Interactive poll No. -46 2/3 - the folk music poll

The Anders: Spinal Tap “Indonesian Folk Music”  An inspired intro to the poll!  Thanks for doing this theme, we really didn’t do folk music on the protest/folk poll, so I think it’s quite fitting and a theme that I personally love.  Väsen “IPA -Gubben”  Most excellent Swedish folk trio here….I’m quite familiar with the nyckelharpa (have actually played with one before) wonderful instrument!  I do not know of this piece or these people, however.  The music is lively and the blend of the lower viola with nyckelharpa and guitar , goes so beautifully together.  During the piece, they also slow it down a bit and get contemplative, everyone has a moment to shine here.  Just love it!

Shadowyzard:  Blind Guardian “A Past & Future Secret”  I really like this one for it’s semi-Medieval tone and the grandeur as the drums kick in, the vocal choruses are beautiful and the dynamics are lovely.  Very nice intertwining of folk with a very modern vocal twist from time to time.  Obscurus Orbis “Kost Ar C’hoat”  Not heard a note yet, but expecting something similar to Corvus Corax….we shall see.  And yes, here we go, just as suspected from the photo before hitting play.  Nice combination of instrumentation, a rousing Viking-esque tune with hurdy gurdy, tenor mandolin (I believe), bagpipes, recorder and, of course percussion.  Lovely, haven’t heard either of these before! 

Logan:  Mark Fry “The Witch”  Begins intriguingly with an almost-whispery voice and some wringly sort of stringed instrument(s) and very far back flute and percussion in the mix.  Goes into a raga-rock jam partway through, I sat through many a jam session like this back in the day.  This is very appropriately haunting, the mix makes it sound like the listener must be under an enchantment.  Very psych in feel, what was this person ingesting?  😊  I like it!  Interesting article on him, here:  https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2016/10/mark-fry-interview-dreaming-with-alice.html

Cristi:  Valeriu Sterian “Cantec de oameni”  Delicate fingerpicking with acoustic and electric guitar and electric bass begin (I love it when folk people add electric to the instrumentation).  Simple percussive ornamentation.  Definitely that 70’s Alan Stivell/Fairport kind of sound to this, very pleasing to my ear.  Little bits of almost sitar-y sound at the end.  Delicate and beautiful song.  Phoenix “Ciclul anotimpurilor, Preludiu: A oilor, Jocul timpului; Primavara”  Begins with lead electric guitar, then shimmering cymbals as guitar continues.  Very slow build with flute or keys (?) gradually adding into the mix.  Bass wanders in about 2/3rds in and the pace picks up a notch.  Fuzzy electric lead concludes this very subtle piece.  Nicu Alifantis “Mosul Iene”  Another delicately produced song, this one feels very cinematic to me with it’s quiet vocals and very subdued orchestration.  Quite beautiful lyrics, mournful song.  Winds up with some synth-type lead before the lament concludes.

Lorenzo:  Adriano Cenentano “Ragazzo della via gluck”  Upbeat song, this one also has a cinematic feel to it.  Has certainly a 60’s pop feel to it, with some horns ornamenting the vocalist.  Has a feeling of a warm, sunny day to me, sort of carefree and light.  Bruce Springsteen “Johnny 99”  Opens with strains of a train sound (by Bruce), and chorded acoustic guitar.  It has kind of an almost upbeat sound, despite the subject matter, perhaps done in irony.  Very much a traditional American-type folk song, with harmonica embellishments.   John Hiatt “Mr. Stanley”  This one has a dark feel to it, with John Hiatt’s whisky-voice, and banjo-y guitar, this one has a more Delta kind of feel to it, also traditional style.  Johnny Cash “Like the 309”  Unmistakably Cash here, in all of his gruff authenticity, in a bare-bones setting.  No one else quite like him.  Stormy Six “Arrivano gli americani (Americans are coming)”  Steady beat and shimmering strings with what I am coming to appreciate as a certain “Italian,” sound to the vocals.  This one is obviously about Americans bringing some good things (chocolate!), I was prepared for dismay, but of course, this is from a different era.  There is a happy violin part in the center of the piece, elation at the chocolate, no doubt.  More lyrics, followed by a slippy-slidy sort of Gypsy jazz violin which briefly plays “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Sounds very stage-y to me, as if it might be in a musical. Followed by Stormy Six again with “Il barbiere (The Barber)”  I couldn’t find lyrics in English to this one, but quite enjoy the Gentle Giant-y violins and strings that hop merrily along and eventually seem to hit a stride when the singer begins, again with that “Italianate,” sound.  Goes into lots of vibes and the strings hopping about with each other, sometimes in a discordant way, then settles back in to vocals.  The piece slows down to it’s outro.  More Stormy Six with “Le Lucciole (The Fireflies)” Unable to find English lyrics for this one, either…But very interested to hear, after the last one.  This one begins in another GG fashion, lots of time changes and unusual presentations of horns flitting about with electric guitar and percussion…leading to a very pretty duet with flutes and cello.  The singer is more atonal in this one.  I quite liked the flights of fancy with the horns, violin and electric guitar.  This ends with horns, guitars and drums in a kind of demented march. 

Mike:  The Low Anthem “Charlie Darwin”  Really pretty, wistful female lead vocals and sort of a lazy feeling to the song.  Very subdued production here, with some acoustic guitar and not sure what bolsters the song in parts, it’s very inventive, how it is heard, yet hidden.  The Amazing Blondel “Seascapes”  Recorders set the tone here, there is quiet orchestration underneath in the way this is produced.  Very early 70’s British folk/pastoral rock feel here.  Really puts you in the place that they are singing of.  Fovea Hex “You Were There”  Deep cellos start this one out, with a haunting vocal, very much liking this, I agree with you, it certainly has folk elements.  Hypnotic, with a sense of medieval chant to this one.  Fleet Foxes “Ragged Wood”  This one has a modern alt folk sound to me.  I have heard of these guys, but not heard much of their music (once was, as you said, in another share of yours).  This one is quite pleasant, but doesn’t give me the rush I got from Fovea Hex.

Lewian:  Opa Cupa “Pompei”  Wow!  Really intriguing mix, as you said!  This certainly has a feel of Balkan and Romani musics, but so cool how they mix in jazz and rock.  Initial repeating keyboard lines begin the piece, a female singer fronts the band, with a sax solo, then trumpet solo, repeating the main melody of t1he song.  Also accordian and cello in the band, truly an exciting blend….very compelling.Solarference “Cold Blows the Wind”  Love the descriptive of “laptop folk.”  Traditional type of folk song, with electronic assistance to chorus the female singer’s vocals with an acoustic guitarist.  The (male) guitarist then sings verses, while the woman joins in singing the other part.  Beautiful blending of sounds and styles.  Heilung “LIFA – In Maidjan LIVE”  This band I do know already and just love them, it was a tossup to enter them or Faun, for me, and I went with Faun, so I’m very glad you brought them to the party.  This is a very dark Germanic/Viking/Goth/folk band, a style that is very appealing to me.  It begins with a horn of some sort, then the male singer goes into an growl/rap sort of thing and tabor-like drums, along with a deep sort of kettle-type drum, keep the beat.  It works up to a chant-like part, with everyone joining in, including a female voice.  They take a bit of a pause ¾’s in and the woman begins an absolutely eerie vocalization and ululation, while one of the males in the group plays a bowed somethingorother…stunning!  The piece continues to intensify and they conclude with a fadeout as the woman plucks the previously bowed instrument and the male singer concludes in a speaking voice.  Their costuming is also fantastic for the music.  Although I can’t vote for it, I’m sure people will get a kick out of it, it is truly very original. I saw from looking them up that they are scheduled to play at Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Colorado, in October (if it doesn't get rescheduled, of course, with covid), that is probably the most spectacular outdoor venues in the country, what a show that would be.