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Mystic Music



With


Eric Mystic


For something special and out of the ordinary, tune into Mystic Music with Eric Mystic - Noon to 3, Fridays on KKUP 91.5 FM in Cupertino, CA . Take a vacation from ordinary reality and catch a glimpse of mystic spaces.



  • Check the KKUP main page and click on the link for information on this year's marathons. Mystic Music is the organizer of the annual New Years/New Age Visionary Music Marathon. Also listen for our classical music festival over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and the Talk Show Marathon in April.

    • What is Mystic Music?

    The program schedule says "mostly New Age, space and organ music. Lots of Bach. Grand and ethereal." Let's flesh out this definition a little for you web browsers. Mystic music is that kind of sonorous sound experience that lifts and awakens you above normal consciousness, even if only for a few moments. If you listen sensitively, it puts you in touch with your most special memories and forgotten dreams. It is relaxing and good for your plants (and your body too; not to mention your mind, heart and soul). Remember, it is beauty that heals. Mystic music remains true to the original purpose of music: to help us contact the spiritual dimensions of life and reveal the sacred to us; and to, as I say, "keep the spirit alive."

    Such music is a vast field, and my program features only that portion of it which I am most familiar with and have access to. Yet this format is relatively neglected on the airwaves. KKUP plays more of this kind of music than most stations; but it is still only a small portion of KKUP's eclectic mix of offerings. Mystic Music has been on the air continuously now since March 28, 1986.

    Bach is the Master of Mystic Music; the only composer mentioned in my program description. His music has influenced a great deal of the other music I play. The full title of my program is Mystic Music Old and New, and Bach comes under the "old" part. His Toccata in F Major, S. 540 helped inspire my interest in organ music, and I recently noticed that it's a perfect symbol of the 7 chakras and the hero's mystical journey (click on the link to read my essay about this).

    I usually begin my show with some of his remarkable organ music, along with that of other composers; chiefly the sorely-neglected music of turn-of-the 20th-century composer Louis Vierne and other masters of the late-romantic and modern French school of organ music. As an organist myself, I have a special interest in organ music and think it the most valuable and overlooked part of the classical field--perhaps because it has been too closely linked with "church." Much organ music, although naturally mystical because of the grand mystique of the organ sound, is not, however, specifically religious.

    I might also play a few other classics, ranging from Bach and Baroque to romantic and medieval; choral and orchestral as well as organ and harpsichord. These mystic classics are mostly but not always neglected on "mainstream" classical stations. However, since in the Bay Area there is only one classical station available, KDFC-FM 102.1 in San Francisco, it is really questionable whether ANY classical music should be called "mainstream" today!

    Other classical programs on KKUP 91.5 FM which you should listen to and support:

    Jewels and Binoculars, alternate Fridays, 10 AM to Noon (preceeding Mystic Music)
    This program features unusual classical music from all periods, with special emphasis on Baroque and early music. Hosts: Gaylord Fischer and David Stafford.
    Music from the Masters, Thursdays 5-7 AM
    Gaylord Fischer plays rare and beautiful instrumental classics, movie themes, plus at least one vocal or opera piece.
    Russian Music, 4th Saturday, 6-9 AM
    Part of the World Perspectives program rotation, this program presents unusual and interesting Russian and other Slavic classical and folk music. Host: Prescott.

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    After my classical set, I launch into some "new" mystic music. Some of this is called "New Age," and indeed some of this music may become the "classical music" of the future. We call it "visionary." The "new" the mystic music I play includes spacious, contemplative, heartfelt, trance-inducing and psychedelic sounds in such genres as space music, electronic, ambient, acoustic, world fusion, and even some progressive psychedelic rock; a mix of entrancing drones, structures, and rhythms. Thus, Mystic Music extends from Bach to rock.

    These are my favorite "new" mystic music artists:

    Klaus Schulze
    A pioneer in the field who has influenced many others since the early 1970s, Klaus Schulze created several compositions which remain among the greatest classics of new mystic music. His music is haunting, hypnotic, innovative and sometimes psychedelic. Along with the music of Tangerine Dream and others from the 1970s German school, I often feature Klaus Schulze in the last hour of the program, which (when I'm not doing Mystic Musings interviews) I call "psychedelic space music", and also includes world fusion, psychedelic rock, and ambient or "chill room " music.
    David Parsons
    An accomplished sitar player as well as a player of other Indian instruments, David Parsons, of New Zealand, has made many journeys to the Tibetan and Indian region to record samples of the music, the chanting of monks and other sounds found there, and combines them with his unparalleled electronic artistry. His vivid, healing, inspiring music takes you into the heart of inner spiritual spaces as no other music does. Overall, his music is the best of the new mystic music genre.
    Robert Carty
    An artist now living in Utah who is currently the most prolific and creative in the field, and perhaps may soon be the equal even of David Parsons! Robert has not been very successful yet in promoting his music, but you can get ordering-info at his new web site (click on the link above). His electronic space music is very sonorous, sensuous, gentle, healing and romantic; honest and heart-felt, yet expressed in the spacious, flowing, innovative styles of today. His style varies from very bright, joyous, emotional and cosmic to deeper, shamanic, Native American-influenced sounds.
    Robert Rich
    From California, Robert Rich has been a frequent guest on KKUP and Mystic Music. His music is always very sophisticated, well crafted and contemplative. He has not only been influenced by other spacemusic artists, but also by styles from around the world. His intent is to help us access the deeper, surreal, forgotten layers of our being beyond ordinary consciousness that can renew our sense of ourselves, and also to blend through music the fluid, sensuous aspects of life (evoked with sounds he calls "glurp") with the mathematical, mental aspects. Robert is also an expert dream researcher and medical technician, and has a degree in psychology from Stanford.
    Michael Stearns
    One of the earliest and greatest in the field of electronic space music, his music was the first that I knew and loved in this genre. Reknowned for his "planetary" and "galactic" soundscapes, he is also a prolific composer of soundtracks for films such as "Baraka" that explore sacred sites and exotic "lost worlds." His sound often has a jewel-like radiance that envelopes the listener in haunting atmospheric tones.
    Steve Roach
    Much like his younger colleague Robert Rich, Steve Roach of Arizona has become a revered cult figure in the field of electronic space music. Called a "techno-shaman" and the "landscape artist of dreamtime vistas," Steve is a master of deep space and tribal sound worlds that dissolve the borders between ancient and modern perspectives. He is also known for many collaborations with other musicians, including a number of my favorites also mentioned here.
    Other great new mystic music artists include:

    Electronic space/ambient music - healing/angelic emphasis
    Other electronic space/ambient - often deeper and darker (see also list of favorites above)
    Techno-ambient and German grooves
    Neo-classical New Age
    Acoustic and world-fusion styles
    Classic rock

    For recommended recordings by these and other artists, visit my Top 100-plus New Age/Space listings

    There are a great many other fine composers and performers in the new age and mystic music fields, which is still very productive of new talent. For other suggestions visit Darv's site, based on his program "Adventures in Consciousness"

    My all-time Top 10 New Age and New Mystic Music CDs and Albums, as of May 2005
    Title Artist Favorite Track
    Picture Music Klaus Schulze "Totem"
    Communion George Wallace "Within the Dream"
    Himalaya David Parsons "Rishikesh"
    Dorje Ling David Parsons "Dorje Ling"
    Vibrant Water Thom Brennan "Vibrant Water"
    Horizons Call Robert Carty "Within Love"
    Natural Wonder Robert Carty "Love Life"
    Body Love 2 Klaus Schulze "Moogtique"
    Music for Awakening the Light Body Michael Hammer "Awakening the Light Body"
    Timeless Robert Carty "Timeless"

    Other Visionary/New Age programs on KKUP 91.5 FM which you should listen to and support:

    Neptune Currents, Sundays 8-11 AM
    Our excellent, longest-running visionary music program. Co-hosts Steve Davis and Carol Joyce present contemplative, tranquil and expressive music with electronic and vocal sounds and a strong emphasis on world music toward the end of the program. Steve Davis is also co-producer and programmer for the syndicated radio program Music from the Hearts of Space.

    Contemplation Connection Mondays 9-11 AM
    Roger Werner presents Visionary and Classical music for contemplation. Quotes for self-awareness

    Midnight Visions
    Mondays (early morning) 12-6 AM; includes metaphysical commentary

    Midnight Light, 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays (early morning) 12-3 AM
    good mix of visionary sounds, with Joseph Leight
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    Many times in the final hour I feature an interview with a philosopher, mystic, psychic, musician, or scholar who has ideas to share in the mystic realm. I call it "Mystic Musings."; We deliberately explore territory that conventional wisdom considers "offbeat and unscientific",yet on the cutting edge of the mysteries of life.

    We explore topics ranging from religion, holistic health, mysticism, cultural history, human evolution, new science, the occult, witchcraft, astrology, and ESP, to political topics affecting our "mystic" quality of life such as ecology, peace and social justice, and futuristic visions for the new age. We talk about how music, the other creative arts, and recovering our own creative purpose and self-possession from the clutches of conformity, are all crucial to our health and fulfillment as individuals and as a society. We aren't afraid to tackle such subjects as UFOs and ETs, life after death, reincarnation, angels, spirits and spiritual dimensions. We aren't afraid to ask tough questions, some of which are supplied by our lively callers.

    On fourth Fridays, I present an episode of the great, venerable New Dimensions Radio program. Usually I will feature the program scheduled for that week or month. Check coming events for more info.

    Our guests have included Marilyn Ferguson, Robert Anton Wilson, Nick Herbert, Stan Dale, Hal Zina Bennett, Tat, Lavona Stillman, Ralph Abraham, Peter Russell, Brian Swimme, George Leonard, Leonard Schlain, William Strauss and Neil Howe, and many others (often less well-known but no-less interesting than those mentioned here). Special programs have included our annual Bewitched Genre music program on Halloween (Samhain), our interviews with visionary artists such as Garret Moore, and our discussions with host Scott Apel of "The Prisoner"series on KTEH.

    Click here for a complete list of past guests on Mystic Musings.

    Check KKUP Events for the latest scoop on upcoming guests!


    Other philosophical programs on KKUP you can listen to and support:
    A Meeting of the Ways, Sundays 5-6 pm
    Celebrating diversity, the varieties of religious experience and the sacred music of the World. Host: Diane Solomon
    Alan Watts Seminar, Sundays 7-8 AM and Tuesdays 1-2 PM
    Tapes of lectures and workshops by this stimulating visionary philosopher and scholar of Zen Buddhism and other religions. See the schedule for more information, plus links to Alan Watts web sites. Host: George Byrd.
    Vibrational Voyage
    Till Mornin' Come, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays Midnight to 6 AM
    Host Larry Grant discusses oft-forgotten topics such as psychedelics, sex and the occult, and presents tapes by Terrence McKenna and other visionaries. Call-ins. He also plays 1970s psychedelic rock and other styles.
    Larry Grant's Daytime Talk Show 1st and 5th Thursdays, 1 - 3 PM
    One From the Heart, Wednesdays 8-9 AM
    Ideas on creating a fuller life for ourselves. Host: Jim McMillen. Scout Bartlett is a frequent guest.
    Embracing Mother Earth, 1st & 2nd Thursdays, 11 AM to Noon, and 3rd and 5th Thursdays, 11 AM to 1 PM
    Interviews and ideas for spiritual health and growth, with Paula Nunes and Tazz Powers. Many exciting and well-known visionary guests. Check web site for info.
    Discovery, 1st and 2nd Thursdays Noon to 1 PM
    Interviews on metaphysical, health, psychological, sociological and environmental topics. Hosts Josh Wagner and Mark Whitehawk are very relaxed, knowledgeable progressive and open-minded.

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    Besides being producer of the Holistic Arts Fair, and a composer, yours truly, Eric Mystic (a.k.a. E. Alan Meece or Eric A. Meece), is also the author of Horoscope for the New Millennium, published in 1997 by Llewellyn Publications.

    This book, over 20 years in the making, explores the vast cycles of history through astrology and what they portend for the future. It reveals the process of human evolution as a dramatic story of liberation, and shows that we are potentially in the midst of a great renaissance if we would only seize today's opportunities for creativity, which have never been greater (but are usually forgotten amidst all the cynicism and economic preoccupations which distract us). Click on the book title link above for more info.

    If the above description of the Mystic Music program appeals to you, please tune in Noon to 3 Fridays on KKUP, 91.5 FM. Remember you can support this program and this unique, non-commercial radio station with a financial contribution. Also, we are always looking for potential programmers who want to share their knowledge and love of classical and visionary music on KKUP. Please contact me if you are interested! Meanwhile, be seeing you, and keep the spirit alive.

    eameece@california.com

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    Some very interesting links

    Music Links:

    Other links: arts, philosophy, spirituality, new age, political, etc.


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