Originally, the music for this work was the first half of a composition I played and recorded a while back, called "3rd Stone: Demolition and Reconstruction". It worked out well as the background music for a reading of Apocalypse (Revelation) chapter Sixteen. I thought that an "otherworldly" sound of the voice for the reading would fit the context appropriately.
It took a little more production-type work to get the mix I wanted, but--as with the Bukowski piece--the process seemed artistic enough, and was well worth the effort. I hope you agree.

3rd Stone (from the Sun): Apocalypse 16 - Thrust-O-Logue (Hendrix inspired)

The one advantage of adding words to music is that it can give needed focus and immediacy to a work. That said, in this instance I don't really need to explain much in these introductory comments--save for the fact that I've been in both positions over the years (i.e. the overbearing guitarist AND the underappreciating listener).
I figured: Why not state both positions simultaneously in the same piece? The opportunity to express ironic parody was too good to pass up.
Thanks to the Bowie / Alomar duo for inspiration along musical lines, as well as the obvious honest madness of C. Bukowski for the story! I have to thank (the late) Joe Frank for the inspiration in helping me to conceive this whole thing to begin with. (He's got some classic postings right here on soundcloud!)
This work took some editing chops to pull off, as I was mixing and blending a number of different sections and sounds. It is truly a solo work. - Thrust

Guitars (story by Charles Bukowski; arranged / performed by H. Thrust) - Thrust-O-Logue

At least a few famous (and some less so) people have said that “free speech” is truly only granted to “the dead”. With that thought in mind, it seems that if someone who is still alive wishes to protest injustice—or other acts of oppression—through some “literate medium”, it might be to advantage to quote a credible—but long deceased—source.
I don't know of a more time-honored and credible source than The Bible; and while all humans that were involved in it's writing are many generations removed, the Author continues alive—and truly untouchable.
Therefore, in this posted work, I've chosen to feature a soliloquy from the Bible book of Psalms; wherein the writer Asaph (a MUSICIAN, no less) ponders the seemingly “untouchable” nature of wicked people (no shortage of them in our time, either), and the difficulties they cause to good people.
I've provided appropriate background music for this reading, and formatted it in a style developed and popularized by non other than Joe Frank (his extensive work is DEFINITELY worth investigating, and can be found here on soundcloud). The music is inspired by a song from the English rock band “The Who”, wherein modern hedonism is exposed as a sham.
So really, it's all been said already...just not quite like this! Consider me the “conduit” for moving it forward. - Thrust

Psalm 73:  Striking Back at The Eminence Front (Joe Frank Tribute Version) - Thrust-O-Logue

This is an all-original work addressing the problem of "progress without a sustainable goal".
One explanation for the title is the fact that the backing musical track alternates between 6/8, 7/8, 8/8 and 9/8 time signature. There are also other explanations. Let's see if you can figure some of those out...
I call it the "ESP Version 2.0" for at least a couple of reasons. One is that I used my 1987 ESP "the Mirage Deluxe" for all of the guitar sounds involved in its production...and this version is a subtly different Edit and Mix. Let's see if you can come up with some other reasons...
As always, I'm responsible for all of the performance, recording and production tasks involved with this work.
Thanks for listening! - Thrust

If Six And Seven Eight Nine (ESP Version 2.0) - Thrust-O-Logue (inspired by Joe Frank)

This is a work I've been contemplating for a number of years...and finally got it figured out enough for presentation!
I've combined a number of influences in order to get the desired result, here.
It is another "Man Alone" work: i.e. all concept, curation, arrangement, performance, recording and production duties have been tasked by yours truly!
In the true "Artistic Spirit", rather than stating what I think this work should mean, I'd much rather have the listener make that determination.

Thanks for listening! - Thrust

Camb-delasahmb-delahmbra by Egregious Phil's Bin (modern religion / Led Zeppelin inspired)

Considering the multi-faceted problems facing humanity, I really didn't have any trouble coming up with yet another dystopian take on all of it - highlighting the RAPIDLY accelerating AI Technologies...especially as they relate to Music Composition and Performance.
I'm using one of my previously released Instrumental tracks as a foundation for this release - in which I've now incorporated a reading of a passage from George Orwell's "1984" at the appropriate time!
Additionally, I'm playing a riff based on the marching chant of the Winkie Guard (from "The Wizard of OZ") over a reversed chord progression for the verse section of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", with a marching rhythm I coaxed (ok, more like "beaten") out of my Danelectro Hodad electric guitar (an "oddball" instrument, which has proven itself quite adept at performing in such roles) by raking a serrated metallic implement across the strings! I'm improvising in real-time over that "loop"--including the crazy special effects heard toward the end of the piece. 
As always, I'm responsible for ALL sounds and production tasks that went into this effort. THAT'S RIGHT:  NO "Versificators" were used in THIS production!  - Thrust

Meanwhile, Under The Rainbow... (Orwell Versificator Version) - Thrust-O-Logue

Howard is a guitarist, writer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, live performer, producer, studio engineer and online/onairwaves radio host; emphasizing musical communication through instrumental interpretation in various forms--at times employing spoken word, storytelling, reading or other audio sources in complement or contrast.
His solo live performances feature real-time multi-instrumentalism employing live recording and synching of loops and subsequent improvising over them.

Check out "Howard Thrust - SIDE 1" https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust/tracks for past, recent and future postings here on soundcloud.
Check out "Howard Thrust - SIDE 2" https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-2/tracks for more recent and future postings here on soundcloud.
Check out "Howard Thrust Radio" @howard-thrust-radio for complete Music shows, also here on soundcloud!
Check out "Escape Velocity with Howard Thrust" on KRHV every other Monday from 9P - 10P @ www.mammothfm.com or @ KRHV 93.3 FM in the Owens Valley, CA.
Also, you can now check out "Howard Thrust" on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@howardthrust/videos !
Thanks for listening!

Howard Thrust

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