Interactive Poll XIII - Surprise, surprise

Lewian:  Diethelm “Famulari – Portrait”  Really intriguing mix, the sound itself is almost like it’s being suppressed (not like compressed, however), sort of like it’s being played in a room down the corridor from the listener.  It is more upbeat than what usually makes me stop everything, but I certainly think it IS surprising, in one of your senses of describing how you mean this poll to be approached.  What is really surprising is that I don’t immediately know how I feel about it, so it will draw me back, probably a few times. 

The Anders: Dvar-Deii CD2 01 “Gyandarvaal”  Love the slow build of the organ beginning the piece.  There is a feeling of psychedelic circus (in a good way) to me as the song picks up with the calliope sounds.  Then sort of a maniacal elfin voice comes in, cheeping and chattering, ending abruptly.  Did someone stumble on their party in the dark woods, forcing them to disappear?

Lorenzo:  A Filetta  Danse Mémoire, Danse “I vostri squardi” (nomination) Very brooding and lush.  Gorgeous harmonies (as should be expected from your description), and I love when the horn comes in, it is suitably mournful. 

Micky:  Mark Ronson “Uptown Funk”  Not usually in what might be thought of as in my oeuvre, but this is very infectious, and I did grow up listening to a lot of funk and soul music, which my mom adored. 

Logan:  Air “Radian”  Very hypnotic and eerie, both.  Nice harp, horn and flute sounds, where it gets less eerie, but still outstanding, then moves into some other strange territory.  Wowie zowie, really enjoyed that!

Honourable Mentions to Moshkito & George:  Carmen “Bularias”  I was fortunate to see this band live as opener for Jethro Tull at The Forum in 1975.  They indeed had their amplified stage floor for the flamenco dancing part of their show.  John Glascock (who was in Carmen at this time) joined Jethro Tull after Carmen disbanded, his romantic partner, Angela Allen, was the flamenco dancer/band member.  Rock and flamenco go quite well together.  Special thanks to George for posting the live video.  It was really fun to revisit this, so had to give credit for that, even though it’s technically outside of my personal voting rules.

and

Ian: The Comet Is Coming “Summon the Fire”  Really groovin’ sax playing, that guy is a star.  Even though this was not your top choice to use here, I really enjoyed the heck out of this one. 

My Top Three, after careful consideration and much wavering:

1.        Logan’s pick, Air “Radian.”  I could not get this out of my mind’s ear.

2.        Lewian’s pick Diethelm “Famulari – Portrait.”  Another one that stayed in my mind,  I really enjoyed that strange production with the distance it created.

3.       A BIG fight between Micky’s “Uptown Funk,” by Mark Ronson and Lorenzo’s A Filetta  Danse Mémoire, Danse “I vostri squardi”  Two VERY unlike pieces to each other.  How to pick, do I like beer or sparkling water better?  Which soul do I go to, funky soul or inner soul?  But in the end, my funky soul won, partly because it is a less obvious choice for me, unless you knew the above, how much funk and soul was played in my home, especially by my mom, who loved to dance.  So “Uptown Funk,” it is.  Sorry, Lorenzo, yours is absolutely beautiful and what I will lean to searching out more of.  I don’t dance, but like my mom, I enjoy a bit of fun with all of the irony and melancholy in my soul.

Lewian:  Diethelm “Famulari – Portrait”  Really intriguing mix, the sound itself is almost like it’s being suppressed (not like compressed, however), sort of like it’s being played in a room down the corridor from the listener.  (...) I really enjoyed that strange production with the distance it created.