br />Drink down the whole bottle and wait</em></p></div>Biorhythalead (Octoccata part 4)https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/biorhythalead-octoccata-part-42012-12-17T22:00:00.000Z2012-12-17T22:00:00.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://poligraf.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/444px-house_number_8_place_de_la_concorde.jpg?w=444" alt="444px-house_number_8_place_de_la_concorde.jpg?w=444" /><br /> <span style="font-size:x-small;">(« <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:House_number_8,_place_de_la_Concorde.jpg" target="_blank">House number 8 place de la Concorde</a> » by Tangopaso)</span><br /></p><div align="center"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" id="audioplayer" height="24" width="290"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param></object></div><br /><p>The fourth movement from « Octoccata » is entitled « Biorhythalead. » Its title came about from the markers I used to identify each of the sub-sections of the composition.<br /></p><p>After a transition reminiscent of « Nothing To Lose » from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_%28band%29" target="_blank">UK</a>'s « Danger Money, » the music moves into a passage featuring contrasting lines that ascend and descend in alternation, thus making the partition (particularly the « Piano Roll » view in SONAR, the MIDI sequencing software I use) look like a biorhythm chart.<br /></p><p>At about two-thirds into the movement, the thumping theme of « Lethal Lead » takes over and treads mercilessly until its climax which is followed by a brief interlude of suspended animation that bridges the gap to « Reoctoverture. »<br /></p><p>Oblivious to this talk about music matters and the origin of names, our dear friend the pitchman is still hard at work, hoping to impress his audience with his presentation of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c, the Miraculous Mixture of Doctor Paul E. Graf...</p><p><em>When your headache will not remit<br /> Your discomfort it does abate<br />When you self-inflict one bad slit<br />The blood it does coagulate<br />When your arrhythmia won't quit<br />It stabilizes your heart rate<br />When you're inclined to throw a fit<br />It pacifies your mental state</em></p></div>Vibrastinato (Octoccata part 3)https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/vibrastinato-octoccata-part-32012-12-16T22:00:00.000Z2012-12-16T22:00:00.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://poligraf.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/poligraf-octoccata-v01-444.png?w=444" alt="poligraf-octoccata-v01-444.png?w=444" /><br /> <span style="font-size:x-small;">(« Octoccata Freeway » based on <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:I-8_%28CA%29.svg" target="_blank">Interstate Shield</a>)</span><br /></p><div align="center"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" id="audioplayer" height="24" width="290"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param></object></div><br /><p>« Vibrastinato, » the third movement from « Octoccata, » gets its name from the combination of vibraphone and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostinato" target="_blank">ostinato</a>, and features an abundance of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyrhythm" target="_blank">polyrhythms</a>.<br /></p><p>The section begins in « Modern Poligrafic Ensemble » mode featuring Christian taking the lead role on the vibraphone. When writing the piece I imagined that, in a live setting, he would be using a MIDI controller instead of a real vibraphone in order to enable him to quickly return to the drum kit once the vibes part is done with. At this point we haven't verified if it's practicable or not, but I'm sure we'll figure out something.<br /></p><p>The remainder of the movement is based on an exercise I used to repeat on the keyboards as a way of getting accustomed to shifting from one cross-rhythm to another.<br /></p><p>And that being said, let's not forget the good Doctor Graf's hawker who is still attempting to convince the crowd of the innumerable powers of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c, the sure-fire cure for anything and everything...<br /></p><p><em><br /> The good doctor recommends it<br />To all who do not feel so great<br />And even to those who are fit<br />To strengthen and invigorate<br />To its virtues there's no limit<br />All diseases it will negate<br />Try it and you too will admit<br />Mine is no overestimate<br /></em></p></div>Igorchestral (Octoccata part 2)https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/igorchestral-octoccata-part-22012-12-15T22:00:00.000Z2012-12-15T22:00:00.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://poligraf.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/444px-dartboard.jpg?w=444" alt="444px-dartboard.jpg?w=444" /><br /> <span style="font-size:x-small;">(« <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gozalewis/3351035736" target="_blank">eight</a> » by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gozalewis/" target="_blank">timlewisnm</a>)</span></p><div align="center"><object width="290" height="24" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" id="audioplayer" width="290" height="24" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" flashvars="playerID=audioplayer&soundFile=http://k005.kiwi6.com/uploads/hotlink/9uaoxip1g3&titles=poligraf.octoccata.2.igorchestral.mp3" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed> </object></div><p></p><p>« Igorchestral, » the second movement of « Octoccata, » has been thus named because of the inspiration for the music, and the selected arrangement.</p><p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Stravinsky" target="_blank">Igor Stravinsky</a> is indubitably one of the composers I admire the most. The music he composed for the ballet « <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Firebird" target="_blank">The Firebird</a> » stands at the top of my list of favorites. One day while dabbling on the keyboards back in April 1999, I came across a figure somewhat reminiscent of the beginning of « The Augurs of Spring: Dances of the Young Girls, » the second scene of the Russian composer's « <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rite_of_Spring" target="_blank">The Rite of Spring</a>. » I sequenced it on the spot, and although I listened to it on several occasions, I never touched it again until many years later when time came to attack the writing of the present suite. That original sequence eventually spawned the music that is featured today.</p><p>The movement stands out as another orchestral piece specifically arranged for what I dub the « Modern Poligrafic Ensemble, » referring to the band when « exotic » instruments such as clarinet, brass, and orchestral percussions are called in to play.</p><p>Meanwhile, the sales representative of the good Doctor Graf continues to deliver his pitch in the hopes of liquidating countless crates of bottles of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c, that most talked-about of formulae :</p><p><em><br /> Lend me your ears a few moments<br /> While its qualities I will state<br /> This most powerful of agents<br /> Leaves nothing to the hands of fate<br /> This healthiest of all treatments<br /> One simply cannot overrate<br /> Easements, respites and wonderments<br /> Handed to you on silver plate<br /></em></p></div>Octoverture (Octoccata part 1)https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/octoverture-octoccata-part-12012-12-14T21:30:00.000Z2012-12-14T21:30:00.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://poligraf.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/poligraf-octatonic-label-v04-old-pic-transparent-444.png?w=444" alt="poligraf-octatonic-label-v04-old-pic-transparent-444.png?w=444" /><br /> <span style="font-size:x-small;">(« Label from a bottle of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c » based on a picture of <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:W_H_F_Talbot.jpg" target="_blank">William Henry Fox Talbot</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_Claudet" target="_blank">Antoine Claudet</a>)</span></p><div align="center"><object width="290" height="24" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" id="audioplayer" width="290" height="24" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" flashvars="playerID=audioplayer&soundFile=http://k005.kiwi6.com/uploads/hotlink/z203g1cz9h&titles=poligraf.octoccata.1.octoverture.mp3" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed> </object></div><p><br /></p><p>« Octoccata » is an instrumental suite clocking in at a little over 16 minutes. Its title comes from the combination of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octatonic_scale" target="_blank">octatonic</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toccata" target="_blank">toccata</a>, and is inspired by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerson,_Lake_%26_Palmer" target="_blank">Emerson, Lake & Palmer</a>‘s adaptation of the fourth movement of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginastera" target="_blank">Alberto Ginastera</a>‘s first piano concerto, which they published on their « <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_Salad_Surgery" target="_blank">Brain Salad Surgery</a> » album under the title « Toccata. »</p><p>The intent here is simply to « make some noise. » In other words, the music is meant to be spectacular and bombastic, and hopefully the intensive use of octatonic scales will warrant some originality to the whole and contribute to convey an overall feeling of amazement to the listener. However, contrary to most pieces of Poligraf's repertoire, the music has not been assembled around a specific narrative.</p><p>From the title came the idea of loosely turning the piece into a « symphony of eights, » so the suite has been divided in eight movements, named as follows :</p><ol><li>Octoverture</li><li>Igorchestral</li><li>Vibrastinato</li><li>Biorhythalead</li><li>Reoctoverture</li><li>Progigoriation</li><li>Marimbastinato</li><li>Multilethalead</li></ol><p></p><p>The composition opens with « Octoverture » which is basically a series of variations built around a recurring motif and over which the instrumentalists take the lead role in various combinations. The meter of whole section is not 8 but 7, not to provide the exception that breaks the rule, but simply because that's how the motif came out, and it sounded good as such.</p><p>While the music wasn't built around it, a narrative finally came into existence when I considered how to best present the piece. From the word « octatonic » stood out the word « tonic, » and that became the seed from which stemmed the idea of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c. Praised as the miracle remedy to all ailments, the drink is infused with a touch of octatonine, and carefully brewed by a certain doctor Paul E. Graf, no doubt a good person enjoying an enviable reputation among his scientist peers, or maybe not...</p><p><em>Come gather 'round all good people<br /> I have come here to illustrate<br /> Doctor Graf's brand new formula<br /> It is his most potent to date<br /> For the relief to your ailments<br /> No longer will you have to wait<br /> Introducing O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c<br /> Offered to you at discount rate</em></p><p><em><em><br /></em></em></p><p><em><em>As you surely have noticed, at the top of the present post is proudly standing the digital reproduction of a mint condition label coming from an authentic bottle of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c that our indefatigable team of assistants has dug up from the archives. Know that the good people working for the Poligrafic Industries will spare no expense in the aim of upholding our commitment to provide you with the most thorough experience possible.</em></em></p></div>