Speechless
I was embarking on a long walk the other day, and I looked to see what was new in music, to go in my headphones. Apple steered me to two albums, both of which I thought were going to have singers. But as I tapped on each one along my way, I discovered that it was completely instrumental.
For some reason, that was perfect as I strolled through all the fallen leaves with the sun so low in the blue sky. Let the players play.
The first album was by a guy who goes by the stage name André 3000. I had never heard of him, probably because he's been associated with rap music, in which I don't have much interest. But this new record, New Blue Sun, is not rap at all. It's electronic music, and I mean that in a good way. Recommended.
When that one played out, I went over to a new album caled Vibe by the funk group Lettuce. Again, I expected words to go with a blast of good-God-y'all. Instead I got 45 minutes or so of high-class jazzy groove, all packaged as one continuous track. Reminiscent of Khruangbin. Also recommended, especially for moving.
By the time I got back home, all the cerebral sounds had put me in a good frame of mind. Or maybe I was just hungry from all that walking.
* * * * * * * *
Later I listened to some of exactly the opposite: Dolly Parton's new rock album. It screams, and when it first hit me, I flinched a little. But after a while, I started to get it. The thing goes on for nearly two and a half hours. Many duets with all sorts of luminaries. If the right songs are curated from the set of 30, I could go maybe an hour at a time. No matter, I-yi-yiiiii will always love Dolly Parton.
Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteIf you've been to a wedding with a DJ in the past 20 years, you surely have heard Andre's mega hit Hey Ya, when he was fronting Outkast. Great song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWgvGjAhvIw
ReplyDeleteYes, I know that song. He must have been the flute guy. Shake it like a Polaroid picture.
DeleteHe's actually quite new to the flute, which he is playing somewhat naively, with great feeling.
DeleteWhat I'm hearing in Hey Ya must be generated by a keyboard.
DeleteNot big on current music, as my popular musical knowledge ends in about 1995 or so. One of my favorite instrumental albums of all time, and probably my favorite overall, is the album “Sky II” by Sky.
ReplyDeleteKind of a mishmash of classical and progressive rock, but with each song evoking a different mood and style. Full of great musicianship, and I never tire of hearing it.
My grandchildren are often puzzled by my music tastes. I like Brubeck and that era. But, the kids occasionally catch me listening to some early AC/DC
ReplyDeleteIt can work both ways. My kids will listen to the latest, but every once in a while, the Beatles or Cat Stevens comes on.
DeleteThe Wall Street Journal discovered it today as well.... https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/new-blue-sun-by-andre-3000-review-flying-solo-on-flute-32c084c4?st=lw2hd2aoqal2wyr&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
ReplyDeleteI listened to a couple tracks online. That stuff makes Windham Hill stuff sound like death metal. Pretty sleep inducing.......at least the tracks that I heard.
DeleteSomebody wake Gorelick.
ReplyDeleteWord on the street is that the Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame inducted her and she was principled enough to be like ‘uhh, I’m not *actually* rock musician’ and was principled enough to make a rock cover album that I’ll agree is decent?
ReplyDeleteRock n’ Roll Hall of Fame is a cheesy made up ass ridiculous thing that 99+% exists to perpetuate itself & anyone that talks about it or complains about it is pretty much beyond lowly contempt and expedient rude discursive dismissal, so in a way it kind of sucks that dolly is willing to do *anything* for or that helps them, so I hope she got some $, didn’t damage herself too much?
Not that I wouldn’t mind if the boomers and all the big arena bands of the 70s would please die?
Make a rock cover album after Rock & Roll hall of fame induction being a principled artist and organizer*
DeleteSo props to Parton, but also, well…that’s the joke/shitty state or the music business & surrounding organizations too?