Window No. 8

five_extra_arms

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Description

This is a soundtrack for an installation of a sculpture project based on the debris of the Space Shuttle Columbia. It's a real difficult subject because of the loss of lives, but it was my intention to create a piece of art that was respectful and somewhat of a memorial work. I created this soundtrack to accompany the sculpture. It's based on the old hymn by Horatio G. Spafford, 1873. The story is that he lost his 4 daughters in a shipwreck. If you know the hymn, you will understand what a powerful testament to faith this song is. I felt it would be perfect for my sculpture.

Original Music: Philip P. Bliss, 1876

By the way, the exhibition opens Saturday 7/14/07 at Locust Projects in Miami.

Somehow, in a fluster, I posted the introduction piece instead of the complete composition.

Here's the soundtrack as it will play at the exhibition. It's intended to be transmitted to the soundsystem from the computer.

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Song Stats

Hits: 1296
Comments: 43
Fans: 14
Plays: 164
Downloads: 74
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Uploaded: Jul 14, 2007 - 10:32:55 AM
Last Updated: Jul 14, 2007 - 10:32:55 AM Last Played: Nov 16, 2009 - 09:12:51 AM

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Creative Commons License:
Attribution-ShareAlike

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Oxygen 8, iMac

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Audacity, GB3, Quicktime Pro

Comments

echoroom	echoroom said 862 days ago (July 14th, 2007)
	The artrist formerly known as ... ... bob dorsey - you make music to look compliment your own sculptures... what a guy. Great piece Bob .... i will get that collab together so you can work your majic on it! Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

five_extra_arms

five_extra_arms said 862 days ago (July 14th, 2007)

Music and Art
Thanks Steve,

I've always been prone to develop my musical and visual ideas side by side. I've always had a painting studio with a 4 track in it, so the two forces seemed to work together for me.

I made another work for this exhibition for a friend of mine who organized this show at Locust Projects. He (Joe Griffith) wanted to use the sounds of a bird called the Common Grackle. They are native to the area where the majority of the Columbia debris was found. He also wanted to use a version of Blue Bayou, as a reference to where the rest of the debris was found. Since it's my version of a Roy Orbison song, combined with the starnge calls of the Grackle, I can't post it here, but if you were to go to http://imagebrewery.com/GrackleBayou.mp3 you could hear this too.

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

---
she'll love five extra arms.

Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

Godchaser

Godchaser said 862 days ago (July 14th, 2007)

Wonderfully done.
Never dreamed I would see H.G Spaffords name on MJ's nor such a interesting redition of his beautiful hymn.For those that do not know the story,that hymn was written as Mr.Stafford was on route to reunite with his wife who was also on board the sinking ship that took his four daughters.He penned that hymn immediately after the captian told him they were at that moment over the spot where the ship went down.His wife had sent word via telegragh after the disaster,just two words,"saved alone".Thanks for the experience Five_Arms,again wonderfully done.
Blessings,

Check out my latest song called As i Walk

five_extra_arms

five_extra_arms said 862 days ago (July 14th, 2007)

Saved Alone
Thanks for sharing the story with us. My wife and her mom cry everytime they hear this song sung. I was resistant to post it here, as it's such a powerful and amazing song, I didn't want to ruin it with a modern translation. The story of his loss and how he was inspired to write this is what made me use it with the Columbia debris. It made a strong connection for me.

I never dreamed I would use an H.G Spaffords song in my art/music.

Thanks for the kind words. I'll let you know how the art world reacts at the opening!

><>

---
she'll love five extra arms.

Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 862 days ago (July 14th, 2007)
	2001 plus 6 Cool track for this sculptor! quite fitting and what a neat idea to combine the two. Is the exhibition relating to the same subject matter? Check out my latest song called November

five_extra_arms

five_extra_arms said 862 days ago (July 14th, 2007)

“Rediviva”
Thanks Vic,

Here's the project description, since you asked:

On February 1st, 2003 the Columbia Space Shuttle broke up during reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere scattering debris over Texas and Louisiana. This iconic disaster is one in a lexicon that represent a change in human understanding of the nightmarish outcomes of technological failure. It has also become transformed into a symbol which is deeply complex and in need of exploration.

“Rediviva” will explore the concept of permutation through catastrophe. We propose to invite artists to reinterpret the images of individual fragments found in remote fields in Nagadoches, TX and Louisiana of the Space Shuttle Columbia into sculptural objects. The sculptures created will then be presented on the floor of the gallery space as the installation “Rediviva”. The attempt to transform random malfunction and the uncaring forces of nature into a language with meaning is the ultimate goal of “Rediviva”.

“Rediviva” will be shown first at Locust Projects Miami July/August 2007.

---
she'll love five extra arms.

Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

lengold	lengold said 861 days ago (July 14th, 2007)
	This is truly wonderful Bob. I can imagine it reverberating around the exhibition space and being really moving. It's 1.50am here in London as I write this and not sure if the exhibition has started yet in your part of the world. But I wish you luck with it and am thinking of you. Thanks for the email. Cheers Len Check out my latest song called Dodgy Doughnut

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 859 days ago (July 17th, 2007)
	Belkin FM Transmitter I hope the battery hasn't died...... Word on the street is that 600 people were at the opening Saturday night. That doesn't sound too bad to me. I didn't know there were that many people in Miami? Thanks for the support, Len. You just get back to your next song and quit worrying about me! --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

	said 861 days ago (July 14th, 2007)
	Great music I'll be checking that exhibit out!

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 859 days ago (July 17th, 2007)
	Miami Bound? Well please let me know if you are coming to Miami. I wouldn't want to miss a visit from Tom Wounded if my life depended on it! --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

cjdaley	cjdaley said 859 days ago (July 17th, 2007)
	technological sublime Scary sci-fi rendition, a bit like Hal 9000 going nuts and bolts, but truly moving in the same time, like a message from another dimension. It really adds something to the sculpture piece, more a comment than a background. Check out my latest song called shortbus spaceship (feat. the Flying Monggz from the Ninth Planet) by the Monggz

five_extra_arms

five_extra_arms said 858 days ago (July 17th, 2007)

Hal 9000
Thanks CJ

It's important to me that the sound marries the sculptural parts. It's hard for me to avoid the sci-fi connections. I grew up in Florida where rockets were launched quite often. My childhood memories are filled with thunderous nights when we ran out to the front yard (in our cowboy jammies) to see a satellite turn the midnite sky to day. Combine that frequent event with Star Trek and Saturday afternoon Creature Feature movies about robots, monsters and spaceships and you'll understand my life a whole lot better.

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I greatly appreciate it.

---
she'll love five extra arms.

Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

said 859 days ago (July 17th, 2007)

YA know
With this playing and the image and story that surroundsd it or visa versa you create an envirnment that take the viewer/ listener into the tought proscess of mankind strive to push the limits of technology and the failer and the rebirth of the lasting statement that an artist can only sum up. Sometimes words are not enough so art is the means to put all the feeling into formor sound or poetry.. Well something like that! great music!

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 858 days ago (July 17th, 2007)
	Egonaut Thanks for the compliments. I really appreciate it. Only a fellow Tampan can know how much that means. I'm off to listen to your newest track! Thanks man! --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

bud	bud said 857 days ago (July 19th, 2007)
	Tremendous reimagining of the hymn. I hope the opening went well - I was flying over the Atlantic at the time. This is a really unique confluence of art and sound. I like how you borrowed meaning from the one work to accompany another. Great work. Check out my latest song called eye for you (w/particledots and michael2)

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 857 days ago (July 19th, 2007)
	Reimaging Thanks bud. I'm actually surprised how many people have made the same connection that I did between the sound and the image. It means a lot to me that you guys allowed me to share a more intimate work and didn't mock me and run me out of here for trying to be serious for once. Thanks a lot! --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

rainfice	rainfice said 857 days ago (July 19th, 2007)
	completely stunning. i don't know what else to say. it's sheer genius. wish i could see the sculpture, but this brings a lot of visual energy to the table. hats off. -Rain Check out my latest song called Moment

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 857 days ago (July 19th, 2007)
	Many Thanks I don't deserve the high praise. Thank you! I'll post some installation images on imagebrewery.com. The exhibition was full of amazing work by really inventive artists. I'm just lucky to be a part of it. Thanks again. --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

perceptualvortex	perceptualvortex said 857 days ago (July 19th, 2007)
	Warbly There's some high frequencies in here that blend pretty nicely with my tinnitis, haha. Very cool electronic sound sculpture, I duggit. Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 857 days ago (July 19th, 2007)
	Tinnitis Funny you should mention tinnitis... This is also supposed to blend with tinnitis. I just forgot to mention it. Thanks PV --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

Axgrinder	Axgrinder said 857 days ago (July 19th, 2007)
	Paints a memorable picture! For those who died in this tragedy would surely appreciate your efforts and most likely do in Heaven above were there souls now reside. I know I do! Nice work my friend. Alvin Check out my latest song called Dark Circus

five_extra_arms

five_extra_arms said 856 days ago (July 19th, 2007)

Heaven Bound?
When we all get to Heaven, What a day of rejoicing it will be....

Anyone singing with me on this?

I'm glad that this great song the HG wrote over a hundred years ago still has such an effect on it's listeners, no matter how far my version is from the original.

There's one lyric from the text in particular that really says so much, even out of it's religious context -

"The sky, not the grave, is our goal"

---
she'll love five extra arms.

Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

The Infinites

The Infinites said 857 days ago (July 19th, 2007)

Tough one, Bob....
....on the one hand there's the sense of tragedy, on the other, there's the Bob D, patented, keyboard sound that I know and love as a thing that brightens up my day!

It's the dying robot image that catches my head. Using the hymn, to me, sounds like an android is on it's knees somehow knowing it's about to expire. Almost in a pityful, merciful, final cry for help.

Now, what you've done is to put your fantastic, other-worldly Bobness into this, but as a piece that grasps the heart now that the true story is known, i.e. robot = technology = SS Columbia.

I think you have put an awful lot of thought into this and the installation will undoubtedly benefit from your imaginative soundscape.

I tip my hat to you, sir and this goes a long way to my understanding of your immense brainpower. And yes, I agree - there is a time for your serious side to show here.

A well rounded piece of work all together, my man!

Jim

Check out my latest song called Day-Glo

five_extra_arms

five_extra_arms said 856 days ago (July 19th, 2007)

Tough As Nails
Jim,

I don't know what to say. The Hillbilly Satellite Removal story you told has been embedded upon my gigantic extra brain! There's no escapin' it!

I love your dying robot imagery. It makes sense to connect God, the future, the failure of technology and the loss of man to the hope of the afterlife. I think it's time to be good little robots and crack that Bible open before we all expire. I would hate to imagine eternity in some place other than Heaven.

This is a really unlikely and unexpected forum for the discussion of God and Heaven and Jesus and Death and Salvation, but the reality of the loss of the Columbia and it's astronauts has to make one think about it. I hope that this hymn's effect on me and my music/art has had an effect on a few others, even through my filtration/distortion process.

As a believer, I can't imagine that final moment the astronauts experienced. Was it fear? Was it joy? I pray it was joy!

Thanks Jim for all your thoughts that caused more thoughts from me. You are a great guy and I have actually pinched your sweet handsome face, so I know you exist in the third dimension. You smell really good too, by the way!

On a separate note, is it true what they say about those Skank Bros and their new songs?

---
she'll love five extra arms.

Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

	said 856 days ago (July 19th, 2007)
	Im back Just wanted to say again how spectacular this music is, just really sweet notes yet hard tecnological tones, the kind of music one would hear as they steer a starship beyond the bounds of space and into heaven itself... whoa I just got the chills listening to this again, superb Mr. Dorsey!

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 856 days ago (July 20th, 2007)
	Starship Wounded Thanks for the return visit Capt Wounded. Glad to hear you got the chills. I can't thank you enough for the comments. --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

The Infinites	The Infinites said 856 days ago (July 20th, 2007)
	Yep, Bob... ..you certainly lead the way in "rock 'n robot!" From what I can gather (and it's sometimes difficult to get info in the remote Scottish highlands) the Skank dudes have been hiding away in the backwoods doin' their stuff. New tunes abound! I really hope it is worth the wait. I'm sure they'll do good. Jim Check out my latest song called Day-Glo

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 856 days ago (July 20th, 2007)
	Backwoods Boys I have to agree with you Jim - those Skank Brothers are pretty amazing, and always up to something! I can't wait to see what twisted surprises they offer this fine community. --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

DWL	DWL said 853 days ago (July 23rd, 2007)
	A fine piece of work a pity I don't fly or otherwise I'd be on the first plane to Miami. Good luck with the exhibition. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 853 days ago (July 23rd, 2007)
	Miami - A Port City Have you considered your travel options? Thanks Dick! I heard a great tune of yours on an undisclosed internet source and I was rocking in the most sever sense of the word! --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

Magritte	Magritte said 852 days ago (July 23rd, 2007)
	Brings back that day I was so shaken by the tragedy and to this day I'm not sure exactly why. This is a weirdly tender tribute, with the ancient melody underpinning the spacey choir of sounds. Congratulations on your exhibition and on this lovely piece. Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 852 days ago (July 24th, 2007)
	Brings Back The Day I was really concerned this wouldn't be received as well as it has. What a great relief. Thanks for your comments. I'll update you all when I hear more. Thanks again Magritte. --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

dajama	dajama said 850 days ago (July 25th, 2007)
	This is a remarkable piece - an intriguing array of sounds combining to produce an ambience, and a feeling, that transcends the sounds themselves. I have to say the picture adds greatly to the poignant feeling. I'd say the visuals combined with this music make something very special. nice work. Thanks for sharing it with us. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 846 days ago (July 30th, 2007)
	Sight and Sound I'm so happy that the imagery and the sounds work in other people's heads the way it does for me. I can't thank you enough for the comments. Bob --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

chipan	chipan said 848 days ago (July 28th, 2007)
	moving This is a great hymn and in the context you have put it into I think it is a great tribute. It somehow seems to fit just right for its intended purpose. God bless! chip Check out my latest song called Psalm 107

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 846 days ago (July 30th, 2007)
	Tribute I'm comforted by this hymn and it pleases me that it has a similar effect on so many of you. It was a difficult project to conceptualize, and for me, this hymn made it work. Thanks, Chip! --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

Estella	Estella said 848 days ago (July 28th, 2007)
	Wow Bob! You're like William Blake. Now you just need to carve your own poetry onto your sculptures. That tragic story. I know I want to hear the hymn now. It will be interesting to be able to hear connect the melody to your piece. I think it sounds like techonology with a human heart. Lovely. Congratulations again : ) Check out my latest song called Este Momento

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 846 days ago (July 30th, 2007)
	Technology With A Human Heart Hey estellie, I looked for William Blake's MacJams page, but no luck. (kidding). You definitely have to hear the hymn and read the lyrics. It's best to hear it in church, so, go to church on Sunday and change your evil ways. Estellie, give us something to listen to! Your pal, Bob --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

Estella

Estella said 843 days ago (August 2nd, 2007)

Ha Ha Ha!
Ah...I miss macjams. I'll put the hymn on my to do list. I should be back to normal after Aug 9th. been teaching and working nonstop - no time to write or record. In fact, I can't remember last time I picked up my guitar. I should remedy that. But you can hear me on APB's Puski Duski if you miss us so much. And I'm in Spanish!

Be good,
estella

---
*estella

Check out my latest song called Este Momento

ktb	ktb said 845 days ago (July 30th, 2007)
	wow I would love to be at the exhibition. The melding of a traditional hymn with the stellar electronica is no small feat. Very tasteful and powerful. The choice for the melody, the slightly distorted, computer like voice is perfect. Check out my latest song called off the deck (w/Z293)

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 845 days ago (July 31st, 2007)
	Exhibition Thanks for the feedback. It was the first time I tried to do anything like combine a hymn with a space aged sound. I'm glad you took the time to comment. --- she'll love five extra arms. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

ic42

ic42 said 564 days ago (May 7th, 2008)

ah, it is similar
you asked me to listen. i understand now. it is beautiful to my ears. the columbia is a tragedy, even today. the distorted gritty hymn is solemn. it is also intense. it is music that would focus attention on art and message. i hope this exhibit is a success. it is a sharp memory. thank you for suggesting this. it creates crystal echoes of beauty and loss. 0x0

Check out my latest song called futatsu 0x01

Lennon714	Lennon714 said 45 days ago (October 8th, 2009)
	Holy Crap This is amazing! What is the name of the original hymn? The subject matter and the treatment of the hymn... incredibly moving. This is a must have for my iPod. Check out my latest song called Anarchy, Inc.

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Artist Info

Name: Bob Dorsey

I am busier now than ever before - work, parenthood, husbandry, new house, new house projects... Bear with me as I try to squeeze in a few songs between life. My Monday Night music nights are few and far between so I'm forced to hit it and quit it. W... [see more]

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