The raven is said to mimic, forewarn doom, trick, steal... Yikes! Well, we all have a dark side. Don't we? I know that this bird does. But, ravens get a seriously bad rap if you just stop there. I am drawn to the legends of the raven that define it as a symbol of intelligence, mystery, joy, and light. I love to learn, explore, give, and inspire. I love contrast. Light and shade, loud and quiet, old and new...
Too, the raven is said to be attentive and aware. I'm a constant seeker of information. I'm highly sensitive to everything that I come into contact with mentally, emotionally, and physically. I soak up vibes, sounds, feelings, and just about everything, all at a dizzying rate. I share the things that I find valuable, amusing, amazing, inspiring, and helpful.
So, the raven called to me, I listened, and I identify with it. I didn't choose it. It chose me.
Geeky Nature Stuff
The difference between crows and ravens:
http://www.ascaronline.org/crowfaq.htm#faq4
Raven in Mythology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raven_in_mythology
Oh yeah, this is predominantly a music blog!
My dear friend, Kev @Atomic_Honey has given me the most amazing gift: "The official theme song of our lovely gate-keeper @ravenval" WOW! I love it and it means the world to me.
Ravenspeak (Instrumental) by Atomic Honey:
Below are some of the songs that I dig concerning ravens and blackbirds, via YouTube:
Strawberry Path - When Raven Has Come to the Earth -- Instrumental, from 1971
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5x50DDsOZ4
Dan Fogelberg - As The Raven Flies -- Dark, but beautiful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwQGDuQTzBU
Alan Parsons Project - The Raven -- I prefer this demo over the original album cut.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2WCHKkuszo
Donovan - Guinevere -- Just magical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Ofasda7fw
Bob Dylan - Love Minus Zero/No Limit -- Yeah, that's Donovan hanging out there :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7aIL_1NYNQ
Joan Baez - Love Minus Zero/No Limit -- A lovely Dylan cover.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeNK6hb2cvY
Jonathan Wilson - Desert Raven -- Pointed out to me by the grooviest DJ on the planet, Mike Newman. [His website: beyondbeyondisbeyond.com] I love this song!
Gov't Mule - Raven Black Night -- I'm cheating a little with this one, since it's describing a night that is raven black, but it's such an amazing song, I have to include it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dRGLmOUdA0
David Bowie - The Dreamers -- It's DAVID BOWIE, singing a line about RAVENS. That's groovy. Right? Yeah.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psBTPZWDFgQ
Genesis - The Colony of Slippermen -- I'm flying my prog freak flag now. From the concept album 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway', released in 1974. a) The Arrival b) A Visit to the Doktor c) The Raven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BkK4-ouI_k
Fairport Convention - Crazy Man Michael -- Sandy Denny had one of the most beautiful voices in music to ever sing a note.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5ksWNvFbME
The Misfits - Come Back -- A wicked bit of punk fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHVfLHUQa-0
Jewel - Raven -- Pretty, Acoustic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABbzutZCzck
Scorpions - Yellow Raven A yellow raven? Why not?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCOaCKYlKBI
And then, there's arguably the most famous of them all...
The Beatles - Blackbird -- No explanation necessary. Right? Right.
The Raven - A Bit Of Groovy!
