Yamaha CS-60: "Carry On" by Raymond Castile

Published on Jan 2, 2017 raycastile

"Hello. Here is another entry in my series of Yamaha CS-60 videos. Once again, no video of me playing. Instead, you get a mesmerizing cloudscape. This piece required a lot of multi-tracking and a lot of takes, so it didn't lend itself to a live performance video.

I called it 'Carry On.' Reminds me of British things, like the 'Keep Calm' slogan and the Carry On film series. But it's not deliberately referencing those things. I was thinking of how someone carries on despite setbacks and disasters, when it would be easier and less painful to quit.

The path ahead is dark and mysterious, portending doom, but you walk forward, unsteady and unsure, but you keep moving and hoping. Then another setback hits you, knocks you down, laughs at you as you tumble. You sit there a bit, gathering the nerve to continue, then you start again. But this time, you're more sure of yourself. The setback gave you strength. Finally, you are striding confidently into the future, though secretly there is still a little doubt. Listen to the piece with this description in mind and you will see how it matches step by step."