Once in a very rare occasion you can find a song that is truly great that transcends itself and is happy in just about every setting.
Before I go further, I'd like to lament that people in the United States don't pay more attention to things outside of the US. The Eurovision contest is an example. I'm convinced that most talent shows in the US are profit driven more than they are talent drive and Eurovision is an example of how talent wins. I've followed this contest for a couple of years checking in periodically on the talent presented.
2024 Eurovision was plagued by politics - and politics can destroy ANYTHING!
But I'm convinced after hearing all the entries that the winner of Eurovision 2024 would have won even if there wasn't all the drama that surrounded it.
The artist is Nemo, they are from Switzerland and their winning song was called THE CODE. A song that is a mashup of opera, rap, pop - which sounds like it might be pure garbage. But Nemo seamlessly weaves the genres together making them complimentary and adding to the dynamic and emotional content of the lyrics. Nemo's vocal diversity, range and power are present throughout the song whether it's breathy, sung or rapped and in the live version below which is my personal favorite it it amazing how he carries off the vocal delivery with a consistent energy that is rarely seen. The acoustic version really showcases the actual voice. This is pure talent!
Another thing about this song. I have heard 4 different versions. And I can tell you that while the mood changes in different settings it does not diminish the songs power. There is a certain level of dynamism and even some bombast like one hears in music used in the opening credits of a contemporary James Bond film. It just has that kind of kick. I'm really looking forward to how this talent develops going forward. We'll see if this was a one-off or if it's a directional indicator.
I'm going to present these 4 versions here and let you decide which you like best. But all 4 are winners in my mind.
Enjoy and let me know what you think in the comments.
Welcome to the show Let everybody know I’m done playing the game I’ll break out of the chains
You better buckle up I’ll pour another cup This is my boheme So drink it up my friend
Uhhh Uhhh This story is my truth
I, I went to hell and back To find myself on track I broke the code Oh, Oh, Oh Like ammonites I just gave it some time Now I found paradise I broke the code Oh, Oh, Oh
Let me tell you a tale about life ‘Bout the good and the bad, better hold on tight Who decides what’s wrong, what’s right Everything is balance, everything’s light I got so much on my mind And I been awake all night I’m so pumped, I’m so psyched It’s bigger than me, I’m getting so hyped
Uhhhh Let me taste the lows and highs Uhhhh Let me feel that burning fright Uhhhh This story is my truth
I, I went to hell and back To find myself on track I broke the code Oh, Oh, Oh Like ammonites I just gave it some time Now I found paradise I broke the code Oh, Oh, Oh
Somewhere between the 0s and 1s That’s where I found my kingdom come My heart beats like a… Somewhere between the 0s and 1s That’s where I found my kingdom come My heart beats like a drum
Uhhhh…
I, I went to hell and back To find myself on track I broke the code Oh, Oh, Oh Like ammonites I just gave it some time Now I found paradise I broke the code Oh, Oh, Oh
If you’ve never heard of Rodrigo y Gabriela you have been missing out on something quite interesting, inventive and magical. I first heard them while I was working in music retail and their eponymous first album was released. I’ve been following them ever since.
This duo’s background is in heavy metal, which is the music Rodrigo’s band played and Gabriela was more-or-less a “groupie” that followed his band. Then they started dating and playing acoustic guitar. They found they had a real chemistry and explored their cultural roots in flamenco. They stopped dating when they discovered that the relationship was getting in the way of the music they wanted to make. And that’s when their music really started to take off. They began by “busking” around Ireland and Europe which is how they were discovered which would lead to their first recording. Several years and several albums later they released their most recent studio album Metallovution which won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Album.
Over the years, in addition to writing their own material, they have covered many rock legends like Led Zeppelin, Slayer, et al, with their acoustic flamenco guitar style. These song selections always allowed them to leave one foot firmly grounded in heavy metal while continuing their acoustic style. They have, in recent years also been delving into jazz. their most recent EP is a 3-song cover of contemporary jazz covers by Snarky Puppy, Kamasai Washington and legendary tango composer Astor Piazzolla.
Todays video is a wonderful live video that was recorded at a 2014 show at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado, USA where they perform an instrumental Metallica medley. Now aside from Metallica’s “Black Album” I’ve never been a big fan of the group. But this video is wonderful to see and hear the type of energy the music contains without the ear shredding vocals, drums and searing electric guitar. As an added bonus they are joined by one of their idols, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo. So enjoy this medley of 4 songs by Metallica: “Orion” “For Whom The Bell Tolls” “The Frayed Ends of Sanity” and “Battery”.
Lyric euphemism. Pop songs that have explored lyrical euphemism has always made me smile. I think there is a fine art to language of which euphemism plays a role. There are tons of songs in popular music that are some type of euphemism. For decades and decades musicians have skirted parental control with the use of euphemism. But that’s just my opinion. I’ll let you decide. Let’s get the party started. How many euphemisms are there for your backside? More than I thought. LOL
... on being and becoming ... 