Terra truth from Edward Givens

The truth is: I’m enjoying listening to music by other people. And that is more true than ever about Edward Givens.

Truth and Fiction

Edward and I “met” on BlueSky recently. I was immediately drawn to his interest in multiple art forms as both an artist and a curator. Poetry, visual art, and music are all part of his sharing on the BS (BlueSky) network.

The same is true of his music releases on BandCamp. Along with his original music and songs that have influenced him, he shares poetry (written by himself or others) and visuals (video and still images) that are quite captivating.

At length the melody steals into my being. I know not when it began to occupy me. ~H.D. Thoreau

The Earth, Indeed

Like poetry, the music of Givens’ album, “Terra”, is not easily captured in words. So, I’m choosing not to share a lot of verbiage. Instead, I’ll let you know a few things I appreciated. The rest, I’ll leave to your listening ears.

As I listened to the opening track, “Somber Meditation”, I was struck by the seeming lack of meter. The truth is, like several other pieces on this album, I suspect there is a sense of time in spite of what my ears told me. By the third time I listened to this composition, I could feel a pulse.

By some fortunate coincidence of thought or circumstance I am attuned to the universe, I am fitted to hear, my being moves in a sphere of melody, my fancy and imagination are excited to an inconceivable degree. ~H.D. Thoreau

Terra truth

Every track on this album led me to a sense of ritual. I could see campfires and a lone drummer. The other elements of the music seemed to come more from the forest surrounding the campfires than from the human beings sitting in circle. Once again, Givens — the artist — paints a picture of something intriguing and beautiful.

I guess what I’m truly saying is that these compositions are evocative and deliver a sense of magic. And in these times, we can use all the magic we can get. Thanks to Givens for delivering a bit of a spell with the album “Terra”.

This is no longer the dull earth on which I stood. ~H.D. Thoreau