Zmz is going to see his minstrel-hero play tonight. It seemed like a good idea to take the trickle of time available to me before the event to gather thoughts and consider feelings. Perhaps afterward I can use the data comparatively to determine whether I am feeling disappointed, elated, inspired, et cetera. I have been aware of the musical contrivances of Alasdair Roberts since very late last century. The Appendix Out group stuff, and especially "Tangled Hair" and "The Grey Havens" from Daylight Saving, came to me in a troubled time. I rediscovered these slow, fragile, and beautiful songs some time after a number of intense personal relationships had withered. The music was a balm that worked healing magic, especially when heard lying on a bed under a window with the midday summer sun pouring in. The Night is Advancing and Farewell Sorrow, when I finally found them, worked on me in like manner, but of an evening: these were faerie tunes from the distant gloaming of my ancestors. They caused me to happily swoon and retreat from the over-hyped modern world. Roberts sang with passion and earnestness of things close to my own heart though far from my present reality, the history of a people severed by the sea. So, this will be a special opportunity and a chance at refreshing the Gaelic psyche within the space-cadet. I hope it goes well.
For a wee bit more information, and some music, feel free to check his artist page at Drag City Records:
http://www.dragcity.com/artists/alasdair-roberts
The album Spoils is particularly wonderful, and the newest, A Wonder Working Stone, well, we'll just have to find out now, won't we?
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