The Unheard Sounds of 9/11

It's September. And once again, the 11th falls on a Tuesday.

And for me, it's a time of year that is frozen in images, snapshots, and bits of video.

Bits of paper hovering in gusts of hot air.

A hat in the dust.

I expected that day to leave scars that would last a lifetime. I didn't expect to be left with a musical legacy that still brings tears to my eyes.

This is a story about 9/11 that has a soundtrack. A magical discovery that just appeared, six years later. A beautiful gift from a terrible day.

But, let's start at the beginning.

In the 24 hours after the attacks at the World Trade Center, I found myself sifting through video tape trying to find answers. As a documentary filmmaker, I was used to looking at terrible things, but always with some distance. This was my backyard.

I could smell the burning buildings.

I knew it was too early to know the answers. But the raw material that would become history had drawn me into 9/11 and I knew I wasn't getting out.

On the morning of September 11th, I was preparing to start shooting a television series in NY. My office was 30 blocks north of the World Trade Center, and looking down 5th avenue, you could see the smoke rising.

My team of six videographers ended up deciding to cover the attacks, and so by the middle of the night, both of the buildings had collapsed and I was sitting with reels and reels of videotape of the attack and the aftermath.

Two days later -- exhausted from lack of sleep -- I went home to take a shower and return to work. In the car, I heard on the radio a song that had been released that day by Ed Kowalczyk and the band Live. It was called "Overcome". And listening to the song, exhausted, I was overcome. It was all too much. The song was posted on the Internet so that anyone could download it.

I downloaded it, and working with my partner and wife Pam Yoder -- we began to cut images to the worlds and music.

Music is a magical thing. It sometimes is the only language that makes sense.

By the end of the day the images had connected with the music in a way that is easier to show than to explain.

And almost as an afterthought, I called an executive that I barely knew at VH1 and said, hey, we've got a tribute video we'd like to send you. An hour later -- this video was on VH1. Our images and Ed's song, playing over and over again.

We didn't ask permission. We didn't try. We just heard the music, were moved by it, and made our piece of work. It was a collaboration. The band, in California, reached out. And sitting at 28th street and 5th avenue, we connected with their music. But it didn't end there.

One day later, the phone rang, it was the manager of the band Live -- and he'd seen our music video.

I knew we'd used his song without permission, and I expected that the band would be unhappy. But I was wrong.

Ed Kowalczyk had been watching TV, and was very moved by the music video. He wanted to come to NY from California, and he wanted to visit the WTC site, and he wanted to perform the song -- and do his part to help NY and the Nation heal -- or at least feel.

Just days later -- with the smoldering ruins of the Trade Center still filling the night sky, Pam, myself, a film crew, and Ed Kowalczyk were walking down the abandoned West Side Highway... toward the smoking space that used to be the WTC. We didn't say a word, but once we'd gotten to the site, Ed began to sing. It was an exhausting moment. We hadn't slept in days.

But hearing his voice was the only thing even close to an emotional release we'd had.

Now, six years later -- I find myself looking for a touchstone on that day, an element or a moment that would connect me with that time. And there was this video, of Ed Kowalczyk; standing on the west side highway, smelling that smell, and connecting his words to that
terrible time in a way that made it seem both painful and survivable.

The music created a strange elixir of pain and hope. Once again, his music has meaning.

Here is the music, recorded just days after 9/11 -- just on the side of the West Side highway a capella:

In a conversation later in the day -- Ed told us that in his mind, the word "overcome" had two meanings. We are emotionally "overcome" -- and, in the worlds of Martin Luther King, we shall "overcome".

Well, that seems like a goal worth striving for. Overcoming fear. Overcoming prejudice. Overcoming the obstacles that our Country and the world now face.

We're not there yet. But today I'd rather remember than forget.

Comments

[Tennwoman]

Well ya'll, this southern liberal found the tribute both meaningful and beautiful. I do have to say though, that try as I might, I cannot think of 9/11 without thinking about the lives lost in Iraq. It should not be that way but, Bush has, without fail, used what should be a day of remembrance and reflection to keep his war alive. In doing so, he disrespects the victims, heroes, and survivors of 9/11/2001.

[Kya]

A great way to remember those Americans killed on 9/11 is to pass the National Initiative sponsored by former Senator Mike Gravel. Check it out here:
www.ni4d.us

Once we pass the National Initiative, which will provide a 4th check and balance to the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches, average citizens can start to undo the special interest legislation that is detrimental to ordinary people.

[zentrainer]

Bruce captured the sound really well on "The Rising" I thought. It brings me to tears everytime I hear the CD. There is something about the way that it drags, the beat is just a smidge off, that captures the surreal and real aspects of the day, and days that followed.
I played it on my radio show today and read poetry by Rumi. It seemed fitting.
Tracy B Ann
http://www.zenpaws.com
"The Politics of Dogs"
http://www.radiofreenashville.org

[nebulus]

lyrics:
Even now the world is bleedin'
but feelin' just fine
all numb in our castle
where we're always free to choose
never free enough to find
I wish somethin' would break
'cause we're runnin' out of time
and I am OVERCOME...

This song is still quite appropriate for life under the American Empire

[TomSongs]

Since September
http://youtube.com/watch?v=q5nHb4zNmOU

[Matango]

Politics aside:

That day was probably the most surreal and terrifying of my life because of the horrible tragedy taking place and the horrors I knew would follow.

[fred4pres]

You folks should be ashamed of yourselves. It's a tribute. Some of us had people there. Instead of a little reverence, we have one bigot accusing someone of low intelligence based on an expression, another making political hay out of it, and people attacking each other. We've certainly come a long way from the days after 9/11 when we stood together. Don't blame Bush for your hate and lack of respect. Both parties have politicized the issue now, and are equally guilty in that lack of respect. We have enough forums where we can fight each other. Even though most of you and I disagree philosophically on almost everything, can't we stand together for this tribute piece, and let this thread end?

[GJKBEAR]

Since 9/11 each year always seemed to be blown all out of proportion with liberals, conservatives and those in the middle all attacking each other with blame. I began to dread each 9/11 in succession. This video and the song by LIVE has brought new hope to me that we can hopefully get past recriminations and blame and remember an America where everyone was bound together in grief. To me, this song was a tribute to those brave first responders who risked their lives to save as many as they could - who stayed long grueling hours to recover what they could. They still do these kinds of things all over this land in every city and every town. They get no thanks for their actions, no accolades; and yet they continue to perform. Tomorrow, it will be time for recrimination. Tomorrow, perhaps we can come to their rescue - some of them are fighting battles about asbestos and compensation with insurance. Tomorrow, we may talk about how Bush betrayed everyone in America. But today, let us remember a nation that was brought together in sorrow. Thanks for this inspiring piece and this music. Thanks for taking this dreaded day and filling it with hope and inspiration.

[WeAreWideAwake]

THAT DAY and This 9/11

"We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated Governments in the world - no longer a Government of free opinion, no longer a Government by conviction and vote of the majority, but a Government by the opinion and duress of small groups of dominant men." - Woodrow Wilson

When President Bush went on TV and told we the people to "GO SHOP!" And that "They hated us because we were free!"

I did NOT react with FEAR, but curiosity, and wondered if 'They' hated us so much to target and murder innocent people had something to do with Americans mindless over consumption of the world's resources and apathy towards the poor and oppressed.

Up until THAT DAY we call 9/11, I was your typical self-satisfied, self-centered, uninformed, misinformed comfortable American.

THAT DAY, changed everything and began my search to learn WHY do some people in the world hate us so much that they could target and murder innocent people.

I learned PLENTY!

And being a Christian of The Beatitudes; one who follows what the Master taught was non-negotiable;

That to be forgiven; you must forgive!

That to follow him meant you must pray and bless and love your enemies!

And that it is the Peacemakers who are the children of God,

And so, I was led to the Interfaith non-profit Olive Trees Foundation for Peace, founded by a 1948 refugee from the Galille, Dr. Khaled Diab and to journey five times to Israel Palestine, for all roads lead to Jerusalem...

Eileen Fleming, Reporter and Editor http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author Keep Hope Alive and Memoirs of a Nice Irish American Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory
Producer "30 Minutes With Vanunu."

[gardenbookie]

The horror that occured 6 years ago today continues to be highlighted by King George and his merry men. Will we ever know the truth about this vicious event?
I want to put my hatred and anger for the unidentified attackers aside today. I want to focus on the blessings of my friends and my family; and pray for the friends and families of those that were lost in New York on this date and those that have been sacrificed in Iraq.

[daytrip]

Gardenbookie: I thought those who died in the WTCs were sacrificed. Now, continued sacrifices here, there and everywhere. Just ask yourselves during your meditations and prayers, what for? I will save my ranting for appropriate blogs and keep this tribute from becoming tarnished by truth.

[nycborn]

What a beautiful and fitting tribute. Arianna, thank you for having Steve share this with us. We must now remember who truly is responsible for this horrific act committed against us, and curse you George Bush for turning it into your political platform. Mr. President, you have succeeded in making us more vulnerable than we were on this September day six years ago. We have no defense against this country because you have deployed our entire military to fight your personal war with Iraq. 1-20-2009 can't come soon enough for me.

[Buddhabelli]

poignant moving beautiful
without the poets we will too soon forget the lost

[Boadicea]

Agree with weedhigh. It's a beautiful tribute; there are lots of threads for the anger.

[Primadonna]

Words cannot express this beauty you have shared ... images and song "Overcome".

[stamper]

I am overcome by grief and anger that a country of heroes is ruled by traiterous cowards

[weedhighbuckeye]

y'all should take this post for what it is, an homage to those killed on 9/11. I hope it doesn't become about anger at the Bush administration.

[pencilpusher]

It IS about anger at the Bush Administration. These people were BETRAYED. Bush SPIT on them by using this tragedy for his OWN political gain. He used it to start an unnecessary war that has killed even MORE Americans than 9/11 and destroy the lives of MILLIONS. You can't disconnect those killed on 9/11 from those killed in Iraq. The events were made seamless.

[Enid]

No anger for Bush ?

Well it is he, G.W. Bush who took a horrible crime against the people of New York and the US.
A criminal act not the act of war that it was turned into.

Saudi citizens ramming planes into US building.

No inquire just bomb Iraqi and make every thing Iraq's fault.

Swallow gulp!!

[hiprogloho]

By saying y'all you're giving away your IQ as well as the 25% of US sheep you represent. Don't you mean anger at the Bush dictatorship?

[research]

Bush ignored Clinton's warning and thus let 9/11 happen in the first place!

[LoriAnn]

Stamper...Spot on!!! We have to wake up and open our eyes to the raw, unbiased truths that are painful and heart wrenching but if we are to help ourselves to something better it has to be dealt with. It takes courage and intestinal fortitude but the leadership has got to muster the strength to forge ahead and take matters in hand. The citizens in this country are so hungry for truth, honor and justice...all else will follow...