LIVE HAPPENINGS - PART 1

It is good to know that one of those one-of-a-kind bands are still working and with upcoming plans. Dead Can Dance has a terrific legacy in this musical realm, with memorable albums and a unique style that Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard have shared for 30 years; nowadays, we have the luck to still enjoy their music because since the latter 2011 they have been releasing a series of four-song-live-EP's entitled "Live Happenings", which are free to download via their website.

So far there are three parts of it, the first one was released in September 2011, and it features four songs that show this uniqueness and wonderful style Dead Can Dance have. Now this is not the only good news, because for this 2012 they will also release a new studio album (after so many years) and of course, a world tour included, so who wouldn't get excited? Meanwhile, we can enjoy to these free EP's. In this first one the four songs chosen were "Nierika", "Babylon", "Compassion" and "The Ubiquitorious Mr. Lovegrove", all make a total time of 21 minutes.

The obvious folk sound is of course here in the whole EP. In "Nierka" we will have that peculiar self-language the band created, sung mostly by Lisa's beautiful voice, and parts by the also wonderful Perry's one; percussions, synths and some strings can be also appreciated. As I said, the songs were taken from live performances, so it is cool to listen to the audience's applauses and enthusiasm. For "Babylon" the rhythm is a bit calmer, with a folk and at the same time dark atmosphere created by keyboards. Here the main voice is Perry's one, with English lyrics. I love how it progresses so in the final minutes we have a very emotional time, a disarming ending.

"Compassion" is one of those better-put-your-headphones songs, because though it is slow and with fewer instruments than the previous ones, what Lisa's voice provokes is something indescribable. She can transmit a lot of emotions, she can make you feel relaxed, easy, thoughtful, disarmed, sad? you choose what suits you the best. The final song is "The Ubliquitorious Mr. Lovegrove" which is great, taking us to other cultures and places, the instruments here are reminiscent of those mi-east lands. Here, the voice is from Brendan Perry. I like that they chose four great performances and intercalated the lead vocals.

This is the first of this live series, not a masterpiece, but worth downloading and listening without a doubt, so if you like the band, I eagerly invite you to get them. My final grade, three stars.

Enjoy it!