Dedicated to Bish & the Insomniacs, Wyngate & the New Parents and anyone else whose eyes are beginning to hurt through lack of sleep (mine’s down to child with lergy, 4 nights and counting) – the most mellow, soothing piece of music you can think of…NOW!
Please!
Bobbie Gentry’s’ version of “Hushabye Mountain”.
I know how you feel. With kids of 1 and 3, no matter how many decent night’s sleep i get, the insidious cumulative effect of fractured sleep will eventually catch up with you and whilst you can perform/function perfectly well most of the time, every so often you turn into a basket-case. With this in mind, i immediately think of three songs that are soothing.
1. Simple Minds – Somebody Up There Likes You (an instrumental piece from New Gold Dream – never fails to get me to zone out – in a good way).
2. Talk Talk – you could almost choose all of Laughing Stock or Spirit of Eden, but i’ll go for Give it Up from The Colour of Spring.
3. Row Your Boat (the lullaby) from a CD of lullabies called, believe it or not ‘Lullaby’. Sung by Sophie Barker from Zero 7 and produced by someone who’s worked with Eno and Bjork, i think this CD was put together as much for the parents as for the kids and this version gets me everytime. Highly ambient.
Could probably think of many, many more, but these were the first 3 that came into my head as soon a i read the email. They may not be the best, but there you go.
Ivor, Just a quick apology … didn’t deliberately miss your name in my post’n'run this morning; I just hadn’t read all the comments at the time. Sorry, sir, and a nod in your direction for having got to late-period Talk Talk before I did.
Thanks DsD – not offended in the slightest. Put it down to tiredness. Now stick on Spirit of Eden and …. relax.
There’ll be plenty of donding for Eno, and i love a bit of ambient me, but my favourite for relaxation (even though Mrs.Engine just doesn’t get it) is the wonderful Boards of Canada.
D’y'unno, Ivor, to date, I’m with Mrs Ivor over BoC, but I think I’ll give ‘em another go this evening. (Well it’s either that, or watch the Mancs in the Europa League.)
Or “Mrs.Engine” even . . . yeah, blame it on tiredness from these early mornings!
Off to make my tea first, but if anyone has an opinion, tell me whether Campfire Headphase or Geogaddi should be volunteered to attempt DsD cranial infiltration.
Ideally, neither. You should start with Music Has The Right To Children but, failing that, I’d say Geogaddi.
Sorry, Mn, but them’s the breaks. The CD of Geogaddi I got from a stock sale at the library for 50p; Campfire is in my iTunes courtesy of my brother. But having tried again, I’ve not changed my mind. I got as far as Julie & Candy before having to turn Geogaddi off. CH only lasted as far as Satellite Anthem Icarus. Just too skittery for me – imo as a visiting rocker to this genre, Lemon Jelly sample/layer better, and Tangerine Dream have the atmosphere; I think I even prefer Brightblack Morninglight to Boards Of Canada. Sorry folks.
I’m now up to 48 hours with 1 year old vomiting on me – he can only sleep curled into my shoulder if I’m upright – my eyes are burning from tiredness too.
for my Ms. on our 9th anniversary:
Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
dond.
Donddond, though thanks to Carole, my Mazzy Star choice would be Look On Down From The Bridge.
although brilliant DsD…
“i can’t be the same thing to you now
i’m just gone
just gone”
would ruin my anniversary a bit.. hee hee
Dond!
And the video is a prime example of Citroen DS-as-quirky foreign car in the background. (See also Back To The Future III and The Mentalist)
Calming music – my most played genre. This is my latest discovery…
http://vimeo.com/33086348
Oh Mn, that’s WONDERFUL!
It’s like a blissed-out Warren Ellis. I absolutely love that.
Tell me more … * tellmemore, likedoeshehaveacar?uh-huh *
I thought you’d like that one. As I say, a new discovery for me. I bought the vinyl (no 58 of a 300 limited edition) but it comes with a digital download. I’m seeing them live at the Vortex next month so I’ll be able to tell you more.
yes, that was wonderful. Almost sounded like some bagpipes in there.
Me too … love it. Reminds me a little of Stars of the Lid (without the excessive droning).
Have you listened to A Winged Victory For The Sullen? Adam Wiltzie from Stars of the Lid with Dustin O@Halloran.
Ach, you have my sympathies, Debby & Shane. I’m actually on a week’s perfect peace, as DsMam & kids are at Granny’s for half-term, but I’m working. As my trainee works 0600-1300, I’ve been home every day by half-one, with no work admin backlog, and (unusually) no list of jobs left for me by my darling wife!
But regardless of that, I’ve discussed before that my iTunes Most Played is chock-full of tunes suitable for this topic, by dint of the unsociable hours I tend to spend in front of the PC. As a consequence, I have absolutely NO intention of limiting my number of picks!!
But whilst my trainee is on his “dinner” break, I’ve jumped on a machine at work. Said customer uses Macs, so I have no clue as to how to copy in links from youtube. You’ll have to find these for yourself, though I may ‘Box a playlist later, if you like them, Debby.
In mini-categories, and for now, limited to 3 in each:
DsD fave songs to use as lullabies -
Elbow – Scattered Black & Whites
Willard Grant Conspiracy – Dance With Me
Bonnie Raitt & Was (Not Was) – Baby Mine
Lyrical brow strokers -
Damian Jurado – Bad Dreams *Yes, really*
King Creosote – And The Racket they Made
Drive-By Truckers – Daddy Needs A Drink
Instrumental Soul Balm
Mogwai – Christmas Song
Goldmund – My Neighbourhood
Clint Mansell / Kronos Quartet – Together We Can Live Forever
Miscellaneous Soothers
Sigur Ros – Ara Batur
Talk Talk – I Believe In You
Mark Hollis – The Colour Of Spring *even starts with 19secs of silence, to get you in the mood*
I’ll be back later, with many, MANY more.
Now here’s hoping this posts, as I don’t even know how to *copy* with a Mac mouse
Command C – copy
Command V – paste
or highlight it (click down on mouse -roll over word or youtube address)
then click edit on the top bar- copy is 4th on the drop down – paste is 5th.
which ever you find easiest.
lovely tracks by the way.
When I really need to serious chill, then I hide in Japanese traditional music.
This is a traditional tune for Koto and flute. It is called Sakura, but it refers to the flower not the girls name!
Chill!!!
That was absolutely wonderful. Big dond.
More or less anything by the Marcin Wasilewski Trio. Don’t have audio on work computer so can’t check out YouTube clips – my worry would be that they’re often a lot more dynamic and abstract live, whereas the records are soothing and energising at the same time. There’s also a wonderful album by Food (Iain Ballamy on sax, Thomas Stronen on drums and electronics plus stray collaborators) called ‘Quiet Inlet’ which is also fabulously relaxing. Finally, for the jazz-allergic, anything by Tangerine Dream.
Came across this soothing piece a couple of years ago…Deep Blue Day by Brian Eno.
As I’ve woken to snow on my doorstep this morning a little Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is the perfect thing. I love the way they slow the timing – seems to capture that no wind moment when snow is falling straight down & getting lighter &fluffier as you look on it with the flakes biding their time in descent. Ooh time for another hot cuppa.
Falling Down Slowly – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Dond!
Really enjoyed your selection fintan.
For big babies who need a little help nodding off, these are two that always work for me. King Crimson’s I Talk To The Wind…
And this Mary Hopkin vocal from Vangelis’ original score for Bladerunner.
Good choices Stardust . . . and if Mary Hopkin joined King Crimson you might get something like the original version of I Talk To The Wind featuring Fairport’s Judy Dyble
Fabulous, love Rachel’s Song especially.
Mellow my man- The Roots.
This might be it.. apols if not.
(Though I’m actually missing my early wake-up call today, having just given the dog away for two weeks while we fly off to sunny California.)
And for my second list, I’ll start with a nod to Prof. Abahachi, and then try to keep it to one song per artist in this section. (These are still “springers-to-mind”. If I start looking through my collection, the rest of the day will be a write-off!!) :
Marcin Wasilewski Trio – Diamonds And Pearls
Soulsavers – Love
Yo La Tengo – I Feel Like Going Home
Songs Of Green Pheasant – Alex Drifting Alone
Over The Rhine – Latter Days
Dakota Suite – Away From The Silence
Eluvium – Indoor Swimming At The Space Station
Jon Hopkins – Halcyon
Amiina – Sogg (this one may not be the best example, but it’s the only one I know fits the bill whose title I can remember without going to the [CD] wall
. . . . . . mmmnnnnnpfffff . . . . . .
No – m-u-s-t … r-e-s-i-s-t …. too much other stuff I want to do …….
* caves in, and gets up from the desk with a sigh *
And if allowed one with voices too
Why’s your name spelt all funny here these days, TY?
Been playing too much anagram scrabble whilst snowed in.
Great big donds to Stardust for “Deep Blue Day” from Eno’s “Apollo : Atmospheres and Soundtracks” album. Another track that I would suggest from the same album is “An Ending (Ascent)”.
And donds also for Tatanka for the original “I Talk to the Trees”.
I think I nomminated the following during the 30 day challenge a while ago, and it fits here as well.
Erik Satie………….”Trois Gymnopedies”.
More donds!
Can I have another go ?
Just remembereredereded this one.
From the wonderful 1979 album China .
Vangelis……………”The Tao of Love”.
Aw, thanks for the name-check, debby! I actually have a 140-song iTunes playlist rather naffly entitled “Soothes You Sir” (well, it amused me). Mostly, they’re songs that soothe me emotionally rather than physically/mentally, but the former tends to result in the latter. If that makes sense. Anyway, here’s one of them:
James: Out To Get You
This is my funeral song, so I’ll be pretty calm at that point; and I hope the people there will find it mellow and soothing. (That’s if I have a funeral at all, of course.)
Like A Diamond by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Recent by Food not available on Spotify, so I’ve Dropped it; haven’t previously sent this in as an Earworm, though at times (esp when recovering from a long day at work after a disturbed night) it works like that, because I suspect this is even more Marmite than most of my suggestions… If you don’t object to the idea of a blend of abstract saxophone, slightly Krautrock and electronic squiggles, and can at least imagine how this could all come together to sound peaceful and relaxing, then go ahead; if not, you have been warned…
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/540143/tobiko.mp3
Complicated ‘new’ job. 90 minute commute each way by public transport (brake failure in Brig’ouse tonight). Out at 6.45am, back at 6.45pm on a good day. Smallish child. Yep, I’m tired too – so tired I can’t sleep, if that makes any sense. Anyway, here’s my chill-out of choice:
Love how the guitar comes in at 2.40, don’t want it to end.
Other candidates include:
Taj Mahal & Toumani Diabate and ‘Queen Bee’;
John Renbourn and ‘Sidi Brahim’
Jolie Holland and ‘The Littlest Birds’
Vaughn Williams – ‘Lark Ascending’
Vivaldi and ‘The Four Seasons’ (sorry Aba)
Does that mean it’s the old job rehashed and even further away? That commute sounds an absolute pain – I don’t know whether to offer congratulations or commiserations, Ali.
No, different job. It’s only 12 miles but takes an hour and a half! Previous job was further away but only took an hour and a quarter … go figure. Could buy a car but that sort of defeats the object of having a job! So I’ll keep looking locally!
Too many good songs to dond. Feeling mellow all ready. And Debbie, if you want lullabies, try Kate Rusby’s album “Little Lights”. It even worked on my Sam.
I still remember the stunned reaction from a deejay on an FM easy-listening station that obliged a listener’s request for this station A) not expecting to find it in the station’s music library and B) not expecting it to clock in at nearly 8 minutes. Apparently the only person in the world who’s never heard Dark Side Of The Moon.
dond. And a lotta other stuff from that album too.
Couldn’t find any of the newer ones I was thinking of on the toob, so here’s an oldie -Shriekback in whisper mode.
Surf this chillwave
Twenty-one cuts of my selections to-date on their way into the ‘Box.
There might be a Part II tomorrow, if I get a chance.
If either/both need to be shoved out to make room for RR tomorrow eve, then don’t wait for my permission – just dump ‘em.
G’night all; ‘nuther 0430 alarm call coming my way.
Here’s something laid back and sweet:
The track is called La Vache Qui Pleure
As opposed to la vache qui rit (or ris,can’t remember?) Those little cheese triangles …
Not sure if i really love Kate Bush’s new album yet – like it and admire it, but haven’t fallen for it fully, the same way i have for her others so far. However, the album centerpiece, the 13 minute plus Misty certainly qualifies for this challenge. Here’s a slightly weird and unsettling claymation of part of it.
http://www.chartattack.com/news/2011/nov/28/watch-kate-bush-misty-claymation-music-video
Oh you lovely, lovely people! I’m truly sorry for posting this then disappearing, but there are times it just can’t be helped. I’ve only got time to unpack the box now (thank you, DsD!), but I’m really looking forward to listening to all your suggestions over the weekend.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
As you might imagine relaxing music isn’t particularly my thing(or maybe what I find relaxing is a bit unconventional), and I’m a bit stuck, other than a dond for Ivor The Engine’s Simple Minds – Somebody Up There Likes Me.
This takes a bit of beating…………
Bit late in, this week. Sorry.
This one soothes the savage beast