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Interactive Poll #01/2021: Protest (+ Folk) Songs |
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Lewian 
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Joined: August 09 2015 Location: Italy Status: Offline Points: 15149 |
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 Topic: Interactive Poll #01/2021: Protest (+ Folk) SongsPosted: January 18 2021 at 04:49 |
Good point, I have thought about this, too, but it's a difficult one. It's one thing to ask what to do to help the person to get out of their racism, and quitting the friendship may not be the way to go (although it depends on the character of that person - some may ask themselves at some point why they lost one or more dear friends, and if the answer is clear...) - it's another thing to ask yourself whether you should rather show some solidarity with the victims and targets of racism, which you don't do by continuing to have racist friends.
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Logan
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Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 37232 |
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Posted: January 17 2021 at 19:26 |
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Hard to choose just three, but
The Ballad of Sacco & Vanzetti + Pishkù Li The Solidairity and Identity songs No One is Responsible + Plan Cantic de Haiduc is another fave. |
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Snicolette
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Posted: January 17 2021 at 08:35 |
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Many thanks for all of the positive response to Tom Rapp and Cheryl Wheeler. Both are excellent lyricists, in my view, both of these songs are pointed criticisms of events that were of the moment when they were written. Both artists have a large catalogue worth exploring, so I'm glad I was able to showcase them here.
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"Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp
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suitkees
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Posted: January 17 2021 at 05:58 |
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Would have loved to be able to spend a bit more time to all this, because there is some good music coming by again. Last weekend I gave all song a first listen, but paying mainly attention to the music. This weekend I had some time to pay more attention to the lyrics and come to my top three (which, again, wasn't that easy) for which my main criterion is the music, lyrics coming second, in order to sort out the best tandems put up here. - First, a combo of songs that are a bit out of my normal listening habits and maybe therefor a pleasant surprise regarding both music (especially the first one) and the lyrics : Dispossession + Got No Shotgun Hydrahead Octopus Blues. - Second: The Anarchists. The Ballad of Sacco & Vanzetti is the stand-out song for me here, both musically and lyrically. The singing on Pishkù Li was less to my liking, but the music and the emotion it conveyed all the more. - Third: I was hesitating between I Was Only 19 + Shipbuilding on the one hand and Kein Ende + Racist Friend on the other. It's the actuality of things happening in Washington DC on January 6 (exactly when this songs was put up here) that made the decision for me: Trump and his mob illustrated the acuity of the lyrics of Kein Ende, sadly. Other than these mentioned above, there were some beautiful poetic lyrics here and I am thinking especially of Tom Rapp, Roy Harper and Leon Rosselson. And when you team the latter up with Cheryl Wheeler, I think you can scrap the word "silence" from your dictionary...
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The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
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Lewian
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Posted: January 17 2021 at 04:44 |
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OK, so finally I took some proper time to listen more consciously. Stil I have to say that in some of this for me the music is too much just there to support the music/message. This is legitimate for sure but it's not what attracts me as a listener. Anyway, the best for me are... Pishku Li, the outstanding song of these. Another one of Lorenzo's suggestions that makes me explore the artist more. The Ballad of Sacco and Vanzetti is also very good -> Number one. The next great one is the Tom Rapp song, really haunting, obviously the message is very important here and the music minimal, but it really sucks me in. The Cheryl Wheeler one is also good -> Number two. Number three is a surprise to myself - not a heavy metal fan (although Iron Maiden always seem to be a top band from that genre for me), but the Bruce Dickinson songs are both so well done and enjoyable, and particularly the first one conveys an important message to the right audience, so he'll pick up my number three vote. Also very enjoyable: Parihaka - made me find out about the place and its story - I enjoy the song a lot although there's quite some contrast between its mood and the message. Brecht/Eisler are great and this is a very good recording of the Solidaritaetslied - pity the second one doesn't appeal to me that much. I didn't like the TV-2 one in the beginning but it's very catchy and ultimately enjoyable. The Leon Rosselson one is the one I'd give the lyrics prize - and the music fits it very well. I know New Model Army quite well and they're always worth a listen - maybe just a little spark is missing in this one for reaching the top. Still haven't listened to all out of competition entries consciously... too little time for listening properly at the moment.
 Edited by Lewian - January 17 2021 at 04:49 |
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jamesbaldwin
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Posted: January 16 2021 at 06:10 |
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Greg, are you available for the next poll?
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Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion.
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mathman0806
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Posted: January 15 2021 at 12:00 |
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My votes:
I Was Only 19 + Shipbuilding Fourth Day Of July + If It Were Up To Me No One is Responsible + Plan (That's Not the Way...) |
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TCat
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Posted: January 15 2021 at 10:45 |
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I agree with Anders, it was a bit difficult because of the song pairings, so I went with what I thought were the strongest pairings:
1. The Ballad of Sacco & Vanzetti + Pishkù Li 2. I Was Only 19 + Shipbuilding 3. Fourth Day Of July + If It Were Up To Me
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The Anders
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Posted: January 15 2021 at 10:37 |
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My votes:
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The Anders
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Posted: January 15 2021 at 10:04 |
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Voting here is difficult because of the song pairs. On many occasions I like one song much better than the other.
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Lewian
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Posted: January 14 2021 at 18:00 |
I think it's all Hanover actually, as the person who made the video wrote. Hanover is not that popular, it's fairly unknown for a major German city (more than 500000 inhabitants), but it has its nice spots. In my view Hamburg and Bremen are much more attractive though, in the north, which is my home. Lubeck is very nice too, if much more provincial. Thanks for all the resonance about my proposed songs, always happy to read, and always happy that some like them. I had a lot of work to do that didn't allow me to listen to music a lot, so I'm behind on this one. In fact I have listened to everything at least once now, but I must say, in my view much of this is musically too "run of the mill" for me. I like the topic because I find it fascinating what people make of it, however the result is for my taste often too focused on the lyrics and much of the music doesn't shine that much on its own (one could state this about my own choices but actually I love them both musically). At the end of the day I'm still a listener who is more often than not not that much interested in the lyrics and more in how it sounds. Lorenzo's choices stand out up to now, I'll come back with a complete top 3.
Edited by Lewian - January 14 2021 at 18:03 |
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Snicolette
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Posted: January 14 2021 at 14:06 |
 She's not afraid to confront issues head on. She does usually a nearly equal amount of social commentary, comedic pieces (sometimes the comedy and commentary are in the same piece) and also very beautifully sung balladeering. And everyone probably knows by now that Tom Rapp is one of my favourite artists, "Psychedelic Godfather," some people have called him.
Edited by Snicolette - January 14 2021 at 18:26 |
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"Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp
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Cristi
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Posted: January 14 2021 at 12:43 |
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my 3 choices
The Ballad of Sacco & Vanzetti + Pishkù Li Gods of War + Sacred Cowboys Kein Ende + Racist Friend
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jamesbaldwin
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Posted: January 14 2021 at 12:28 |
You can vote for three songs. |
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Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion.
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dr wu23
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Posted: January 14 2021 at 12:24 |
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I was only familiar with 2 or 3 songs... went with these two pairs who I voted for on the list.
1. 4th Day of July....Tom Rapp..I am familiar with some of Tom Rapp's (Pearls before Swine) work,,,good track- like the lyrics ,melody ,and style-psychy proggy folk.... 2. If It Were Up To Me...Cheryl Wheeler love the talking lyrical aspects that were all 'causes'....maybe it 's everything.... (I'm betting she's not a fan of the NRA)...good track ,,makes me want to buy that lp. 1. I Was Only 19...Redgum...a very touching song..I didn't even know that Australians fought in Nam...and that was my generation. Shows my ignorance. 2. Shipbuilding- Suede...a song most of us know through Costello or Wyatt...good version nevertheless. 1. No One Is Responsible...and ... 2. Plan... by Leon Rosselson....clever lyrics and they remind me of Roy Harper's style a little....who I am a big fan of. Edited by dr wu23 - January 14 2021 at 12:55 |
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One does nothing yet nothing is left undone.
Haquin |
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jamesbaldwin
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Posted: January 13 2021 at 16:05 |
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It was very difficult to choose the three medals, the musical genres were very different, so the comparison was difficult and also subordinated to my mood. 1) The Monster - For Everyman . I award two classic songs, two acoustic ballads based on the singer's ability to create melodies with his vocals, they are songs that do not focus on novelty but only on melody, emotion, and lyrics. 2) Solidaritätslied (Solidarity Song) + L'iditenté . Two very different songs. the first reminds me of radio broadcasts at the time of the war, the second is an expressionist saraband that manages to mix many different musical stimuli in a syncretic whole of great impact. 3) No One is Responsible + Plan (That's Not the Way...) Even in this case, I award the classical pieces, the deep traditions that come to light with these folk songs. Honorable mentions: 4) Bruce Dickinson: Gods of War + Sacred Cowboys. Very powerful song. They are good to listen to when your batteries are low. They recall me when I was a teenager. I especially liked Gods of War. 5) How Miles Must We March + Money It's Pure Evil . Two short and inspired songs. 6) Vem kan man lita på? + Kom lad os brokke os. Two fast-paced songs, far from folk, almost like assault marches, very picturesque 7) I Was Only 19 + Shipbuilding. Two ballads, the first very sophisticated, soft, pastel colors, as Greg often likes, the second more emphatic, beautifully rendered by what I consider the best voice of the Brit-Pop movement. 8) Fourth Day Of July + If It Were Up To Me . Two wonderful, delicates songs. Very American. I thank everyone for participating. I was afraid of being too limiting, asking to select the protest songs, and so I also added the folk songs, but I see that you all participated with protest songs that are remarkable for both the music and the lyrics. We've listened to great songs with civilly committed lyrics.
We are a wonderful group.
Edited by jamesbaldwin - January 13 2021 at 16:33 |
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Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion.
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Snicolette
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Posted: January 13 2021 at 14:06 |
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"Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp
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Cristi
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Posted: January 13 2021 at 13:59 |
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gonna listen and vote tomorrow.
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Shadowyzard
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Posted: January 13 2021 at 13:46 |
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^ Good joob Nickie!
Also, I just had a thought: Why, oh why, didn't I come up with a Turkish song?! I love my country, but am also very critical of and can even be mercilessly hard on it. Was I too lazy to find a Turkish song whose lyrics were translated into English, or I could translate thereof? I guess no... I just came up with the first things that came to my mind, like I normally do.
Edited by Shadowyzard - January 13 2021 at 13:50 |
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Snicolette
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Posted: January 13 2021 at 13:30 |
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As always, difficult decisions! But I give myself some leeway with honourable mentions. Loved this topic, thank you so much, Lorenzo! Also that it had another twist. I have to say, some didn't make this short list for me, because I really LOVED some of the out of competition pieces as well, which of course, are not votable. Thank you also for the playlist, George, that is just a wonderful assist, esp with going back for a second listen.
1. This one won for me, esp for the discovery of Algiers....Algiers “Dispossession” This one is more of a soul piece, really
enjoy the vocalist and the chorus is gorgeous.
This is a protest against the dispossession of minorities in America,
very spirited piece, the choral singers are in a gospel vein. I really like this one a lot! David Baerwald “Got No Shotgun Hydrahead
Octopus Blues” Here’s another hard-hitting social commentary piece, this guy
pulls no punches. Rough-edged voice,
snaggy organ and ragged guitars embellish this song. Bravo to both of these. 2. For this selection, Redgum was the extra push that made it in the top 3 for me. Redgum - "I Was Only 19" This begins with acoustic guitar in a very
familiar setting for a protest song (which is not a criticism, I enjoy this
kind of music very much). It is just
heartbreaking, the toll the Vietnam war took on so many, this song details so
much sadness and the lasting effects of war on those who go to it, both
physical and psychological. Really nice
double fiddles end up the song. Suede “Shipbuilding” Good, solid song with band quietly backing
singer at the piano, with that age-old question, why on earth are we waging war
and risking lives when there is so much beauty to be found in the world (diving
for pearls). 3. I'm not normally that big into reggae, but I loved the first one here, as well. Beautiful backing vocals and a great history lesson. Thank you! Tim Finn & Herbs “Parihaka” A
reggae beat here, a protest song, yet a song of hope. Thinking about your thoughts of if it’s
appropriate, of course it is, for exactly the reasons you state….and the more
people work together from different cultures, the better, as far as I’m
concerned. That being said, love the
backing vocals and Tim Finn is very clearly understood. The melody is catching and brings a part of
history that many don’t know to the fore (which is one of the objectives of
protest pieces in the first place). Herbs “French Letter” Here another reggae sounding piece with some
percussion proffering the beat. The
singers in this band have wonderful voices….and I’m with them on the sentiment
of the song as well. Honourable Mentions: This made this short list esp because of the first one, for me. Bruce Dickinson’s “Gods of War” Here’s a real change of pace with some
hard-hitting metal. An impassioned
diatribe against war and the people who are invested in it’s continuation. Very convincing and well done, with a searing
guitar solo to boot! “Sacred Cowboys” More hard rock/metal, but vocals are
partially more in a talking style. You
described it well, as a protest against so much of the modern US. This one I don’t like as much as the first
one (probably not a surprise to any here), but his point is well made in the
lyrics and the angst certainly comes through in the driving beat and the
crunchy guitars. I enjoyed both of these, but not quite enough to put them in the top 3. Leon Rosselson “No One is Responsible” Singer/Songwriter style, with plain acoustic
guitar providing the setting for the piece.
Discusses the way that so many in high positions of power will throw off
responsibility for what they may do, as they are merely doing what they’re told
(and somehow, even those people are not responsible, either). Well done and very apt for these days when
it’s always someone else who must be blamed, it seems. Leon Rosselson & Roy Bailey “Plan” Another singer/songwriter style satirical
song, this one with some jaw harp for comic relief. Makes me think a bit of music hall kind of
songs, also. Very dry British humour,
this one is about bad civic planning.
Classic sort of social commentary. Worth saying one more time, but too familiar with the second choice for this to be a vote for me, my own personal stipulation: Roy Harper “The Monster” Yes, as you often do, you bring something I love to the table. 😊 Brought to the fore, dressed in simple acoustic guitar strumming and clear vocals, the words are the message in this one. Wonderful imagery of keyboards, mice and men and electronics, about halfway in, the song gains in urgency, with slide guitar and self-harmonization. Seems particularly poignant today, of all days. Jackson Browne “For Everyman” One of the best of the singer/songwriter genre, here with spare live setting, on his acoustic guitar with his fine voice telling the story of the need for so many to want to return to simpler times, for someone to tell them how to go on, but it’s up to every man, after all, to find his own way. In the end, he seems to forgive humanity for it’s being human, at least that is what I get from it. |
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"Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp
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The Anders wrote: