Ghost story music

[El Pibe]

Am tucking in to a good old fashioned ghost story. When first reading it on the train I was on shuffle and quickly realised that the likes of 'paint it black' and 'directing traffik' weren't really cutting the mustard in setting the. Mood.

Have tried a couple of requiems, faure far too nice, Mozart too distracting, some post rock, which doesn't really do it.

Jessica Curry works, but that soundtrack is ony about 11 minutes long. I'm running out of ideas.

Any suggestions for spoooooooooky or haunting music?

[piet]

Try the soundtack to Dario Argento's film Suspiria by Italian prog rock band The Goblins.You can find excerpts on youtube.It might not suit your book but it is great music.It's of the creepy wierd spooky genre!

[StraferJack]

David Sylvian - manofon

Seriously.

[Alan Medic]

How does listening to music enhance reading a book? A lot of people seem to do it but surely if you are focused on the book the music is a distraction or just ignored? Can the brain appreciate both at the same time or is it just gluttony for stimulation that people crave?

[Huguenot]

It seems to ba a personal trait - I can't do anything else when reading a book apart from walk. Never seem to have much trouble with it by bumping others or getting run over and such like.

Conversely those who try and play iPhone games or watch videos when walking are evidently untrained.

Music is generally a pain in the arse anyway.

[RosieH]

Oh my god, Huguenot, you're turning more into Statler and Waldorf daily.

When reading on public transport, music's helpful as it blocks out screaming children / shouty mobile phone calls etc, which can be extremely distracting. Especially once they get in your head and you just end up reading the same short phrase over and over as the rage builds (just me..?)

[Huguenot]

;-)

[Brendan]

[maxxi]

[red devil]

Anything by Westlife...it sure scares the shit out of me how they managed to have such a long career

[El Pibe]

Will check that out sj.

Alan, basically what rosie said. It's mostly about the commute.

That said, music can enhance most things. The trick is for it to suffuse rather than distract.

I found some obscure french electronica which is doing the trick nicely but still open to suggestions.

Mind you, gusting winds, peals of thunder and distant howls of wolves would probably do the trick better.

[StraferJack]

Which story are you reading btw ?

[nashoi]

A bit obvious maybe, but Mike Oldfield or almost anything by Jeff Buckley.

[StraferJack]

In retrospect that Sylvian album is scary in and of itself and not background

Side 2 of Bowies low perhaps. From warszawa onwards for those not use to lps

[woodrot]

Philip Glass Koyaanisqatsi score

[woodrot]

the cure/ Oldfield/buckey = all shit

I would suggest Eno music for airports as a starting point

[david_carnell]

Nothing with lyrics - you'll end up listening to them rather than reading.

So instrumental stuff only I reckon.

The soundtrack to Bladerunner might work according to your book. Mike Oldfield, Eno, Tangerine Dreams....etc.

Classical - go for Brahms, Wagner, Rachmaninov.....the heavier guys as Gary Oldman would say.

[*Bob*]

These are what you need.

To be honest you could just light some candles, put on BBC/21 and give them the LP cover to look at. Job done.

http://www.endlessgroove.com/issue2/horrorsfx.htm

Available in all good charity shops.

[Otta]

 

[Otta]

Behold the Darkness (Medwyn Goodall)

[El Pibe]

Top stuff.

Yeah I was thinking ascending violins and odd tinkling ivories would be best.

Susan Hill's Woman in Black.

Can't work out whether it's hideously cliche ridden or an homage to victorian ghost stories. Either way it's spooky, foggy fun.