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Interactive Poll #01/2021: Protest (+ Folk) Songs |
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Shadowyzard 
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Joined: February 24 2020 Location: Davutlar Status: Offline Points: 4506 |
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 Posted: January 13 2021 at 06:49 |
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OK, here's my take:
 jamemsbaldwin (Lorenzo)The Ballad of Sacco & Vanzetti: A beautiful mix and blend of simplicity & complexity musically. Very impressive drum & bass work. Beautiful and sentimental. The lyrics are very emotional and has a different feeling of power to it. I liked it very much. Pishkù Li: Heart-rendering vocals. Sublime atmosphere. Like taking a stroll in a rainy day, in a street full of nostalgic elements for the listener. Like, the street is very calm, but your inner voice is too strong and outflowing. This is what can happen when you're touched by authenticity that triggers your emotions. Beautiful. Nick: Parihaka: An uplifting song for me. Like those of Bob Marley's. I see the protest, but I also see how the singer tries to give his hand to the troubled person to emotionally lift him up, out of the darkness and sadness. A good song. French Letter: Let me be specific: this is also a fine song. A calmer song than the other. Perhaps this is how you protest the violent and loud nuclear disasters. Musically similar to the previous one, but rather peaceful than uplifting, I'd say. suitkees:Solidaritätslied (Solidarity Song): A "march" music, the "pace" makes it clear and the lyrics make it certain. Very good. Solidarity is a good concept and can be a powerful means for an anarchist like me too. I liked this short but powerful march! L'iditenté: Let the birds be uncaged! That was the first phrase that came to my mind. I loved the protest. Also loved the energy and passion of the song. Also, my heart and soul always remind me that, if a single person is "unhappy" in the world because of an unjust treatment, I cannot feel truly free. I'm not talkiing about circumstantial "unhappinesses" that can befall all of us, but the sort when a person or a group of people are made unhappy because of their race, political view etc. Postcolonial reflections and "self-immolations" can help to heal the soul and make the world a better place methinks. (I'm talking about a political "self-immolation", of course.) Logan (Greg):I Was Only 19: The song feels like having been written during a postwar depression period, and has all the sparklets of an ensuing protest. To the point and impressive. Great violins too. Shipbuilding: A similar song to the other, but has a more "nihilistic" feel to it. Seems like the depressive state is over, and the singer focused on his protest. Emotionally still powerful though. The Anders:Vem kan man lita på?: I felt a strong "youth" energy here. More like an observer than a "sufferer". I appreciated the (mostly) nonchalant protest. Very uplifting song. Thumbs up! Kom lad os brokke os: Haha. This is like a hindsight of a person, written while drinking some red wine. Cool! But I liked the first song better. This is a bit dull. TCat (Mike):How Miles Must We March: This is a good protest. Like from someone who gave up "fighting", but instead chose to protest without any hard feelings. "Hey people, same sh*t and it doesn't even change... I beg you to answer, till when?.." kind of protest. Good song. Money It's Pure Evil: Hmm. Bah! Typical and unimpressive sort of protest. I hate it when people protest things as if they are "saints" or special people who are somehow not included inside the concept that is criticized. Musically OK, but not that impressive. Snicolette (Nickie):Fourth Day Of July: The sinister "sound" of the song makes the otherwise "soft" music rather impactful. Very powerful in a different way, kinda like the ones who can make one question their views. Thumbs up! If It Were Up To Me: Awesome! I don't feel guilty to declare that you've already gotten one of my votes! Not many things to analyze in this song, it is just perfect. Like one's mind turned out to be a beehive, and in the end she chose to expel all the venomous bees whose honey is nothing but bitter prizes for the sake of being stung by many of them. Also, she might send her bees to collect better stuff next time, like from more pleasant flowers, so that "her" world would be embalm'd with delicate odours! Cristi:I Love The World: Oops, sorry. Not my thing. Perhaps I'm not with any kind of "army".  Cantic De Haiduc: The vocals... Very complicated... Authentic, for sure. But sometimes annoying, as well as a delight for my ears. The ending is just beautiful. I guess I liked it anyways... dr wu23 (Doug):The Monster: I guess your way of "protesting" is just the opposite of mine; that is, yours is in peace. This song is a real delilght for the ears. Peaceful... Perhaps it is reflecting the peace of mind after some tumultous occurings and/or thoughts. It at times gets powerful, but never destructive or disturbing. For Everyman: I loved the soul of the song. I loved the American "serenity" that haunted me throughout. One of the gentle and good ghosts it is, seemingly.  So, I'm not "protesting" and letting myself being enshrouded by it. mathman0806 (Geo):Dispossession: Very passionate. Loved it. Impressive lyrics too. Musically, the "bass" beat of the drums sound a bit off though. Otherwise, very well crafted song. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin is one of my favourite novels BTW. Got No Shotgun Hydrahead Octopus Blues: That is what I call protest, with a "sonic boom". (Do you know Guile?) Very good. My second vote will probably be yours! Lewian:Kein Ende: The song immediately shouts like "I'm German," even before the singing begins. I love German music generally, and this is also a very good one. Your Gershon Kingsley granted us with his "Popcorn" in the '60s. Can you imagine that? One of the pioneers of this kind of music, perhaps the biggest one! Racist Friend: Perfect articulaltion both in speech and instrumentation, which makes the song convey its message and protest very clearly. Very well. Really a perfect example of a direct protest in music. Ronstein (Andy Corbett):No One is Responsible: Like taken from a musical. A very good British song. Not a "powerful" protest type, but also a very British one which necessarily makes it influential in the end, given the power of the British culture within and over the world. I liked the song. Both musically and lyrically. The articulation is impressive in this one too. I loved the ending too, BTW. Plan (That's Not the Way...): A song in a similar vein with the other. The "boing" sound adds a comical aspect to the song. A good one, but I liked the former better. |
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jamesbaldwin
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Joined: September 25 2015 Location: Milano Status: Offline Points: 6052 |
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Posted: January 13 2021 at 06:52 |
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Let's start voting.
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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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Shadowyzard
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Posted: January 13 2021 at 09:56 |
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Okay, let me be the first to vote then.
My votes go: 1-) to Snicolette's picks. She was the instant winner. 2-) to Mathman's. Both of his songs were very impressive, both musically and protesting wise. I'm very sorry that I couldn't pick jamesbaldwin's and suitkees' picks. Lorenzo's shared picks were musically really awesome, but as for the "protesting" aspect, I found suitkees' and Lewian's picks more relevant to what I protest and how I protest. In the end, I decided to vote for Lewian's shared songs; because his pick Racist Friend is just a perfect example of a non-violent protest. But also of a very VERY effective kind. Nor is this all, it is universal too! suitkees' L'iditenté is also equally good, albeit not universal and not that much all-encompassing; regarding both today's and earliler times' humanity. You know? Colonialism was just one of the biggest evils of mankind, but it doesn't encompass the whole of our history, nor does/did it affect (directly) everywhere in the world. Oh, and this "might" be the first time I felt like voting for Lewian's picks. I didn't want to miss the chance! Edited by Shadowyzard - January 13 2021 at 09:58 |
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Snicolette
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Posted: January 13 2021 at 10:09 |
In thinking of some of your other reasoning for votes, you bring the point that it is important to be moved by the message in this type of material, almost an "I wish I'd written that!" sort of feeling, someone else expressing so well what one perceives as an injustice or a solution to a societal problem. Now to listen to my so-far favourites once again.
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"Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp
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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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Shadowyzard
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Joined: February 24 2020 Location: Davutlar Status: Offline Points: 4506 |
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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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Cristi
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Crossover / Prog Metal Teams Joined: July 27 2006 Location: wonderland Status: Online Points: 45662 |
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Posted: January 13 2021 at 13:59 |
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gonna listen and vote tomorrow.
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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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The Anders
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Posted: January 15 2021 at 10:37 |
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My votes:
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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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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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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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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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Shadowyzard wrote: