A word to the wise

Words: Robin Ince @robinince READ MORE FROM... ROBIN INCE VISIT BIGISSUE.COM

When Voyager, the fastest human manufactured object, left the Earth in 1977 and started its journey through our solar system, it had a golden record attached to it. The golden record is a sampler of the sounds and images of Earth pressed in the hope that it may one day be discovered and played by extraterrestrials. Among others, they will hear Chuck Berry, Blind Willie Johnson, Mahi Musicians of Benin and Bach. There are two pieces by Bach. When the compilers suggested they might put more Bach on it, they were told that would be showing off. What is it about the magnificence of Bach that may be overwhelming to aliens? My knowledge of Bach is threadbare, so I will be aiming to use some of my Christmas to listen to Radio…

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The Big Issue United Kingdom (Digital) - 1 Issue, 18-12-2017

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