I've never heard of this artist until now, and wow that was mesmerizing!
So, she starts playing one-handed because she's playing in an alternate tuning (DADGAD, used in lots of celtic music) -- (also, ah, apologies if y'all already know music stuff!! I just nerd out). The tuning means that the strings by themselves are a really cool open chord, hollow sounding. She's playing variations on that one chord, so you get a drone effect. The simplicity of the drone draws attention to the words, and the constancy of the drone matches the lyrical themes. It's a stunning example of musical + lyrical confluence. Alchemy, really.
Aside from the depth and range of her voice, it's her intensity that captured me. I first became acquainted with her music when I heard her sing "Cod'ine." It was mesmerizing. Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmvatii7pL0
Thanks for sharing this. Have been thinking of "reckonings" too--and this casts, as Seeger says, quite a spell. Love the verse "Turn your back on the weeds you've hoed/ Silly sinful seeds you've sown/ Add your straw to the camel's load/ Pray like hell when your world explodes/ Little wheel spin and spin, big wheel turn around and around . . ."
Buffy Sainte Marie covered Joni Mitchell's "Circle Game" (though in a fairly upbeat way). Both songs seem to play off it each other as ways of commenting on the way we interact with time and the world.
I am really enjoying your blogs and am a big fan of your writing.
great piece. she's fantastic. there is a clip of her on gma worth watching on Indian rights for her sharp, informed, intelligence and pathos for the cause.
No it's Pete Seeger!
"Perhaps they had some reason to be afraid." Oh hell yes. Thank you for this.
It is truly a lovely piece of music. I haven't thought of her, or heard her, in a long long time. Thank you for this post.
I've never heard of this artist until now, and wow that was mesmerizing!
So, she starts playing one-handed because she's playing in an alternate tuning (DADGAD, used in lots of celtic music) -- (also, ah, apologies if y'all already know music stuff!! I just nerd out). The tuning means that the strings by themselves are a really cool open chord, hollow sounding. She's playing variations on that one chord, so you get a drone effect. The simplicity of the drone draws attention to the words, and the constancy of the drone matches the lyrical themes. It's a stunning example of musical + lyrical confluence. Alchemy, really.
Aside from the depth and range of her voice, it's her intensity that captured me. I first became acquainted with her music when I heard her sing "Cod'ine." It was mesmerizing. Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmvatii7pL0
Thanks for sharing this. Have been thinking of "reckonings" too--and this casts, as Seeger says, quite a spell. Love the verse "Turn your back on the weeds you've hoed/ Silly sinful seeds you've sown/ Add your straw to the camel's load/ Pray like hell when your world explodes/ Little wheel spin and spin, big wheel turn around and around . . ."
Fascinating song. In a related vein, Laura Nyro reportedly wrote this when she was 16. This is a very good version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRDpsY6u0sc
Buffy Sainte Marie covered Joni Mitchell's "Circle Game" (though in a fairly upbeat way). Both songs seem to play off it each other as ways of commenting on the way we interact with time and the world.
I am really enjoying your blogs and am a big fan of your writing.
If u are not aware of it… Try Robbie Basho “blue crystal fire “ track. Also a powerful activist for native Americans https://youtu.be/YYaGChm8RWw
Why do we never hear about her these days? I remember dining at a high-end Indian resto in London, in 1975, and she was also there. I was thrilled.
great piece. she's fantastic. there is a clip of her on gma worth watching on Indian rights for her sharp, informed, intelligence and pathos for the cause.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW1_IkcoEmU&t=319s
Universal Soldier was the hit that brought her to a lot of people's attention; but Donovan's version, below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC9pc4U40sI
Is that Fred Neil with her in the video?