Eternal Wondering of an Interactive Poll

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.