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#31
11-28-2009, 06:11 PM
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| Re: Traditional Ethnic or World Music Ah Rebecca, that was so wonderful! I dreamt away and I was in Walhalla, where those who fought well sit at the side of Odin, and drink with the gods their heavy mede. I laughed like thunder with Thor and cheered to Freya, who danced with her locks falling on her back like precious gold. But the jokes of Loki nor the songs of Baldur could take my thoughts away from the snake gnawing at the roots of Yggdrasyl, the Tree of the World. And the Norns whispered to me my fate with a sinister voice, unfortunately it was in the norse language. Hey, we had a swedish snow-blossom here for awhile, called Lily. Where could she be? I would love to hear her opinion...  |
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#32
11-30-2009, 11:46 AM
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| Re: Traditional Ethnic or World Music Quote:
There are days when I head to the Caucasus Mts (Sakartvelo aka The Republic of Georgia, of course), leap onto my small, swift black mountain steed, and ride at full gallop, eastward. I can feel the winds blowing all around me, I can hear my horse's thundering hooves and sense the rhythm of his spirited strides, his long mane stinging my face -- we two become as one. And it's all so vivid in my mind, it's almost real. My pony and I exit the Caucasus slopes and fly across the Western Russian plains toward the Ural Mts, crossing the autumn gold fields of the Kuban Cossacks, whose magnificent horses still roam freely in open land. (The Kuban Cossacks came from the Trans-Caucasus Region, I've read.) Finally we reach a cool, shady valley in the Ural foothills, with a small waterfall above a clear flowing stream. Seeing a herd of free-ranging horses nearby, I dismount, unsaddle my pony, and delight in his neighing and whinnying as he gallops away to join his own kind. In that moment, I am overwhelmed by a strong, indescribable feeling -- we both are now truly free. (A strange thing: when I first imagined this journey, it was only after I dismounted I realized that my black pony was Jolt -- a little sickly black colt Samm and I had rescued 2 or 3 years ago, who unexpectedly developed into a truly magnificent, spirited, proud, delightful, sleek black "steed", with a tiny white star adorning his elegantly shaped forehead, calling attention to his large, intelligent, expressive doe-eyes and his delicate, often-flaring nostrils. His natural athletic movement was poetry in motion. Jolt's journey through our lives was an all-too-short, strange and wonderful experience. He ended up in the equivalent of an equine "heaven on earth", free roaming with his buddies during the day, and spending his nights in a stall almost as big as our old farmhouse. Jolt found this new home pretty much on his own. Somehow he managed, on the first day of a planned 2-wk training period there, to "bond" with this gentle horsey family, almost as if "he" selected "them". Never try to explain the unexplainable, eh?) Regarding Lily, when I posted the Nordic stuff I recalled there was a Scandinavian poster when I first joined PF, and I'd hoped she would still be around to help out with Norse traditions. Her name was Lily, you say? Yoooo Hoooo..... Lily.... Come out, come out, wherever you are! Or else I might end up trying your Nordic "kulning(?)" -- "cattle-calling (?)" -- which, if it really sounds anything like the recordings I've heard, oh boy.... Given my natural vocal abilities (non-existent), my efforts at "kulning" might effect cruel and unusual punishment on all humans and other living creatures within a five-mile radius. Oops, rambled on too long as usual. Byeeee.... rebecca |
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#33
11-30-2009, 05:11 PM
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| Re: Traditional Ethnic or World Music Hi Rebecca, What I have to do is to sit quiet trying to catch the thoughts that come up in me now. There's something special with music and particularly with folk-music (why with folk-music?), while it can be so... and I seem unable to find the right words here (mind I'm not a native english speaker). It can be so revealing, fulfilling, stimulating. It stimulates the imagination, yes, but that sounds so cold and clinical. Music does way more, it is healing, restoring, uplifting, purifying, enlightening. It make us feel as if we've found our right place in the universe again, as if we've found the exit of some labyrinth in which we were lost. It makes us realize that it was good that we were born and that life is wonderful. It makes us truly free and seeing. It remembers us of something that we seem to have forgotten, our world, our soul, our true nature and destiny. It reminds us that happiness exists and that true insight brings us happiness. It also makes us also feel how small and incomplete we are, though being able to grasp what's immensely far beyond us (call it the Divine), Even yesterday I had a wonderful experience while listening to celtic music, it was truly mystical and I cried like hell for a long time. Rebecca, you're a psychology graduate no? I'm totally convinced that (folk) music can be useful as an effective psycho-therapy, just notice what it does to any of us. Ok, let's sing and dance and dream. What about this: I'm a huge fan of the three ladies of Laïs, who live in my hometown by the way. I'll tell about these songs later... |
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#34
12-03-2009, 03:05 PM
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| Re: Traditional Ethnic or World Music Quote:
What a beautiful description of music's effect on us -- you have a poetic way with words. Your description reminds me of one explanation behind my beloved Kartvelian and Kuban Cossack music -- these are both peoples who live in two intertwining realms 24/7, and so their music often includes elements of the second realm, a realm of which many of us Westerners are unaware. The strong effect of music, oh yes. When I'm down and too fatigued to even click on the television remote, I can go over to my music player, listen to the "right" song, and within five minutes I'm alive again -- the neural synapses are firing and I'm a completely different person. I clearly agree that music could be used in psychology. Unfortunately, the official "music therapy" curriculum, at least in my country, headed towards a direction of a one-size-fits-all new agey or "natural soothing sounds" meditative, pre-programmed form, including those "natural" recordings of whale-noises: "Mwaaaahhhh, Nwhaaooooo". This stuff ends up putting me to sleep, and as far as I am aware, has no studies to support its efficacy. IMO, our modern "music therapy" field needs a complete overhaul! As for my own psychiatrist (long term manic/depression), I once asked him about packaging aesthetics in pill form, and he sighed that such a step was a long way down the road, though he wished it was possible. Apparently neuropsychiatric studies in the area are ongoing, but with no sound general conclusions that (legitimate) clinicians can use in practice. He did add, however, that since all he can really offer is band-aid pills for symptoms and syndromes, he encourages his patients to find their own individual non-clinical aids -- and if something works, report it to him. For example, he noted in my case that "being around equines" (our rescue colt) created an obvious significant improvement, and that's one of the reasons we still keep rescue donkeys. The Lais videos were wonderful, very beautiful, very moving, such a unique sound -- Samm stopped working at his computer just to listen to them. I can't wait to hear about the stories behind them. Since that group is Flemish (?) and I know nothing about your country, I may try to find some images of Flanders on the net -- for me, it sometimes helps to imagine traditional music in relation to its natural environment, though I have no idea why. As I await the stories behind the Lais videos, I'll leave you with one inspiration for my imaginary horseback ride across the Russian steppes. I chanced upon some Youtube videos and information by a creative Kuban Cossack, a fellow who is part of an active Russian Kuban Cossack community, and who engages in regular horseback border patrols (something the Russian government has recently been commissioning various Cossack communities to do). It's a Kuban song about riding a horse on the steppes, accompanied by the video-maker's pictures of his own region, including the wild horses which still roam there. First, lyrics, then link. Across the Great Steppe I will arrive on the steppe with my horse We will go in the silent night We will go with horse together on the? steppe We will go on the steppe with horse We will go with horse together on the steppe We will go on the steppe with horse In the night there are many stars Cant see anyone on the steppe Just me and horse going along the steppe We just going with horse along the steppe We just going with horse along the steppe I will sit on top of the horse drive me along the steppe Along my endless steppe Along my endless steppe Let me look once Where the steppe gives birth to the sunrise Ai the cowberrys' flower, and scarlet sunrise Is that place there or not? My steppe is the springs, Small lights of the far villages, The golden rye and curly flax I'm in love with you Russia in love The year will give the good crops The bad time was and will pass Sing for the? golden rye, sing for the curly flax Sing about how much I'm in love with Russia sigh...., rebecca |
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#35
12-04-2009, 07:18 PM
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| Re: Traditional Ethnic or World Music Hi Rebecca, I think there's a common misunderstanding about the healing capacities of music. Aren't the “natural soothing sounds” you are talking about supposed to induce relaxation by provoking a certain activity of the brain (Alpha waves if I remember well)? The “paradigm” of this approach is merely physiological and neurological, and these sounds, beautiful and relaxing as they may be (and effective or not), have nothing to do with music or with the reception of music by the listener. Music is created by and for human beings and is a way more complicated phenomenon than “just sound”, it is a form of art and as such it has the characteristics of every art form. All art is a “Gestalt”, a totality that is more than the sum of its parts, and it can only be appreciated by our “higher self”, by our “soul” if you like, which is also a totality that is more than just the sum of its parts (whatever these may be). The “healing power of music” has to be taken quite literally, music is “integrating”, and it's even one of the oldest integrating procedures used by mankind. It can "reconnect" us with ourself, with our fellow men and with the universe, if for some reason that natural connection is broken or has become problematic (the word here is “alienation”). Now that was a boring little lesson  . As I promised a few words on the songs of Laïs.-”Dorothea” is a song about a “begijn” in the beguinage of my hometown Ghent in Flanders. I really don't know what I could use as a reference in modern american culture. A “begijn” is a woman who's living in a religious community but who has not taken religious vows like a sister does. So she is free even to have a lover and often feels the conflict between religiosity and hm more earthly desires. And that's where the song is about. Here's a picture of the beguinage in Ghent: http://www.huizesintjoanna.be/images/begijnhof3.jpg -”De Valse Zeeman” is a song of the sea. A young sailor goes with his ship and promises his fiancée to remain faithful. Of course he breaks his promise in the next harbour. He says her that where he goes the girls are too dark of skin, “te zwart van vel”, but he kisses many a dark girl. But his “Griet” isn't the most faithful either... -”Le Renard et la belette”, or more complete “J'entends le loup, le renard et la belette”, “I hear the wolf, the fox and the weasel”, is an old french folksong that has many interpretations, among other by the Brittany singers “Tri Yann”. This to compare with the version of Laïs: “Breisz” (or Brittany) lives. It swings, but it lacks “the angel voices”, so I can not close without another song from Laïs. “De wijn”, or “The Wine”: Cheers! Philippe Last edited by Catchabula; 12-04-2009 at 07:29 PM. |
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#36
12-06-2009, 10:22 AM
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| Re: Traditional Ethnic or World Music there is a science of sound and vibration, and there is real healing with sound. music is one application which is more confusing because of the different effects one piece will have on different people. those soothing sounds would make me crazier than i already am! and catatonic afterwards, no doubt. give me death metal any day! (i am naturally sedated, i need a pick-me-up). and melon, since you mentioned horses, it is true and documented that having animals around people can be therapeutic-assuming it is an animal they like. i love cats, chipmunks, goats, donkeys...some people like children. go figure! i always wanted to be able to work in a program using music for autistic children-and maybe adults. i had a particular song in mind in fact: ---------- Post added 12-06-2009 at 07:54 PM ---------- or if you have time for the full length one, try this: |
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#37
12-07-2009, 02:17 PM
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| Re: Traditional Ethnic or World Music Melonkali asked me to respond for her this morning. She's creating a music CD for a friend of our daughter, Fay, and refining/completing a DVD of videos for our son, Taylor. We're attending a "Christmas party" with them this Wednesday and its a time-consuming affair that will keep Becky (melonkali) busy. We were very late for our family Thanksgiving dinner because she was busy trying to complete Taylor's DVD then. We hope not to be late for Fay's Christmas party. She said thanks to Salima for her last post. She hasn't had time yet to listen to Fateh Ali Khan's music video adequately to post a proper response, but she will do that after Wednesday. His music is not my style. Meditatively, I do well to nature sounds or the Buddhist (or Gregorian) chants. Sleepy-bye stuff for most people--but then I'm only half conscious most of the time anyway. I also kick back to Leonard Cohen or John Prine or sometimes to old Moody Blues albums. :-\ Melonkali has been studying this music school in Tblisi (Republic of Georgia), I believe, where they teach kids from 6 to 16 the traditional songs and music and dance of Georgia. In its early days, just after the Soviet Union broke up, it taught this music--which all Georgians know--to kids in orphanages who tended to be wild street kids, endowed with greater fighting skills than ethics (survivors). They found that the music classes, which permitted no observers, only participants, were very effective at teaching the music to the kids. The music is very conducive to participation with well-established parts some of which involve a low drone, and the dances are simple folk dances involving much posturing for men and elegant movement for women. Men also get into highly skilled dancing moves too, like toe dancing (ouch! ohh! ooo!), twirling on their knees, and sword jumping. But the training also helped them change in positive ways and socialize better, abandoning their old survivalist skills and adopting socially acceptable and culturally enhancing attitudes. There's still some question as to how it worked, it's only clear that it did work, it helped the orphans establish perhaps a sense of cultural heritage and belonging that enabled them to overcome some of their sense of abandonment from the losses of their young lives. Melonkali will talk more about it in her own posts later. Anything I have said should be taken as deniable propaganda. :-) Now, since this is MY (glowing yellow neon sign lights up here saying: Ego! Ego! Ego!) post, I get to submit some music. I like songs that evoke emotional responses. I always cry when I hear the Finnish national anthem, Finlandia. Ooo, the Red Army Chorus can sing the daylights outta that, and they also have a killer version of the "hymn" called "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" (Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!)...except when they get to the verse about the flowers called lillies, they pronounce them lye-lees, but that's a minor distraction. Anyway, I'm just throwing in a coupla non-traditional songs song by the traditional balladist, Jean Redpath, who put out an entire album set of Robert Burns songs sung in their original styles as closely as is known. Some of those'll bring a tear too, don't you know?! "The Minstrel Show" sung by Jean Redpath "Sonny's Dream" sung by Jean Redpath Samm
__________________ One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes. |
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#38
12-07-2009, 11:19 PM
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| Re: Traditional Ethnic or World Music I wanted to add this little translation of that drinking song of Laïs to my previous post, but it was already "out of reach". So I'll put it here: Het beste van de wijne dat is er voor mijne mond Al lag ik ziek te bedde dan werd ik weer gezond Al lag ik ziek te bedde gekweld door menig venijn De wijn geneest de pijne O wijn, weest welkom wijn Men mag de wijn wel loven, zij is er het prijzen waard En ook de schone vrouwen die zijn er naar onzen aard Ik heb er nog meer te doen dan enkel dit glaasje klein Daarom wil ik ze roemen O wijn, weest welkom wijn ... The best of wines is for my mouth Even if I laid sick in bed it would make me healthy Even if I laid sick in bed tortured by many a poison The wine would heal my pain Oh wine, be welcome, wine One must praise wine, it is worth praising And also the beautiful women, they are of our taste Of both I want more than just this small glass That's why I want to praise them Oh wine, be welcome, wine ... Drinking songs are a worldwide subsection of folk-music, and in this country of rather careless drinkers (Belgium) this kind of songs is particularly held in honor by student associations. I wonder if there is any nation in the world where the old "Io vivat" is sang with the same conviction. Being roaring drunk and singing in latin, that's civilisation ;-) . Salima, though they stimulated my imagination the songs of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are not my cup of tea either. There must be a long tradition behind them and they require a lot of virtuosity but they don't ring my bell somehow, contrary to Samm's latest postings, where the "mood" is way more recognisable. Personal taste I guess. But we can only offer what we ourselves like, hoping that... Ok, a country we didn't had yet: Greece. I was there once, and I will always remember the bouzouki in that cafe in Heraklion, while we had another glass of retsina... Sirtaki! Last edited by Catchabula; 12-08-2009 at 11:23 AM. |
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#39
12-12-2009, 01:22 PM
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| Re: Traditional Ethnic or World Music Quote:
But when it comes to newer music, but still being folk, this ought to be one of the most famous one and this is the psalm we always sings on the last day at school before summer holiday But I guess you guys also sing it, but in your language. P.s never heard of kulning before. 
__________________ Life is like a gnome on LSD, short and weird. |
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#40
12-13-2009, 09:15 AM
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| Re: Traditional Ethnic or World Music Hello Lily Welcome back and thanks for your contribution! For those who read your posting it could be useful to know that the movie "Ronja the robber's daughter" is based on a book by Astrid Lindgren, creator of "Pippi Langstrumpf" and definitely one of Sweden's best known authors. I remember this movie and how "wild" Ronja looked with her thick hair, but also how tender and vulnerable. I thought the movie was good with a truly "medieval" flavour. Too bad the Nobel Committee so rarely gives Prizes to popular authors. I wonder why? Perhaps because they get rich by their bestsellers and don't need the money? Or perhaps you can never be good when the whole world likes you? Same with Tolkien, but that's another story... As to Cornelis Vreeswijk, he is a dutchman and deceased since quite awhile, now having jam-sessions with Elvis and Janis Joplin. His joyful and challenging voice was that of his generation, the sixties and early seventies in permissive Holland. Everybody who cares for what's true and valuable still remembers his "nozem en de non" here ("the hippie and the nun"). Though it's not really folk I will put it here as a tribute to freedom. It will be obvious what the hippie is teaching to the nun... The last song made me imagine you between all these girls, singing their song of praise to beauty. Do they know how beautiful they are themselves? Yes they know. God is smiling, and the world is a song. . |
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"The idea is to die young as late as possible."....
