WBEZ, This American Life 109: Notes on Camp (1998)
-As a noncamper, I was instantly amused by the piece's goal to bridge the gap that exists between noncampers and campers. Through the various narratives I was able to get a sense of the companionship and camaraderie that exists between people when they spend time together in this way. Even though I did not share in these experiences myself, I often found myself smiling over stories that were in turns silly and poignant.
-The use of the harmonica, an instrument often associated with camp, really contributed to that campfire setting.
Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller, Her Long Black Hair (2004)
-I grew up near New York City, so listening to this piece was an exercise in memory and nostalgia, at least in regards to the presence of the typical hustle and bustle of city life. I felt not so much a listener as an actual participant due to the fluid nature of the sounds' sources. For me, the piece was most successful when I was able to close my eyes and just listen (in substitute for actually being there).
-The narrator's voice was rather subdued, so I felt a sense of sadness that contrasted with the more lively aspects of the events and conversations she encountered. This dissonance presented the narrator as some kind of outsider; she's always listening and moving, but never really interfering.
Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller, Dreams-Telephone Series (2008)
-Although it's hard to get a true sense of the piece without hearing it, the use of the telephone implies a very intimate experience. Similarly, the artist recounts a dream experience to the listener, one on one, which makes for further personalization.
Robert Ashley, She was a visitor (1967)
-The key theme in this piece is the interaction between repetition and atmospheric noise, incarnated through the phrase "She was a visitor" played against a rather creepy backing track. At first, I focused on the meaning of the phrase "she was a visitor" and formed an entire story to match the tone that Ashley presents. The noises interspersed throughout the piece definitely gave a rather dark impression, as if this visitor was something not entirely welcome.
-I was immediately struck by what seemed to be whispered echoes of the phrase that appeared further into the piece; they were ghostly and haunting and seemed to be one of the most memorable characteristics. Similarly, because the phrase "She was a visitor" was so often and regularly repeated, I began to lose sense of the word meanings, and the main voice became just another facet of this unsettling atmosphere.
-The abrupt end of it left me feeling disturbed, but I got the impression that the voice was still to remain in some capacity (like the ringing in our ears when faced with silence after being exposed to loud music).
John Cage, excerpt from Silence (1969)
-The cadence and pacing of the man's voice reminds me of documentary programs, although the phrasing is a bit too abstract to match. However, the simplicity of the recording adds weight and seriousness to Cage's words, which is appropriate considering it touches upon such subjects as greed, the destructiveness of human nature, and capitalism.
-I find it interesting that the title is Silence, as it is anything but silent. Perhaps the monotony of his voice is a reflection of this? Or perhaps it can be a statement on the subject matter of the piece, as many of the things he talks about within are often ignored or looked over, as if silent?
Orson Welles, The War of the Worlds (1938)
-Of all the pieces, this was the one I had most familiarity with beforehand. The history behind what happened after this piece aired is fascinating, so I was very excited to hear it in it's original state. Interestingly enough, I find it hard to believe it caused such an uproar (though some say the extent of this is often exaggerated), but this is predominantly due to the fact that, in today's society, we have access to multiple sources of information. This has made me rather jaded and skeptic in my approach to truth, and when researching, it is all too easy for me to refer to these multiple sources. But back when people had no such capabilities, and were reliant on the radio for news, the portrayed scene must have been terrifying for those who believed it to be true.
-Both sound effects and timing were used accurately in an effort to bring realism to a very surreal situation. It was very eerie to hear the rather abrupt interruptions of upbeat songs, to switch to a rather horrific scenario. The constant updates, presented by the "reporters" in their somber tones, contributed to the seemingly grave situation. I could easily see how people would be so confused by the broadcast if they tuned in at an odd time, as the actors never broke character, and indications that the recording was fictional were only given a few times (3, I believe, at the beginning middle and end?).
