J Lowe, Dunoon and District Gazette

There are rare humans who… may lack the neural apparatus for appreciating tones or melodies. But for virtually all of us, music has great power, whether or not we seek it out or think of ourselves as particularly ‘musical’. This propensity to music – this ‘musicophilia’- shows itself in infancy, is manifest and central in every culture, and probably goes back to the very beginnings of our species… it lies so deep in human nature that one is tempted to think of it as innate, much as E.O. Wilson regards ‘biophilia’, our feeling for living things.” (from Musicophilia, a book by legendary neurologist Oliver Sacks, Picador, 2008)

“Patients who are diagnosed with ‘musicophilia’ report a sudden, abnormal craving for music…” (from www.musicpsychology.co.uk) Maybe you don’t “suffer” from musicophilia.

Maybe when you were an open, vulnerable child you were told you couldn’t sing or play music. Maybe you think music can only be made by famous or “talented” people. However, as Mr Sacks says, music lies deep in human nature, and that is why one doesn’t have to be an “expert” to talk about, play and make music. Music is all around and within us, and rhythm exists in our speech, breathing, and heartbeat.

There will be various authors of this column. It’s strange to write about music without hearing any, however we will be attempting to enable the alchemy of music to flow through us, to be transmitted to you in another form.

Please transmit your experiences, comments etc., back to us via our blog at: www.greenbazaarau.com.

Here is a list of what we’re…

• Reading: The Silver River, by Midnight Oil guitarist/ songwriter Jim Moginie, 2024.
• Listening to (local): Luke Vassella – ‘By The River’ song series 2024, youtube, and Liminal – @liminaltheband on instagram, or google Liminal Lismore.
• Checking for upcoming events: Visit Lismore and the Echonet gig guide, online.

Until next time, here is a quote from a wonderful, but little-known Australian artist: “Music and art are as important as the air we breathe. For the soul.” – Jen Cloher @ Mullumbimby, 8 June, 2024.

Heading graphic from the cover of Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks.
This article appeared in the Dunoon and District Gazette, June-September 2024.