On Sunday nights I listen to a radio program called "Music From the Hearts of Space". I've been listening to this since the mid-eighties, when I first stumbled upon it by accident. However, I was hooked from the beginning! It comes on twice: different stations back to back from 10p - 12a. There is a website where you can listen: and also become a paid subscriber for the full benefits of the website. I haven't done that yet.
Anyhoo, Hearts of Space is ambient music, or as Clancy calls it 'underwater fish music'. "Ambient music is a genre of music that emphasizes tone and atmosphere over traditional musical structure or rhythm." I believe it was created by Brian Eno (feel free to google him). It's very peaceful and soothing, although sometimes it can be too spacy and a little frightening (or maybe it's just me!). Regardless, I really enjoy it.
The advantage of it being on twice was so if I really liked the episode I could record it (that's right: on my boom box's cassette recorder!) so I could hear it over and over. The two episodes that I enjoyed the most back then were "Space Guitar" and "When Rock Meets Space".
Normally you wouldn't consider rock music as ambient, but the song that stands out the most is "Roads" by Portishead. They are a group that was an offshoot of the band Radiohead. Neither of these bands were ever on my radar until I heard this song on Hearts of Space. And it fit the criteria: spacy, ethereal and otherworldly. Loved it!
As for the "Space Guitar" episode: it encompassed guitar players that you wouldn't imagine in this genre, such as Hoyt Axton. I was amazed when I heard this; and was heartbroken when I lost the cassette tape during a move. Well: if I pay for a subscription I can listen to it all I want in their archives! Side note: one year the only thing I asked for, for my birthday, was a subscription for Hearts of Space. I didn't get it 😕
I have been introduced to musicians and artists that I never would have come across. And with the Shazam app I can find out who the artists are in order to purchase their music or a particular song. That is how I discovered Max Richter. His jam is contemporary classical and he plays the piano, organ and synthesizer. His music is mostly used in movies, but he is also a recording artist who has sold over a million albums and has surpassed one billion streams. Kudos to you Mr. Richter!
The song that had me riveted one recent night is called "Mercy" and is just piano and violin. It is ethereal and absolutely beautiful: so haunting and sad, yet also evoking a yearning for something that you don't even recognize. Yeah...it hits you where you live; and leaves you a little bit breathless.
That's what is on my mind today: that indescribable something that is just out of reach. But someday...I know it will be within my grasp. And when I reach it, I will hold on with both hands for as long as God allows me.
Thank you for reading. 👫
