Loss, Distinctive Voices and Characters. This Week At Scattered Thoughts And Rogue Words

Loss, Distinctive Voices and Characters

This past week saw the passing of two wonderful men who left deep emotional impact on those who heard their music or watched their films, (although arguably not to the same extent) to also to those in their professions, musician/actor David Bowie and actor Alan Rickman. For over forty years, David Bowie, singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, painter and actor, continued to press the boundaries of what he thought he could and music could be. But always it was his unique voice and passion behind the lyrics and music that helped make his songs the playlist for our lives, generations past, present, and future, whether it was as Major Tom, the Thin White Duke or Ziggy Stardust or something reimagined one more.. Only a few notes and we knew who was singing.

Alan Rickman’s voice was just as unigue. Oh, that voice. And that glare. I loved him as Professor Snape, but that wasn’t the first time I saw him or fell in love. It could have been Alan Rickman as Galaxy Quest’s Sir Alexander Dane ” By Grabthar’s hammer, by the suns of Worvan, you shall be avenged.” Sniff. Or as the wonderful villain, Hans Gruber, in the original Die Hard with Bruce Willis, Jamie the ghost in Truly, Madly Deeply …yes, that’s probably the start. But it continued with Steve Spurrier in Bottle Shock, Col. Brandon in Sense and Sensibility and so many more. His last project? A student’s voiceover for a Save the Children and Refugee Council joint charity appeal in what is thought to be one of his last ever pieces of work.

Why bring these men up on a book blog? A couple of reasons. One, David Bowie and his music has been a constant thread in my life and I couldn’t let his death go without comment. Although Alan Rickman doesn’t hold the same iconic place in my life as David Bowie does, I hold in him huge esteem.

When I read books, the conversations and the dialogs, I hear the voices in my head so clearly. Writers like B.A. Tortuga and Neil S. Plakcy especially have the ability to make those wonderful local confabulations sing with the rhythm and flavor of the cultures of the people the words are flowing from. Now with audiobooks, I have to make the transition from the voices in my head (no wisecracks) to the voices the narrators are putting forth, often beautifully. Do they replace a unique voice? No, but offer another interpretation in their place.

Both men were wonderful at interpreting and creating, whether it was classical music or literature or something modern or wildly new and different. Ever listen to David Bowie and Bing Crosby? He was equally relaxed singing with him or with Freddie Mercury or on stage in New York City. Alan Rickman has credits as a director, writer, and producer as well as actor. But both men, its that voice, and the grace with which they moved through life will pull at my memory. For Alan Rickman, sometimes I would read a book, and his voice would sneak into a character…with a shiver or two as a result. I would be reading and snippets of David Bowie’s Cat People (Putting Out the Fire) or some other refrain would run through my mind -yes shifters). Music, voices and books are forever intertwined for me.

David Bowie and Alan Rickman are gone. How grateful I am that their voices will live on in music, and in film. Do you have a favorite David Bowie song or album? How about Alan Rickman? By Grabthar’s hammer! Let us know!

This Tortoise Could Save a Life – Ft. Alan Rickman

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, January 17:

Loss, Distinctive Voices and Characters. This Week At Scattered Thoughts And Rogue Words

Monday, January 18:

Covenant by M. Leanne Phoenix tour and contest
In our Science Fiction Spotlight: Shannon West ‘Mate of the Tyger Prince (excerpt and giveaway)
A MelanieM Review: Mate of the Tyger Prince by Shannon West
A Stella Review:Of Gods and Monsters: Menoetius (Of Gods and Monsters #1) by Wulf Francu Godgluck
A BJ Review: Just a Bit Confused by Alessandra Hazard

Tuesday, January 19:

Jude Sierra ‘What It Takes’ virtual tour and contest
Coffee Sip and Book Break with Morticia Knight ‘Searching For Shelter (excerpt and contest)
Can A Ghost Find Love? Check out Rock N Soul by Lauren Sattersby (giveaway)
An Ali Review: Happy Birthday by B.D. Roca‏
A PaulB review: Setting His Owl A-Twitter by Charlie Richards

Wednesday, January 20:

Cover reveal for Dev Bentham’s ‘Whistle Blower’‏ (excerpt and giveaway)
A MelanieM Review: End Street Detectives Vol ! by Amber Kell and RJ Scott
A Stella Review: THE UGLIEST SWEATER by Gillian St. Kevern
An Ali Review: Double Indemnity (The Stonebridge Mysteries, #1) by Maggie Kavanagh
A Paul B review: Crash by April Kelley

Thursday, January 21:

A Paul B Review: Passion’s Storm by AJ Marcus
A BJ Audio Review: Long Time Gone by S.E. Jakes
A F.D. Review: Coyote’s Creed by Vaughn R. Demont
A Ali Review: Inner Sanctum (The Stonebridge Mysteries, #2) by Maggie Kavanagh
A Stella Review: Of Gods and Monsters: Hades (Of Gods and Monsters #2)by Wulf Francu Godgluck

Friday, January 22:

Christopher Stone ‘Going and Coming: The Minnow St. James Metaphysical Adventures’ Keep Me In Mind Tour and contest
Of Gods And Monsters: Hades book blast by Wulf Francu Godgluck (giveaway)
Rory Ni Coileain ‘Mantled In Mist’ book blast and contest
An Ali Review: Blind Spot (The Stonebridge Mysteries #3) by Maggie Kavanagh
A MelanieM Review: Lovers Leap by J.L. Merrow