The song is a slow, hypnotic track written by singer-songwriter Cathal Murphy. He is from Camlough or Camloch, a small village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.
Ever Since We Were Young is a soundtrack to a Northern Ireland film Reavy Brothers, about the 1976 killings in Armagh. If you love artistic short movies based on real life, you should see this film. The song also features the signature sound of Cathal Murphy with his deep and poignant lyrics coupled with a structure which falls on minimalist folk. His haunting voice echoes the story’s sorrowful spirit but with that sense of justice and redemption. I love this track for its hymn-like style and spiritual vibe.
Every time Swiss musician/songwriter Alex Pardini releases an EP or Album, he always has a place in this blog. His sound is the stuff of early evening when you unwind. His is the sound of urban grooves and philosophical musings that transcend genre and culture. Bye, Bye Bird is his new EP comprising of two songs, the title track and One Of Us. Ironically it reminds me of an ABBA song back in the early 80s; however, sonically, it’s purely sophistipop with a touch of smooth jazz and faint Italo disco. Just light, which is perhaps accidental. I appreciate his backing vocals and chord progressions. I also find the beats done well. There is a hint of 70s nostalgia. This works for me because I am a 70s guy in terms of aesthetics. I love this release. We need more.
It’s not always that we find a decent movie or TV soundtrack. But to find an excellent one? David Buckley has composed a solid musical gem that goes with this fantastic Netflix series, The Sandman. I’ve been a fan of Neil Gaiman for more than twenty years. You can imagine how it felt upon hearing that they’re making a TV adaptation of the graphic novel!
The Sandman is Morpheus, the god of the dream/nightmare realm. To appreciate the story of Sandman, you need to have an insight into Jungian Psychology, Religion, and Mythology. The music captures the mood of the series. His realm is beautiful, magical, brooding, and often baffling. This idea is beautifully translated into moving visuals, thanks to the special effects team and people who designed the set. Neil Gaiman is involved with the series as the executive producer.
Composer David Buckey has excellent credits, like The Good Wife, The Forbidden Kingdom, Papillon, Angel Has Fallen, Nobody, The Stranger, and Greenland.
He was a cathedral choirboy before studying music.
Track list: 1. The Kingdom of Dreams (Main Title Theme) (2:14) 2. Meet Ethel Cripps (2:54) 3. The Threshold of Desire (2:43) 4. Jessamy’s Flight (2:40) 5. The Houses of Secrets & Mysteries (5:20) 6. Dream’s Escape (2:52) 7. Johanna & Rachel (3:44) 8. The Oldest Game (5:28) 9. A Kind Word and a Friendly Face (2:28) 10. God Tells Me to Do It (2:38) 11. Every Hundred Years (1:43) 12. A True Annulet (3:59) 13. Dreams Shape the World (3:25) 14. The Throne Room of the King of Dreams (5:02) 15. Jed Walker, Guardian of Sleepers (2:11) 16. Sleep Well, John (2:50) 17. New Dreams to Spur the Minds of Men (2:01) 18. Even a Nightmare Can Dream (3:23) 19. A Remedy for Poison (2:22) 20. The Truth of Mankind (2:14) 21. Into the Vortex (1:35) 22. Return to the White Horse (1:28) 23. This Is Fiddler’s Green (3:27) 24. Children of the Endless (4:05) 25. There Is Hope (4:26) 26. New Dreams… A New Age (3:06) 27. Fortune Go with You (2:10)
When Mary Fahl fronted the October Project, she was the force behind the band. According to her contract, she was not allowed to write music or do anything besides singing. With these limitations, she used her hands to convey the power of the songs like an operatic diva. After the band broke up, she had to do things independently, including playing the guitar and writing songs. It is great to see such self-reliance, but I think she is at her most arresting when she sings, using her body language to amplify the heart and soul of the song. The Great Valerio is the first official music video from Can’t Get It Out Of My Head, the just-released album of her favorite songs. I had no idea she likes ELO, and this is a great surprise.
So what’s the story behind her decision to cover this song? Here’s the little info:
Directed and edited by Lisa Hancock, Mary Fahl reimagines this personal favorite by one of her greatest inspirations, Richard and Linda Thompson. She brings “The Great Valerio” to life utilizing archived footage of a tightrope walker to put a face to the name of this fictitious character made famous from the original recording off the album “I Want to See Bright Lights Tonight” originally released in 1974. Mary stays true to the beauty of the original recording while transforming this beloved cover into her own version with soaring #chamberpop vocals and a unique, haunting arrangement.
Indeed, her version is fascinating. I just have to write this blog because I am so pleased and have big hopes for this album.
I’ve been looking at my blog stats today, and there’s one post getting regular hits through the years. It’s my James Bullard interview posted around 2017. So I thought I might check his Spotify page to see what’s up. The last update was in 2020. And he only has 31 listeners. I was shocked because he makes outstanding songs. I’ve followed his music since the MySpace days(remember that?) And I was hoping he’s going to be huge. He posts on his Instagram account once in a while, and that’s it. No news of touring, recording, or any interesting musical project. Perhaps I will interview him one of these days to see what’s up.
If you happen to be online, give this man a listen. His music might be something for you. It’s just alarming that he’s only got 31 followers on Spotify. Man, I think he needs to hire a management team.
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