Bob Schwartz

“Never once in my life did I ask God for success or wisdom or power or fame. I asked for wonder, and he gave it to me.”
–Abraham Joshua Heschel

Vashti Bunyan released the jewel of an album Just Another Diamond Day in 1970. Even though it was an era of eclectic music catching on, it was overlooked, and she left recording.

She and the album were discovered/rediscovered decades later and she resumed her musical career.

You will listen to the title track (below) and say: This is children’s music! In a sense it is, filled with wonder at the simplest things. If you haven’t noticed yet, among the things AI is not capable of is genuine wonder. Not wonder in the question-and-answer way. Wonder in that ineffable way that has your jaw drop and your heart leap (no jaw or heart in AI). Children have it, we can keep it or recover it.

Listen to the whole album. It takes 39 minutes from your life. It will extend your life by 39 years or more.

Masters of creative sampling, The Avalanches, included Vashti Bunyan on their 2020 album We Will Always Love You on the track Reflecting Light