I like to put this stuff on and sleep the whole night with it playing. In no way do I come close to actually tracking the narrative, but I have some really wild dreams.
This reminds me of an episode of the British comedy, "Red Dwarf", in which the character Rimmer, a hologram, makes a perfect copy of himself. Within a few days the 2 holograms hate each other with a white hot passion as Rimmer realizes that the only thing greater than his self-admiration was his self-loathing.
Caveat about the violin: Strings for both instruments and bows are traditionally made from animal intestines in all cultures. English and American Indian warriors alike would dissolve the innards of cattle in such a way to only leave the sinews, and these were stretched and dried to make effective strings. Making a magic violin out of a person follows the logic of European black magic perfectly.
Another great collection with some Ian Gordon in it, thank you! ...I think Vanity is the story that got me hooked on your writing, I'm totally a fangirl now.
You have to love the good old days. In that first story, he has no problem getting the proprietor and all of the patrons to believe him, explain the situation, give him a stiff drink and calm him down. Alas, if this happened today, they'd call the police, he'd be sent to the ER, drug tested and then kept under psychiatric observation for 3 days against his will for psychosis. I was born in the wrong Era, lol.
Having trouble sleeping so decided to listen to this update. I did not listen when I was 1st notified due to the length, I felt that I would listen over one or two days but might listen to it in one sitting. Thanks in advance for all the hard work. I am still in catch up mode with past stories however, I am not able to resist new stories!!!
About the magic mirror: That scheme wouldn't work for very long. The dealer and casino bosses would notice the win streak immediately and see the confederate with a mirror. They wouldn't know how it was done, but they would see they were getting some kind of assistance and kick them out.
Ian Gordon WOW, just listened to Vanity Ltd, absolutely fantastic story, compulsive listening, loved Nordic Mark, modern horror/ sci-fi stories are a refreshing change from the old ghost stories I love, just as spooky and unnerving too, fresh and original, thank you! just brilliant! 😍👍🇦🇺
You're this gifted a narrator/voice actor *and* a very talented writer, to boot? I was wrong. You don't have *a* gift - you have two. I initially mistook Vanity, LTD for a work by one of the classic horror writers - were it not for the references to technology (and more adult content, which I take no issue with; it's merely an indication of a different use of language and subject matter to me), it would have passed for one of their works. Writing horror is no easy task. Please continue to (your work reminds me of Blackwood, which I mean as high compliment). P.S. I've introduced my spouse to your channel, and now, we're both hooked. Our videogame adventures and your readings go very well together.
No mention of metaphysical manifestations in the FAQ for the app. Comedic routine in an alternate universe: "If the FAQ in your App answers your question about metaphysical manifestations..."
For all of those who loved The Ensouled Violin, look for a movie (with Samuel Jackson, as you've never seen him) called The Red Violin. The two have many parallels, and one reminds me of the other. However, that said, keep in mind, the violin (and fiddle) has normally been associated with the devil, with the fiddle being considered, above all, the devils instrument. In pre-colonial and colonial America folk tales very frequently pit the devil against a fiddler or violinist. Further, during these periods, it was seriously considered to be a sin, a crime against God, to play the fiddle and violin on Sunday (this belief came to America from the Europeans that settled here). This adds more weight to the story's telling of the protagonist playing his violin on Sunday rather than go to mass with his mother. His sin of skipping mass, blaspheming, and then compounded by the greater sin of playing on Sunday, shows his colors more than the exposition of his history of the occult. Indeed, playing and glorifying the violin on Sunday, would have been considered an even greater sin than that of spiritualism, at that time. Sorry about the ramble, but there is an entire history throughout the entirety of Western Civilization involving sin and the violin. This makes a huge and poignant statement during this story. Id love to discuss these ideas further with the author if they are willing. I expect they know of this history as much as I. Edit (additional text)
What a fabulous post! I never knew any of the information you provided. I will find the Samuel L. Jackson movie tonight. He is one of my favorite actors - there is no one else like him. I don't think any actor can project a greater sense of ice cold fear and sinister danger than he can. Thank you for the violin/fiddle information. I loved it!
the last story had me on the edge if insanity!!! lol. no really, i wanted to stop listening, but i couldn’t. a lot like the other story about Paganini where takes a young violinist to meet a devilish character. Poor, incredible Paganini, in poor health, loving his little daughter, to have such myths bandied about. ~~all so beautifully read. thank you muchly :) 🌷✨
1:00:23 HOLY FUCKING SHIT! 😂 I literally had to pause it because I couldn’t stop laughing, I just was not expecting him to say that 😂😂😂😂 I loved Vanity LTD! Fantastic job sir!!!!!
Omg just flund your channel.and been nonstop Listening to you for the last 13 hours of my work day. You have an immediate sub and new super fan. Well done sir. Amazing writing
It's the only threat in the genre; 1 min your making eggs and listening to a nice story and then... ur so drenched in casual discrimination that you sort of want a shower. 🤷♀️ Do u want to be safe or do you want stories? Recreational hazard 🤷♀️
I would very much appreciate if in one of the next collection of sci-fi horror stories you could include "axiomatic" by Greg Egan. A truly unforgettable masterpiece. I would so much love to hear it by Ian.
Madame Blavatzsky wrote the last story?! I mean ... Ik it must have been a reworking but still. I wake up thinking about the rosy cross and King Arthur, look over and see the picture, not realizing whos name is on the tape for another 20 minutes ... Ah. Ya cant make it up lol If ya know, ya know.. Much love ^_^
The social commentary for Vanity Ltd. is a tad bold. But superbly written as always... Are you considering a full deadly sins series perhaps, Mr Gordon? 😉 😜
The Black Stone Statue, reminds me of a great Dick Miller movie, where he plays a mentally handicapped man who wants to be an artist... ...and finds a way.
Lovely lilt, although I found the cadence a little too mechanical, like a metronome. Precision and delicacy, yes, but the rhythm is too predictable. Do you agree? Maybe it's just me.
@@theangriestcatintheworld -- Cheers Angriest! When you stopping by my place for a visit? Hint: there are cats! Cheers Warren, who had a cat army in the Underworld!
soooo fitting in this collection too but guaranteed stand out no matter the competition. seriously fantastic job, love your mind and your pacing my king!!!!
All round pressure, Ian and all at H.B. MY MIND SLEEPS BUT YET ,MY minds eye is open to the terrors of the unconscious. Been with u guys,around a year but binged everything u have,best for me and my man myles was ,the story of the man on the moors lost in the snow,the way you portrayed the three men and most of all death,/scientist of the universe made me feel warmth and a sense of calm, your voice is so beautiful that I don't take drugs to sleep,
This is great 👍. Can I imagine buying this as a paperback anthology back in the day 😀 😉 with a suitably lurid cover. "Edited by Ian von Blackheath and company. Notoriously known to be members of the golden coffee break. Said to have a copy of dr Dees translation of the Necronomicom on the same table in the staff room as those naught mags edited by Graham maste4tone". 50p. Edited for spelling.
Vanity LTD had a terrible ending, it passed on both of the better and impactful endings and instead opted for a low whimper for an ending. Too bad, it had promise.
@@alymcrobbie3676 I has to change my name , ironically Messerschmitt don't exist either. Horrorbabble and HP Lovecraft and Victorian era literature is fantastic. Good to share this underrated and forgotten art with others who appreciate the Art. Messerschmitt BF-109 g6 best thing ever Next on list. 10-4
@@Bbergster PS it's not what I know , it's what I can prove... However , my personal prespective and requirements are not conguent with any of the 5 statutory declarations AKA legalese or color of law it's kangaroo Courts Kabbalahist Kalergie kosher Tax , income tax, property tax- A- tion w/o representation or it's board room shareholders who select whom they have invested interest as My Representative and listen to only evidence that increase Crease's Quarterly dividends OR have surpassed that no Have Been selected as God's representatives on Earth and make disinfranchment a word more palatable than The Cattle or systemic The Boogyman w/o a name ,face or any way to Prove the individuals who compromise the conspiracy Let alone if these high performance excellent elitists are all on The Same Page of the talmud to specify what the requirements for Provability exactly are?
dear Emad - just so you know (as i didn’t at first) for future listenings :). that’s Jennifer Gill, Ian’s mate, and she’s worked quite much on her voice and reading style. She has gotten so much better. i’m quite proud of her :). she also produces the videos. 🌷😌
@@feralbluee I'm very thankful to all who produce this content, and perhaps my personal feeling should have stayed just that lol As a none native speaker of the English language I read and listen to well written and spoken words as much as I can, I have noticed what maybe a specific style of oratory among some which I ascribed to her, which is to fully pronounce each word with emphasis and then allow a very subtle pause before committing to the next word. I maybe over sensitive to that as my mother language of Persian is spoken very rapidly and with the sounds of the ending and beginning of the words merging into and leading one another.
