I had no preconceptions going into this, did not know what to expect, but the opening guitar was definitely not it... I was expecting a twanging country voice to start singing after that countrylike opening, which of course, isn't the case.
Music in other languages is an odd thing. I think its about what your ear is accustomed to. I listen to a fair bit of Afrikaans music, but of course I'm fluent in that language. I also listen to Zulu, Sotho, Ndebele, some of which I understand and get the inflections of.
My favourite artist, Johnny Clegg, sang English and Zulu together in songs, which in the Seventies was unprecedented. Later he threw in Afrikaans (and even French!) so I'm accustomed to other languages which I do and also don't understand.
This took more time to get to appreciate because its very different to what I (and I think most of us here) know or are accustomed to. It also gives me a far deeper appreciation and respect for @Louisa 's incredible command of the English language, which is just amazing..
I think Lepa protina kći is my favourite, both musically and in subject. I like his vocal delivery on this too.
Well, this is a blast. Am I the only one who thought "Leonard Cohen!" about a minute into Pesma o jednom petlu? Eclectic musical styles, eclectic lyrics (thanks, Louisa), all which I will never hear on the radio, unless I do some serious travelling some day.
@Bill Zebub Thanks, I'm glad you could enjoy the music without understanding the lyrics...
It's funny, when I was writing my introduction, the part about his lyrics, I meant to use an adjective cohenesque, but was afraid of sounding presumptuous. Interesting that you can hear the resemblance in music.. Nice to hear. 😊
I've listened through several times. The music is enough like stuff I listen to, and good on its own merits, that I can listen just for that. Three or four listens in, though, the more I like a track, the more I wish I could understand the language.
It's had me thinking about all the books, movies and music I've missed in life because they haven't been translated to English and about how much of the world doesn't speak English, but we Americans tend to forget that.
@Jerseyfornia and the majority of good quality literature is translated into English. It's a coincidence, but one of our best authors from the beginning of the 20th century has only now been translated into English.
I don't know about my next record. What I will do...
@Louisa Choose whatever you want. The whole point of this is to get people talking about records, some we all know, some few of us know and others no one has heard of. I could discuss something as widely heard as Born In The U.S.A. or something obscure. I like the sum total of selections so far, it's eclectic.
Intrigued by your intro @Louisa. Must confess I still haven’t given the GP selection a (re)listen - sorry @whispered secret. In my defence we are currently dotting i’s and crossing t’s on the impending house move. Must try harder…..but I’ll get there.
@Walkerinthesun no deadlines here, whenever you'll be able to. And even if you don't, this is not an assignment from school. It is supposed to be fun...
I totally understand that. When we were moving I stopped reading, listening to much music, watching TV - it becomes all consuming. Good luck with it all.
It's frustrating, as I think I would really enjoy this if I could understand the lyrics. The music is good , I could certainly detect some country influence, especially in the first song, and he has a pleasant voice. However, the lyrics are clearly really important, just from reading the bits Louisa translated for us and being unable to understand what he is saying makes it hard. This is a criticism of me, as languages just defeat me I'm afraid - even French which I supposedly learnt at school.
His history is interesting, his pacifism, the fact that he was approved of by the Communist party but then fell out of favour when Yugoslavia broke up. The first concert in Sarajevo after the war must have been quite something.
Thank you for opening our eyes (and ears) to him, even though I don't think I will be adding him to my play list.
@Louisa I think you are correct. Lyrics mean an awful lot to me, which is why I love Bruce so much.
Oddly, I prefer classical music which is purely instrumental, I can't listen to all that opera type singing which my dad loved, even if they are singing in English, but when it comes to 'pop' music, for want of a better term, I only really enjoy songs with good lyrics.
OK managed a couple of listens once trght though in a one-er, once in dribs and drabs.
Like AJ said higher up, it's frustrating not to be able to understand the lyrics.
I get the impression from the verbal rhythm and cadence that the narrative is both humorous and augmentative to the overall aesthetic.
Musically, a smorgasbord of styles, which is a positive for me.
My next straight through listen requires me to follow Louisa's post higher up.
My most extensive exposure to lyrics and vocals I couldn't understand was listening to Nirvana.
I had no preconceptions going into this, did not know what to expect, but the opening guitar was definitely not it... I was expecting a twanging country voice to start singing after that countrylike opening, which of course, isn't the case.
Music in other languages is an odd thing. I think its about what your ear is accustomed to. I listen to a fair bit of Afrikaans music, but of course I'm fluent in that language. I also listen to Zulu, Sotho, Ndebele, some of which I understand and get the inflections of.
My favourite artist, Johnny Clegg, sang English and Zulu together in songs, which in the Seventies was unprecedented. Later he threw in Afrikaans (and even French!) so I'm accustomed to other languages which I do and also don't understand.
This took more time to get to appreciate because its very different to what I (and I think most of us here) know or are accustomed to. It also gives me a far deeper appreciation and respect for @Louisa 's incredible command of the English language, which is just amazing..
I think Lepa protina kći is my favourite, both musically and in subject. I like his vocal delivery on this too.
Well, this is a blast. Am I the only one who thought "Leonard Cohen!" about a minute into Pesma o jednom petlu? Eclectic musical styles, eclectic lyrics (thanks, Louisa), all which I will never hear on the radio, unless I do some serious travelling some day.
I've listened through several times. The music is enough like stuff I listen to, and good on its own merits, that I can listen just for that. Three or four listens in, though, the more I like a track, the more I wish I could understand the language.
It's had me thinking about all the books, movies and music I've missed in life because they haven't been translated to English and about how much of the world doesn't speak English, but we Americans tend to forget that.
Intrigued by your intro @Louisa. Must confess I still haven’t given the GP selection a (re)listen - sorry @whispered secret. In my defence we are currently dotting i’s and crossing t’s on the impending house move. Must try harder…..but I’ll get there.
Got around to listening at last.
It's frustrating, as I think I would really enjoy this if I could understand the lyrics. The music is good , I could certainly detect some country influence, especially in the first song, and he has a pleasant voice. However, the lyrics are clearly really important, just from reading the bits Louisa translated for us and being unable to understand what he is saying makes it hard. This is a criticism of me, as languages just defeat me I'm afraid - even French which I supposedly learnt at school.
His history is interesting, his pacifism, the fact that he was approved of by the Communist party but then fell out of favour when Yugoslavia broke up. The first concert in Sarajevo after the war must have been quite something.
Thank you for opening our eyes (and ears) to him, even though I don't think I will be adding him to my play list.