Interactive Lightning Poll #2
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Other music related lounges
Forum Name: General Music Discussions
Forum Description: Discuss and create polls about all types of music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=127936
Printed Date: March 09 2025 at 14:59
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Interactive Lightning Poll #2
Posted By: Snicolette
Subject: Interactive Lightning Poll #2
Date Posted: December 02 2021 at 15:18
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Since there will be a delay between Interactive
Polls, Lorenzo has asked me to conduct a quick lightning round,
like the one Greg did back in September. The idea is you have until Tuesday (7 Dec) to nominate a song, then I will open up voting on Wednesday (8 Dec). Post one non-PA song that you love, for whatever reason. Nice if it’s not a blockbuster hit. Please keep these to under 10 minute songs, as there won’t be so much time for listening and deciding. When voting opens, vote for up to 3 selections (not your own, as it’s kind of a given that you love the song you post). Because I love the song, and because this is the second Lightning Round, I will present “Twice Struck,” by Vance Gilbert. I do indeed know a person who has been struck twice by lightning and lives to tell the tale.
------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Replies:
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 02 2021 at 15:46
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Maria Callas - Amami Alfredo (Love Me, Alfred) This is a small piece of Giuseppe Verdi's opera "La Traviata" (lyrics by Francesco Maria Piave) La traviata is a woman who has deviated from right acting, so she could be a scandalous woman. If anyone remembers the description of my musical education, published in Lewian's Poll about the Eighties, I wrote that as a child I grew up listening to Verdi's operas every Sunday, thanks to my father's passion for opera and especially for La Traviata. One of the pieces with the greatest pathos is Amami Alfredo, where after a musical progression the singer reaches a notable dramatic climax. Here is a version from the 1950s where Maria Callas and Giuseppe Di Stefano sing. VIOLETTA Ch’ei qui non mi sorprenda: Tu m'ami, Alfredo, tu m'ami Alfredo, non è vero? ALFREDO O, quanto! Perché piangi? VIOLETTA Di lagrime avea d’uopo, or son tranquilla Addio! ------ VIOLETTA Don’t let him find me here: Because you love, Alfredo, you love me, Alfredo, dont you? ALFREDO So very much, but why are you crying? VIOLETTA I felt like crying, but I am better now. Love Me, Alfredo, as I love you, as I love you ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: JD
Date Posted: December 02 2021 at 15:52
I'm not a huge Prince fan by any means. I mean I'll admit he has a few catchy tunes, but this one encapsulates everything cool about the 80's.Prince - Batdance------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: December 02 2021 at 18:11
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Legendary song from communist East Germany about freedom, with a message just about hidden enough to escape censorship (actually quite surprising if you consider the lyrics; they were hugely popular in the GDR and also well known in West Germany). By the way the most symphonic prog like song of this band (they have a few good ones but also pretty forgettable stuff). Karat - Albatros English translation: https://lyricstranslate.com/en/albatros-albatross.html" rel="nofollow - https://lyricstranslate.com/en/albatros-albatross.html |
Posted By: Mila-13
Date Posted: December 03 2021 at 02:13
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Let me introduce to you Lakiko - alias Lana Kostic. She is a young artist from Bosnia who is now based in Switzerland. She is a cellist, singer and composer. This is a one person act. She also works with a looper. Her work is rather experimental but for this occasion I chose one of her more melodic pieces. I hope you like it. Lakiko: Pantheism Since her face is not visible on this album cover I will add a photo of hers. https://www.womex.com/virtual/image/artist/lakiko_big_72227.jpg" rel="nofollow - https://www.womex.com/virtual/image/artist/lakiko_big_72227.jpg |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: December 03 2021 at 03:47
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Betta - Lae Chioru (Formatii de muzica pop 3 - 1978) |
Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: December 03 2021 at 04:36
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A French band I like very much, both for their music as for their beautiful poetic and socially committed (and untranslatable) lyrics. Sometimes they sing in English, not hesitating to "frenchise" it... This one is from their latest album, released in September. Têtes Raides - Are You Ready? ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: December 03 2021 at 07:54
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Just because I am mean and I like to post stuff nobody else likes....and it has lightning in the title. (Although I suppose it was sort of a hit at one point so probably doesn't qualify). ------------- 
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: December 03 2021 at 07:56
^ nice one, I love The Ultimate Sin album. 
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Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: December 03 2021 at 12:41
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Ten Years After - Standing At The Station ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 03 2021 at 17:10
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@Snicolette very delicate melodic folk-pop song, sung with jazz style and a romantic and vulnerable mood. Perhaps an instrumental interlude or a "bridge" is missing to make it more harmoniously varied, however the atmosphere is so pleasant that it does not tire. Contender. @JD In fact, this video of Prince is a kaleidoscope of the eighties, with all the strengths and weaknesses of him. Prince's genius is shown here in the megalomania of him, who wants to engulf all kinds of music. But I prefer the Prince from Purple Rain and Sign O 'Times. @rushfan4 Melodic heavy metal song, in which the heavy sound is mostly given by the rhythm guitar. It's more of a ballad than a rock tune, and perhaps a more eclectic arrangement would have benefited him ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: December 04 2021 at 03:02
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Let me stumble in once more: a song I learned to know when I was sent to bed and listened with an earphone to one of the best radio programs ever as a 14yo lad. This was a program that broadcasted new, often proggissh, album releases: SEbtP, Tubular Bells a.o. This song popped up a number of times: Kenny Loggins & Jim Messina - Pathway to Glory ------------- 
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Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: December 04 2021 at 04:21
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Blatantly written to be an anthem played at sporting events, as the band channels their inner-Queen, I often played this after my morning workouts at home during Covid. Foxy Shazam - Unstoppable Now everybody: Yo, yo-ee-oh-a-yeah, yeah, oh! |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 04 2021 at 06:54
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About my nomination: Listen carefully when Callas sings: "Ama-mi Alfre-edo, Amami quan-to io t'a-amo, Ama-mi Alfredo quanto io t'amo, quanto io t'amo" Now, as the musicologist and music historian Herbert Weinstock writes, the primary characteristic of Giuseppe Verdi is the ability to write sung melodies where melody and words (which are not his own, the libretto of Verdi's operas was written by poets) are inseparable. In fact, try to imagine that melody without those words: it is difficult, it loses a lot of its value, of its features ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: Mila-13
Date Posted: December 04 2021 at 12:18
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@Lorenzo I also discovered most of classical opera through my grandpa. He gave me an opera guide that I use to date. The opera houses in Italy that I have visited so far are the Milan Scala, Teatro La Fenice in Venice and the Verona Arena. There is a documentary by a Swiss film/theatre/opera director, Daniel Schmid who made a documentary about the Casa Verdi in Milan (Casa di Riposo per Musicisti/Home for retired opera singers and musicians). The film title is: Il bacio di Tosca (Tosca's Kiss, 1984). You may have seen it, otherwise I can highly recommend it. Here it is for anyone interested, with English subs. |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 05 2021 at 07:49
Thank you very much, Mila! I didnt know this documentary! ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Mila-13 wrote:Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: December 05 2021 at 12:03
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Here are my first-take impressions etc. Thank you to everyone who thus far has submitted pieces, keep 'em coming! Lorenzo: Maria Callas “Amami
Alfredo” Very impassioned questions and
response operatic piece. This piece gets
to the heart of one loving, yet not sure one is loved, the uncertainty and the
fear of losing the other person. Here,
she opens her soul to her beloved, is comforted by his words and switches from
being terrified to lose his love to being once again certain of it and
rejoicing in that, in a space of just two minutes. JD: Prince “Batdance” Obviously a well-known artist, this one I have not heard. In the vein of Michael Jackson’s thriller, a very choreographed dance routine in video. Lots of Prince’s style added with combining soul and funk elements, and searing guitars with campy theatrics. Christian: Karat “Albatros” This song has a driftiness about it, even without the visuals. Both the visuals and the lyrics are lovely, so sad to think of the beautiful birds being caught, with wings broken. There is a strings (on keys) section that is majestic and soaring. Truly captures the spirit of the birds and the wrong-ness of mankind. Mila: Lakiko “Pantheism” The choral opening grabbed me from the start. Cello is one of my favourite instruments, another huge plus, and I do love looping effects. Gorgeous voice, this keeps getting better. Love the haunting quality as well. Just lovely. I will certainly look up more by her. Thank you! Cristi: Betta “Lae Chioru” And now for something completely different! Kind of a repetitious fluty beginning, very percussive, with a lighthearted feel, once the vocals come in. Very 70’s production, it’s a very catchy piece, radio-friendly prog for it’s time. Nice changes in it, kind of a jammy solo in the middle, then back to the main course. Could become an ear-worm. Kees: Têtes Raides “Are You Ready?” There are some intriguing mixes of style here, kind of an almost Mark Knopfler-ish vocalist, with some avant sax parts thrown in to it for flavour. Lots of rhythmic backing throughout. Rushfan4: Ozzy Osbourne “Lightning Strikes” Very familiar with this, having worked with Ozzy and cohorts during the 80’s, with a project with Bill Ward, in particular. No one does Ozzy like Ozzy goes out and delivers every time. I prophesy disaster: Ten Years After “Standing At The Station” Classic 70’s blues/rock tune, which I remember from the LP. Great bass line bubbling underneath everything, organ solo, great Alvin Lee lead, steady straight-forward beat all through. someone_else: Loggins & Messina “Pathway to Glory” I know their huge hits, of course, but don’t recall hearing this, ever. Begins with some violin and some oboe? Sounds like a soft rock story-song is going to ensue. Harmonica break for a bit, with tension building, then becomes violin, excellent segue between the two. Goes into a more electric band approach a little over halfway in, then back to the folky singer/songwriter beginning. George: Foxy Shazam “Unstoppable” Another completely different from the previous piece selection. Glam here, with certainly a sense of humour. Rock anthem time here, well-crafted and well-produced in it’s over-the-top style. Fun-to-watch lead singer. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: December 05 2021 at 14:48
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A great songwriter who many don't know but here he's doing one of my favorite Stones songs....but please check out his own songs if you are not familiar with him....he deserved much more attention when he was around. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 05 2021 at 18:00
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@dr wu I know Town Van Zandt, a very refined, sensitive, delicate singer-songwriter. Her nostalgic and country streak also comes out in this Stones song. Anyway, I prefer the original piece. @mathman Glam rock here, powerful song, big production, guilty pleasure- @someone_else Mini-suite, crossover prog (prog-country?) with a long instrumental piece to embellish the song. Contender ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 06 2021 at 16:36
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@Lewian It's amazing to see you always posting high quality music, you have an inexhaustible hidden reserve. In this case, then, there is the singing, there is the melody, there is the rhythmic and emotional progression, so there is not only the experimental music you are fond of, so I have to vote for you again! @Mila cultured, classical music, with a touch of Gregorian chant, a gothic atmosphere, very interesting, contender. @Cristi In fact, this is really funky prog, with the flute, on top of that! But the atmosphere is almost goliardic, it is a truly bizarre, enjoyable hybrid. @ Suitkees this music with the dissonant brass reminds me of my beloved Les Anarchistes, but here we are right in the fluid free-jazz, the composition is missing, it's all rhythm, choirs and improvisation. Damn! another candidate for the podium, and now how I do? ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: December 06 2021 at 18:00
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First thoughts on dr Wu23's submission: dr wu23: Townes Van Zandt “Dead
Flowers” I certainly know of Townes Van
Zandt, but can’t say that I’ve heard this.
Obviously I know the tune, here he gives it the full folk treatment, to
good effect. It’s always a pleasure to
hear someone make a tune their own in a cover. Here he did himself justice. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: December 07 2021 at 09:23
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Reminder to all that I will open the poll for voting tomorrow, 8 December, sometime in the morning, PST. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 07 2021 at 10:48
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@prophesy disaster Great blues rock piece, I like Ten Years After. Wonderful indstrumental piece, with accents of heavy metal and cacophony. Contender ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: December 08 2021 at 06:52
Thanks. This is a track that I love, but didn't know how well known this track, or Ten Years After, is. I have posted this track on the forum before, but not in an Interactive poll. ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: December 08 2021 at 11:39
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The poll is opened for voting. Thank you all for participating and for lots more great music for our earses! ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 08 2021 at 15:53
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Wonderful poll 1) Karat “Albatros” 2) Têtes Raides “Are You Ready?” 3) Lakiko “Pantheism” ------ Honorable mentions: 4) Ten Years After “Standing At The Station” and Grand Critic's Prize 5) Loggins & Messina “Pathway to Glory” 6) Betta “Lae Chioru” Grand Public's Prize: Vance Gilbert "Shaking Off Gravity" ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: December 08 2021 at 17:44
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Many, many thanks to those who participated and brought so much varied music here. As always, thank you to Lorenzo, for his insight to bring this kind of poll to these forums. 1. Mila: Lakiko “Pantheism” I liked this so much, I listened to the whole release a couple of times and purchased it. The choral opening grabbed me from the start. Cello is one of my favourite instruments, another huge plus, and I do love looping effects. Gorgeous voice, this keeps getting better. Love the haunting quality as well. Just lovely. I will certainly look up more by her. Thank you! 2. Christian: Karat “Albatros” This was yet another piece in this group that really stuck with me. This song has a driftiness about it, even without the visuals. Both the visuals and the lyrics are lovely, so sad to think of the beautiful birds being caught, with wings broken. There is a strings (on keys) section that is majestic and soaring. Truly captures the spirit of the birds and the wrong-ness of mankind. 3. Cristi: Betta “Lae Chioru” And, as I predicted, it did indeed become an ear worm, in the best possible way. And now for something completely different! Kind of a repetitious fluty beginning, very percussive, with a lighthearted feel, once the vocals come in. Very 70’s production, it’s a very catchy piece, radio-friendly prog for it’s time. Nice changes in it, kind of a jammy solo in the middle, then back to the main course. Could become an ear-worm. More Than Honourable Mention: Lorenzo: Maria Callas “Amami Alfredo” This really belongs in a place by itself. I found the idea that you wrote about, how the melody and the words are inseparable, very intriguing. It seems as though this would be particularly lovely in it’s proper setting, on a stage and live, with audience. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 08 2021 at 18:03
 ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: December 08 2021 at 18:33
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I'm very happy that you like Albatros so much. I chose it because I had it in my head the day the poll started, although I hadn't listened to it for quite some time. Then I relistened to it and realised once more what a monster of a track it is. Long live freedom! |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: December 10 2021 at 09:12
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I don't have much time to comment (typical December thing), so I just give some votes, this time not for the "usual suspects". Thanks everyone anyway, I had some fun listening through these! 1. Loggins & Messina 2. Prince 3. Lakiko
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Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 11 2021 at 14:27
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some troll came here and voted: there are 17 votes but there should be 9. ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: December 11 2021 at 14:37
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Jeeze...What is matter with people? So stupid. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 11 2021 at 14:38
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Now, votes again....someone is having fun... ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: December 11 2021 at 14:40
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my three choices Ozzy Osbourne “Lightning Strikes” Ten Years After “Standing At The Station” Prince “Batdance”
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Posted By: Mila-13
Date Posted: December 12 2021 at 13:58
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I really enjoy these Lightning polls and esp. the personal stories behind the chosen songs. Therefore I find it particularly difficult to make a choice but since I have to . . I will give my vote to: Karat: As a German speaker I’m of course aware of these
GDR rock legends. However outside Germany they are mostly known for their
signature song “Über sieben Brücken mußt du gehn” (eng. You Must Cross Seven
Bridges) which became a massive hit in West Germany but in a cover version. Just
like ‘Albatros’ it tells in an indirect and poetic way about the need for peace
and freedom. The musical quality of ‘Albabros’ is quite remarkable and awakened
my interest to find out more about this band. Loggins & Messina: It’s no secret that I’m a fan of acoustic instrumentation and all the more if these instruments are less frequently found in rock and other popular music genres. In this piece we have it all in a rich multi-part rock composition, with rhythmic and musical progression that takes you on a musical journey. Vance Gilbert: A dreamy folk ballad, just a guitar and a beautiful,
warm voice that speaks to you in poetic verses and tells you a story about the
ups and downs of life which comes as a comfort and gives hope, that we need esp. in this difficult period that we are experiencing atm. ________________________ Honorable mentions: Têtes Raides: One of the best French folk-rock acts in the 1980s.
Les Negresses Vertes and esp. Belgian singer-songwiter Arno did a similar
style. It’s remarkable to see that TR are still going strong. I realize that their song ‘Are You Ready’
is from their recently released new album. Townes Van Zandt: I know this great song version from the ‘Big Lebowski’ soundtrack but at the time, I missed to do further research on Townes Van Zandt who is obviously an outstanding country music artist. So this goes straight to my to-do list. Maria Callas: Verdi performed by Callas is of course a class
of its own. However I do prefer a bit softer, warmer soprano vocals tbh. It would be interesting to hear a new Verdi interpretation f.e. by
the excellent Latvian soprano Elina Garanca or another young talent. Can you guys recommend any? _______________ A big thank you goes out to you guys who gave your vote to Lakiko/Lana Kostic. I had the opportunity to attend a concert sometime ago. She is a classically trained cellist as you could easily hear based on the submitted song but she's also quite experimental which brought her recognition from various sides, i.a. she recently had the chance to perform on the small stage of the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival for emerging young artists. Thank you very much for hosting, Nickie and thank you all for the music, your personal background information about your choices and your comments! Happy Holidays to everyone! |
Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: December 12 2021 at 14:25
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A nice lightning round here... I have two favourites of these that immediately stood out for me: Karat and Loggins & Messina. My third choice was really a tossup between Townes Van Zandt, Betta, Ten Years After and Vance Gilbert. I'm going for Betta, because I didn't know this act before and it is really very pleasant! ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: December 12 2021 at 14:36
To be honest, as far as my taste goes (and in this respect probably most prog listeners) they don't have that much good material, despite Albatros being awesome. The best album in my view with a number of good songs (but also a few stinkers) is Der blaue Planet.
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Posted By: Mila-13
Date Posted: December 13 2021 at 12:53
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@Christian
Thanks for the recommendation and for sharing their piece 'Albatros'. It shows that they were able to create their own musical style by adding elements of classical music to rock, the first being one of the strengths of East Europeans and moreover they wrote their lyrics in German which was rather rare in Western Germany at the time. I think that it makes sense to view things in the respective context in place and time. Comparisons are always difficult and sometimes misleading. |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: December 13 2021 at 13:07
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Thank you everyone who could comment. And especially to Mila this round for turning me on to Lakiko. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: Mila-13
Date Posted: December 14 2021 at 14:36
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You are welcome, Nickie. She's a young talent who still needs to find her way. She had a concert in my city. |
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: December 15 2021 at 01:05
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My picks: Karat Thanks for digging this one out of a dark corner of my memory. I have known this song for almost 40 years. I must still have the vinyl album (of which Albatros was the best track by far) stored somewhere. Lakiko A peaceful crossover between chamber music and sacral chants. Ten Years After Nice listen. I like the bass and the organ in this classic rock piece. Honourable mentions: Betta Sounds like music as it was made around 1970 west of the Iron Curtain. Uplifting. Vance Gilbert Nice folk song, warm voice. Foxy Shazam Neo-Glam! The singer sounds a bit like Freddie Mercury. -------------
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Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 16 2021 at 18:39
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- JD, - rushfan4, - I prophesy disaster - mathman0806 - dr wu23 haven't voted yet
------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |