Interactive poll: How are you today?

Lorenzo:  Piccola Orchestra Avion Travel “Sentimento”  Sounds very pleasant to begin, has a sense of melancholy, nonetheless, or perhaps a wish to return to the time in the singer’s mind.  Paolo Conte “Novecento”  Not visible to me, so found this one on YT, 3:36 time and with a 900 front cover.  This one has a circus-y beginning, kind of light fluty sounds and a lilting beat.  Horns with a sort of announcement feel to them.  Delivered with a bit of a laugh in the voice here and there.  Perhaps a bit of irony in the tune? 

Özgür:  Falconer “The Clarion Call”  Metal guitars start the tune (metal kinda goes with war themes, no?).  A sad commentary that is still true today, perhaps even more so, lyrically.  A driving metal song, musically.

Nick:  Nordic Giants “Dark Clouds Mean War”  Just found this band, I think, thanks to you, Nick.  Purchased their latest.  This video shows their live performance, which they are acclaimed for, from what I’ve read about them.  Prog really does justice to feelings of despair and anxiety, doesn’t it? Those minor chord washes are so emotional, and the bleak piano by itself with the voiceover, as well.  Giorgi Mikadze “Moaning, from the Georgian Microjamz”  This begins very jarringly and very electric (after listening to Kees’ selection).  And fitting for the piece, as it is obviously a very jarring time in the composer’s time, a quiet keening.  The electric piano and guitar are very discordant and erratic (especially the guitar), with irregular drumbeats crashing in.  Fades to just the piano and a synth, with drums in the next section.  The vocalist returns to the fray as the instruments continue with the dirge and the piece comes to an end, almost unresolved, to my ear.  Which is perhaps true, as the grief will never really end.

Kees:  Lluís Llach  “Campanades a morts” After the intro and the chant from the audience, strings begin and a solemn bell tolls, leading to drumbeats and soft horns in a march, to die down and allow the singer/pianist his spotlight, soft orchestral touches accompanying his impassioned vocals.  In the second movement, a choir joins in on, with more soft orchestration, which comes to a crescendo, then back to just the piano and vocal. Woodwinds and strings continue with the melody.  Next, Lluís stands and sings, forgoing piano and chorus joins in again and concludes, with the piece ending in sad triumph and the bells once again.  There is so much grief in this piece, so very moving.