Interactive Poll: Sounds of Asia

Lorenzo:  Nice idea to use 3 by the same artist, actually.  Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan “Mustt Mustt”  I actually know this piece, but not from this source.  Second husband played Middle Eastern and other related musics and their band did a version of this.  This one has some electric bass and drumbeats at the beginning with some repeated electric (guitar?) quietly plinking along underneath it all.  There is village-style call and response within the piece, as well as some sort of reedy sounding keyboard (accordion or the like?).  Already I know this poll will be terribly difficult for me!  Next up “Intoxicated,” by same.  Here, the piece begins with shimmery electric notes, very subdued, then some electronic whangs and shuffling, which begin to take shape rhythmically as it builds.  The vocalist enters quietly and quaveringly. There are some accordianesque or organ, I think, notes, that are added in under the vocalist, who begins a swifter bit of almost scatting (although they may be words, as I don’t know the language, despite being exposed to a lot).  And thirdly, “Crest”  beginning with plaintive electric guitar notes and a very melancholy vocal melody.  The instrumental parts actually remind me of some of Alan Stivell’s music, very unrelated, yet also shares some qualities.  It does become more pointed about halfway in, with the vocals becoming more strident and the band becoming more electric oriented and jazzy in feel, with a more western structure.  It evolves into a washy fadeout.

JD:  Kodo “Stomp”  Thundersounds at the start, then two Taiko (I believe this is Taiko) drummers perform a very stylish short piece, makes me think that you’re starting your selections off with a drumroll.  Harry Partch “Delision of the Fury: Act I: Sanctus: An Entra’cte”  Harry Partch famous for building his own instruments and such, a very creative individual.  This begins as lots of percussive bell sounds and some whangs for emphasis.  Hypnotic piece that rises and falls in intensity, there is an almost hurdy-gurdy-like sound that enters at just under 2 minutes and some deep resonant bells follow.  Some sort of strummed instrument prevails with some blaring type sounds over halfway in.  All falls back for some solo percussion, then an organ-type sound enters with the percussive elements continuing.  Large bells and buzzing sounds with a few crashes bring it all to the end.  Electronico Fantasticos “Live At Iron Island Festival”  As advertized, live performance with a bouncy electronic beat, which is joined in on with various insruments, some of which look handmade here, as well, including incorporating electric fans.  Female playing some sort of keyboard adds some vocalizing after a bit.  Not sure what she’s singing, but it sounds like kind of a complaint.  Ends in some whangling and an appreciative audience.  Very imaginative. 

Anders:  Dewa Alit & Gamelan Salukat “Dripping Water/Yeh Jgetel”  As stated earlier, I love Gamelan music, but darned if I could name any of it.  I’ve heard a fair amount in live settings, this looks to be a favourable listen from me.  Begins with some percussive beats on I think, some sort of pottery instruments, that sound almost electronic, as do the next additions that are deeper-sounding pan-like instruments.  The pace picks up and then slows again, it truly does sound like stylized dripping water.   There are added in some even deeper elements on other pan-like instruments and then there is also an instrument similar to marimba added in, with some occasional bell-like tones, not sure what made those.  Everyone ends in unison.  Very meditative. 

George:  Wahh World Fusion Band “Desire On Fire”  Sitar started this one out slowly, with it’s very signature sound.  A male singer, with some echo effects on his voice sings out.  The opening is very sensuous, as the title would indicate.  Bass and drums are added as the pace picks up and they go more into a jazz sort of mode, and sounds like guitar there as well.  Tablas switch the mode again and very decidedly electric guitar flaming lead (excellent!).  It moves into another more sensual, ecstatic mode with sitar lead and vocal scatting.  The scatting becomes more quick and almost rap-like, except I think what he is doing is the drumbeats, vocally. Fadeout to end.   Jonas Hellborg/Shawn Lane/ V. Umashankar/V. Selvaganesh/ V. Umamahesh “Anchor”  Here we start again with sort of a classical Indian sound by the vocal and tablas, but the bass and guitar quickly dispel that thought that you are about ready to go on a typical raga.  This is a nice foray (with hecka great bass!) into fusing jazz with Indian music, has a live feel to it.  There is some sort of effect or? Creating a violin-ish drone sound about a third in.  Pretty imaginative lead on effected guitar, or is it a synth (leaning more towards synth as it continues)?  Solo vocal scatting for a bit, sounds like 2 different vocalists, call and response style, for a good stretch, then in unison.  Full band kicks in again with lead vocal over.  Kyaw Kyaw Naing/Bang on the Can All-Stars “Sein Chit Tee A Mhat Ta Ya” This begins rapidly with flutes and percussion, bass as well, it sounds like.  Goes into a fast spirally section, then slows and builds, with fits and starts, moving on to another quick paced section.  Then some very oriental sounding back and forth with flutes, percussion and keyboards.  Pretty bell-like portion is up next, this is like a quick journey through oriental sounds, in a way.  Kyaw Kyaw Naing demo on pat waing: Fun to watch him playing these, thanks! Love that mizmar sounding high (reeded?) instrument, too.   Yoshida Brothers “Rising”    This promises to be very electric, yet also with traditional instruments, from the opening.  Becomes very rock ‘n’ roll-ish, yet also cinematic music.  Dfficult and precise pacing, quick electric lead punctuates the piece about halfway in, then back to the main western sort of theme.  Ends with a super-tight finish.

Greg:  Geinoh Yamashirogumi “Osorezan” Well THAT woke me up!  Didn’t even have the speakers turned up yet, lol.  Scream then a drumroll, then some more drumming.  Some very subdued keyboard notes, then some shivery gong sounds, an eerie wailing and a woman’s voice, maybe a ghost story?  Some shaker type sounds and something indefinable, pretty spooky stuff going on, though.  Washy sounds and shimmers, some electric guitar and odd voicings, this time male, fading in and out.  Screechiness and wails, more to the fore.  Some wah-wah type guitar sounds.  More distressing sorts of noises, shrieks and clashy sounds.  Single drum beat and some snare.  Eerie female chorus, with now some sorts of horns or maybe organ?  Becomes much more rhythmic with an angular electric guitar lead. Vocal choir enters the stage, with a few more wails and screaming.   Orc-ish sorts of sounds, is this a descent into Hell?  Perhaps.  Scream again, then subtle sounds start and the woman voice is back, very quietly singing with some ambient sounds around her.  Interesting piece, I liked some of the really spooky parts a lot, definitely a journey.  Haco + Sakamoto Hiromichi “Ash In The Rainbow”  This one starts with some bowed saw-like (or theremin? Or whatever Japanese instrument makes that sound, don’t know the name) sound and some heavenly violin or cello with an equally heavenly female vocal.  Mournful, melancholy sounding piece.  I like it! Just gorgeous. She is joined with other voices and goes into a speaking part. An almost lullaby feel to this one. Ends a little abruptly.  Yoshihiro Kanno “Egg's Dream”  Choral and some shimmery strings, cascading all around each other.  Very angelic in feel, yet also a bit discordant, so perhaps evoking outer space.  Bits of deep bells here and there, then deep church type bells. Abrupt halt, then the angels return for just a moment (well several, actually). 

Note:  This will be a very tough round, for me, so far, everyone has something that really caught my ear.