From the PRoG(ii) album by Lyle Holdahl.
WARNING:This piece is 10+ minutes long.
all sounds by Holdahl
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Ram Rama 1260... Why So Long?
Ram Rama 1260 begins with a splash in unison and for the next 10+ minutes, Ram Rama is anything but unison. As a matter of fact, no two pulses are exactly alike with the exception of the first and last beat. What we have here is a tonal solar system evolving from harmonic convergence to harmonic convergence in 1,260 pulses- planet/instruments orbiting the sun/listeners' head at an assigned velocity/frequency+meter.
The 12 string guitar has the most work, pulsing every beat and playing an extended scale based on the "descending order of pleasantness"- intervals literally accepted aesthetically as well as politically or religiously, throughout the history of music. The scale consists of 12 notes, as do all the instruments and is played 105 times.
The synthesizer would be the next busiest instrument, pulsing every 3 beats and playing generally accepted tones summed up by the 12 string. Usually M3, m3 or sus4. This instrument's "year" is played 35 times.
Now things get testy. The high, anxious strings start on unison then go through the circle of fourths pulsing every 5 beats and played through 21 times. The strings give the piece its stirring awe and is the least harmonious of the parts.
Lastly, the stand-up bass plays the circle of fifths pulsing every 7 beats and played through 15 times. To me, the bass give this piece the bestial or fleshy dimension. This part is earthy and grounded.
Might I suggest WATCHING Ram Rama rather than listening to it.
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