References by topic
Satanism
1. “Occult Symbols,” Christian Restoration.com
http://www.christian-restoration.com/occult/symbols.htm
2. “The Satanic Bible,” Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible
3. “Theistic Satanism, Diversity of beliefs within Theistic Satanism,” Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theistic_Satanism#Diversity_of_beliefs_within_theistic_Satanism
4. “Temple of Set,” Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Set
Music Theory
“The Difference between Major and Minor,” Studybass.com
http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-scales/the-difference-between-major-and-minor/
“4 Types of Minor Scale,” jazztutorial, YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3CM9ZB-c4I
“The Major Scale Formula: Lesson 1 Music Theory,” Kennis Russell, YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF_99rv-G1w
“Brief Introduction to Delay Effect,” How to Make Electronic Music
http://howtomakeelectronicmusic.com/brief-introduction-to-delay-effect
“Delay Effect for Lush Background Vocals,” The Pro Audio Files, YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU7R8MLAXp0
“How to Process Vocals for an Amazing Professional Sound,” Tutsplus.com
http://music.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-process-vocals-for-an-amazing-professional-sound—audio-7933
That’s a very thorough and well considered analysis of David’s most recent work. As you likely already know, it was common for Bowie to make many references to death, mortality and immortality for most of his musical career. The Man Who Fell To Earth contains one song ( I can never recall the name) with a tantalysing intro, using Gregorian Chants and a classical Spanish styled guitar riff. Diamond Dogs has the song “We Are The Dead”, plus other related cuts. Ashes to Ashes is a self descriptive meditation on our shared fate.
I think David Bowie spent most of his life learning historic interpretations of the life and death experience as perceived by others. The knowledge first served to make him a better performer, and later a more introspective human being, who knew when to leave the big stage.
I did not like everything Bowie did, absolutely not. Recently, I think it was in 2013 or 2014, Bowie came out with a music video, first one in many years. I think the name was The Next Day.
It may have been that video I saw that appalled me. There was a scene of a beautiful girl who began bleeding from her wrists, and continued to bleed, blood still heavily flowing.
I did not finish watching that video, it disturbed and disgusted me so. I decided I wanted never to see it again.
So I was reminded, that even with a clear creative genius as was Bowie, not all he touched turned to something great and precious for the listener.
Cripes this is long.
Bowie was an occultist.
I didn’t know how much in to it he was til he died and I read some things.
Wasting one’s time on that lengthy hokum is something one is entitled to do, just as it was Bowie’s right to make his music.
Just not sure what the author of this post is hoping to accomplish.
Here’s an article from the Guardian.
Then, sometimes, a video is just a video.
I agree with your summation of ‘Dorian’ styled music if one can use J.S. Bach’s Toccata & Organ Fugue in D Minor aka “Dorian” as a model. Vast darkness that leads to hopefulness. It’s hard to explain why I like that long and blustery highway of melody embedded within cacophony.
Bowie knows the truth now, and I’m sure it’s a shock.
Who cares, the man is dead. Let dead men sleep. There is no satan or devil, only one God, natures God. Let go of the Zoroastrian beliefs.
You -might- be overthinking this. But im breathlessly waiting for your analysis of “Lets Dance”. Also, what do you think of Elvis and his suggestive pelvis moves?
I’m close to a woman who was close to Bowie. She told me in her last 30 telephone calls with him over the past few years he always ended it with God bless you. For the last 25 years he was a private,sober, hard working married man.