Story songs? I think that's what folk music is. Scarborough Fair goes back to the 14th century I think. I knew Paul Simon was old, but I didn't know he was that old.
My understanding of folk music is that it's a wider category than "story songs"; there's a lot of folk music that's instrumental, for example.
"Synchronicity II" is clearly a story song in the context of Mark's comment (on "Alone Again (Naturally)," if you want to see the conversation), but I wouldn't call it folk music. Would you?
Thanks, Al (I'm glad I didn't put you to sleep with all that backstory!). I'd have preferred to see the Police, but Sting alone wouldn't be terrible. If you're comfortable with answering, I'm interested in your new appreciation for his work after seeing him live.
I loved the Police and never really gave much attention to Sting as a solo artist. My wife likes him more and I got tix as a present. After the show, I spent the rest of last summer listening to his whole catalog. I’d still like to see the band though!
"Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted orally, music with unknown composers, music that is played on traditional instruments, music about cultural or national identity, music that changes between generations (folk process), music associated with a people's folklore, or music performed by custom over a long period of time."
Thanks for the shoutout Jackie. I was a huge fan of The Police way back when (luckily I managed to catch them on their reunion tour in 2007) and interestingly Synchronicity II was one of my least favorite songs from that album. Listening to it now, and reading the lyrics, that surprises me as it’s an extremely evocative and engaging song. I think back then the delivery of the song didn’t grab me. Which is probably why I never even knew the lyrics. The ‘story song’ for me on that album (and there are a few) has to be Tea in the Sahara, which is probably my favorite song on the entire album. Definitely a deep cut.
My pleasure, Mark. I've been listening to some of your top 2023 featured artists ... something may appear here out of that.
On "Synchronicity II", are you familiar with the music video for it? I watched it (for the first time, best I can recall) this morning and decided it was too distracting from the music and lyrics. Maybe that's part of why it didn't grab you. Also, not all the lyrics are clear; it took me several listens to think I grokked it, but even so, when I looked up the lyrics, there were a few surprises. I'll be starting dinner shortly and will do my best to devote more attention to "Tea in the Sahara."
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen the music video. That album came out in a period when Bermuda had no TV stations available period. School friends with satellite dishes at their house were lucky enough to get all that but 95% of us had nothing. My recollection was there was just too much going on with the music for me to connect with the song lyrically
The video was part of a trend coming out of Mad Max Thunderdome. You see the same look on Tina Turner' Thunderdome, Duran Duran's Wild Boys, and Hall and Oates' Adult Education.
I destroyed the cassette of this album by playing this song over and over. I spent hours memorizing and singing the lyrics. I had vague ideas of using it for a SOTD but I can't top this post. Thanks for the context!
You're welcome. But ... it isn't a competition; I'd bet good money that your reach far exceeds mine here; and I'm interested in learning *your* context with the song, MK. I hope you'll reconsider and feature it at some point.
Story songs? I think that's what folk music is. Scarborough Fair goes back to the 14th century I think. I knew Paul Simon was old, but I didn't know he was that old.
My understanding of folk music is that it's a wider category than "story songs"; there's a lot of folk music that's instrumental, for example.
"Synchronicity II" is clearly a story song in the context of Mark's comment (on "Alone Again (Naturally)," if you want to see the conversation), but I wouldn't call it folk music. Would you?
Excellent post. Seeing Sting up close in concert last summer gave me a new appreciation for his phenomenal body of work.
Thanks, Al (I'm glad I didn't put you to sleep with all that backstory!). I'd have preferred to see the Police, but Sting alone wouldn't be terrible. If you're comfortable with answering, I'm interested in your new appreciation for his work after seeing him live.
I loved the Police and never really gave much attention to Sting as a solo artist. My wife likes him more and I got tix as a present. After the show, I spent the rest of last summer listening to his whole catalog. I’d still like to see the band though!
It was just off the cuff on my part.
"Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted orally, music with unknown composers, music that is played on traditional instruments, music about cultural or national identity, music that changes between generations (folk process), music associated with a people's folklore, or music performed by custom over a long period of time."
- wiki
Thanks for the shoutout Jackie. I was a huge fan of The Police way back when (luckily I managed to catch them on their reunion tour in 2007) and interestingly Synchronicity II was one of my least favorite songs from that album. Listening to it now, and reading the lyrics, that surprises me as it’s an extremely evocative and engaging song. I think back then the delivery of the song didn’t grab me. Which is probably why I never even knew the lyrics. The ‘story song’ for me on that album (and there are a few) has to be Tea in the Sahara, which is probably my favorite song on the entire album. Definitely a deep cut.
My pleasure, Mark. I've been listening to some of your top 2023 featured artists ... something may appear here out of that.
On "Synchronicity II", are you familiar with the music video for it? I watched it (for the first time, best I can recall) this morning and decided it was too distracting from the music and lyrics. Maybe that's part of why it didn't grab you. Also, not all the lyrics are clear; it took me several listens to think I grokked it, but even so, when I looked up the lyrics, there were a few surprises. I'll be starting dinner shortly and will do my best to devote more attention to "Tea in the Sahara."
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen the music video. That album came out in a period when Bermuda had no TV stations available period. School friends with satellite dishes at their house were lucky enough to get all that but 95% of us had nothing. My recollection was there was just too much going on with the music for me to connect with the song lyrically
The video was part of a trend coming out of Mad Max Thunderdome. You see the same look on Tina Turner' Thunderdome, Duran Duran's Wild Boys, and Hall and Oates' Adult Education.
Funny, I hated Tea in the Sahara and loved Synchronicity II!
I destroyed the cassette of this album by playing this song over and over. I spent hours memorizing and singing the lyrics. I had vague ideas of using it for a SOTD but I can't top this post. Thanks for the context!
You're welcome. But ... it isn't a competition; I'd bet good money that your reach far exceeds mine here; and I'm interested in learning *your* context with the song, MK. I hope you'll reconsider and feature it at some point.