The machine will grind away until it slows to a halt - abandoned, decayed.  Dispensable, disposable, and ready to be discarded if the $’s don’t go up and to the right.

Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_hanohiki'>hanohiki</a>

Lament Of The Ghost In The Machine

Temptation

Documenting the period of March 2020 through March 2021, through music. A year as turbulent as the revolutionary 60's, yet days blurred into weeks, into months... we were isolated, separated.  Those who would resurrect the ghosts of hatred, unleashed their personal demons. They haunt us still. It is a time we would rather forget, but it should never be forgotten, lest it happen again.

The finishing touch (I hope) to the (soon to be) album “Haunted,” Currently in my Playlists.

*Update* OK, maybe one more song... then I'm finished with this album!

Image: Copyright: https://www.123rf.com/profile_lakhesis

Haunted - An Overture

They say that hindsight is 20/20 vision.  Looking back at this past year is like looking through a pair of broken glasses.  

I said I was finished with “Haunted,” … so here is another song :)

Listening to the album, the last song felt like it did not bring things to a proper conclusion.  Unlike the nearly 10-minute Overture, this is an under 3-minute Conclusion.

This really is the last piece of the album and on this subject.  Really.  Well, definitely on the album, probably on the subject.  Yes, most definitely probably…

Image Copyright: nomadsoul1

Hindsight - "Haunted" Conclusion

Beach weather…  weekend at last… time to kick back and relax… chilled drink in hand… now, if only I had the right chill music…

Image: Thom Palumbo

Summer Chill

This one has a bit of history that goes back to my collaborations with Nick ♤ https://soundcloud.com/nickrdavies

Poor Nick.  I tortured him so during these collaborations. I threw electronic nightmares from Electronica to Psy Trance at him.  He not only rose to the challenge; he turned these songs into something new and different. His songs that I had the pleasure of adding keyboards to, brought me to musical areas that, otherwise, I never would have ventured into.

Which brings us to this “Jazz-Like-Beast-Thing.” I’m not sure which one of came up with that expression, but it proved to be accurate.  It was supposed to be a follow up piece to our second collaboration “The Skeleton Improvement Conversation.” But seemingly random key and tempo changes were a bit much. I almost titled it “Have you got it yet?” after the legendary last attempt for early Pink Floyd to work with Syd Barrett. He would change the song every time they started to play. I imagine it felt a bit like that.  

So, the piece fell dormant for a few years. With Nick’s permission, I recently decided to give it a go on my own. Then I understood… it was nearly impossible to play along with. I fiddled, fettled, and eventually came up with something that would pass for guitar added to electric piano. It left me electrifried.

Nick, this is an homage to you. In no way is the “guitar” playing anything close to your skills, but I tried to channel you from across the miles. I look forward to the time when we can work together again. Until then, here’s that Jazz-Like Beast Thing… the stuff of your nightmares  :)

Image: Cameronc Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_Cameronc'>Cameronc</a>

Electrifried

“People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but *actually* from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint - it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly... time-y wimey... stuff.” – Dr. Who “Blink”

Image: Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_peterzayda'>peterzayda</a>

Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey

Northern winters are full of delicate beauty. There is an almost spiritual quality to the sun rising over a winter sea, hearing the waves gently roll over a rocky beach, or the rare opportunity to witness the spectacle of Northern Lights. Even winter storms are filled with their own special beauty. People often ask how I could tolerate the cold, harsh conditions. Easily. You will never experience the freedom of solitude as you will by a northern seaside in winter.

Bring me back.


Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_sdimitrov'>sdimitrov</a>

Harsh The Delicate Winter (At The Water's Edge)

A remake of "Looking Back" from December 2017.  I was never satisfied with the piece. It came close to the effect I was looking for but not quite… so, a remake.  Less Disco-y, more Space-y.

Part of the Infinite Monkey Theorem (still incomplete) album, this is one step closer to a finished product that I can be happy with. This will replace Looking Back in the Infinite Monkey Theorem Playlist.

Instead of looking back, we are looking forward to new adventures.  This one ends with a segue into "Event Horizon," so not all journeys are risk free.  But we must take the risk to achieve our goal.  Enough philosophy – enjoy!

Leaving Home

mind·ful·ness
/ˈmīn(d)f(ə)lnəs/
Noun

1. the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
"their mindfulness of the wider musical tradition"
2. a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
3. trying to keep your shit together when the world around you has gone raving mad by looking inward and finding a spark of sanity within.

Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_rolffimages'>rolffimages</a>

Electronica,  Electronic,  Inner Spaces,  Meditation,  World Gone Mad,  Sanity

Mindfulness

A piano improvisation that got delightfully carried away. A.K.A. "What Child is This," for piano, flute and synthesizer (of course).

Variation on Greensleeves for Flute and Synthesizer

I live in a place where there is no winter. I moved here from a small coastal Maine town and I have very warm memories of the snow covered seaside. The picture was taken during a morning stroll at sunrise, just a short walk from my home.

Memories of Winter

This is a continuation from the song “Mindfulness” in both concept and musical motive.  

As we start to gaze within, layer after layer appears. We may show some of it to some people, but it is not the face we show to the world around us. While the music may sound like it is changing in odd ways, it represents the parts of me that only I know. Sometimes, this process of discovery reveals that we can be a stranger even to to ourselves.

Image Copyright: ©jackf/123RF.COM</a>

Below The Surface

Continuing my journey below the surface, peeling back the layers, and finding more surprises.

This time, I dug so deep that I hit 1975.

Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_fedcophoto'>fedcophoto</a>

The Deep

I can’t believe that it has been seven years since I last did a Christmas song. This one is a bit different. Instead of an (interesting?) arrangement of a Christmas or Holiday song, this has several bits of familiar songs popping in and out of an otherwise original piece.

For me, a big part of the Holiday season has been about happy memories. 

Here’s to new happy memories and a better year ahead.

Happy Holidays to all!

Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_sinenkiy'>sinenkiy</a>

Making Christmas Memories

Once again, what I cannot properly express with word, I try to express with music.  

I have lost four friends in four months. Death is an inevitable part of life, but too often, those close to us are gone far too soon. I could not be there for any of you; the miles that separated us are too distant and your departure was too sudden.

This is for you, John, Scott, Richard, and Kathy. Go gentle into that good night.

Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_grzegorzz'>grzegorzz</a>

Elegy

"Time is our only enemy"... I have seen these words on the SoundCloud page of my good friend and partner in crime (of the musical type), Nick.  I was never quite sure why he has this on his page. Recent events have made me come to understand these word… very clearly.

Cherish every moment. Laugh hard, play hard, hold each other tightly, because time is our only enemy.

Thank you, Nick. You are a gentleman, a man of many talents, and a true friend.

Be sure to check out <a href="/nickrdavies" class="g-link-user">Nicholas Ridiculous</a>

Image Copyright by Ukrainian Artist: 
<a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_olegtroino'>olegtroino</a>

Time Is Our Only Enemy

With the ascent of the Age of Man, the creatures of spirit find there is little room left in this realm.  From the Fallen Angel series.

The Age of Man

A Dream Within a Dream

“All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.”
~Edgar Allen Poe

Image ; Copyright: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_lava4images'> / 123RF Stock Photo</a>



A Dream Within a Dream

For all of you Whovians out there and for those who just like loud banging and clanging, the likes of which have not been heard since I tried to Build a Better Beelzebub :)  Sometimes I have to step aside from the Ambient and make some noise.  

When I started this, it sounded like Cybermen marching… and so a theme piece is born.  If you live near Cardiff or London, please drive by the good people at BBC and play this LOUD.  You never know… thank you for your assistance.

Korg Kronos 88, X50, M50, Micro





March Of The Cybermen

A season of beauty and anticipation.  The hint of colder days to come, traces of color that will soon explode with beauty, and a promise of life returning from the blanket of fallen leaves. 

In whispers from afar, I hear the call and look to the north.

Korg Kronos 88, M50, X50, Prophecy

Photo Copyright - Ying Feng Johansson 
<a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_pinkbadger'>pinkbadger / 123RF Stock Photo</a>


Autumn's Promise

Nick and I started working on this last year, then all hell broke loose in my life and it was put on hold.  When it was finally resurrected, I was amazed at how perfect every stem that Nick sent was.  He made my job at playing producer on this one (that will teach him) very easy.  There was little more I had to do other than an intro, outro, and proper mix.  

What I do to Nick is really unfair.  I handed him a piece of psytrance and said “here you go.”  The joke was on me.  His guitar work is blindingly brilliant and has, once again, transformed a song into something that defies genre labeling.  I was more out of my comfort zone with attempting Eastern music – Nick came up with rhythms and leads that meld so beautifully that at times I cannot distinguish between the synths and the guitar.

Please enjoy at high volume.

Nick R. Davies – Guitars and great generosity
Thom Palumbo – Keyboards, production, and procrastination

Be sure to check out <a href="/nickrdavies" class="g-link-user">Nick R Davies</a>


Facing East - eSyrup and Nick R. Davies

… begins with a single step.

I was challenged to add full orchestration to the song “Memory“ but I decided to do a new piece instead.  While I have always enjoyed this kind of music, I have a new found respect for those who compose orchestral pieces. It ain’t easy, folks – and this is not really full orchestration.  The greatest advantage I have is, like many of us here, I have no formal training – I don’t even read music. Since I don’t know the rules, I can’t break them.  That said, I really enjoyed the process and this serves as a stepping stone to the type of hybrid Orchestral/Synth music I would like to do next.  I mixed some very electronic sounding strings with the piano to satisfy my electronic sound predilections :)

Many thanks to Athanasios Koranis for the orchestral challenge and for his support and encouragement.  Please listen to his beautiful music: https://soundcloud.com/athanasioskoranis

Kronos 88 – Piano, Legato Strings
Proteus 2 (25-year-old synth rack!) – French Horns, Oboes, Cellos, Violins, Legato Strings, Staccato Strings, Tremulous Strings, Timpani
M50 – High Legato and Staccato strings

Image Copyright: https://www.123rf.com/profile_hkeita

The Journey Of A Thousand Miles

The start of the journey and the final piece for what will be the album Infinite Monkey Theorem. It is the opening piece, so once again, I record the first song last… space and time are not necessarily linear :)

The ships have arrived at a barren M-class planet – perfect for seeding. Slowly the barren world transforms to a one abundant with water and eventually life (all in 3:43 minutes). The tale continues with the songs that follow – I will make a playlist now that I have a working order of songs and will explain there.

This is similar to Beyond the Infinite (the closing piece) so put on your headphones, close your eyes and enjoy the journey.

Image Copyright: Pavel Parmenov

Planet Seeding

I dreamed I was flying
free as the sky
watching the world
tender wings passing by

All cares and small worries
soon fell to the ground
embracing the world
with a delicate sound

The sun soothed my spirit
and strengthened my soul
set free at last
I was finally whole

Then I woke with a feeling
that wouldn’t let go
with memory diminished
a fragment, a glow

Of freedom and flying
I looked to the ground
flapped my arms like a fool
made a devilish sound

I stopped, feeling foolish
life is not what it seems
you can reach for the clouds
but you must dare to dream
 - Thom Palumbo

Kronos 88 – Drums, Guitar, Synthesizer, Effects
M50 – Piano
X50 – Wings, effects
Proteus 1 – Choir
Proteus 2 – Oboe

Image: tonktiti@123RF

I Dreamed I Was Flying

This was intended to be the opening piece of a new work that I started last fall. It may still be, it may change...

Fallen Angel - Fall From Grace

"Und wenn du lange in einen Abgrund blickst, blickt der Abgrund auch in dich hinein." 
"And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." 
- Friedrich Nietzsche

The Abyss Gazes Back

"The difference between false memories and true ones is the same as for jewels: it is always the false ones that look the most real, the most brilliant." - Salvador Dali

The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory

Distance has taken on new meanings.  For all the old meanings and the new…

UPDATE:  This was written a year ago, thinking of all the people who will be distanced during the Holidays.  In many parts of the world, the situation has returned to this again.  Thinking of all of you...
 - Thom 12/8/21

Image: Copyright: fucsiya

The Distance Between Us

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." 

“The hypnotized never lie” 

“I don't take responsibility at all.” 

January 6, 2021

Image: Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_mrwed54'>Mikhail Reshetnikov</a>

The Haunting

Electronically produced music mixed with high viscosity ear candy using:

Korg:
Kronos 88
M50
X50
Micro
Prophecy

Moog:
Little Phatty
Subsequent 37

E-MU: 
Proteus 1
Proteus 2
Proteus 2000

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 Mk2
Kurzweil PC3K7
Alesis Strike MultiPad
And a few other toys not yet featured

Now on Bandcamp:
Fallen Angel: https://esyrup.bandcamp.com/album/fallen-angel
Finding My Way Back: https://esyrup.bandcamp.com/album/finding-my-way-back

eSyrup

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