Oct 14: 'Cosmos'

A landmark TV series for me was Carl Sagan's 'Cosmos' - we could do with him around now to continue to challenge American politicians about climate change as he did when he was alive.

The theme tune for the TV show was very good, and I discovered that it was by Vangelis and from an album called Heaven and Hell. I had a copy of the 7" single at the time, plus the book of the series. I still refer to him every year and his Pale Blue Dot image and text.

Enjoy!

May 22: Antarctica

Several musicians have tried to capture the atmosphere of Antarctica. Have they succeeded? Conjure up an image in your mind of the icy wilderness around the South Pole. How can that be captured in musical form?

Vangelis had a go with his early album of the same name.

Ralph Vaugham Williams composed the music for the classic Ealing film 'Scott of the Antarctic' featuring John Mills.

This is used to great effect in the film, which I used to show in instalments along with some accompanying work when I first started teaching.

Suns of the Tundra, who have geography Chief Examiner Simon Oakes on guitar and vocals (as well as referencing a Polar ecosystem in their name), released an album exploring the story of Shackleton's 'Endurance' exhibition.

Their album was called 'Bones of Brave Ships'. It is well worth seeking out.

The album is intended as a soundtrack for the 1919 film 'South' and they performed it with the film. An extract can be seen below:

Suns of the Tundra (ex-Peach GB) perform their soundtrack for the 1919 film SOUTH (from 2016 concept album Bones of Brave Ships), joined onstage by Ben Moor (narrator) and Al Murray (additional drums) Venue: Bedford Theatre, Balham, South London, 2016

Also check out a few others here...

What other Antarctic-themed musical tracks should I add to this list?

Jan 29: Life beneath the Soil

There's a world that lies beneath our feet... in the soil.

An album I had when it first came out in 1984, and remember now and again is by the Greek musician Vangelis, who also composed the soundtracks for several films including 'Chariots of Fire'. 

It imagines the life stirring in the soil as a thunderstorm rages and water starts to drip and infiltrate the soil. 

The first movement is the best.

The other movements explore other aspects of life below the ground. Turn off the lights and listen to it with some good headphones on.

Movement 1 (Remastered version)

Soil Festivities was inspired by the processes of nature literally taking place beneath our feet, as a celebration of the springtime cycle of new life.

Here's a challenge for you, let me know other songs about soil...