Eternal Wondering of an Interactive Poll

Greg

Alice Coltrane - Much of Alice Coltrane’s music perfectly captures samsara, and often (probably always) intentionally so. This is one of my favourite Alice Coltrane albums. I really love what she did with the harp in the context of jazz. The harp is such a wonderful instrument that can be used in a variety of musical styles and genres, but rarely is. I enjoy Alice Coltrane’s piano playing, too, but it is on the harp that she really draws me in.

Popul Vuh - My two favourite PV albums are the debut and the album from which this track is taken. I realise most people prefer Hosianna Mantra and beyond, but for me these two albums are far more interesting and enjoyable. I can totally get why you would think of this track for this poll. Two absolutely superb choices, and the only reason I’m unlikely to give a vote for either if one becomes your nomination, is because I am already familiar with both. But I also love both so much, I will be tempted to break that self-imposed “rule”!

Lorenzo

Donovan - Holy crap! I didn’t even know this album existed. Donovan is a hugely overlooked artist, even though he had great success back in the day, he’s largely forgotten about when people speak about the great music of the ‘60s. I love so much of his classic material, that it never occurred to me he might still be making music - and from these three tracks alone, some of the most breathtakingly beautiful music he’s ever made. In terms of samsara, it would be near impossible to deny that Nirvana doesn’t fit, given that (depending on religious belief, and accompanying definition) nirvana and mukti are largely the same concept. Nirvana is my favourite of the three songs here, but The Evernow is snapping at its heels.

Nickie 

Dhafur Youssef - I was introduced to this amazing artist only earlier this year (to be precise in April by Leonardo Pavkovic), and was instantly enamoured. My favourite performances I have watched/listened to are the phenomenally talented quartet of Youssef, Tigran Hamasyan, Chris Jennings, and Mark Guiliana. Les Ondes Orientales is another Dhafur Youssef piece I think fits nicely with the idea of samsara. A great suggestion, Nickie!

Sam Philips - Possibly an odd choice given she began as a Christian music artist, and although moved to the mainstream (or, at least the fringes of it) and away from Christian music, on the surface Christianity would appear to not really have much in common with the idea of samsara. However, I can totally hear why you’ve submitted this song. I’ve always liked any Sam Philips music I’ve heard, but I’ve never listened to an album. This song is new to me, and I really like it. It might be the push for me to finally listen to an album. Apart from the apt description you give to this song, even without listening, the concept of samsara could also easily be described as tripping over gravity. 

Lavinia Meijer - I love this piece, but I’m afraid I didn’t get the samsara vibe. That’s done to me, though - as unless samsara is overtly and explicitly referenced, it is totally down to individual interpretation. So I’m sure you have good reason for this speaking of samsara to you.

Cristi

Nigel Stanford - Well, for patriotic reasons, I have to applaud your submitting a Kiwi composer!  I think I would perhaps have gone for something from Timescapes (perhaps The Approaching Light?) over Solar Echoes, but I can still get where you’re coming from.

Occultation - Oh yeah, this track screams samsara. Never heard of this band, but I like them. They remind me a little of Dool, though they don’t have a great deal of sonic similarity, so much as they are seem to similarly inspired conceptually - even if they go in quite different directions. I’m definitely going to check out more by this band.

Alternativ Quarter - Another band that’s new to me, that I think I have to check out! They remind me quite a bit of Indukti (who, of course have a track called Sansara - an alternative spelling of samsara). This definitely fits the feel of samsara, and it feels like you’ve presented them on a scale (to me, I guess it is important to add) of increasing feeling of samsara, which is really near, as it feels like the increasing realisation of being caught in samsara, which is necessary before reaching mukti.

Kees

La Féline - I love this song! The Interactive Polls are such a great way to be introduced to music I’d likely never come across otherwise. I have to admit, without the title, and without you having given the lyrics, I probably wouldn’t have realised this song was as fitting as it is. But it absolutely is, and I will be investigating this band further.

A Winged Victory for the Sullen - I’ll admit, I wasn’t aware of this band until The Undivided Five was released a couple of years back, but I did try and make up for lost time, so this track is familiar to me. And yes, it definitely fits. Nice one!

Arvo Pärt - This is pretty much samsara - our life (/lives) in an infinity of mirrors. It’s one of the best encapsulations of samsara in musical form presented so far, and also one of my favourite pieces presented so far. So it’s a winner on two counts, for me. But as I’m familiar with it, it means I’d be unlikely to vote for it, no matter how much I love it.

Lewian

The Godfathers - Haven’t heard this one, but it’s actually exactly what I was thinking of, in a way. A lot of songs and albums that address samsara do not necessarily do so knowingly, so much as express the concept of samsara within the lyrics. This is a perfect representation of that. Not really to my taste, but it is more obviously about samsara (to me) than some other submissions so far.

Talk Talk - Like Sam Philips earlier, this is an interesting one, as Talk Talk music is very often full of Christian imagery, and the name of After the Flood, as well as the lyrics seem to point to to story of Noah and the arc - but it’s also very vague and allegorical. I’ve read people suggest it’s about the Holocaust, or about personal salvation, or, or, or…. And it’s easy to read into it the idea of karma, reincarnation and rebirth, so I can see why it could be considered for this poll. Life’s What You Make, again, might be Christian based, but by title and lyrics it is also very easy to connect to samsara. Great band, and great song choices. But I would guess, as you suggested, that if you put either up for nomination, neither would garner many votes, as most people here tend not to vote for songs they already know.

Geo

Dan Deacon - Showing that the path self-discovery and inner peace need not be quiet! This song works, though so do others from the same album. Become a Mountain, the Arp suite (particularly Arp II and Arp III) and Fell Into the Ocean all feel as much about samsara as Sat by a Tree. Good choice, and I hope some others dig this.

Mike

M. Ward - never heard of M. Ward, but this is a nice wee song, and for sure is a good example of samsara, just as you describe. It’s not really to my taste, and I’m not sure why, as I like quite a bit of folk and singer songwriter sort of stuff. Maybe I just need to hear more. I shall listen further…

Lorenzo:  I must ask if you’ve seen the recent David Lynch-directed Donovan video, “Shaman.”  If not, you will see that he still has retained his devotion to esoteric beliefs.  I did not know of this recording, so looking forward to hearing it.  I love a lot of Donovan tunes, most especially “Widow With A Shawl,” from his Gift from a Flower to A Garden release, which I can see at the front of one of my shelves of LPs. “Nirvana”  Song begins with clearly picked guitar and Donovan in his lovely, soft voice.  Love the minor key of this, it’s about Nirvana, yet there is a sense of sadness to it, as well.  Keyboards with single notes play along in the background.  These keyboards and the drums help convey a sense of a step-by-step journey to the song.  “Everlasting Sea”  A plaintive love song, another one with a bit of melancholy to it.  Simply produced with a lush cello, later joined with a violin to add to the feeling of eternity.  Donovan’s voice makes a soft chorus along with the solo vocal during the final verse.  “The Evernow”  Dirgelike start and Donovan using his lower register, here.  At the second verse, flute is added and the feel becomes more hopeful and peaceful, rather than dark.  All three are very contemplative, my personal favourite is the second one, for the arrangement of the strings. 

Cristi:  Nigel Stanford “Sea of Tranquility”  Keyboards/synths begin the piece of music, drums kick in after a few measures.  Astronaut voiceover enters.  Flute-y synths begin, and the astronauts become mixed farther back.  He intensity slowly builds as the keyboards become more and more layered.  The astronauts are more to the fore and the music also becomes more forceful with vocal chorus/angelic choir effects added.  The piece fades to an end.  Alternativ Quartet “Linistea Astupa Goluri”  This one has a raga-rock sort of beginning as far as the guitars, in a minor key and there are some swirlies and also very far back voices, almost indiscernable.  The full band kicks in with a lovely electric lead, bass and drums.  An apocalyptic feel.  The guitar has a sort of galactic battle with either a loop or another guitar? All the while the raga sound persists, then lead-type guitar bows out for the bass to shine for a bit.  The lead electric melee returns, then the piece ends with deep swirls spiraling outward.

Kees:  La féline “Samsara”  Lovely high voiced female vocals peppered with harmonizing with herself.  Electric guitar and repeating keyboard lines with a very subdued drum kit at the back.  Chill-inducing choral effects with her voice(s) come forcefully to the fore.  This has a lovely hypnotic feel.  Excellent choice.  A Winged Victory for the Sullen “We Played Some Open Chords and Rejoiced, for the Earth Had Circled the Sun Yet Another Year”   Some keyboard sounds begin the piece, then solo piano.  There is an echo-y effect on the piano, a wide-open sound.  There are some sustained notes on synth, perhaps, along with this.  The sounds gradually swell with strings.  Very serene piece of music, another one with a sense of eternity.   My only complaint is that I could have listened to it for quite a bit longer. 

Lewian:  The Godfathers “Birth, School, Work, Death” Going from the sublime to the mundane, everyday grind here.  New Wave/punkish band here.  I actually do remember this, now that I hear it.  Has a very hooky repeating guitar line and they are a very tight outfit.  I enjoy the sarcasm and cynicism.  Talk Talk “After the Flood”  Simple piano notes start with some wispy effected guitar notes sliding across. Organ slyly enters from the side.  Ooooh, love the vocalist, when he comes in.  I know the band’s name, but not sure I’ve heard much, and surely, not this.  It has a live cut feeling.   There are some noise-parts that come in, they are effectively done, very raspy.  I really like the atmosphere of this, wandering about and his voice is so perfect for this piece, like someone speaking to himself late at night, somehow.  Lots of emotion in his voice.  The piece eventually fades out.  Wow.  😊  Followed by Talk Talk “Life’s What You Make It” Aha!  This one I DO know.  I just didn’t realize it.  What a voice.  Wonderful song and a great pick for here (although many others may be way more familiar with the rest of their repertoire).  The second piece was my favourite of these 3, plus I didn't know it.