Date
October 7, 2013
Miracler
Arthur Baker
Location
Tippy Top of Tamalpais
Thoughts on Arthur
If Arthur Baker drives a truck like he Miraclizes, he must go through a lot of gasoline, not to mention a crapload of shock absorbers. Never one to take us home as the crow flies, let alone honor a One Lane Bridge sign, he's again carved a path here for which a bread crumb trail would be of little assistance.
Like May 2012's Plucked, Bespoken and May '11's One Bright Day and Nov. '10's Town & Country and Feb. '09's The Bardo Between, this mix creates a path only navigable by a person deeply familiar with the terrain.
Stuff you said about Plucked, Bespoken:
Another stunning mix from on high. Thank you for sharing this personal and heady mix. The mountain must still be treating you well. A lovely and most welcome mix to come home to after a truly wretched day. A terrific selection of heartstring plucking, thanks for all of it! Wow, this mix is amazing. Every single cut is singularly extraordinary and they work perfectly as a whole. I was so taken with the Waterboys song and then had my mind completely blown by the Dylan Thomas ending. Really nice work, Arthur. I am such a sucker for yearning. I love this version of Walking in the Rain. The vinyl hiss and pops only amplifies the longing. Thanks for the mix. This is an amazing mix....its so wonderfully personal. l love the crackle of the record.....and I have to say I really reeeally enjoyed "Amor por Alguem". My parents aren't American (dad mexican, mom german) and we always had random foreign tunes spinning on the high-fi. This totally took me back. Fantastic mix. Man, I love the a capella Ronettes track, even more than the original (is that allowed?). I've found myself playing this on repeat and I'm not normally one for using a repeat function. Loved this mix, Arthur. Like Fritz, I too have been thinking about spoken-word on my upcoming mix; closing with Dylan Thomas ties this up so beautifully. Love the alternate versions and deep-personal-ness of it all. (Oh, and "Town and Country" remains in heavy rotation in my life as a complete, end-to-end mix.) I keep coming back to this great mix for the unknown Brasilian woman and the live Joni, but I sure enjoyed the whole thing --a few things in it out of my comfort zone, granted, but all pleasing nonetheless. And a special mention goes to the Dylan tune, what a discovery! Thanks Arthur!! Oh yeah, one last thing --dunno what to say about that Dylan Thomas finale. Astounding. Like an old dressing gown smelling of seeweed and mice(apologies just been reading Tove Jansson's wonderful Summer Book) this collection is at once new but also warm and familiar. Great pacing of tunes makes it easy to hit 'repeat'. Another incredible mix, Arthur! From a purely selfish perspective, I appreciate how you cull some of the best, lesser-known tracks from artists with vast catalogs to choose from. Looking forward to letting this one really unfold over time. I played this mix over and over; it is a pleasure from top to bottom.
Liner Notes by AB
It has long
been an interest of mine how artists make use of the Higher Registers of sound,
and how we, as listeners, are affected by this. And so this mix for me has been a meditation on the high
tonal range, that manner of singing and playing, which calls on and employs the
octaves over and below, the use of overtone and layering, and the perception of
verticality in musical presentation.
It is in the instruments and voices that play off the lead to enhance
the feel, kind of like a two-pronged attack, with a tone-key for the heart as
well as one to open the head, if the one doesn’t get through to you, the other
will. It is done in so many ways,
and so well, by artists of various backgrounds and traditions, to whatever
effect, creating this air ship of sound.
And so, pardon me (mea culpa) if there appears to far a foray towards
ecclesiasticism, it is just where the sound took me. Next time I will stick to
the bass. The cover is a still
from the first dancing ever recorded on film, Annabelle doing her Serpentine
dance in Thomas Edison’s laboratory in 1894 – 96, hand tinted.
The Upper Register:
1) Maybe – The Three Degrees
A walk-up song
from 1970 by one of the truly underappreciated groups of the 1960’s and 70’s,
the original line-up carved out there own vocal territory somewhere between
Tina Turner, Motown, and Janis Joplin. They knew how to sing above, below and
around one another.
2) Grande Reinado – Jota Lima
Meanwhile, in 1970, in the Northeast of Brasil, was the
flowering of a music style called Baiao.
This song proclaims this music is a Great Kingdom, worthy of respect.
The accordion and the vocal stylings and upward projected harmonies were the
precursor to the modern tradition of Forro. O maior!
3) Ms Shapiro – Phil Manzanera
For me, this song style, the layered vocals Eno has
embraced, and the rhythm, lift this music as if on a string, ascending
qualities brought out by the interplay and the Fripp – Manzanera guitar clash,
plus perhaps the best electronica – doo wop refrain ever – shop shop steward!
4) Carry Me – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
A live version from the Abattoir Blues/ Lyre of Orpheus
Disc, using his chorus to call upon the mystery of God from the sleaziest
looking itinerant preacher lounge act you would absolutely love to see perform. Come to me, Look away.
5) Over the Love – Florence and the Machine
Fearless exploration of the overtone. Art yields to love and
the Lift. You are a hard soul to
save with an ocean in the way, but I’ll get around it.
6) Ave Maria
(edit) Ashana
What combination of elements conducts you to the heights,
try Tibetan Bells mixed with some of the highest clearest voice around. Tickling the hippocampus and the
pineal, whatever your persuasion.
All madrigal music of the 16th Century that lays
claim to serious dignity is dependent on Rore- The true spiritual antecedent to
Monteverdi – Albert Einstein- Music Critic- 1949. Good enough for me.
8) Clouds Below Your Knees –Ray Lynch
The point of view from above. Grab your instrument.
Layering and interplay in elevation.
9) From the Morning – Joel Frederikson
A truly reverential take on a classic Nick Drake, done in
the style of an Elizabethan promenade, but it is the return to earth with a
tenor overtone that slays it for me.
10) In A Dis Ya Time – The Itals
An Outro with sweetness from a group that played Reggae with
simplicity- Irie vibe, and vocal harmonies that float away to another place-
the truth reveals itself.
Peace Y’all.
22 comments:
I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this mix, and then I started listening. There are some definite gems to be found here. From what I would call a meditation on relationships in the first track to the BEAUTIFUL rendition of Ave Maria...this mix is the real deal. I particularly love tracks 8 and 9. The Ray Lynch track would be the perfect accompaniment to a bath, and I imagine myself sitting in an Italian piazza and listening to the Joel Fredrickson number.
Joel Fredrikson is giving me the chills. And the eye waterings.
As are many of these. I've always been a sucker for Ave Maria, and it seems I'm not alone. This may be my favorite version since West India Company.
Love the cover art, and especially love your liner notes, Arthur. They are resonant of the etherial sounds on this mix. Thoughtful. Appreciated.
Like the high notes, the build-up ... this mix was worth waiting for. Thank you.
What an interesting idea for a theme and it's so well done. I'm familiar with The Three Degrees, but I don't know if I've ever heard this song. I love how she goes from telling the story to absolutely wailing like a switch going off. Jota Lima, what a great artist and a great song. As soon as the Phil Manzanera cut started, I knew without even looking at the list that I was going to like it. I'm such a sucker for the sound of a rip from vinyl. It's also a great song. My deep, deep love of all things Nick Cave left no doubt that this would be a stand out, but it's even better. This is one of the really great and overlooked songs of that set. I've always found the Lyre of Orpheus set from that release to be fascinating. I never dreamed I'd run into a Ray Lynch song here at the Prodge. I started listening to him when I worked at Tracks in West Lafayette way, way back. The Joel Frederikson song is really beautiful. I don't' think I'd ever heard of him. The Itals were the perfect way to end this mix. Thanks for a really interesting mix, Arthur. The cover photo is fantastic as well.
The Three Degrees! Phil Manzanera! (Sounding like Robert Fripp!) Nick Cave! Joel Frederikson? (Crazy version – where did you find this? I've always been partial to Andy Bey's cover of River Man.)
As already mentioned by the cool kids, a great theme for a mix. Thank you, Arthur.
Florence covering Addicted To Love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycrhIpd4ZWU
Oh Dougie, I guess i can't get one hazy presumption past you. Guess my brain was in constant Frippertronic frequency back in my 1975 dorm room. My roommate played No pussyfooting 24/7 for several months, except for the occasional Amon Duul II or Faust jag. Thought they were musically conjoined twins during that period. I used to think Fripp was in Quiet Sun somewhere as well. Props to Phil for his double down, and probably Eno for some treatments. Told you I was going to go all Madrigal this time......
Nicely done. O Santo Fior Felice was a beautiful surprise. I also enjoyed the Joel Frederikson tune. Great theme. Thanks Arthur!
Diamond Headed greatness! Damn I love that "Mrs. Shapiro" song. Basically it's Roxy Music with Brian singing instead of Bryan. Lotsa history in that disc's vinyl pops and cracks.
"Carry Me" is amazing. That nasty electrified violin flying over the swirling arrangement reminds me of Scarlet Rivera's violin playing on Dylan's "Hurricane."
Thanks for that Youtube link to F+TM's version of "Addicted to Love," Doug. Good stuff.
Like a broken record, let me add that I, too, found this to be a really interesting idea for a mix. I enjoyed the eclecticism of this -- it was a trip getting pulled in so many directions. A standout for me was the madrigal tune (O Santo Fior Felice) -- I sang this type of music myself for many years in high school and college. It's the purest form of vocal music for me. Thanks!
Little that is familiar, but much to enjoy. Like the Manzanera a lot, as well as the optimism of the Ray Lynch. Also really dig the madrigal. Thanks as always Arthur!
First off, the hiatus was appreciated. It gave me time to listen to the Valerie June record about a thousand times. So, thanks to benevolent hostess for that.
Another home run cover -- thoughtful as well as thematic. And the music is divine. Turns out the upper register triggers my transcendence node. It's already lifted my spirits a couple of times. Lovely and thoughtful segues. I look forward to washing in it again and again.
Man, The Three Degrees "Maybe" is a long, slow burn that suddenly becomes a soul explosion. I like it even better than Janis' version. "O Santo" is a revelation and I really dig Joel Frederiksen. Looked him up. Accomplished guy. He's just done a tribute to Nick Drake, Nick's songs interwoven with classical themes. Thanks for the melting pot, Arthur!
And now I've learned that "From the Morning" is in fact one of those Nick Drake tunes! Never heard it before.
I am really enjoying this mix--a little more with each repeated listening, too. "Maybe" is pretty much everything I love in a song. Other favorites for me are the Manzanera, Lynch, and Frederikson. Thanks!
I hafta give three cheers to the Manzanera track as well - now I'll need to check out that album!
Ray Lynch was new to me, and came down on the good side of the Windham Hill tendency to straddle interesting and cheesy.
Thanks for another ear-pleasing mix!
I love the concept of this mix, and how it is making me notice the upper register on anything I am listening to. Arthur, I think you might dig "Chicago Train" by The Besnard Lakes. Check it out.
Meanwhile, I was particularly struck by your cover art. At the Art Institute I once saw a show of the impressionists / post impressionists that had a very early motion picture of a woman who was mimicking a butterfly - I wonder if this is from the same clip.
Very inspired how it suits your mix.
Just re-read the liner notes - She is indeed the same artist !
Thanks for the id on Annabelle too. I feel lucky to have seen it in the context of that show, and here on the 3mpm.
Super cool to be reminded of Florence and the Machine. Sort of a pre-Adele, for good and bad. This track, though, shows just how powerful the voice is - pretty amazing.
I walked from the tourist explosions of SOMA/Union Square into the Tenderloin as this mix went from the explicit to the implicit.
Sorry to be so late to the party. But glad no one had left. Good one for sure.
Loving this mix, Arthur, as it's taken me through fall into the first throes of cold weather. Particularly enjoying how you go in so many different directions from your theme. Great listening making for great listening.
Authur - this mix has a dream like quality to it, perhaps that upper register represents the true meaning of the dream drifting above the picture from and center. It really hit me with those back ground singers with Nick Cave and stuck through all the way to the end. I am a sucker for good reggae even though I rarely listen to it. Nice follow through on the theme - said before, but true.
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