The fourth book: #4 Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Started this. Very much a history book with stories, it feels like it's jumping from event to event while trying to make them more dramatic. A tough read, but a bit easier to follow than the Tale of Genji - there are still a lot of characters, but they are easier to keep track of and have stronger, consistent (but perhaps slightly more flat) personalities
The third book: #3 The Tale of Genji
And that's another big book finished. The Tale of Genji was pretty up and down for me. While interesting in places, it also dragged on from time to time with a lot of drama series style will they/won't they and a revolving door of love interests - made more confusing by the common lack of names, who was 'the girl' again?
The shift in protagonist was interesting, but less compelling because you don't follow along with Genji's early rise - there is less of an understanding of the character. Even so, the difficulty with keeping up is that the book doesn't have the larger plots most stories have - there was less of a plan in what was written, and that makes it more difficult to keep track of it. Things just happen. It's realistic, but not as satisfying to read about.
Still, even from the historical perspective this was interesting to see, figuring out more about Japanese court life, how these people interacted and what the proper conduct was... as well as how the lower classes seemed mostly ignored in the story. They're there and contribute, but they feel separate still. Certainly happy I read this.
The third book: #3 The Tale of Genji
This is a long book - I'm just over halfway through and it feels like it has taken ages to get this far. The book is fairly dense, with a lot of cultural reference you're just assumed to know - I have to keep checking.
What's interesting is how, although Genji is the main character, he's not a hero. He cheats, has affairs, abandons his wives and isn't too happy with his children so far. It makes for a compelling story, but also an interesting indictment - you are meant to sympathise with the others, although as often they are inactive characters, unwilling to do more.
The twenty-first song: Gloomy Sunday - Billie Holiday
Another piercing song from Billie Holiday. The lyrics about suicide are sad enough, the voice adds to it, and while there are some slight upbeat moments in the music - more from style than intended, the trumpets stand out - mostly the slow music drags on to enhance this feeling.
The twenty-second song: Guantanamera - Joseito Fernandez
Titled 'She from Guantanemo', these days you'd expect the song be more like Billie Holiday's than this upbeat, Latin swinging song. Although the song is apparently often improvised, here the melody does enough, a hint of longing included in something that's generally there to be enjoyed.
The twenty-third song: God Bless The Child - Billie Holiday
One of the few songs by Billie Holiday that she wrote herself, it's slightly happier than the ones we've heard before. There's still the slow voice that gets to you, but it's a conflict about money, not death, and it feels like there's some statement of independence in there as well. It's nice to hear a slightly less gloomier side, especially since as a song, it still holds up really nicely.
The twenty-fourth song: Stormy Weather - Lena Horne
Another jazz song, Stormy Weather feels more annoyed and angry - it's worse since her man left her. Even if the lyrics aren't as much so, the performance is incredibly strong. Lena Horne has a magnificent voice that rings out and makes a major impact.
The twenty-fifth song: Rum and Coca-Cola - Lord Invader
Another calypso song from Trinidad, this song mourns the American cultural influence coming from soldiers stationed in Trinidad during the war. Some of the effect is lost because of the quality of the recording - the parts with multiple singers is discordant, obscuring what's being sung. It's all over the place, but when you read the lyrics, the annoyance speaks through, with the sentiment being at odds with the sound of song.
The twenty-sixth song: This Land Is Your Land - Woody Guthrie
What sounds like a floksy country song is a song that feels like it could feel many political affiliations - even though they were removed from the final verse, it's a very 'proud of your country' song that has apparently been adapted for several countries. What was most surprising, reading about it now, is that Woody Guthrie had communist leanings, and while it fits the lyrics, it's not what the music style is generally associated with, but it works.
The twenty-seventh song: Lili Marleen - Marlene Dietrich
Sometimes I'm happy I speak some foreign languages - understanding the German lyrics (sort of) adds to the appeal of this sweet lovesong. Somewhat wanting, there's the careful joy of a soldier seeing his girlfriend again. What adds to the poignancy is that this is dated for the end of the second world war, where this would have been notable for soldiers wanting to retun home or returning home to see their family. A lovely song, sung by someone who has the perfect voice for it.
The twenty-eighth song: (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 - The Nat King Cole Trio
One of the things that I've still sort of been waiting for throughout this project is for rock to start. We're obviously still too early for that, but the topic of this song - the by now well known Route 66 - would now fit in there. The R&B in this song feels swingier, closer to rock, stepping up the beat a bit and waiting for a proper guitar to come in, breaking loose completely.
The twenty-ninth song: Al gurugu - La Nina de los Peines
Back to Latin songs, we get a flamenco song next. With her deep voice, we are demanded to pay attention and be drawn into the song. Recording quality sadly affects that here, not coming across quite as clear as it could be, and it makes the song a bit of a mess. It's a nice composition, though, and the power of it shows through.
The thirtieth song: La Vie en Rose - Edith Piaf
Before we started, Peter described this as one of the most famous songs ever released. It has everything working together - a great melody that fits in perfectly with the sounds of Edith's Piaf's voice, taking you on a journey that feels familiar, has lyrics but doesn't need a precise meaning to draw you in. It's music that speaks on a base level.
The thirty-first song: La Mer - Charles Trenet
A sweet tune, one that sounds like it isn't very consequential - and knows it doesn't really need to be. It's a happy little ode to the sea that just makes you feel happy, a nice melody with vocals that put you in and pull you along.