WEEK4 - Forum - Presentations: Collaborations 1

1/ David: Metallica/Michael Kamen (conductor, oboist)
I thought the presentation was well researched and put together. Maybe I should listen to a little more Metallica because, despite this the mashing an orchestra with Metallica did nothing to further either's cause. Seemed to promote Michael Kamen as an innovative, cutting edge genius (perhaps). To me, his job here seemed more like scoring to squish an orchestra into the impossibly few gaps in Metallica's music. Beefing up retirement funds? Perhaps, but enjoyed the track we saw. Not sure if the unfortunate information on the page below is true. Maybe you could verify, David:

http://www.mfiles.co.uk/composers/Michael-Kamen.htm

2/ Vinny: Trilok Gurtu
A moving presentation from Vinny, on an obviously familiar and much loved figure on the leading edge of contemporary fusion. A real insight into a musician whose music I have enjoyed in passing. Being informed of the breadth of his collaborations has inspired me to take a closer look.

Trilok's hands:
http://perso.orange.fr/shortcut/eng_index.htm, accessed 12:30am, 27/3/07

3/ William: Game Sound
Large scale collaboration for film and game design. How do you remain true to your ideas within a multitude? I liked the subject matter but felt as if the research was a little unrelated and unfinished. Xact software sounds cool. Below you can grab yourself some game sheet music:

http://www.gamemusic.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/GMOStore

4/ Sanad: What is world music? Western Plot vs The World.
As if some sinister, commercial Goliath with a rod in your back demands, "you people play together." Just not how collaborations occur (usually!), regardless of the end result. After hearing some collaborations and researching the pre, studio and post time periods and people involved, it is obvious there are few limitations placed stylistically and little regard for audience approval. This applies to 'western' music and 'western' musicians collaborating with each other (I actually thought it was all ‘world music’) as much as it does to any other kind. Maybe Sanad should have a chat with Vinny.