Interactive poll: All you do to me is talk talk

1.        Lorenzo:  Gilad Atzmon “Joven, Hermosa y Triste”  This was perhaps the most musical of the options, probably why I enjoyed it so much.  Piano, bass and subtle drumming begins the piece.  There are gorgeous, shimmery strings and concertina (or may be the Italian instrument, Lorenzo, that reminds me of concertina, the name escapes me as I write).  He sings a wordless melody with the instrumentation, after first speaking a part.  This is very leisurely and takes it’s time creating the atmosphere, a bit Klezmer-y perhaps, but not as “bright,” as I usually think of Klezmer.  He then sings a portion after another speaking part and some saxophone joins in.  Quite enjoyed it, although I could only catch some of the lyrics without a translation

2.       Kees:  If you’d chosen, this would also have been in contention.  Anthony Joseph “Calling England Home”   Another “if you’d chosen,”  the Lucier piece, that would have won first place for me, for sheer inventiveness and also musicality.  But I understand why you went with this, as it is about half as long.   Paddy McAloon/Prefab Sprout “I Trawl the Megahertz”  I found the reading of the poetry as the story slowly unfolds to be moving.  Light and airy orchestral beginning, sounds like it may be nostalgic, from the setup.  Female voice tells a child that it’s world is changing, his father doesn’t want to live with them anymore.  Saxophone joins in.  The woman continues describing her experience, trying to navigate in a warlike setting.  Trying to come to terms that everything is now changed, forever.  She is at a loss, over her loss, looking for ways to heal, but none of them are enough, only the oblivion that waits in the stars once she is “bones, or dust, or ashes,” may free her from this pain.  Death of a relationship/death of another one loves, it is the same.  Extraordinary piece.

3.       dr wu23:  Masters of Reality “T.U.S.A.”  Love the cover and the album name, btw.  Another deep voiced guy, but this one’s British and it’s not a dream, as in wiz’s previous track.  This guy is musing about a teabag, with a catchy guitar, drums and bass underpinning, which repeats throughout.  A chorus vocal queries why can’t get their tea?  Reminds me so much of my British friends ordering “tea,” at a diner and their disgust at how it is served here in the US!  Very amusing! 

Honourable Mentions:

 Cristi:  Erik Truffaz “Trippin’ The Lovelight Fantastic”  

 Anders:  Dan Turèll & Halfdan E “eg skulle have været taxachauffør”

 wiz_d_kidd:  2NU “This Is Ponderous” 

These, for me, would have been in contention, had they been chosen, but only after the Lucier piece, which would have far outdistanced all of the choices for me. 

Christian:  Red Snapper “Suckerpunch” 

Greg:  Matt Berry “Introduction (To Opium)”

George:  Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy “Television, the Drug of the Nation” 

I prophesy disaster:  Rollins Band “Liar”