The sun shines high above The sounds of laughter The birds swoop down upon The crosses of old grey churches We say that we're in love While secretly wishing for rain Sipping coke and playing games September's here again September's here again
The sun shines high above The sounds of laughter The birds swoop down upon The crosses of old grey churches We say that we're in love While secretly wishing for rain Sipping coke and playing games September's here again September's here again
...the sublime "Answered Prayers" from David Sylvian's (previously here) incredible 1986 double release "Gone To Earth." Maybe it's the time of year but this wistful, introspective, delicate, even ghostly song just feels right.
The sun shines high above The sounds of laughter The birds swoop down upon The crosses of old grey churches We say that we're in love While secretly wishing for rain Sipping coke and playing games September's here again September's here again
The sun shines high above The sounds of laughter The birds swoop down upon The crosses of old grey churches We say that we're in love While secretly wishing for rain Sipping coke and playing games September's here again September's here again
The sun shines high above The sounds of laughter The birds swoop down upon The crosses of old grey churches We say that we're in love While secretly wishing for rain Sipping coke and playing games September's here again September's here again
Starting tomorrow, we will be celebrating National Poetry Month where the blog will be turned over exclusively to poetry (except for a little bit of Easter beauty). And to help us slip into the poetry mindset, let's listen to an absolutely entrancing song by the amazing David Sylvian (previously here). This song, "Do You Know Me Now?" is a sublime combination of words and music... his voice simply gets better with age. And his turn of phrase and use of melody is stunning. Thank you for your music, David.
And if you think you knew me then
You don't know me now
As the ground rose up to meet me
I kissed your mouth
You wore your boredom like an armor
But I tuned you out
And if that brought us to our knees
We laughed all the way down
I prized my daddy's ring from my hand
And I made a bride
We grew a flower in the desert
We grew terrified
We were one, not one and the same
Something was lost somehow
And if you think you knew me then
You don't know me now
The planets high above you
Spun in houses of their own
You were dropped and hit the ground running
But they failed to lead you home
And if you think you knew me then
Do you know me now?
I drew a child inside a womb
Justified myself
I stole the face of joy, the perfume of wealth
I atomised the boy within before he cut himself
You found the blood upon my clothes
And you washed it out
And if you think you knew me then
You don't know me now
There were children in the classroom
Erected without a nail
There were hornets in the heads of cattle
That vibrated to the sound
You cried wolf
I tracked one down and let it in
There were lambs, sure there was blood
There were psalms to sing
You could just see the bone jut out
Penetrate the skin
Did it dispel beyond all doubt the mess we're in?
You raised your head
I stared you down
You still don't know how
And if you think you knew me then
You don't know me now
The sun shines high above The sounds of laughter The birds swoop down upon The crosses of old grey churches We say that we're in love While secretly wishing for rain Sipping coke and playing games September's here again September's here again
The sun shines high above The sounds of laughter The birds swoop down upon The crosses of old grey churches We say that we're in love While secretly wishing for rain Sipping coke and playing games September's here again September's here again
I had an occasion recently to introduce a friend to the music of David Sylvian (previously here, here, and here)...she had never heard of him and I was delighted to loan her a stack of CDs (yes children, CDs!). It prompted me to go back through his catalog and have a listen to some astounding pieces of music. If you don't know him or his solo work as well as his prolific collaborations with other incredible musicians like Ryuichi Sakamoto, Robert Fripp, Holger Czukay, Jon Hassell, and Mark Isham, then do yourself a favor and give yourself a master class in his career.
Meanwhile, here is the absolutely hypnotizing, phenomenal triptych "Words With The Shaman," in its entirety. All three parts are meant to be listened to together, straight through.
Earlier this year, legendary musician-composer-producer-actor-activist Ryuichi Sakamoto released "async," a new collection of music. The lushly spiritual "Life, Life" is from that collection, and it features a delicate spoken word performance by equally legendary musician and prior collaborator David Sylvian of a poem by the Russian poet Arseny Tarkovsky, father of the filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky (previously here). This is transcendent work.
And this I dreamt, and this I dream, And some time this I will dream again, And all will be repeated, all be re-embodied. You will dream everything I have seen in dream. To one side from ourselves, to one side from the world, Wave follows wave to break on the shore. On each wave is a star, a person, a bird, Dreams, reality, death - on wave after wave. No need for a date: I was, I am, and I will be. Life is a wonder of wonders, and to wonder I dedicate myself, on my knees, like an orphan, Alone - among mirrors - fenced in by reflections: Cities and seas, iridescent, intensified. A mother in tears takes a child on her lap. http://www.sitesakamoto.com http://www.davidsylvian.com
In honor of National Poetry Month, I am continuing a feature from years past: The Poetry of Rock n' Roll. And we kick off this month of poetry with a song by an exquisite wordsmith and stellar talent, David Sylvian.
His song "The Scent of Magnolia" is a journey.
(As usual I will be posting songs for this month-long series without links to the actual songs since the focus is on the lyrics as poetry.)
The Scent of Magnolia
In the coldest hour something's going down
Whatever pierced the heart, it didn't make a sound
I am terrified but I'm not losing sleep
If I'm falling then I'm falling at her feet
I'm leaving America, I'm taking a girl
I'm selling my soul again, I'm gaining the world
Every sense defies this impossible dream
None of the history books describe what I've seen
The rose, the breath, the undying spark
The lotus heart's open, embracing the dark
On the uncharted road is the not-coming-back
In the language I speak is the words that I lack
The oncoming cars, the wedding of stars
Will I know your name or recognise your face
Or by what means I'll be delivered from this place
Here comes the gun, there goes the flash Once the bullet leaves it's never coming back
The scent of magnolia, the face of a girl
And every detail embodies the world
What kind of goals define this impossible dream
None of the picture-books reflect all I've seen
I'm leaving America, I'm taking the girls
I'll fire from the future and ambush the world
On the uncharted road is the not-coming-back
In the language I speak is the words that I lack
The scent of magnolia, the face of a girl
And every detail embodies the world
What kind of goals define this impossible dream
None of the history books describe where I've been
I'm leaving America, I'm taking a girl
I'll fire from the future and ambush the world
...the sublime, otherworldly "The Heart Knows Better" by genius singer-songwriter-composer David Sylvian. This live version was recorded in concert in Tokyo in 2004.
"Oh, but nothing really matters in the end
And if everything still matters, what then?"
I don't know how long She's been here with me But it's been a long time coming Make it last forever Make it last forever Yes, it's been a long time coming There's a name for this one There's a name for that Call me by my true name I'll call you back But I've no intention of seeking you out And the mind's divisive But the heart knows better-ha Better-ha And every night is wedding night in my bed My eyes are closed but I can see The sky stretched overhead The mattress on the floor A sea of faces at my door And every night is wedding night and I'm set And the mind's divisive But the heart knows better-ha Better-ha When she whispered in my ear What did she say? She put her hand hard on my chest What did she say? Oh, but nothing really matters in the end And if everything still matters, what then? And the air is humid and my face is wet And the driver's much too drunk to see But she's sitting in my place Devastating beauty in my place And I'm absent from the place I ought to be And the mind's divisive But the heart knows better-ha
Sydney-based painter and sculptor Leah Fraser makes deliberately naïve- and tribal-looking figures she calls Shamans which incorporate crystals and gem stones into their bodies. The effect is totemic, appearing as ethnic objects a Shaman might actually use in practice.
Crystal Mountain Shaman, earthenware and assorted crystals
Ongon Shaman, earthenware and assorted shells and crystals
River Song Shaman, earthenware, selenite, and lapis lazuli
These Things Take Time Shaman, earthenware and assorted crystals
Turn Your Body To Light Shaman, earthenware, citrine, and apophylite
She also makes "Magic Bottles," which, again, look like something in which a Shaman would store herbal remedies or healing powders.
Crow Magic Bottle, earthenware and turquoise
Flight Magic Bottle, earthenware and chrysocolla
Swallowtail Magic Bottle, earthenware and sea shell
White Stone Magic Bottle, earthenware and assorted crystals
Fraser does not have a dedicated website that I can find but her work is featured at and sold by Arthouse Gallery in New South Wales.
Fraser's Shamans remind me of "River Man," a fantastic song by the incomparable David Sylvian from his 1986 opus "Gone To Earth."
I see your eyes light up like fire
It's medicine to me
But as the hunted live their lives
You're keeping out of reach
So I keep running, falling
Till I reach the water
Run with me, holyman
When I reach out I find I'm
Standing right beside her
Now we're living blessed with
All the thunder in the world
Should you ask me to come home
To wake up from the sleep
Like a boat inside a storm
Is there no hope for me?
So I keep running, falling
Wade into the water
Run with me, riverman
But when I reach out I find I'm
Standing right beside her
Now we're living blessed with
All the thunder in the world
So I keep running, falling
Till I reach the water
Run with me, holyman
An' when I reach out I find I'm
Standing right beside her
Now we're living blessed with
All the thunder in the world
Blessed with all the thunder in the world
Blessed with all the thunder in the world
Blessed with all the thunder in the world
All the thunder in the world
Blessed with all the thunder in the world
"The sun shines high above The sounds of laughter The birds swoop down upon The crosses of old grey churches They say that we’re in love Or secretly wishing for rain Sipping coke and playing games
September’s here again September’s here again" --David Sylvian
"The sun shines high above The sounds of laughter The birds swoop down upon The crosses of old grey churches They say that we’re in love Or secretly wishing for rain Sipping coke and playing games
I am thrilled! My copy of the four song CD "Litlte Girls With 99 Lives" by Ingrid Chavez and David Sylvian arrived in the mail today!
You may recall my earlier post about Ingrid Chavez here.
This is from Ingrid's official website: "The four songs written and recorded by David Sylvian and Ingrid Chavez in the mid to late 90's, which were previously only available on the b-sides of various singles released by Virgin Records, are collected here for the first time. Available in a new digipak designed by Sylvian and, in keeping with some of the intimate themes addressed in the material, the artwork features images of Ingrid as a young girl. Each copy is signed and numbered by both Sylvian and Chavez and this pressing is strictly limited to 1000. There will be no reprinting of the edition once it has sold out. The edition is released on Ingrid's '10 Windows' imprint and is available exclusively from the DGM store."
I own copy 329 out of 1,000. You can see Ingrid's signature above the picture on the left of the inside of the CD and David's below the picture. The digipack and the CD itself are also numbered by hand.
And the music is lovely; some of it is unexpectedly and marvelously tribal (thanks to Sylvian) with Ingrid's diaphonous voice and words blowing through and over it all.
Here is the video for the haunting "Remembering Julia."
I'm remembering Julia
and little girls with 99 lives
she is standing in the road
sad eyes smiling
she is alone in a blue shirt
by a blue car
the sky is grey, forever grey
someone has come to visit
a father, a friend says goodbye
never to be seen again
he drives away, he just drives away.
She's laughing from the trees picking muscadines
she's crying in the pulpit waiting for a sign
she whispers a prayer as she is pushed beneath the water
promise to be a good soldier
to fight for what's hers
she's the changeling
the wrong cast
the tom boy who could run so fast
she's on her knees, on her back
the stone that couldn't be cracked
Julia is forgetting
but I am remembering
little girls with 99 lives
they are wounded but healing
quietly feeling
their loss of innocence
her fear is deep rooted
bred to the bone
an abandoned camp fire
of ash and stone
i am turning the soil
of the memories she's buried
lightening the burden of the shame she has carried
she is sinking into the earth leaving no trace
i slip into her shoes and ties the laces
i'm remembering julia
and little girls with 99 lives
we're chasing dandelions
making wishes
on four leaf clovers and falling stars
I'm learning to live
and Julia is learning to forgive.
But she went on to write “Justify My Love” with Lenny Kravitz (which became an enormous hit for Madonna), marry musician and singer/songwriter David Sylvian, have two children, cultivate a spiritual life following the Hindu guru Ammachi (or “Amma,” or “The Mother”), get divorced and move back to the frozen expanses of Minnesota.
And now sixteen years later, she has released her second full solo album, entitled “A Flutter And Some Words” and I am unexpectedly happy to hear from her again. Her soft, restrained vocals are still there but with more depth, and her imagery is just as sweet. This video for the first single, “By The Water” featuring a very David Sylvian-like intro is lovely.
I am captivated by the beauty, the snow, the solitude, the introspection--and by the string section!--in this trailer for her album.
"I'm goin' down,
I'm goin' under.
I'm returning to soil,
I'm returning to seed...
I don't know where I've been,
but it's not here where I belong..."
And in case you are wondering, here is "Hippy Blood," from her debut album produced by Prince.
"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/ clothing or interior designer/ model/ singer/ actor/ gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/ photo/ film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/ band... or, read this book/ poem/ inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ museum/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”
I am dedicated to posting the positive, the fascinating, the beautiful, the interesting, the moving, and the inspiring and uplifting. Sometimes I post cultural as well as personal observations, milestones, and remembrances. And just like life, all of these things may often have a bit of melancholy or even sadness in them, which is what makes our time here so lovely and bittersweet and precious.
Some of the photos, art, poetry, and prose are my own original work, credited with my initials, JEF. When it isn't, I always try to post links to the original source material, but often I find photos on the web that are not linked or other material that is not sourced. In these instances, I post them without malice since it is assumed that such things, by being globally posted on something as uncontrollable as the internet to begin with, are in the public domain. If you identify the source of an image that is not linked, please politely let me know (without accusing me of theft) and I will be happy to provide a link. If you are the owner of an image and would prefer it be removed, I am happy to do that as well.
I hope to inspire and entertain my readers with things that inspire and entertain me. There is a startling amount of beauty and creativity in the world and it enriches us all to participate in it.
All-time Favorite Films
2001: A Space Odyssey (Kubrick)
After Hours (Hysterical, hair-raising ride through NYC at night)
Amelie
American Beauty (Alan Ball)
Baraka (Stunning, transcending—the "spiritus mundi" on film)
Belle et Bete (Cocteau)
Big Sleep, The (The epitome of film noir)
Bringing Up Baby (Hepburn & Grant—the epitome of screwball comedy)
Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover, The (Greenaway)
Crash (Cronenberg—DIFFICULT subject, not for everyone)
Don’t Look Now (Nicolas Roeg—ultimate modern gothic horror)
Drowning By Numbers (Greenaway)
Easy Rider
Edward II (Derek Jarman)
Erendira (From magic realist Marquez’ brilliant short story)
Eyes Wide Shut (Kubrick's last film)
Fearless (Jeff Bridges—life and death)
Funny Bones (Leslie Caron, Jerry Lewis, and the brilliant Lee Evans)
Holiday (Hepburn & Grant)
Howard’s End (The ultimate statement of the unfairness of class systems)
"Weeping Woman, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France"
I am thrilled! My copy of the four song CD "Litlte Girls With 99 Lives" by Ingrid Chavez and David Sylvian arrived in the mail today!
