Interactive Poll XIII - Surprise, surprise

Lewian:  Diethelm “Famulari – Portrait”  Really intriguing mix, the sound itself is almost like it’s being suppressed (not like compressed, however), sort of like it’s being played in a room down the corridor from the listener.  It is more upbeat than what usually makes me stop everything, but I certainly think it IS surprising, in one of your senses of describing how you mean this poll to be approached.  What is really surprising is that I don’t immediately know how I feel about it, so it will draw me back, probably a few times.  😊

The Anders: Dvar-Deii CD2 01 “Gyandarvaal”  Love the slow build of the organ beginning the piece.  There is a feeling of psychedelic circus (in a good way) to me as the song picks up with the calliope sounds.  Then sort of a maniacal elfin voice comes in, cheeping and chattering, ending abruptly.  Did someone stumble on their party in the dark woods, forcing them to disappear?

Lorenzo:  A Filetta  Danse Mémoire, Danse “I vostri squardi”  Very brooding and lush.  Gorgeous harmonies (as should be expected from your description), and I love when the horn comes in, it is suitably mournful.  “Sumiglia,” your nomination.  Begins with a keening solo, joined in with the other voices as a subtle backdrop, this one gave me chills.  Bravo to them and to you for bringing it here.  The acoustic Springsteen’s of “Born in the USA”  the beauty of a singer/songwriter (even a rock one) is that the songs can be stripped to their basics and they still have their true character, sometimes, even more so in the simplicity of it.  I like the echo-y sound of the guitar and also on his voice on the demo….then he sort of reprises that, on the 12-string live, but not quite so much.  I prefer this live one to the demo, he is such a good, good live performer.  The third one (also live), the beginning work with the slide sounds almost raga-ish, this is my favourite of the three.

Rushfan4:  Rush “One Little Victory”  Obviously, I am familiar with Rush, so waiting to hear your selection of a non-PA band.

Micky:  Mark Ronson “Uptown Funk”  Not usually in what might be thought of as in my oeuvre, but this is very infectious, and I did grow up listening to a lot of funk and soul music, which my mom adored.  And I quite enjoyed all of your responses to Raff's, being familiar with all of them.

Raff:  Deee-Lite “Groove is in the Heart”  I remember when this record (and the video) was really big here in the states.  Great dance/soul music.  (edited, I'd mixed up yours and Micky's videos by accident)  Fleetwood Mac “Hypnotized” Nice laid-back sound in this era of Fleetwood Mac, lots of airplay, making a bridge from the more blues-based Peter Green version to what would eventually morph into the enormously successful version a few years later.  Chris Isaak “Wicked Game.”  This song kind of rivals what happened with the Moody’s (“Nights in White Satin”) with the time between first release to smash hit land a bit later, with this video being released after it’s placement in David Lynch’s “Wild At Heart.”  Very sensual video, two beautiful people.  And a just drop dead gorgeous spare and haunting arrangement.  Chris deserved it and more, he’s a great guy and worked hard at his craft.

Logan:  Matt Berry “Rain Came Down” Completely not expecting what I heard vs the LP cover.    “The Pheasant,” I rather liked more, with it’s sorta psych-folk-proggishness.  But the first one was certainly a surprise, although not as much to my taste.