As Long As I Can Hold My Breath pt.2
February 6, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Image credit: unknown
The serene, almost spiritual atmosphere of the previous part of this series is traded with a darker and more desolate sound in this second part. Over the course of the first three tracks the music gradually builds down its tone, as if it was gracefully descending into the depths of the ocean, the darkness absorbing the last remaining rays of light and colour being transformed into pitch-blackness. It makes for a careful yet necessary initiation of what comes next.
At the heart of this list lies the wonderful and mysterious composition Sevan by Michael Fahres. Recorded on the shores of Lake Sevan in Armenia, it evokes a desolated and mystifying ambience. This hugely compelling soundscape was created by recording Armenian singer Parik Nazarian from inside huge abandoned metal pipes around Lake Sevan. Micheal Fahres then turns these recordings into an exploration of resonance and echoes. Somehow making it sound like the perfect Deathprod adaptation of This Mortal Coil’s masterpiece Song to the Siren – a song which appropriately enough was featured in an earlier sea-oriented playlist.
The fragile piano notes of John Cage finally relieve us from the crushing weight of the ocean, its simplicity carefully bringing back some light into the list. And finally the list ends with nine minutes of pure bliss. Wooden Spoon’s elegant guitar playing seemingly radiating a golden glow, sounding like it was recorded underwater.
- Evan Bartholomew - Birth: Being
Borderlands (New Land Music, 2007) - Giuseppe Ielasi - 03
August (12k, 2007) - Deathprod - Dora 3
Reference Frequencies (Rune Grammofon, 2004) - Michael Fahres - Sevan
The Tubes (Cold Blue, 2007) - Jóhann Jóhannsson - Tu Non Mi Perderai Mai
Touch 25 (Touch, 2006) - John Cage - In a Landscape
In a Landscape (RCA, 1995) - Wooden Spoon - 6
Wooden Spoon (Foxglove, 2005)
Another stunning playlist Bubba. I think this one relates even more to my idea of the sea than the past one but the truth is that the sound of any slightly melancholic wind instrument will always bring the sea to my mind.
If something I think I’d exchange this Johann Johannson song for any of the 4 movements of “Virðulegu Forsetar”, I think it would make for a smoother transition to the next pair of songs and it continues the immersive brass motif of the opening tracks.
It’s probably too obvious, but Debussy’s ‘La Mer’ is so perfect for sea playlists…
these lists are such a good idea!
Simple and blissful. Good Job.
Thank you for an excellent list!
I’ve been listening to the playlists on this website for a while now and have greatly enjoyed them- from all of the posters. I’ve purchased single songs from some of the artists you’ve featured, but today I bought the whole Ielasi album on iTunes. Thanks again for turning people on to new stuff!
Hi,
thanks a lot for a fantastic selection of songs!
it’s rally touch of the ocean depths, i just love it.
As a video ilustration please check following videos from
You Tube, ( hope you enjoy it) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_d6m2dLtnc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrXQbucZUDA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcQcV_swxFU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mIwII_xplY
As long as i can hold my breathe,
t.
That second one, with William Trubridge is pretty spectacular. :)
[...] This is the third and final part of a series that pays tribute to the supernatural ambience of the ocean’s deep. Not so much the sea itself but the mystery and solitude that lies beneath its seemingly endless surface is what brought inspiration for this series. Whereas the previous part evoked the solitude of a dark endeavour to the depths of the ocean, this list is more hopeful and during the final part even strangely romantic. [...]
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