The Grand Music Thread

[Vagabond]

I agree, and I want to add that this is the case in all styles.

My partner often reminds me of the fact that when we hear a beautiful song that many people love to hear, sung in a foreign language, when  translated can deal with something banal as pealing potato or hanging out the washing.

I believe she has a very valid point.

[Bordertangoman]

oh yes  I just love the song about peeling potatoes and hanging out the washing

[cornutt]

My partner often reminds me of the fact that when we hear a beautiful song that many people love to hear, sung in a foreign language, when  translated can deal with something banal as pealing potato or hanging out the washing.

Sort of the opposite of that: back in the early '60s, there was a song sung by a Japanese singer named Kyu Sakamoto that was released in North America and Europe under the name "Sukiyaki".  The transliteration of the Japanese title is "Ue o miuite aruko", which means "I Will Walk Facing Up".  When Capital Records released the song in the U.S., they decided that the Japanese title was too hard for English speakers to remember, so they randomly picked the word "Sukiyaki" as a word that was recognizably Japanese and easier to remember.  Of course, if you consider what sukiyaki actually is, then as the Wikipedia entry on the song points it, it's analagous to releasing "Moon River" in Japan under the title "Beef Stew".    Nonetheless, "Sukiyaki" became the only Japanese-language song ever to become a #1 hit on the U.S. Billboard Top 100, in 1963.  

"Sukiyaki"s translated lyrics are actually quite poetic in English, but they don't fit the meter of the song well.  A Taste of Honey did a cover of the song in 1981 with newly written English lyrics, and this seems to have become the accepted version in English-speaking countries.  The English lyrics are good, but they don't quite capture the same sense of melancholy as the Japanese lyrics.  (On topic: The song would be good for a somewhat off-style foxtrot.)

[Vagabond]

So true

I have been born and raised in Europe, speak 5 languages and love poetry, music and dance. It has always astounded me to hear translations from German, French, Dutch, Spanish songs, movies etc. into English or vice versa.

I remember that Japanese song, it was a hit in Europe too, never heard the translation and feel that I have to be thankful for that.

There is beauty in all languages and often translating a piece of text into another language just doesn't cover its passions/emotions.

The Germans have a musical style which is called schlager, the Dutch have their smartlap the French their chansons etc. translating from germanic into romanic is often a undesirable effort

[Bordertangoman]

"The band also mines the past for hidden gems, including the Japanese-language track “Taya Tan,” a hypnotically precise reworking (with a hint of early seventies Japanese film noir) of the Japanese Saori Yuki hit."

Pink Martini ref album" Hey Eugene"

[elisedance]

I thought it was something to do with natives who were living on sour figs.

Gee, this one has a tang....oops I gotta go - that gradually got shortened to tangoopgo and then tango. - oh, never mind....

[Vagabond]

I thought it was something to do with natives who were living on sour figs.

Gee, this one has a tang....oops I gotta go - that gradually got shortened to tangoopgo and then tango. - oh, never mind....

Tango (the dance with the stop "Baille Con Carte") is one of the most fascinating of all dances. Originating in Spain (flamenco) or Morocco (Moors, Berbers, zambra, flamenco), the Tango was introduced to the New World by the Spanish settlers, eventually coming back to Spain with Black and Creole influences.

[Burgess Penguin]

CHA-CHA:

The Sinister Minister by Bela Fleck & the Flecktones

Twilight World by Swing Out Sister

H-Gang by Donald Fagen

Do It Again by Steely Dan


HUSTLE:

Big Boat and Tangerine by Ananda Project

Sweet Tears by Roy Ayers

Magic Bird of Fire by Salsoul Orchestra

Out Come The Freaks and Tell Me That I'm Dreaming by Was Not Was


TWO-STEP

With a Gun by Steely Dan


WCS

Chain Lightning by Steely Dan

Pretzel Logic by Steely Dan

[Bordertangoman]

I thought it was something to do with natives who were living on sour figs.

Gee, this one has a tang....oops I gotta go - that gradually got shortened to tangoopgo and then tango. - oh, never mind....

Tango (the dance with the stop "Baille Con Carte") is one of the most fascinating of all dances. Originating in Spain (flamenco) or Morocco (Moors, Berbers, zambra, flamenco), the Tango was introduced to the New World by the Spanish settlers, eventually coming back to Spain with Black and Creole influences.

No Tango was a Welsh folk dance brought over by Patagonian settlers where Welsh is still spoken. Tan = Fire and "go" is an abbrevaition of coch = red, hence tango = "Red Fire"

[SwingWaltz]

Serenade to spring - Secret Garden

[Bordertangoman]

Yumeji's Theme from In The Mood For Love by Galliano

[SwingWaltz]

Most songs from Frank Sinatra are really nice foxtrots.

[elisedance]

My DP hates sinartra as he does not sing on beat.  I find him rather contrived - except (like Elvis) for his really early recordings before he was processed for the market I suppose...

[SwingWaltz]

Do most singers sing on the beat?

[elisedance]

I tihnk so.  Unless they are doing jazz....