Interactive Poll #01/2021: Protest (+ Folk) Songs
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Topic: Interactive Poll #01/2021: Protest (+ Folk) Songs
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Subject: Interactive Poll #01/2021: Protest (+ Folk) Songs
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 04:06
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And here's to you the poll on the Protest songs. - How many songs should I choose? Please choose two songs with a maximum total length of 12 minutes. You can choose them from the same artist or from two different artists. - How are these songs supposed to be? If you can, the ideal would be to choose protest songs. With "protest songs" I mean songs with a social, political, ecological theme etc. You decide when a song can be considered a protest song. You can choose protest songs of any musical genre: folk, rock, jazz, electronic music etc. You can also choose them within Progarchives as long as they are taken from albums with less than 100 ratings. - What if I can't find the protest songs? You can participate anyway by inserting folk songs. By folk I mean American, Canadian, English, Irish folk but also the folk or ethnic music of every nation (Japanese, Turkish, Danish, German, Italian etc). This music can be played both with traditional acoustic instruments and with electric or electronic instruments, as long as it is folk. Peter Gabriel's world music is also good, that is songs that combine ethnic music or instruments from different countries (like Scottish bagpipes in a song played with African rhythms). You can also choose folk songs within Progarchives, in these categories: Prog folk, Proto-prog, Prog-related, as long as they are taken from albums with less than 100 ratings. - Let's see if I understand: If I participate with U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday and Stormy Six's Stalingrado, featured here in PA in the album "Un biglietto del tram" is it okay? That's fine! They are two protest songs, and the second is allowed because it is taken from a Progarchives album with less than 100 ratings. - Wait, let me give you another example. If I participate with Suzanne Vega's Luka and John Denver's Thank God I'm a Country Boy, Is it okay? That's fine! The first is a protest song, because it is about violence against children, the second is an American folk song. - Let me give you one more example. If I participate with Have I Told You Lately That I love You, sung by Chieftans and Van Morrison, and with Monte Seris by Bitti's Tenores, featured in Peter Gabriel's World Music, is that okay? That's fine, because they are two folk songs, the first Irish, the second Sardinian (from the Italian island of Sardinia). Well, the second (only vocals) is so hard... ardous...  but it's ok!(If there is any of my Sardinian compatriots in the forum: please, do not kidnap me, do not lock me in a cave of the Gennargentu montain, I am joking!  )- Do I have to write the lyrics of the two songs? --------> EDITED: Yes, very good, but it's better to insert a link to the original lyrics (there is the copyright). If the language is not English, you can write here the translation. Even if they are not protest songs. So instrumental songs are not allowed. - Can I post other songs besides the two requests? You can report another one, only one, specifying that it is out of the competition, for the pleasure of making it known to the participants, as long as it is a protest song with the text, and you can get it from wherever you want, even in Progarchives. Thanks, now it's clear. ----- Hope so!!!
------------- 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. |
Replies:
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 04:14
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My selection: two protest songs by "Les Anarchistes", taken from the album: "La Musica Nelle Strade". Les Anarchistes is a musical project undertaken in 2001 by Nicola Toscano and Max Guerrero together with some musicians and singers from northern Tuscany and southern Liguria, in particular from the city of Carrara, the Italian anarchist city par excellence. The group takes its name from the title of the song by Léo Ferré, explicitly states the fundamental theme of the song lyrics, that is anarchy, declined first and foremost through the reinterpretation of popular songs of the local and national anarchist tradition. Since their recording debut, which took place in 2002 with the album "Figli di Origine Oscura" (Sons of dark origin), Les Anarchistes have established themselves among the best novelties of the Italian music scene, in particular by obtaining the Ciampi 2002 award for best debut album, and performing concerts in all Italy. In 2005, however, the group's second album, "La Musica nelle Strade!" (Music in the streets!), made in part inside the Volterra prison with La Compagnia della Fortezza directed by Armando Punzo, accompanied by a libretto entitled "Music in the streets Canti di freedom in the era of biopolitics "written by Marco Rovelli, singer and author of the group, who exposes the conceptual path of the album in a non-fictional and philosophical key, or rather places of confinement as a metaphor for today's society. Here's to you two songs taken from "La Musica Nelle Strade!" 1) Les Anarchistes (featuring Petra Magoni): The Ballad of Sacco & Vanzetti (written by Ennio Morricone and Joan Baez) LYRICS: "....The shameless lies that men have told Will ever more be paid in gold Against us is the power of the gold! Against us is racial hatred And the simple fact that we are poor My father dear, I am a prisoner Don't be ashamed to tell my crime The crime of love and brotherhood And only silence is shame With me I have my love, my innocence The workers, and the poor For all of this I'm safe and strong And hope is mine Rebellion, revolution don't need dollars They need this instead Imagination, suffering, light and love" You can find the lyrics here: https://www.google.com/search?q=the+ballad+of+sacco+and+vanzetti+lyrics&rlz=1C1CHZL_itIT752IT752&oq=the+ba&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j69i57j46j69i60j69i61j69i60.1893j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8" rel="nofollow - https://www.google.com/search?q=the+ballad+of+sacco+and+vanzetti+lyrics&rlz=1C1CHZL_itIT752IT752&oq=the+ba&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j69i57j46j69i60j69i61j69i60.1893j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 2) Les Anarchistes (featuring Moni Ovadia): Pishkù Li Les Anarchistes entrust this heartbreaking song in Hebrew to the voice of Moni (Salomon) Ovadia. He himself explains: "It is a paraliturgical chant of the Khassidic repertoire. The iterated text is verse 19 of David's psalm 118, this type of chant was sung by the Khassidim as they led them to the gas chambers." LYRICS: "Pishkù li sharey tsedek. Avo vam": Open me the doors of justice. I will enter it. EDIT In my opinion these two songs are remarkable especially for the vocal performance of the singers: Petra Magoni's singing lives up to Joan Baez's, while Moni Ovadia's Kletzmer-style singing I consider it simply exceptional.
------------- 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: nick_h_nz
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 04:35
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”Parihaka”, by Tim Finn & Herbs Parihaka immediately comes to my mind. It’s something we learnt in history at school in New Zealand, but only if we chose to take history as a subject. And yet, so much of Aotearoa’s history should be taught to all New Zealanders. In recent years there has been a growing call for 5 November to be a day of remembrance for more local history, than that which occurred halfway around the world - and that is something I fully support. What’s interesting in a way, is that for many Kiwis, their first knowledge of what happened at Parihaka will have been down to a Pakeha - Tim Finn. I see a lot of people at the moment saying if we share anything, it should be from a black source. While I understand the sentiment, if the message is the same, I don’t think it matters too much - and perhaps those who are more inclined to listen to a white voice, might learn something. If white privilege breaks through the barrier, and gets someone to recognise Black Lives Matter, then that is surely a good thing. If you don’t know about Parihaka (and, chances are, if you’re not a Kiwi, you won’t), then Wikipedia is as good a place as any to get the gist. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parihaka#Invasion" rel="nofollow - This link fast forwards to the conflict of November, but feel free to read more. Remember, remember the 5th of November. The day 1600 armed troops murdered the peaceful Māori villagers of Parihaka just to claim land. When these soldiers marched in, the people of Parihaka sat quietly on their marae, as singing children greeted the force, this would be one of the worlds first recorded non-violent resistance from native people against colonization. Sadly this was a one-sided brutal fight from the English as the people of Parihaka were either arrested, raped or murdered by these soldiers as they destroyed the village, evicting its inhabitants. [Full lyrics redacted, but you can find them easily by Googling] My friend, My friend, I hate to see you suffer Events conspire to bring us to our knees My friend, my friend, you've taken this the wrong way Rise up, defend yourself, never give in Look to the sky, the spirit of Te Whiti The endless tide is murmuring his name I know Te Whiti will never be defeated And even at the darkest hour His presence will remain I'll sing to you the song of Parihaka [Snip] Come to Parihaka Weep for my lost brother The spirit of nonviolence Has come to fill the silence Come to Parihaka ”French Letter”, by Herbs After some thought, I decided to stick with Herbs for my second nomination. Tim Finn did well to duet with Herbs on Parihaka, as their Māori heritage and great renown for songs of protest no doubt added clout and credence. Herbs were one of New Zealand's first reggae bands to compose original songs, often political, exploring important New Zealand issues such as New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance, the Rainbow Warrior affair, and Māori land rights. The 1982 single “French Letter” might have been upbeat and cherry sounding, but it was an overt and charged protest against French nuclear testing in the Pacific. It was successful in the charts, and remained so connected in the New Zealand consciousness, that when the French government announcing plans to resume nuclear testing in the Pacific, the song charted again when re-released in 1995. It’s not actually a song I particularly like, though I am onboard fully with its message. There are many Herbs songs I like more, but none had quite the impact in New Zealand as “French Letter” (even if they had greater impact in the charts). [Full lyrics redacted, but you can find them easily by Googling] [Snip] Do you know what makes the ocean glow Do you know what makes the ocean glow When unwelcome guests, are making nuclear tests Are making nuclear tests, are making nuclear tests Are making nuclear tests [Snip] Let me be more specific, get out of the pacific Ki te la pacific, get out of the pacific Ki te la pacific ------------- https://tinyurl.com/nickhnz-tpa" rel="nofollow - Reviewer for The Progressive Aspect |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 05:40
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Nick, if you found another song (protest song or folk song) you would partecipate to the poll with your selection. ------------- 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: nick_h_nz
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 06:26
Yes, I know. But it was Parihaka that was the first to spring to mind. There are a myriad of others contending to be my second nomination, and I’ve not narrowed it down yet. Sorry. ------------- https://tinyurl.com/nickhnz-tpa" rel="nofollow - Reviewer for The Progressive Aspect |
jamesbaldwin wrote:Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 08:20
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Nice poll theme  And I like both your introductions / contextualizations (Nick and Lorenzo).When
I read of this poll's theme I was immediately thinking of some old
stuff by the Kurt Weil / Bertold Brecht or the Hanns Eisler / Bertold
Brecht combos. I especially like the music of Hanns Eisler, a student of
Arnold Schönberg. So my first choice is Solidaritätslied (Solidarity
Song). There are different versions of this
song, but I prefer one of the original recordings, sung by the great
Ernst Busch and the (small) orchestra is conducted by Eisler himself, but also because it starts off with a musical introduction,
while later versions start immediately with the refrain. Written and
composed in the context of the Great Depression, the waning Weimar
Republic and upcoming fascism, it is catalogued by
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidarit%C3%A4tslied" rel="nofollow - Wiki as
"industrial folk music"... The lyrics are thus written by
Bertold Brecht, the music composed by Hanns Eisler (in 1931) and this
version sung by Ernst Busch is also featured in Slatan Dudow's film
Kuhle Wampe. Solidaritätslied (Solidarity Song) - Hanns Eisler (music), Bertold Brecht (text), sung by Ernst Busch: The lyrics, both English translation as original German lyrics, can be found http://321ignition.free.fr/pag/en/art/pag_002/brech_01.htm" rel="nofollow - here (the above version is referred to as the "version close to the film") EDIT: addition of 2nd song My second submission is a song composed by Têtes Raides and Noir Désir in 2000, written by the singer of Têtes Raides, Christian Olivier: L'iditenté (rightly spelled the title should be "L'identité" but there are some word plays and intentional misspellings in the lyrics). I very much like both bands, also because they have often very poetic lyrics. This song is against the French/European/Western countries attitude regarding immigration: after having colonised half of the planet and exploited countries that were not ours we now refuse to help people coming from those countries to ours... The original French lyrics can be found underneath the video on youtube. What follows is my translation - I tried to keep a bit of the poetics of the original, which is not easy (will delete this once the poll is over) : Identity <snip> ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 08:43
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To help understanding and voting, I would ask you, dear friends, to post both songs that make up your selection (the ones to be voted on) in the same message. After, if you want, you can add another protest song out of the competition, on another comment.
------------- 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: nick_h_nz
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 09:40
I have edited my post to include two songs. Sorry for any confusion. I didn’t realise they needed to be in the same post. ------------- https://tinyurl.com/nickhnz-tpa" rel="nofollow - Reviewer for The Progressive Aspect |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 09:51
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I thought of four very quickly. Two are "Ohio" (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song) and "Universal Soldier" (Buffy Sainte-Marie), but I think I'll go with "Shipbuilding" and "I Was Only 19". "I Was Only 19" is a first-person telling about an Australian's soldier's experience in Vietnam, and the effects of Agent Orange. Redgum - "I Was Only 19": A middle verse: "...And then someone yelled out "Contact" And the bloke behind me swore We hooked in there for hours Then a God almighty roar And Frankie kicked a mine The day that mankind kicked the moon God help me - he was goin' home in June..." (Redgum). Full lyrics: https://genius.com/Redgum-i-was-only-19-a-walk-in-the-light-green-lyrics" rel="nofollow - https://genius.com/Redgum-i-was-only-19-a-walk-in-the-light-green-lyrics "Shipbuilding" (lyrics by Elvis Costello) is well-known both for the Robert Wyatt sung version and Elvis Costello's, but I decided to go for a quite modern cover version (there are many great covers of this song). "Shipbuilding" is a reaction to the "Falkland's War" of 1982, which was a conflict between Argentina and the UK that lasted ten weeks Suede - "Shipbuiding" A middle verse: "...It's just a rumor that was spread around town A telegram or a picture postcard Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyard And notifying the next of kin Once again..." (Elvis Costello) Full lyrics: https://genius.com/Elvis-costello-shipbuilding-lyrics" rel="nofollow - https://genius.com/Elvis-costello-shipbuilding-lyrics By the way, we do a have policy that prohibits posting full lyrics due to copyright/ intellectual property reasons without the artist/ copyright holder's permission, although excerpts are fine. Instead I have linked to the lyrics and included a verse from each (and the Redgum video includes lyrics). ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I observed before. It can be much like that with music for me; immersed in experiencing the moment. |
Posted By: The Anders
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 10:55
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I decided on two protest songs since I was thinking about
conducting a folk music poll sometime in the future. I have chosen a
Swedish and a Danish one. Hoola Bandoola Band - Vem kan man lita på? (Whom can one trust?), 1972 Lyrics and English translation: http://docdroid.net/OQ5soq7/vem-kan-man-lita-pa-pdf" rel="nofollow - http://docdroid.net/OQ5soq7/vem-kan-man-lita-pa-pdf Tv-2 - Kom lad os brokke os (Come let us complain), 1995 Lyrics and English translation: http://docdroid.net/YrGx1Gm/kom-lad-os-brokke-os-pdf" rel="nofollow - http://docdroid.net/YrGx1Gm/kom-lad-os-brokke-os-pdf |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 11:03
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NOTE: We have a policy against posting full lyrics at this site if you don't have express permission from any copyright holders or the artists. It's better to post a link -- I think excerpts if cited properly might be okay. Please see this topic and edit posts accordingly: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51801" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51801 ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I observed before. It can be much like that with music for me; immersed in experiencing the moment. |
Posted By: TCat
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 11:06
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Here are a couple of protest-type songs, both completely different from one another. #1 Ben Harper - "How Miles Must We March" http://www.azlyricdb.com/lyrics/Ben-Harper-How-Many-Miles-Must-We-March-33151#.X_NbDGOSlEY" rel="nofollow - Ben Harper - How Many Miles Must We March Lyrics (azlyricdb.com) ___________________________________________ #2: Bigelf - "Money It's Pure Evil" http://www.azlyricdb.com/lyrics/Bigelf-Money-Its-Pure-Evil-315826#.X_NaW2OSlEY" rel="nofollow - Bigelf - Money, It's Pure Evil Lyrics (azlyricdb.com ) ------------- https://ibb.co/8x0xjR0" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: The Anders
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 11:07
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I would have to create some links of my own then, because I don't think there are any English translations out there. |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 11:10
Thank you, Greg, now I edit. ------------- 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: Logan
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 11:13
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^^ It's tricky. I would think that your own translation in this context would be fine with a link to the original language lyrics. If it's a problem and someone complains tell them to contact me (I have a team of crackpot lawyers* ready to deal with any personal litigation). *that is if cracked pots can be called lawyers. ^ And sorry to be the bearer of this. I would like to be able to post full lyrics too, but I understand the legal issues around it (and even fair use/ fair dealing practices vary from one country to another). ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I observed before. It can be much like that with music for me; immersed in experiencing the moment. |
Posted By: TCat
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 11:17
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^Is this prejudice against cracked pots? It's time to unite all of the cracked pots! ------------- https://ibb.co/8x0xjR0" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: The Anders
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 11:18
Do you happen to know a place where I can put the lyrics up as a pdf file by any chance?
|
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 11:21
You could try OneDrive or Google Drive. ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I observed before. It can be much like that with music for me; immersed in experiencing the moment. |
Posted By: The Anders
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 12:02
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I created pdf files with the lyrics. I hope they work. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 12:22
Maybe you're redoing it, but I get a 404 error on your first pick (document has been deleted) and the second works beautifully and looks very good. Sorry for any hassle y'all. ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I observed before. It can be much like that with music for me; immersed in experiencing the moment. |
Posted By: The Anders
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 12:27
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That's because there was a typo, try again. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 12:31
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Yep, now the both work beautifully (much easier on the eyes when reading than looking at PA's pages too). ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I observed before. It can be much like that with music for me; immersed in experiencing the moment. |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 12:35
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Love this topic....I know a LOT of protest songs (and folk songs too), but decided on these two to bring forward first, with the out of competition one being third, as I couldn't find a recording of my favourite version of it. Edited to follow the rules better..... There will now be links to lyrics! And my third out of competition song will follow this post. The first is from Tom Rapp's (Pearls Before Swine) "Stardancer," LP (under Prog Folk in PA, with just 7 reviews), released in 1972. Here, instead of his more gentle side, he sings in a snarl. This one is fairly self-explanatory. Link to Lyrics: https://www.antiwarsongs.org/canzone.php?lang=en&id=3509 The second is by Cheryl Wheeler, who you've also heard before. This one is from 1997, after the Jonesboro school shooting and although it seems to be suggesting to get rid of all guns, that was not her purpose, as the song was about her asking herself what children would be so angry about...and perhaps the answer is to keep guns away from unsupervised children. Her label at the time, Rounder Records, donated $5 per airplay on a AAA radio station to the Center for the Prevention of Handgun Violence. Link to Lyrics: http://cherylwheeler.com/songs/iiwutm.html ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 12:41
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As Lorenzo said, we could add a third, out of competition piece. This one is by Charlie King, from 1979. It is about the 1957 Yucca Flats Big Smokey Atomic Test about a young army corporal who was there, on orders from the government. There is much more to this story, he ended up with cancer and was initially denied assistance from the Veteran's Administration, although they eventually did approve it, yet never admitted it's likelihood from having been at that test. Link to Lyrics: https://www.antiwarsongs.org/canzone.php?lang=en&id=12843 ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 14:13
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Out of competition: GANG: La Pianura dei Sette Fratelli. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful Italian song about partisans. It tells the story of the seven Cervi brothers, farmers, who became partisans and fought against Nazi-fascism. They were taken prisoner by the fascists together with their father Alcide, and shot. The father, years later, got help and managed to write a little novel about them. In the Italian Novels thread (General discussion) I have included this novel among my favorites. The Cervi brothers had been educated in Catholicism, and only two of them broke away to become Communists, involving the others in the war on fascism. They all lived together in a large farmhouse in the Po Valley, together with their wives and children (in total about thirty) and were among the first Italian families to own a tractor and level the fields by studying an innovative irrigation system. They had faith in scientific progress, despite being semi-illiterate. Now their old farmhouse has become a museum of the Italian resistance. The video shows the Cervi's family. Lyrics (translation) Earth and Water and Wind there was no time for fear Born under the star, the most beautiful one on the plain They had a scythe and large peasant hands And before sleeping, the prayer: "Our Father, Who Are in Heaven" as when we were children Seven sons, seven of bread and honey, who do I give them to? Seven as the notes I will sing a song to them. And Rain and Snow and Frost and fairy tale and fire with wine And thoughts go away along with the smoke up the chimney They had a barn and the pace of those who can dance Of those who take his love of him for life and know how to carry it Seven brothers seven of bread and honey, who do I give them to? I will not give them to the war to the black man I will not give them. Cloud Lightning and Thunder there is no forgiveness for that night that the fascists came and took them away with kicks and blows They had a greeting and hugs the strongest one They had the look of one who goes to meet fate Seven children seven seven brothers, who do I give them to? The Plain told us these sons of mine I will never forget them Seven men seven wounds and seven furrows The plain told us Alcide's sons never died In that plain from Valle Re to Campi Rossi We spent a day there and in the middle of the fog We found ourselves moved. ------------- 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: Shadowyzard
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 14:35
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I'll participate with 2 metal songs. From the famous (or notorious) Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson's second solo album Balls to Picasso. The song right below protests wars, and attacks "warlords". Here's my favourite part of its lyrics: Investing your money in guns The infinite fun Of the warlord you saved From the rusty grave Bruce Dickinson - Gods of War My second contribution protests lots of things, LoL. I guess mainly humanity in general and the USA. Here's a part of its lyrics: People die with oxygen And all their money can't afford a breath People starving everywhere And staring in the face of death Prostitutes and politicians Lying in their bed together You can be the savior of the poor Making up the policies to open up the back door... You can get all the things you never needed You can sell people crap and make them eat it "Where is our John Wayne? Where's our sacred cowboys now? Where are the Indians on the hill? There's no Indians left to kill. Bruce Dickinson - Sacred Cowboys: |
Posted By: The Anders
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 15:26
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Les Anarchistes (featuring Petra Magoni): The Ballad of Sacco & Vanzetti This is a rather gloomy track. The structure is also rather proggy with an irregular rhythmic base. My favourite part is probably the strings which have an uncanny and hypnotic quality about them. Lyrically it is perhaps a bit too direct for my taste, but it also feels very honest. It's not a type of music I would normally listen to, but it's absolutely not uninteresting. I think it requires some more listens. Pishkù Li is more electronic, but equally gloomy. It's an interesting vocal performance in a genre I admit I am not very familiar with. It's not necessarily pleasant to listen to, but obviously it is not meant to be pleasant, especially as the background of the song is very grim. A sort of expressionism if you like. If I understand it right, he repeats the same line throughout the song. Tim Finn and Herbs - Parihaka is in a much lighter mood,
at least musically - the subject is still very grim. Judging by the
sound production, it must be recorded some time in the 80's (gated drums
among other things). Since I am not at all familiar with Maori music,
the music mostly sounds reggae and African influenced to me.
Brecht/Esiler -
Solidaritätslied. I've always admired both Hanns Eisler and Kurt
Weill, so this is very much up my alley. Songs like this, along with for
instance the "Einheitsfrontlied", are the proof that political "battle
songs" don't necessarily have to be musically banal (the latter, for
instance, has a pretty striking tritonus interval in the chorus melody).
|
Posted By: nick_h_nz
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 17:43
Parihaka was only just ‘80s (1989). I completely agree with you about French Letter being too feel-good. It’s never sat well with me, and I could easily have chosen something far more potent, and something I far more enjoy. But I liked the idea of including it, even though I don’t really like it, because it (and to a certain degree, though not as dramatically so, Parihaka) typify the non-violent rebellion and protest that Māori have often preferred to use. How do you portray non-violent protest in a song? By making it as light-hearted and upbeat as possible. I figured it would be a point of difference in what otherwise could be a far more grim selection. I definitely don’t expect it to gain any votes! 😄 ------------- https://tinyurl.com/nickhnz-tpa" rel="nofollow - Reviewer for The Progressive Aspect |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 04 2021 at 18:01
The Ballad of Sacco & Vanzetti is a song taken from the soundtrack "Sacco e Vanzetti", directed by Giuliano Montaldo, music composed by Ennio Morricone. The original song is sung by Joan Baez, who wrote the lyrics. Pishkù Li is written by Les Anarchiestes but is sung by Moni Ovadia, a theater director and actor, who sings Yiddish songs in his shows. He wrote the screenplay for Radu Mihaileanu's "Train de Vie" film. And yes, he repeats always the same phrase in hebrew from the beginning to the end. ------------- 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: suitkees
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 03:19
Thought you might like this... I was actually hesitating between these two, but went with the first for the lyrics. BTW, if I were you, I would delete the pdfs with the translations once this poll is done: you can sue yourself for copyright infringement if you forgot to ask yourself permission regarding the translation, but the copyright of the translation just comes on top of the original copyright... Two videos didn't show up for me, so far, but I found these working alternatives: Mike: Bigelf - Money, It's Pure Evil: Nickie: Cheryl Wheeler - If It Were Up To Me: ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 08:50
------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: TCat
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 09:29
Kees: I was originally going to post the music video that you posted as an alternate. The thing I didn't like about it is that the part with the girl screaming is not part of the song, and I thought it messed up the flow of the song, but other than that, if you imagine that screaming part removed, then you know how the real song sounds. I get so sick of some of the YouTube videos not working in some countries. It happens a lot. Thanks for posting these alternatives! ------------- https://ibb.co/8x0xjR0" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: TCat
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 10:31
|
This is my third posting and is my out of competition selection. Jim James is one of my musical heroes, as I have mentioned before. I posted a few My Morning Jacket tracks last month. This particular track comes from another one of his projects called "Monsters of Folk" which consists of Jim James, M. Ward (from "She & Him") and Conor O'berst (from "Bright Eyes"). This song features James singing and songwriting. It is a protest song within a protest song. Overall, it is protesting other people or organizations telling you what to do and that you should follow your own conscience and not that of others. It seems to center on religion, but it is actually about life in general. Then it goes into some verses about a soldier that follows his call to war and the consequences that come from that decision. The lyrics are very deep and so is the song itself. Monsters of Folk - "His Master's Voice" The lyrics are in the video. ------------- https://ibb.co/8x0xjR0" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 13:26
|
One of my favorite social commentators and I'm sure most here know him and this song.....but it's simply great. Now that there's no one left to vote for...and there's very rarely been...any voices of the people who were not of the machine... ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 13:54
|
The Anders, your first video would not work for me, I got this one to listen, there are many live versions of this on YT as well:
------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: TCat
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 14:01
|
Lorenzo: Les Anarchistes – The Ballad of Sacco & Vanzetti and Pishku Li are both excellent choices with, as you say, some remarkable vocal performances. While I find the vocal styling of the 2nd entry very appropriate for the track, overall, I find your first entry more appealing to my taste. Great choices! The Out of Competition track is that no-nonsense, straight ahead style of Italian Folk. The lyrics are all that are needed here, though the violin, flute, etc. is a very nice touch which adds to the crying of the Tears of the Seven Brothers. Beautiful vocals here too, but then I am impartial to Italian vocals. Nick: The Herbs is the band for both of these tracks and each one has what I feel is an effective reggae style which makes the music appealing in order to reach the most listeners, and apparently this was the case with New Zealanders. I would lean a bit more to the 1st track which adds the clear vocals of Tim Finn, but both are effective protest songs. Kees: Ernst Busch delivers this song quite effectively and I’m glad you chose the soundtrack version as the instrumental introduction is a nice prelude to the song and the message. It’s also nice to hear something from that decade, as a lot of the pain has been forgotten from that time, and if we ignore it, it will come back to bite us in the end. Greg: You always seem to pick the hardest hitting and appropriate tracks that I have never heard. Redgum did a powerful song here that hits right to the core in a time when the world was trying to sell the war as something positive. The Shipbuilding song is also powerful, and I’m glad you used this version as I find the singers voice to be quite appealing. Anders: I always look forward to your tracks as you always seem to pick things that are different in a good way, and music that I would probably never be exposed to. Both tracks are perfect protest songs and convey their messages in not just the words, but in the delivery. Both of these tracks are definite contenders. Your translations are always very helpful and shed light on a language that I don’t understand, yet they end up being the perfect Rosetta Stone that is needed to understand. Nickie: Again, some excellent choices. These are the types of songs that I instantly think of when someone mentions “protest songs”. Tom Rapp once again seems to find his way in to whatever style he wants, and his delivery here is perfect with the “snarl” in his voice. I also enjoyed Cheryl Wheeler, who sends a message that is still relevant today. Even though her purpose is not to get rid of all guns as you say, it’s still a message that all need to hear and if they translate it that way, then maybe they need to feel a little uncomfortable with that meaning. The Charlie King track gives his no-nonsense style, where the words are the thing that everyone needs to concentrate on. The embellishments and etc. are not needed as the words are the most important thing for the world to hear. Ozgur: Welcome back, good to see you again. Bruce Dickinson’s distinctive voice has a way of delivering whatever lyrics he is singing. He’s powerful, melodic, yet commands your attention. “Gods of War” is the type of lyrics you’d expect him to sing about, but his message is important to say the least, and the metal vehicle he uses runs you over like a tank, plus the message gets across to the people that need it the most. The pen is mightier than the sword. Sacred Cowboys has a more forceful beat, faster with a almost rap-like verse and melodic chorus with the powerful guitar. Again, another great vehicle for the message he has. I think I prefer the 1st one over the 2nd mostly because of the blue-sier style, though the 2nd one has more of an Iron Maiden feel to it. Dr wu: Roy Harper is one of those artists that I meant to listen to more, but I never seem to for some reason, so I’m not that familiar with this track. I like his vocals that have a degree of vulnerability to them, a bit of a “crying” waver that I find appealing, especially in this style of music. The acoustic guitar and piano back him up perfectly, the strength of the guitar brings a lot of power to this song, and that seems to be the case in the music I’ve heard from him. The commentary on this track is perfect. Okay, so far everything is top rate here, so I have no idea who I will vote for yet. ------------- https://ibb.co/8x0xjR0" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 14:09
|
As per usual, my first impressions of the submissions on Page One: Lorenzo: Les
Anarchistes (featuring Petra Magoni): “The Ballad of Sacco & Vanzetti” Thank you for this idea of protest songs
(which in many ways, are mini history lessons), Lorenzo! This starts very prettily with synths and
drums, minor key. Here, of course, a
song about injustice and what an interesting collaboration of writers. The
female singer is unrestrained in anguish, as are the wrenching guitars as the
song gets to it’s center. The song ends
abruptly, perhaps mirroring the sudden death of execution of the immigrants,
who were quite possibly found guilty in error of murder. Les Anarchistes (featuring Moni Ovadia): “Pishkù
Li” Here we begin with quavering organ
notes and a mournful male singer, appropriately so, especially reading your
brief explanation of the song. The music
picks up pace a bit with quiet keyboards and tapping percussive sounds
underpinning the passionate singing. Nearing
the end, strings join in, always a wonderful choice to convey
emotionality. The piece ends with
fluttering keyboard sounds, fading out. Nick_h_nz: Tim Finn & Herbs “Parihaka” A reggae beat here, a protest song, yet a song of hope. Thinking about your thoughts of if it’s appropriate, of course it is, for exactly the reasons you state….and the more people work together from different cultures, the better, as far as I’m concerned. That being said, love the backing vocals and Tim Finn is very clearly understood. The melody is catching and brings a part of history that many don’t know to the fore (which is one of the objectives of protest pieces in the first place). Herbs “French Letter” Here another reggae sounding piece with some percussion proffering the beat. The singers in this band have wonderful voices….and I’m with them on the sentiment of the song as well. Suitkees: Hanns Eisler (music), Bertold Brecht (text), sung by Ernst Busch “Solidaritätslied (Solidarity Song) “ 30’s style music provides the backdrop for the lyrics here (as indeed it should be), the poem is presented in a way here that I could see protest marches with everyone singing them (as indeed it may have been). Could have been written about today in many respects. Logan: Redgum - "I Was Only 19" This begins with acoustic guitar in a very familiar setting for a protest song (which is not a criticism, I enjoy this kind of music very much). It is just heartbreaking, the toll the Vietnam war took on so many, this song details so much sadness and the lasting effects of war on those who go to it, both physical and psychological. Really nice double fiddles end up the song. Suede “Shipbuilding” Good, solid song with band quietly backing singer at the piano, with that age-old question, why on earth are we waging war and risking lives when there is so much beauty to be found in the world (diving for pearls). The Anders: Hoola Bandoola Band “Vem kan man lita på?” This one begins in a upbeat tone, straight-ahead rock, which is very sarcastic indeed, with the lyrics. A song of anti-war and anti-politicians, indeed anti-heroes too, with mentioning some very famous protesters in song and action in the lyrics…So funny how things stay the same, with this one from 1972, so also a bit prophetic. Indeed, whom can we trust? Tv-2 “Kom lad os brokke os (Come let us complain)” Another straight-ahead approach, with discussing apathy and the futility of enacting change (at least from my perspective of what they are saying). But one must try, or certainly nothing will! Again the wry sarcasm of the previous piece and a little nod to Sgt Pepper-style horns near the end, as everyone sings along at the end. Mike: Ben Harper “How Many Miles Must We March” Some more pretty straight-ahead music, backing clear vocals (I’ve heard of, but not heard much of Ben Harper, and not this). Discussing prejudice and how it begins and is continued by society. I think we must still march on quite a while, sadly. Bigelf “Money, It’s Pure Evil” Here is a more edgy rock sound, reminds me actually of ELO in a way, with the orchestral production. Nice crunchy lead guitar about halfway in, which then continues underneath….all about the evils of how money can change people, usually not for the better. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 14:16
Thank you so much for your thoughtful takes on all of these, thus far. I am with you on so much of the material! Once again, very difficult choices will have to be made, and I'm only through with the first page as of yet. I am glad you enjoyed these, they are unflinching looks at things that are hard for many to look at, a thing that I greatly admire in writers of protest songs....Indeed, it's all in the words for this kind of material, and everyone so far has brought this right to the table. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: Shadowyzard
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 14:36
Thanks man! I'm glad to be back here! This is a good take, and I agree wholeheartedly. I also like my first nomination better; because not only musically it is more impactful, but also its lyrics are more universal. Sacred Cowboys' chorus is a delight though. |
Posted By: The Anders
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 14:50
|
Thank you to TCat and Snicolette for the nice comments. As for the Tv-2 song, it is briefly paraphrasing "Lady Madonna" towards the end. |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 15:36
------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 15:45
|
Already three pages, I hope there's still some time. As I should present my final choice in one go, I have a hard decision problem to solve (and not much time right now) - but something will come. |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 15:59
|
My impressions: 1) Nick: Parihaka is a pleasant reggae ballad sung with a beautiful tenor voice. French Letter is based on traditional music, with a reggae rhythm, maybe there is the accordion that makes it hybrid, it reminded me of a mazurka. Two very nice, light songs.
------------- 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: January 05 2021 at 16:02
This is a vintage song that we could hear on a documentary from the thirties, very pleasant, a little march, I would say.... And.... I'm waiting for your second song! ------------- 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: January 05 2021 at 16:06
|
Logan: The first is an excellent ballad, flowing, with an original arrangement. Suede's tear-jerking ballad, sung by the singer who I consider the best voice of British pop, this second song is really beautiful, with an almost jazzy arrangement. Contender. ---- The Anders: Vem kan man lita på? Is a strange song, almost a joke, the trend is rock, a marching rock, very pleasant. Kom lad os brokke os is another strange protest song, with a folk arrangement and a song that alternates parts played apart sung quickly (almost a rap), overall the piece sung is very long. Goliardic final 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: The Anders
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 16:08
|
Redgum - I Was Only Nineteen sends a shiver down my spine with all the horror it depicts. It's strong lyrics, and what I especially like about them is the fact that they tell the story in a very unsentimental way. It makes the images much more effective, and it leaves food for thought. The music is equally unsentimental, and especially the violins sort of illustrate the grimness. We're in the singer/songwriter area. Should be a strong contender for my votes. Suede - Shipbuilding is another anti-war song. I haven't actually heard the original version by Elvis Costello, so it is all new to me. Despite the lyrical content, Suede's main focus seems to be the music, but I guess it is different in the original version. In any case, the lyrics are much less direct, but that does not make them less political. Ben Harper - How Miles Must We March. One of my room mates at boarding school back in 1998-99 was very much into Ben Harper, but I admit I have not really been following him since. There is a bit of a contrast between the lyrics about not learning from the past, and then some very laid-back acoustic music with a Latin touch to it. I mean that as a positive thing. Bigelf - Money, It's Pure Evil didn't ressonate as well with me. Musically it is not bad, but that type of rock ballad is not so much me. But tastes differ of course. As for the lyrics, while I do agree with the message about money being the root of much evil, I think it has been said before many times, and there are quite a lot of dualities: right/wrong, foe/friend, good/bad, true/false, understand/misunderstand and so on. (I had to use the alternate link, the first one didn't work for me). Tom Rapp - Fourth Day of July: I knew Tom Rapp from Pearls Before Swine. Quite a unique artist in the best possible sense. The music here is more gloomy, helped by a somewhat (purposely) muddy vocal sound. The imagery is once again quite brutal (burning children), but at the same time the words are very poetic. Another contender. Cheryl Wheeler - If It Were Up to Me: The music leaves me a bit indifferent, but the lyrics are very effective in all their simplicity. They use monotony purposely as an artistic means (putting the blame on everything between heaven and earth), thus building a tension towards the point of it all: take away the guns. In Denmark, luckily, it requires a special licence to own a weapon, and I don't know anyone who do. (Only the alternative link worked for me, once again).
|
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 16:16
I like very much Roy Harper's voice. Big work with the acoustic guitars, piano on the background. Beautiful. Contender. But, is this your first choice? If it so, I'm waiting for your second song. ------------- 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: January 05 2021 at 16:20
|
Mike: Ben Harper: Is this music a sober bluegrass? It looks like traditional music but very thin, arranged with percussion and little else, clear and simple inspiration. Bigelf has a slow and muffled start, then the song explodes, melodic rock comes out with a good guitar solo and an epic ending. Two short songs that go straight to the point, melodically good, inspired, 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: Cristi
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 16:50
are we making final nominations already? 
|
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 17:25
Thank you for your thoughts, on these two pieces, I always enjoy reading what people hear on their initial listens (and not just to my own submissions, it is interesting to see where we think alike and differ on all of the pieces, as I read through everyone's synopses).  ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 18:05
Yes, for this poll, I asked to immediately choose the two pieces (with a total duration of less than 12 minutes) that represent the selection in the competition, and then, for those who want, to add a third protest song outside the competition. Having to vote for the combination of two pieces, I preferred to do it this way, otherwise it would have been confusing. And then, in any case, being two pieces chosen by each participant, and one out of competition, everyone can propose three songs for listening. ------------- 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: Logan
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 18:45
|
I think it's a terrific approach, and if I do another of these I might do something similar. I found your OP very clear, by the way. Incidentally, I have really enjoyed reading the comments on the choices by various people and really appreciated it.
Thanks, Mike. I think it's a terrific version of Shipbuilding (which I only discovered recently). There are various covers of that song that I love and each is quite unique. That Redgum song I discovered when I went to Australia decades ago for a year -- it mentions Townsville and I was living in Northern Queensland (Cairns). I wrote elsewhere that sometimes I put too much thought into posts and topics, but in these series I commonly go with what very quickly springs to mind (and four, including these two, came to mind immediately). This is a series where I don't like to overthink my first thoughts for what to include based on the expectations that are laid out in the opening post. ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I observed before. It can be much like that with music for me; immersed in experiencing the moment. |
Posted By: TCat
Date Posted: January 05 2021 at 18:53
Yeah I didn't put a whole lot of thought in the two I put up because I was in too big of a hurry trying to finish the NR report for last month, and my selections were maybe a little weak, though I do like both artists. I put up an out of competition selection which I would have preferred to use for one of my main selections, but it was too late, so .... First choice doesn't always work for me  ------------- https://ibb.co/8x0xjR0" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 06 2021 at 02:47
|
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Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 06 2021 at 16:00
|
Cristi I Love the World. Good song, gothic rock, it recalls me The Mission, sound dark but powerful. Cantic de Haiduc. Good folk song, with a beautiful singing and phrases on the acoustic guitar. ------------- 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: mathman0806
Date Posted: January 06 2021 at 16:54
|
Algiers - Dispossession Lyrics: https://genius.com/Algiers-dispossession-lyrics" rel="nofollow - https://genius.com/Algiers-dispossession-lyrics David Baerwald - Got No Shotgun Hydrahead Octopus Blues Lyrics: https://genius.com/David-baerwald-the-got-no-shotgun-hydrahead-octopus-blues-lyrics" rel="nofollow - https://genius.com/David-baerwald-the-got-no-shotgun-hydrahead-octopus-blues-lyrics |
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: January 06 2021 at 17:03
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Out of competition w/ explicit language warning. Not really my kind of music but January 20th could not come soon enough. |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: January 06 2021 at 17:47
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So here I am, sorry for not joining earlier. Protest songs are not my strength really, as somebody who has a tendency to ignore lyrics. Anyway... The first one is very special and unusual as a "protest song", and it is done i such a way that we can't even be 100% sure that it is a protest song. I'm pretty sure to spot the irony in this but it is so well done that I can occasionally doubt its irony, which would be terrible. Ultimately I'm quite sure this is ironical but the irony may be lost on some, and some of the wrong people. As a German worried a lot about some people following some very wrong leaders once more, this touched me really like no other song on the topic, because it conveys some dangerous fascination that the ideas of these leaders had and have for some people whom you'd not think of as the first followers. Fortunately, or unfortunately, this album sold terribly and hardly anyone knows it, but it works its magic on me to this day like it did the first time I heard it in 1981 (!). I have never heard or read anyone commenting on the lyrics of this - maybe most of the few people who heard it haven't even paid attention or don't even think this is political. However I'd nominate this as the most poisonous portrayal of neofascism ever. Scala 3 - Kein Ende (No end) I salute you my fatherland. I salute you my homeland. I salute you, land of miracles. My homeland, kingdom of heaven. Calmly blows a wind and brings us a song from old times. Hear, hear the call and be ready. A miracle will happen, god knows, wonderful! Lonely howls the wolf. We don't have a home, and we're looking for a cause. We turn with the wind and don't know where. We never laugh enough, we don't look back anymore. We only see ourselves now and forget this world. We long for happiness and take this woman. We torment her with love and ask then: How was it? So weak are our hearts, so poor our mind, I send a salute to the god in the land of miracles. No end. Calmly blows a wind over the land, and brings us a song from old times. Hear, hear the call and be ready, be warned, because a miracle will happen, wonderful! A dance on the volcano, come take each others hands. We go to war, and the wind sings our song. No end. I salute you my fatherland. I salute you my homeland. I salute you, land of miracles. My homeland, kingdom of heaven. Calmly blows a wind and brings us a song from old times. Hear, hear the call and be ready, be warned, a miracle will happen, so wonderful! We dream into the day, we sail into foreign harbours, we are witnesses of a colourful illusion. We are the audience, sometimes we're heroes because we pay well, but when the spell breaks, man will become an animal. We, oh we have dreamt already for too long. Look around you! A miracle has happened, wonderful! Hear, hear, the call goes out through the land! Follow me! And they sing the song from the old times. Hear, hear, the call goes out through the land! Follow me! They sing the song from the old times. Lonely howls the wolf. And they sing the song from the old times. We, we have dreamt already for too long. Look around you! And they sing the song from the old times. Hear, hear! The second one is chosen to some extent because I didn't want to go through the hell of translating the very convoluted indirect and intellectual German lyrics that Cpt. Kirk & have in most of their other song. This, however, is very direct and simple. "If you have a racist friend, now is the time for your friendship to end." Cpt. Kirk & by the way are another band of the 90s/00s "new Hamburg school" like Blumfeld (as suggested in two earlier polls), and you know I love to play stuff from my home town. This album, English language, has some Robert Wyatt cover versions. I also like their music, they have a pretty unique sound. Cpt. Kirk & - Racist Friend
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Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 06 2021 at 18:10
|
First impressions to the end of Page Two, with a couple of out of competition reflections, at the beginning. Lorenzo: Gang
“La pianura dei sete Fratelli” (out of competition) Begins with beautiful folky instrumentation
with a deep-voiced male singer. Such a
gorgeous melody, I feel almost as though I am listening to a much older song. Again, tells a historical tale of real people
who bravely gave their lives in their partisan cause. Humbling story. Mike: Monsters of Folk “His Master’s Voice” (out of
competition) Begins with a pristine acoustic
guitar foundation and a high male vocal.
Added in is some warble into the mix, and a deeper, male vocal
harmonizing, then an almost chorus-effect.
In the lyrics, yeah, ya gotta watch out for those sirens, they were very
beguiling, but it never ended well for those who heeded their calls. Some slidey strings enter for depth. A very interesting thing is done with distortion
as the words, “callin’ out,” repeat (has the singer been lured to his
death?). Gave me chills, that one. Shadowyzard:
Welcome back! Bruce Dickinson’s “Gods of War” Here’s a real change of pace with some
hard-hitting metal. An impassioned
diatribe against war and the people who are invested in it’s continuation. Very convincing and well done, with a searing
guitar solo to boot! “Sacred
Cowboys” More hard rock/metal, but
vocals are partially more in a talking style.
You described it well, as a protest against so much of the modern
US. This one I don’t like as much as the
first one (probably not a surprise to any here), but his point is well made in
the lyrics and the angst certainly comes through in the driving beat and the
crunchy guitars. dr uw23 Roy Harper “The Monster” Yes, as you often do, you bring something I love to the table. 😊 Brought to the fore, dressed in simple acoustic guitar strumming and clear vocals, the words are the message in this one. Wonderful imagery of keyboards, mice and men and electronics, about halfway in, the song gains in urgency, with slide guitar and self-harmonization. Seems particularly poignant today, of all days. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: January 06 2021 at 18:15
|
And here's one out of competition. It isn't exactly a protest song but fits the generously broad bill just about. It's another early eighties Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave) thing. I love it because it is perfect. Really every single note, every single word, and every little thing the singer does is in the right place for conveying the "message". Here's a translation, unfortunately not really perfect, so quite a bit is lost, but I'd expect that the German singing will tell you something even if you don't really understand the lyrics. https://lyricstranslate.com/en/polizisten-police-officers.html" rel="nofollow - https://lyricstranslate.com/en/polizisten-police-officers.html Not much is perfect in life, so enjoy... Extrabreit - Polizisten (police officers) By the way, I'm not really a fan of this band, they have two other good songs, that's it. |
Posted By: Ronstein
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 02:15
|
Anything by Leon Rosselson or Roy Bailey would fit, just a couple of examples: |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 03:16
| ^ second video does not work, please re-post/edit to make it work. |
Posted By: Ronstein
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 03:42
| Edited, both working for me. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 03:45
well, it does not work for me. How am I supposed to listen to your song, possibly vote for it if I cannot listen to it? If you have not understood what we are doing with these interactive polls, read the original post carefully or ask Lorenzo (jamesbaldwin).
|
Posted By: Ronstein
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 03:48
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Both videos added in exactly the same way, so why one works and one doesn't, I have no idea! This is the url - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TlFwX01rk4 |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 03:53
Not working at all. try another video/another link, please what's the artist/song?
|
Posted By: Ronstein
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 03:54
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Leon Rosselson - Plan. Could it be a regional thing?? |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 04:05
I don't know. I've been asked in this polls to re-post throughout the polls. I wonder if others have the same problem.
|
Posted By: Ronstein
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 04:07
| Are you able to Google that video on YouTube? |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 04:09
I did is that it?
|
Posted By: Ronstein
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 04:13
| That's the right song, different video though. All very odd!! |
Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 09:48
|
^ Actually, it's not odd at all. This is all copyrighted material we offer here and it is just how copyright licensing works: a license is often restricted to a specific geographical (or linguistic) region. Outside of that region one will need another licence... or something will just not be visible. The video doesn't work for me either, but the one Cristi found does (thanks!). ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 09:50
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In the mean-time I added a second song to my http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=125031&PID=5842950#5842950" rel="nofollow - original post : Têtes Raides/Noir Désir - L'iditenté (no, I didn't misspell, read the post ;). ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 11:13
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If there's time ,,,,my second choice...or maybe first ;) Live version with a nice folk edge to it. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: The Anders
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 13:03
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My out of competition song is Gnags - Burhøns (Caged chickens), 1979 Lyrics and English translation: http://docdroid.net/fHHALtD/burhoens-pdf" rel="nofollow - http://docdroid.net/fHHALtD/burhoens-pdf |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 18:00
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First thoughts on Page Three Entries: Cristi: New
Model Army “I Love The World” Begins
with a long fade-in, this is a pretty hard-hitting rock song. This one seems to be protesting the
concretization of the world, so an ecological protest song, maybe with a bit of
anti-nuclear war thrown in, at least from what I can gather from the
lyrics. Olympic '64 Dorin Liviu Zaharia “Cantic
De Haiduc” This one sounds like an older
recording, basic rock ensemble, but with some organ underneath. I can’t find a translation for the lyrics,
but looking up the band, they also did a rock opera, with lyrics by Dante
Alighieri and Rabindranath Tagore, which would likely be very interesting (and
confirmed my take on this being a much earlier recording that that of New Model
Army. George: Algiers “Dispossession” This one is more of a soul piece, really enjoy the vocalist and the chorus is gorgeous. This is a protest against the dispossession of minorities in America, very spirited piece, the choral singers are in a gospel vein. I really like this one a lot! David Baerwald “Got No Shotgun Hydrahead Octopus Blues” Here’s another hard-hitting social commentary piece, this guy pulls no punches. Rough-edged voice, snaggy organ and ragged guitars embellish this song. Bravo to both of these. (out of competition) YG featuring G Eazy & Macklemore “FDT” Gotta say, I quite agree! Anti-45 rap, stating all the reasons why I quite agree. More so than ever, today. Lewian: Scala 3 “Kein Ende” There is a lightness in the music to this, and in the singer’s voice, which belies the lyrics, I am sure it is sarcastic in nature to be so. Nonetheless, it is indeed chilling were it to be taken seriously (which I am sure some, might, sadly). It is a little difficult to discern the intent of the piece, at least to me, so I do hope it is indeed sarcastic. Cpt. Kirk & “Racist Friend” This is done in a sing-song style, with heavy bass, drums and guitars at a slow pace. This one definitely leaves no doubt as to what they are suggestion one do. (out of competition) Extrabrei “Polizisten” This one has an ominous feel as well as the previous one did, with bass and drums accompanying the vocalist before crunching guitars and keys come in. This one is about the ubiquitous presence of police, always watching. Suitably dark for the subject matter, with the chorus being stridently sung as a warning to all. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 07 2021 at 18:04
Strange combination between the first and the second piece but the second is the best (for my tastes) that I have listened until now. Strong 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: January 07 2021 at 18:11
Well, I dont know if I prefer the studio version or this live version, anyway I appreciate your choice: two (the first is by Roy Harper) melodic folk songs conducted by the acoustic guitar and the vocals, a choice genuine, simple and direct, based on the beauty of the melodies. 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: January 07 2021 at 18:28
1) Tom Rapp - Fourth Day Of July. Interesting folk piece prog-related, with a simple but sophysticated arrangement, and an atmosphere relaxed but only in the surface. Good song. 2) Cheryl Wheeler: beautiful voice, but she doesnt sing! It's a strange song, an electric rap-folk?OUT OF COMPETITION Charlie King's song: oh well, here we are in an field between John Denver and Phil Ochs. The quintessence of American folk.
------------- 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: January 07 2021 at 19:06
1) Tom Rapp - Fourth Day Of July. Interesting folk piece prog-related, with a simple but sophysticated arrangement, and an atmosphere relaxed but only in the surface. Good song. 2) Cheryl Wheeler: beautiful voice, but she doesnt sing! It's a strange song, an electric rap-folk?OUT OF COMPETITION Charlie King's song: oh well, here we are in an field between John Denver and Phil Ochs. The quintessence of American folk.
[/QUOTE]
Thank you for your thoughts. Rapp does have a very pleasant voice, usually, although in his early days he did do a few ones more in this kind of style, on other recordings. I love his way with lyrics. Cheryl Wheeler indeed does have a gorgeous voice. In this one, she sort of used a rap-folk form to present her thoughts as they came to her while she was driving when she heard the news of that particular shooting. She usually vacillates between really funny songs and really serious, beautiful ones, with some very political pieces like this one. The Charlie King song I knew from several folk singers in the Santa Cruz area during my time there in the late 70's/early 80's, they would cover this one, especially poignant since so many of them also protested along the lines of the "No More Nukes," concert, with the Diablo Canyon Power Plant right down the road, in San Luis Obispo County. All three of my selections were indeed, very American in nature. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 08 2021 at 03:40
the rock opera you mention was never put to an album and as usual bands/artists met with the censorship of the time. The rock opera was played live at a student festival and that was that. The music label of the time only released two singles of this band. Cantec de Haiduc means "outlaw song". The outlaw was a theme a lot of artists had in both 70s and 80s., gee I wonder why (sarcasm, I know why, it seems inoffensive, they sing about history, but it was a bit of a figurative middle finger to the authorities). In Zaharia's case, his song is about the outlaw fights injustice but is overwhelmed and hunted down, regrets loosing his battling companions and would love to rise again with new forces. For me it's both sad and uplifting song. |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 08 2021 at 17:57
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And now first thoughts and caught up so far with all, two additions and one new: dr wu23: Jackson Browne “For Everyman” One of the best of the singer/songwriter
genre, here with spare live setting, on his acoustic guitar with his fine voice
telling the story of the need for so many to want to return to simpler times,
for someone to tell them how to go on, but it’s up to every man, after all, to
find his own way. In the end, he seems to forgive humanity for it’s being human,
at least that is what I get from it. The Anders: (out
of competition) Gnags “Burhons” Straight
ahead rock sound, with a sense of humour about it. They remind me a bit of The Kinks in their
sound, although they are certainly not British.
I am not sure if they are pondering the plight of the chickens or if
they are comparing humans to the caged chickens (or maybe both, after all). Ronstein: Leon Rosselson “No One is Responsible” Singer/songwriter style, with plain acoustic
guitar providing the setting for the piece.
Discusses the way that so many in high positions of power will throw off
responsibility for what they may do, as they are merely doing what they’re told
(and somehow, even those people are not responsible, either). Well done and very apt for these days when it’s
always someone else who must be blamed, it seems. Leon Rosselson & Roy Bailey “Plan” Another singer/songwriter style satirical
song, this one with some jaw harp for comic relief. Makes me think a bit of music hall kind of
songs and again The Kinks, also. Very dry British humour,
this one is about bad civic planning.
Classic sort of social commentary. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: January 09 2021 at 05:41
Yes, I admit it is a strange combination... I first thought to put up a resistance song from the Spanish Civil War, but I actually wanted to present something modern... and then it gets difficult to combine that with Eisler. And Têtes Raides is a group I like very much. Musically, they navigate between Jacques Brel and Punk and lyrically it is often very poetic and committed (think of Boris Vian, Georges Brassens...) and they often put a lot of humour in their music. And because I like them so much, my out of competition song is another one by Têtes Raides: Civili. It is not a protest song concerning something specific, but more a mentality... Têtes Raides - Civili: Again, not easy to transly, but I tried to stay as much as possible close to their poetics (my translation; will delete this once the poll is over): Civili Imagination stops there where life commences Stop don't live Or you will die from it Imagine a song for provision Where doubt has without doubt Sown aplenty our lives at whatever cost Our dreams of Civilisation Civili civila civilalisation If life, if Lisa If Lisa was right It's not in the songs Neither in the water of my wine That we will make, starting tomorrow Civilisations We will make a hell, make noise, make a din And hand in hand We will sing in the streets We will make of tomorrow What we would have liked it to be If it's not forbidden to sing in the streets What will we do tomorrow For that matter with our life without our dreams For that matter I don't live or I will die from it I imagine earths in fusion Where drop by drop Heavens aplenty And our lives at whatever cost For the revolution For all those who shake them The negative hands On the walls of bricks The concrete of tomorrow We will drink a toast But without water in our wines When heaven and earth Will just be one Civili civila civilalisation If life, if Lisa If Lisa was right Civili civila civilalisation If life, if Lisa If Lisa was right (And if you like this, don't hesitate to listen to the whole album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD42mpiiMwE&list=OLAK5uy_miV2QlkuOZRrRufBhW_4PxHljYHCzL1mY" rel="nofollow - Qu'est-ce qu'on s'fait chier ! ) ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: The Anders
Date Posted: January 09 2021 at 06:33
Both, I think. I believe the song is more generally about the barbary of mistreating others for the sake of ones own fortune - be it animals or other humans.
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Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 09 2021 at 08:30
------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: January 09 2021 at 09:57
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Playlist (just the nominees) link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-zzvl_w6Fx73auWtq6G-_HnTlYRP70Vx" rel="nofollow - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-zzvl_w6Fx73auWtq6G-_HnTlYRP70Vx |
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: January 09 2021 at 10:17
@Nickie: Good to hear you liked these. I didn't put in any additional information before, so here are some notes about the two artists. Algiers is a relatively new band (since 2012) from Atlanta. Lyrics are politically charged in a broad sense. They don't address any specific events or moments. Three full length albums so far, with the most recent "There Is No Year" released January of 2020, aptly titled and released pre-Covid. "Dispossession" comes from that album. Recommend that album and their self-titled first. Second one "The Underside of Power" is good, but I prefer the other two. David Baerwald was one half of David + David, a duo that had a moderately successful debut album in the mid '80s and then broke up. Some of you might know this song that got some good airplay at the time. A social commentary on life in L.A. The "Got No Shotgun Hydrahead Octopus Blues" is from his second solo album Triage from the early 90's. I'd say the song is a reaction to the whole Iran-Contra mess and the government at the time. As a whole, that is a great album. Had thought about posting some of his other songs in the singer-songwriter poll from a while back, so good to have this poll where this song fits in. |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 09 2021 at 10:50
And thank you once again for the playlist!
------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 09 2021 at 11:07
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And first thoughts on suitkees' second choice and out of competition, also on David + David as posted by George: suitkees: Têtes Raides and Noir Désir “Noir desir:
Rapid-speed in almost a punk rock style, but with different
instrumentation than would be with a punk band and more sophistication. (out of competition) Têtes Raides “Civili” Again almost a punk style and also along the
same lines of dissatisfaction with the way things are, this time with some
violin thrown in and shimmery bits scattered here and there. Both of these two have a strong sense of
pulling no punches and making a similar point of frustration and
dissatisfaction with society and government. George: David + David “Welcome to the Boomtown” I actually do remember hearing this on the
radio then and the scenes in the video are very familiar from my time in LA at
that time, kind of nostalgic for me. Certainly
a cynical look at Hollywood in particular and LA in general. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: The Anders
Date Posted: January 09 2021 at 13:47
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Noir désir/les Têtes Raides - "L'iditenté" is a sort of Balkan punk thing, but I sense a touch of cabaret too. It's very charming despite the lyrical topic - which sadly is still relevant, especially in my own country, Denmark :( Bruce Dickinson - "Gods of War": not so much my taste but it's a well crafted song. I think my favourite part is the break with the guitar duet. "Sacred Cowboys" has a touch of the 90's rap metal genre, but musically I think it less homogeneous. The vicious lyrics catch my attention. New Model Army - "I Love the World" is a very dark song, and unfortunately it is as relevant as ever. The gloominess this time is a bit too hard for me to take, but on the other hand it's difficult not to be taken by the song's intensity. Olympic '64 Dorin Liviu Zaharia - "Cantic De Haiduc" is much more up my alley, and I like the vocal style a lot. Musically it reminds of some Meditarranean music styles, but with electric instruments. Should be a clear contender for my part. It is sung in Romanian if I am not mistaken?
Algiers - "Dispossession" literally made my pulse rise. There's a nod to classic soul, for instance with the singing style, but it is clearly brought in to a very contemporary context. Contender. David Baerwald - "Got No Shotgun Hydrahead Octopus Blues" is full of punk anger, and another engaging listening experience. Great vocals, and I'd like to praise the guitar work too.
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Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 09 2021 at 17:24
Thanks a lot. ------------- 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: January 09 2021 at 17:31
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Shadowyzard. Well, here there are some good vibrations. Good hard rock style, powerful. I prefer this to many songs by Rush. Gods of War is very good. TCat - Monster of folks (Out of competition) Delicate melody, delicate vocals, it's a pleasure to listen. Excellent lyrics.
------------- 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: January 09 2021 at 17:50
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mathman0806 1) Algiers - Dispossession Basically it' a melodic gospel song, but with a fast rhythm. Powerful, inspired, the best piece (in my opinion) of your selection. 2)David Baerwald - Got No Shotgun Hydrahead Octopus Blues This one is a good rock song, with the right anger FDT (Out of competition) is a good rap. Pleasing songs, Mathman (and f**k DT!) ------------- 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: January 09 2021 at 17:51
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I would say we open the vote next Wednesday ------------- 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: dr wu23
Date Posted: January 10 2021 at 09:58
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I'm not much for reviews but I did listen to all songs....some very interesting and nice things ...never heard of most of them. Always liked this track and album..not exactly a folk song but surely some comments on western civilization...;), not in the competition just an interesting song...I wanted to share...seems really appropriate right now. They put Jesus on a cross
They put a hole in J.F.K
They put Hitler in the driver's seat
And looked the other way
Now they've got poison in the water
And the whole world in a trance
But just because we're hypnotized
That don't mean we can't dance. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Shadowyzard
Date Posted: January 10 2021 at 11:04
Cool! I'll give my feedback tomorrow or the day after. Thanks to all of you for all the feedback, by the bye. |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 10 2021 at 17:25
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And first thoughts on dr wu23's out of competition contribution: dr wu23: Tonio K “The Funky Western Civilization” Very sarcastic punkish, but more straight rock than punk song (reminds me a bit of Jerry Lee Lewis) , with a kind of 50's treatment of a horn section well-done social commentary piece. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: The Anders
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 13:00
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Roy Harper - "The Monster". Not a song I was familiar with, it's quite a melancholic singer/songwriter track. I think I have to listen to it again to judge it properly, because it doesn't immediately click with me. I am not fond of the singing (he is not a very good singer), but on the other hand there are some interesting sound elements now and then. Jackson Browne - "For Everyman". I didn't know that one too. Once again it's in the singer/songwriter area, but it's a corner of it that doesn't do so much for me personally. In any case it sounds honest, and I like its simple setup. Scala 3 - "Kein Ende". Enter 80's synthpop sound. I enjoy the irony in the lyrics, but sadly this kind of music does little for me. Captain Kirk - "Racist Friend". Musically this is much more me; it's an interesting arrangement and production. Lyrically I think it's a bit too "basic" for my taste. But again, I really like it musically. Even if I personally think that to stop people from being racist, it's doesn't help much just rejecting them (it may, in fact, turn things worse). Leon Rosselson - "No One is Responsible": Conveys an important message about running from your own responsibility in a totally Kafka'ish system. The main message of course being that everyone is responsible, you cannot say you "just obeyed orders". But there's a bit of humour in it too, and I somehow thought of Tom Lehrer while listening through the song. Songs like these are clearly much more about lyrics than music, and despite finding the lyrics very clever, I think I like it better when there's more emphaisis on both. Leon Rosselson and Roy Bailey - "Plan": Contains a lo-fi
aesthetics with badly recorded vocals and instruments (on purpose I am
sure). It's more of a regular "battle song", like those written for
specific protest demonstrations, strikes and so on, and with all
respect, I cannot help but have some distance to them -
even if I usually symphatise with the case they are written for.
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Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 17:33
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Ronstein Selection with two homogeneous, compact songs, of a super traditional folk, very sung (I could not afford songs so sung in Italian, it would be difficult for many of you to remain interested), decidedly free-range but also elegant the first, you can see the combination between protest and folk style, you hear it from the intonation of the vocals the second more rural. Interesting proposals. ------------- 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: January 11 2021 at 17:46
First song: free range synth-pop style song (a guilty pleasure), where the best part in my opinion are the vocals, very gritty. It's a pleasant song, and the ironic tone seems to be heard from the intonation of the vocals. Maybe a little too long. The video is as always (in Christian's case) very nice, and I was trying to remember what German cities they are. In my life, until now, I have seen Bavaria and little else: Munchen (two times), Altotting, Augsburg, Nurnberg (two times), Rothenburg, Bamberg, Frankfurt, Heidelberg. Are there any of these cities in the video? It's not so much, I know. Berlin is missing. The second song has artistic ambitions, albeit always a little crazy, and is in my opinion on a much higher level of quality. If the selection goes to the podium it will be for the second song. By the way, I'm a huge Star Trek fan, but only the classic series TV shows. ------------- 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. |