I loved this song when I first heard it by the excellent band The Horseflies. I was really excited that Natalie Merchant liked it enough to cover it a few years later. Her incredible voice more than does the song justice - it illuminates the story. Vague as it might be, when I hear this song, I imagine Jakarta and Argentina...
Joining Natalie on this Letterman performance is Horsefly members Judy Hyman on violin and at least one other member of the band, though I'm not sure which.
"The Horse Flies combine musical and lyrical quirkiness with beguiling wit and intelligence … a melange of rock, folk, and minimalism … music that challenges the brain without sacrificing the groove." (Chicago Tribune).
LearnFromMasters YouTube channel
3 days ago
I like the music and the quality of her voice. Unfortunately, partly because of my hearing and partly because the video will not play smoothly, I cannot understand most of the words. this is often a problem for me with videos on blogs.
ReplyDeleteI've read your comments on this on Singing Bear's blog as well. So sorry. But you know, Natalie Merchant's voice makes it hard to understand the lyrics for most anyone, anyway.
ReplyDeleteloved her, and transfixed by the violin...lovely on this blustery, rainy day.
ReplyDeletexoxox
Linda: I'm doing an online math tutorial that is killing me. I can't go a half hour without finding a reason to visit my blog, search for images for a post I'm putting together, etc. etc. I'm home from work sick with an awful cough and sore throat. It's really wet and raw here - neither winter nor anything resembling spring. Yuck. Though it did snow a wet dusting. I'm so sick of winter!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that violin part nice? I found the music suited my mood also.
Let's dance!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Friend
Comfort Spiral
Really great. She's special. Remember her well from 10,000 Maniacs and I do have one of her solo albums...must play it again.
ReplyDeleteCloudia: I'd rather dance in your Hawaiian sunshine than in my slushy, snowy New England. What a mess today. But no school!!! I guess I could do a snow dance!
ReplyDeleteBear: I love Natalie but it is difficult to understand the lyrics when she sings. Always had that problem with REM, too. I actually went searching for this song by The Horseflies themselves but couldn't find it on youtube. Makes me want to get a jukebox again.
I think most of the early (and best) REM songs made little logical sense anyway.The mumbling Stipe is my favourite.
ReplyDelete