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Interactive poll#5 - This sounds Greek to me!

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Poll Question: Pick the magic number of three you like best
Poll Choice Votes Poll Statistics
6 [12.24%]
2 [4.08%]
2 [4.08%]
3 [6.12%]
3 [6.12%]
0 [0.00%]
4 [8.16%]
4 [8.16%]
2 [4.08%]
1 [2.04%]
5 [10.20%]
3 [6.12%]
6 [12.24%]
3 [6.12%]
4 [8.16%]
1 [2.04%]
0 [0.00%]
0 [0.00%]
0 [0.00%]
0 [0.00%]
You can not vote in this poll

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rushfan4 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rushfan4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2020 at 18:55
Originally posted by Lewian Lewian wrote:

Originally posted by rushfan4 rushfan4 wrote:

I am admittedly not really a fan of music with non-English lyrics mainly due to my own linguistic limitations.  This is a "me" problem not a "them" problem.  I've found a few prog bands over the years like Nemo and Cast that I do like quite a bit and from time to time I do listen to the some of the better know Italian prog bands although none of them are really the classics for me like the English singing bands.  Anyhow, I suppose I will have a bit of fun with y'all and suggest this classic pop hit from my youth that I would sometime hear the English version and sometime the German version.  I don't expect too many votes for it here on this site, but my library of non-prog, non-English music is extremely limited and this is what came to mind for me.  LOL





Nice to have some German language in this poll, although it was hard to not have this song blasted into your ears far too often in Germany at the time, which has killed it for me.
By the way, the lyrics of this song are written by Carlo Karges, central Nena band member in the beginning, who earlier was a member of symphonic prog band Novalis on their (very good) second album.

Actually I still like the odd Nena song that was not played to death, for example this one:

I probably hadn't heard it in 20 years, but it was definitely played a lot in both the German and English version way back in the day.  It was between that and Rock Me Amadeus for non-English lyric songs that I can say that I have a decent history with. I am glad to hear that there is a prog connection with Carlo Karges.  I will check out the other song that you posted

Edited by rushfan4 - June 12 2020 at 18:56
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TCat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2020 at 19:06
Originally posted by Lewian Lewian wrote:

Originally posted by TCat TCat wrote:


 
If we do instrumentals, you might want to put another qualifier in there because there are endless jazz and classical instrumentals, so it wouldn't really be that hard.  You could get some interesting results if you kept it confined to more "popular" genres somehow (and of course, not listed on the archives).
 
 

Hmmm. Not sure if it has to be made "hard". Everyone will anyway propose something that is dear to them, and that should be qualification enough. Also there's lots of classical and jazz music but we haven't had that much of it in these polls yet. (Reason that I write this is that I'm already preparing, and what you wrote may kill my potential entry. Wink Shouldn't be a problem to find another one, but...)
 
Sorry about that, didn't mean to mess up anyone's entry.  I'm okay doing it anyway they want to do it.  I have something in mind either way.
 
 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote jamesbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2020 at 19:14
Originally posted by Shadowyzard Shadowyzard wrote:

I again don't agree with your final sentence.

Dimash was invited by operas, but rejected to follow his own career within the scope of "popular music".

He and Krutoy doesn't claim that this is fully an operatic piece in all classical standarts. But Dimash here sings with full operatic techniques.

Let me give an example: I hate extreme metal generally. Especially grindcore. But even though they double the speed of even speed metal and I see that as sick or of bad taste, if a grindcore band conveys what they intend properly; I wouldn't call it "pretentious". I think pretentiousness, in this context, connotes that something is done exaggeratedly, and is not convincing and/or lacks integrity & soul. It can also connote that someone is "faking" that s/he is better than what his/her real qualities and capabilities are.

We are all entitled to our own opinions, I respect yours, but I'll not agree with your take on this.

It is clear that you cannot agree with me because if you put this piece here it means that you like it very much. 

But, It's the first time I listen to a song sung by Dimash.

My impression is about this song, not about Dimash. I could appreciate Dimash in other songs or when he sings Verdi or Wagner or Mozart etc.

I for example considered Pavarotti a great tenor, certainly better than Carreras or Domingo, but his participation in pop songs almost always gave kitschy results (the best song remains the one with U2). 

Dictionary:
Kitsch: art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.

When I wrote that the song seems to me closer to being pretentious, exaggerated and Kitsch (ok, let's forget about bad taste) rather than art, I mean the overall effect of bombastic music with the virtuosity of singing. It seems clear to me that the music is emphatic and that it leaves room for Dimash to show off his virtuosity and his vocal range, which are truly extraordinary. But it is this combination of emphatic music plus virtuoso singing that seems exaggerated to me. I don't think in the least that Dimash pretends to possess skills he doesn't have, that's not what I meant by pretentious. He has all the skills. Pretentious (maybe I misuse this word in English) in this case for me it means wanting to transform a simple and linear song like this into a pumped-up song, which tries to reach great emotional moments with the arrangement and virtuosity.In general, when a player or singer is a virtuoso, he must be careful not to overdo it, not to turn music into an exhibition of his skills.

There is also the case in which pretentious means trying out a serious work that is beyond your ability, and this for me the EL&P did with Pictures at an Exhibition.

Supertramp are often kitsch, in my opinion, but I like them.

But for example, I love this song by Bruce Springsteen and, if you have time, what do you think about Morello's guitar solo?






Edited by jamesbaldwin - June 12 2020 at 19:17
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jamesbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2020 at 19:27
Originally posted by TCat TCat wrote:

Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

Originally posted by Shadowyzard Shadowyzard wrote:

Let's make the next one with the rule "from your own country". What say you?

not that I am judge nor jury.. I am more the executioner type.. 

My two cents?

 Many of us have been doing that already. I'd try to think up another...

I had offered to do the next one and that is up to Lorenzo but don't think it is a secret what I wanted to do..

the flip side of this. .and potentially a VERY interesting poll

instrumentals... and of the interesting part of that comes from having to choose from non  PA's types.. a real chance to get some interesting and ear catching suggestions.

Up to Lorenzo of course.. it is his BBQ.. and I am digging this cornbread man
 
If we do instrumentals, you might want to put another qualifier in there because there are endless jazz and classical instrumentals, so it wouldn't really be that hard.  You could get some interesting results if you kept it confined to more "popular" genres somehow (and of course, not listed on the archives).
 
 

Well, Micky, if you want to open the next poll, with rules opposite to this, that are:

- only instrumental songs from our country, 

that's fine for me. 

Then after Micky I will open the poll which will have the theme of the songs influenced by Latin American music.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote micky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2020 at 19:45
any Africans here.. Indians.. Mongolians.. Chinese...  Vietnamese..

nah..  don't dig that caveat... at all. 

so meet you half way..  no restrictions.. other than common sense and remembering the whole spirit of these poll. Thus the theme.. not the rule.  After this many polls I think most have the gist of the game.  Exploring new stuff.. different stuff. If one wants to toss off some jazz or classical.. no problem.. we haven't stopped top 40 hits from being nominated.

all for fun.. and a chance to discover something you might not heard...

what say thee man... got a deal
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shadowyzard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2020 at 19:50
Originally posted by jamesbaldwin jamesbaldwin wrote:

Originally posted by Shadowyzard Shadowyzard wrote:

I again don't agree with your final sentence.

Dimash was invited by operas, but rejected to follow his own career within the scope of "popular music".

He and Krutoy doesn't claim that this is fully an operatic piece in all classical standarts. But Dimash here sings with full operatic techniques.

Let me give an example: I hate extreme metal generally. Especially grindcore. But even though they double the speed of even speed metal and I see that as sick or of bad taste, if a grindcore band conveys what they intend properly; I wouldn't call it "pretentious". I think pretentiousness, in this context, connotes that something is done exaggeratedly, and is not convincing and/or lacks integrity & soul. It can also connote that someone is "faking" that s/he is better than what his/her real qualities and capabilities are.

We are all entitled to our own opinions, I respect yours, but I'll not agree with your take on this.

It is clear that you cannot agree with me because if you put this piece here it means that you like it very much. 

But, It's the first time I listen to a song sung by Dimash.

My impression is about this song, not about Dimash. I could appreciate Dimash in other songs or when he sings Verdi or Wagner or Mozart etc.

I for example considered Pavarotti a great tenor, certainly better than Carreras or Domingo, but his participation in pop songs almost always gave kitschy results (the best song remains the one with U2). 

Dictionary:
Kitsch: art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.

When I wrote that the song seems to me closer to being pretentious, exaggerated and Kitsch (ok, let's forget about bad taste) rather than art, I mean the overall effect of bombastic music with the virtuosity of singing. It seems clear to me that the music is emphatic and that it leaves room for Dimash to show off his virtuosity and his vocal range, which are truly extraordinary. But it is this combination of emphatic music plus virtuoso singing that seems exaggerated to me. I don't think in the least that Dimash pretends to possess skills he doesn't have, that's not what I meant by pretentious. He has all the skills. Pretentious (maybe I misuse this word in English) in this case for me it means wanting to transform a simple and linear song like this into a pumped-up song, which tries to reach great emotional moments with the arrangement and virtuosity.In general, when a player or singer is a virtuoso, he must be careful not to overdo it, not to turn music into an exhibition of his skills.

There is also the case in which pretentious means trying out a serious work that is beyond your ability, and this for me the EL&P did with Pictures at an Exhibition.

Supertramp are often kitsch, in my opinion, but I like them.

But for example, I love this song by Bruce Springsteen and, if you have time, what do you think about Morello's guitar solo?






Firstly, thanks for the nice reply. I also didn't mean you concluded that Dimash is pretentious altogether. I just mentioned that he also sings differently in other songs, to emphasize my view, which is: this song calls for this performance.

Springsteen & Morello performance even brought tears to my eyes. I sensed a sublime interaction throughout. Morello was "firm" when needed, and Springsteen gets extremely passionate and vice versa. Morello's lunatic solos are not my thing, but I think they came from his heart. They didn't spoil the magic for me. It seems like Springsteen felt the same way. Countless thanks for sharing this, I was amazed.

By the way, do you know Jussi Björling? If not, what do you think about his voice after listening through the video I put? If you have time, I'd be happy to learn your impression. 


Edited by Shadowyzard - June 12 2020 at 19:53
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Snicolette Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2020 at 20:00
I love it when people discuss things out when they were misunderstood.  Bravo to you both!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote mathman0806 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 02:17
Originally posted by jamesbaldwin jamesbaldwin wrote:

Wagakki Band - This song seems punk, very loud, fast, with too much drum sound, but the singer 's voice is excellent and the best moments are when the very intrusive drummer stops and we can hear oriental sounds. It looks like a punk song superimposed on Japanese singing that I hear in Japanese restaurants accelerated. A curious experiment, although in my opinion the song renounces the artistic part a little to concentrate on the more commercial one. Anyway, a candidate?


I hear what you are saying. In fact, with some of their other songs, I would like them to 'slow' things down. The singer (who also plays keyboards), shakuhachi player, and koto player also form a folk pop trio called Hanafugetsu.

You might like this one.



And here's a performance (instrumental) including the wadaiko drummer from the Wagakki Band.



Edited by mathman0806 - June 13 2020 at 02:38
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lewian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 04:51
Went through everything once now... I think I have first and second spot, but more than half a dozen candidates for the third one. Overall quite enjoyable!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cristi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 05:20
interesting round, enjoyed quite a few of the songs, but voted for:

The Boy & Despoinis Trixromi: Glykeia Mou Agapi
Wagakki Band - Senbonzakura
Pino Daniele - Che te ne fotte
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote micky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 05:48
Originally posted by Lewian Lewian wrote:

I think I have first and second spot, but more than half a dozen candidates for the third one. Overall quite enjoyable!

same here...  about to another another round and try to get that third one..
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mathman0806 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 06:09
I voted for:

1. Rokia Traore
2. Serge Gainsbourg
3. Nationalteatern

Will comment more when I am at the computer.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote micky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 07:35
I think I've decided on my 3...  probably the most difficult of the polls so far to decide..

there were 2 I really liked musically.. but tried to base the vote on the theme...the singing.. the language and unfortunately neither of those 2 could top my top 3.

1. Värttinä  -Seelinnikoi
pretty much the full Monty...  very musical language...  great singing and .. hell who are we kdding.. 3 blonds doing the bouncy bouncy.. 

2. Dimash Kudaibergen & Igor Krutoy - Olimpico (Ogni Pietra)
was a new one for me.. and wow..  very impressie. Really enjoyed that

3. Connie Dover - Ubi Caritas
very beautiful.. not exactly Micky style.. but it hit a nerve. 

great choices everyone!!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Raff Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 08:03
Just cast my three votes. Here they are:

1. Rokia Traoré - Love both the music and the singing. African music deserves to be known much better than it
    is.
2. Connie Dover - Lovely vocals and music, with a mystical quality.
3. Pino Daniele - Easy to forget how good he was in his heyday. He did also have a prog connection, having 
    been one of the bass players of JR/F band Napoli Centrale.

As a whole, this batch of songs was quite good. There were a few I was already familiar with: Cat Stevens, Eartha Kitt, Nena, Charo and The Bothy Band. On the whole, my favourite was my own song (as in the previous two editions of the Poll), but this time around there were a few strong contenders.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shadowyzard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 08:17
Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

2. Dimash Kudaibergen & Igor Krutoy - Olimpico (Ogni Pietra)
was a new one for me.. and wow..  very impressie. Really enjoyed that


Mighty Micky Mouse says to me: "Here I come to save the daaaaay."

But u use an avatar with a cat image!.. What the hell...

kl
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote micky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 08:22
the funny thing..  the first couple of times I ran through this.. I was trolling the forum..
ie.. listening.. not watching

then last night I actually watched that and thought to myself.. well f**k me.. that is ONE singer.. not two

and immediately locked up the 2nd vote.

the 3rd came down to the Rokia and Dover songs and to quote a classic..



the Dover song just hit more of a nerve...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Snicolette Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 08:56
I think this one was the most difficult for me yet.  I kept re-listening to 8 of them, after my first couple of run-throughs.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rushfan4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 09:37
Rokia Traore - this was a fun song.  Kind of reminded me of the rhythms you might find in some of Peter Gabriel's world music.

Dmitri - Muse comes to mind on this one.  Good voice and I enjoyed the orchestration.

The Bothy Band - Mostly about the vocals which of course I don't understand. 

Pino Daniele - sounds like Paul McCartney.  A bit of a disco taste to it.

Wagakkia Band - Interesting.  I like the flutes but otherwise kind of has a pop sound to it.

Heroes del Silencio -   pretty standard beat.  I liked the instrumental break in the middle of the song.  Sounds like a number of hard rock/metal bands that I have in my collection.

Connie Dover - nice voice.  Liked the Celtic sound to it.  

P-Model - sounds like a song that would be found under the avant category.  Kind of punky.

Nationalteatern - pretty standard rock beat.  Seems to build up and come to a dramatic conclusion.Maybe a little Blue Oyster Cult happening here.

Nena - my trolling suggestion.  I still like this song and i suppose familiarity helps.  Very 80's sounding pop but I like it.

Serge Gainsbourg - sounds like it could be a song with an interesting story.  Maybe a little Lou Reed taking a ride on the wild side.   Another song with a nice build up to a dramatic ending.

Eartha Kitt -  a song from its time.  A 1950's jazz piece.  

Varttina - brought to mind a Christmas carol for some reason or another.  

The Boy & Despoinis Trixromi:  it is all Greek to me.  

Cat Stevens - I think that the cat has his tongue and is hiding it in the cradle.  I like the Spanish guitars though.

FFN - This was another fun rock and roll song.  Kind of Zeppelin-ish sounding.

Charo - The only other song aside from the Nena song that I suggested that I had ever heard before.  


All that I can say is that I made the effort and did listen to each of these songs.  I hate to be that guy, but I don't find much enjoyment in listening to songs in a language that I don't understand...although have the time I don't understand the lyrics that are being sung in English songs so to a point I don't know why it is that big of a problem.  For me, music is about communicating a message and when that message isn't understandable it kind of falls on deaf ears.  Most of the songs that were provided were pretty good but I think I would have enjoyed more if I understood them.  That being said I will add my three votes to the list:

1. Rokia Traore.
2. FFN
3. Nena  


Edited by rushfan4 - June 13 2020 at 09:39
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rushfan4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 10:05
I did think of another song that I could have added to the mix.  I used to drive my friends to school back in my high school days and I can remember blasting this Warlock album mostly for All We Are, but the album did end with this nice little ballad in German (mostly).




Edited by rushfan4 - June 13 2020 at 10:09
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lewian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2020 at 12:21
Good to see some love for Rokia Traore. I saw her for the first time some six years ago on Jools Holland's Later show (I miss that in Italy) and was hooked on her from the very first note. Such stunning musicality, and it's pretty sophisticated, too! I have looked around for some more African music and found some good stuff, but nothing has beaten her yet.

Here are some other songs (was tempted to propose the Beautiful Africa track but it has some English in it.
She has lots of calmer material as well:

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