Brian Eno, David Bowie and The Oblique Strategy

Brian Eno 

Brian Peter George Eno was born 15th may 1948, he is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and writer.
Image result for Brian EnoBest known for his pioneering work in ambient music and contributions to rock and pop. He has helped introduce a variety of unique conceptual approaches to contemporary music, and has been described as one of popular musics most influential and innovative figures.
He attended the Art School Ipswich Civic College and studied  painting and experimental music in the mid 1960s. Brian Eno joined a glam rock group called Roxy music, but in 1971 after recording two albums he left to record solo albums (another green world) and took part in frequent collaborations.

The Oblique Strategy

Image result for the oblique strategiesThe oblique strategy is a deck of cards 7-by-9-centimetres (2.8 in × 3.5 in) printed cards in a black container box created by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt it was first published in 1975. Each card offers a challenging constraint meant to help artists break down creative blocks and help spark some ideas by encouraging literal thinking.  

Musicians inspired by The Oblique Strategy include the British band Coldplay when recording their 2008 album Viva La Vida.   
The Oblique Strategy was famously used by David Bowie on the recording of his Berlin triptych of albums (Low, Heroes and Lodger) They were also used in during the recording of instrumentals on 'Heroes' such as the song 'sense of doubt.' However the cards were used more extensively on the album Lodger ('Fantastic Voyage', 'Boys Keep Swinging)
They were used again on his 1995 album 'Outside' which Brian Eno was involved with as a writer, producer and musician.
Carlos Alomer who worked with Bowie and Eno on all these albums was a fan on using these cards, later saying "at the centre for performing arts at the Stevens Institute of Technology, where i teach, on the wall are Brian Eno's oblique strategies cards and when my students get a mental block i direct them to that wall."

Each card contains a phrase or cryptic remark which can be used to break a deadlock or dilemma situation. Some are specific to music composition; others are more general. Examples include:
  • What would your closest friend do?
  • What to increase? What to reduce?
  • Are there sections? Consider transitions.
  • Try faking it!
  • Don't be frightened of cliches 








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