Thomas Jefferson and the Chinese Gong

Home
>
Music & MP3
>
Thomas Jefferson and the Chinese Gong

Thomas Jefferson and the Chinese Gong

While Richard Nixon's diplomatic visit to China may have created a minor thaw in Sino-US relations, he was not the first President to try to get in sync with the Chinese. Thomas Jefferson preceded him by close to two centuries.

Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, happened to be (in contrast to the current US President) an intelligent man, amazing inventor and, as DNA tests have shown, most likely a randy advocate of miscegenation. We now may envision that when the Continental Congress celebrated Thanksgiving together, which type of meat ? light or dark - Jefferson put on his plate.

Now if you look at the tails side of a nickel, you can see a picture of TJ's Monticello home. But what the nickel doesn't show us is the unique interior of his Virginia manse. The inside of Monticello is much more eclectic: animal skins, Native American artifacts, painted floors the color of green grass. I'm certain that the "design team" of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition would appreciate it.

But the specific objet d'Jefferson that is of interest to the Gong Aficionado is "The Great Clock."

Originally Jefferson designed it for a home in Philadelphia, but the ropes on the large weights that drive the clock were much too long for the client's home. So TJ brought it to Monticello and created a clock that could mark time across the entire plantation.

Now to fit this Great Clock and its lengthy ropes into his home, TJ did what any man would do who wasn't worried about selling his home in two years when interest rates went up, he cut a big hole in the floor, so the ropes could hang down into the basement.

So how does this all relate to Gongs? Well, the chimes of this clock were made from a large Chinese Gong! And according to his 'employees of enforced servitude,' the chimes could be heard over three miles away. I am certain many a slave work song was sung to coincide with the hourly gonging. "Go down Moses, way down in Egypt land?Tell Ol' Pharoah, to let my people Gong. Let my people Gong!"

The clock still tells time, and the Chinese Gong still rings. Here's to solid manufacturing!

Thankfully, there are no slaves using it to tell time anymore. In 1967 the Supreme Court ruled on Loving vs. Virginia and forced all states to allow interracial marriage. Too little, too late for Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings.

Andrew Borakove is a media writer and the proprietor of Gongs Unlimited, the only internet store devoted solely to gongs. http://www.gongs-unlimited.com

In The News:

Finding dark music in Max Payne's world
Los Angeles Times
(Ricardo DeAratanha, Los Angeles Times / May 14, 2012) By Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times "This is music for shootin' people in the face," jokes Jake Duzsik, lead singer of the experimental LA-based rock band Health as he listens to the single "Tears," ...

ITProPortal
Sony Brings Streaming Music Service to the IPhone
PCWorld
By Jay Alabaster, IDG News Sony on Friday released an iPhone app to access its streaming Music Unlimited service, part of its efforts to expand its online platforms to devices from rival manufacturers. The app allows users to listen to and manage ...
Sony Releases Music Unlimited App For IphoneWebProNews
Sony Music Unlimited Service Comes To iOSITProPortal
Since You Can't Beat Apple, Join Them: Sony Music Unlimited Bows iOS Apps On ...hypebot.com

all 27 news articles »

We Love DC
Arena Stage's 'Music Man'
Washington Post
Kate Baldwin's memorable Marian the Librarian draws us in to Arena Stage's endearingly melodic if unfortunately costumed revival of “The Music Man.” Marian Paroo (played by Kate Baldwin), left, and Amaryllis (played by Heidi Kaplan) perform a scene ...
Playhouse's 'Music Man' a square dealMerced Sun-Star

all 3 news articles »

A baritone's death, a band's reunion call up lifetime of musical memories
Chicago Sun-Times
But for years, they have topped my personal pantheon of musical gods, and both have been on my mind in recent days. The reunited Beach Boys were in town last week for two shows at the Chicago Theatre, and I was there, bopping along to the tunes that ...

and more »

Sony and Tivoli Intro Music Apps (Peacefully); Dish Network Feature Under Fire
Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)
Sony and Tivoli Audio have just introduced free (at least for a while) music streaming apps for the iPhone/iPod, But three broadcast networks yesterday filed suits against satellite TV provider Dish Network, to try and squash the "Auto Hop" feature on ...

and more »

Classical Music: SF Opera has'Attila' (and his ilk) and an eye-popping 'Magic ...
San Jose Mercury News
Kaneko's paintings at times start out as points of color placed atop the projection, which, in synch to the rhythms of the music, begin to extend into lines, forming geometric patterns to cover the background and create a dramatic frame for the singers ...

and more »

Dance That Looks Like Music Sounds: Hubbard Street's Alejandro Cerrudo
Huffington Post
One of his essential gifts, imperceptible to his audiences, is the intricate and profound way that he sees music. Hubbard Street Dancers Jacqueline Burnett and Jesse Bechard in Malditos by Alejandro Cerrudo. Photo by Todd Rosenberg In the past three ...

and more »

Crushable
Jay-Z Confirmed Music Chief for Willow Smith 'Annie' Remake
SPIN
by Marc Hogan Daddy Warbucks, the rumors are true: Jay-Z will be overseeing music for a remake of the musical Annie and will contribute original tracks. That's according to British actress Emma Thompson, who is writing the film, as she confirmed ...
Jay-Z writing music for 'Annie' remakeTheCelebrityCafe.com
Did Blue Ivy Inspire Jay-Z To Write New Music For The Annie Remake Starring ...Crushable
Jay-Z to Supervise Music for New Annie Movie Starring Willow SmithXXLMAG.COM
Vibe -Digital Spy UK -Gigwise
all 42 news articles »

Music Review: Samovar Russian Folk Music Ensemble - Around the Samovar ...
Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
ORG Around the Samovar is another hour-long set from the Russian folk music ensemble in the Washington, DC area that takes its name from the heated metal container traditionally used to heat and boil water in Russia, as well as in other locations.

and more »

Los Angeles Times
The Sunday Conversation: Pianist Mona Golabek holds on to the music
Los Angeles Times
The creator of the one-woman show 'The Pianist of Willesden Lane,' now at the Geffen Playhouse, reflects on the gift of music. Mona Gollabek's one-woman show 'The Pianist of Willesden Lane' is now at the Geffen Playhouse. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles ...

and more »

Google News