Interactive poll No. -46 2/3 - the folk music poll

George:  James Holden & The Animal Spirits “Spinning Dance”  Begins with some guitar washes and finger cymbals, then goes into a happy swash of keyboards underneath, as the guitar swells in and out.  Guitar begins to play a more forceful lead and drums kick in.  This is all done in a very quiet way, in terms of the production.  There begin to emerge the sounds of chanting-type voices, really intriguing wriggly bits of keyboards and guitars interplay, there are sounds of either very controlled feedback or perhaps violin-type strings and whistle-type sounds, with some more inter-layered vocalishness.  Very excellent spacey folkishness here.  Tin Hat Trio “Width of the World”  Repeating bass line starts and some almost-sitarish bended guitar notes.  There is a keyboard underneath at times for depth, it sounds like, or perhaps a bowed instrument or accordion, as the sound becomes more pronounced.  There is a Delta blues-ish or Cajun nod here, as well, in the guitar style.  This sounds much more like an accordion or concertina now, as you can hear the reeds parts and the glisses on the keyboard more clearly.  This instrument goes off into a jam with the other instruments.  Now a bowed instrument enters the room, jamming along with everyone else.  This has become almost a raga/Cajun piece, reminiscent of Kaleidoscope to my ear, then it returns back to slow and slide-y before slowly fading.  Followed by “Helium Reprise, also by the Tin Hat Trio:  This one begins with an almost Betty Boop sliding violin sound, but quickly turns the plucked fiddly sounds and the unmistakable voice of Tom Waits.  There are small blats of horns as well, that punctuate the piece.  The concertina/accordion comes back in after some percussive clinks and an almost African-sounding plucked, stringed instrument.  Horns come in and wander about with everyone else, I can just see Tom sitting on a stool at the bar, observing it all.

May I interrupt this message and say that I thought the last one was difficult.  This one is in it’s own stratosphere, as far as voting, with everyone’s entries!  

And continuing with George:  Hanafugestu “Crimson”  Very pretty music from a Japanese ensemble, playing traditional instruments, shakuhatchi and koto, as well as piano with a lilting-voiced singer….all in traditional garb as well.  There is certainly a strong element of classical Japanese music, with the instrumentation….and combining the lovely voice of the female singer in a more modern style.  Very light in feel, it would seem the subject is a happy one.  Unfolk “Bedroom Discotheque”  Song starts with low notes on guitar, supported by drums and bass. Male singer in very 80’s style.  There are some nice cello or violin embellishments.  The song uses imagery of turntable speeds, melting wax and lists various styles of popular music in the lyrics.  Yes, he DOES sound like Peter Murphy a bit, now that I’m reading what you said.  “Tuva Farewell,” from Genghis Blues soundtrack, with Paul Pena.  I enjoy some of the tuva music that I’ve heard.  I’m not a fan of modern “growling,” which this resembles, but it’s authentic here, for some reason it always sounds contrived when I hear it from metal/prog outfits.  This combines a traditional American folk sound from the main singer, his guitar and maybe a slide guitar or dobro?, with the addition of a tuva singer.  Really a fun piece, the tuva singer underneath the guitars and such sounds a bit like a jaw harp.  Looked him up, what an interesting and tragic life.