A song with a folk, traditional or ethnic music element (any nation or culture)
Many stayed close to home but all the continents are represented. Except Antarctica, of course. Be serious. I am sure pyatnitski has some all-Penguin experimental electro-jazz combo somewhere in his repertoire but he’s keeping it in his back pocket for now.
As Suzzer has stolen The Hu from me upthread I had to come up with something else. May I instead present to you Saltatio Mortis with “Veitstanz” (apparantly it’s called “Tarantella” in the non-German releases)
Veitstanz means dancing mania which is one of the weirdest things considering ecstacy wasn’t yet widely available.
In 16th place, scoring 1 point, @King_of_NY with Empty Walls by Serj Tankian
This is one of the songs where I couldn’t figure out how it fits the category. I checked with King_of_NY:
As I am a long-time fan of System Of A Down and Serj Tankian as a solo artist and I even at one point considered SOAD my favorite band I was already aware of their Armenian roots and influences.
No matter how hard I try I hear nothing but a straight-forward rock song here. By the power vested in me by the almighty Walrus I hereby disqualify this entry.
In 15th place, scoring 2 point, @miliboo with Big Time Sensuality by Björk [Feat. Talvin Singh]
NOT ON SPOTIFY
At first miliboo sent me a wrong link to the original version which does not fit the category at all. I thought I won’t have to listen to Björk’s annoying singing and just dump it into last place. Next.
I asked him what the folk/traditional/ethnic music elements are, he noticed his mistake and sent me the correct link.
I really gave it a chance. I can’t stand Björk. The little drummer boy accompanying her can’t save this song. Pushed that luck right off a cliff.
In 13th place, scoring 4 points, @Pauwl with God Moves on the Water by Blind Willie Johnson
…but wait! What if we add some blues elements to a gospel song? Those of you who paid attention could have predicted that Willie Johnson won’t fare much better than Harry Belafonte. The musical buffet of the world has so many delicacies to offer and I get served stale porridge.
In 12th place, scoring 5 points, @ microbet with Ievan Polkka by Loituma
NOT ON SPOTIFY
I read Polkka and I immediately hope this means Polka in the classical sense. No such luck. It’s a “modern” Finnish polka. No Weird Al Yankovich in sight either. I start to listen to it and my first thought is: “Can’t somebody get that guy to shut up?”
Here’s the thing, I could have liked this if it weren’t for that nuisance. That rhythmic rapid fire acapella delivery is something I can listen to for a while. GJGE, guy in grey vest.
In 11th place, scoring 6 points, @NhlNut with The City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie
I had heard this one a few times over the years but not for a while. When I clicked play for the Walrus I liked it quite a bit but that initial impression faded when I listened to it a few more times. One can’t help but notice it’s a very shallow song. Listen to it every other year and then forget about it for another 24 months.
If this is a 3-4 minute song I’d be okay with it. It won’t become a top contender but move up to somewhere in the middle. As is, it’s too monotonous to keep my attention for almost 10 minutes.
In 9th place, scoring 8 points, @Lawnmover_Man with Shadows by Tony Rice
This is similar to City of New Orleans but has the advantage of being new to me. You probably won’t change the station when it plays on the car radio. It won’t take your breath away, it won’t offend you.
If this is a 3-4 minute song I’d be okay with it. It won’t become a top contender but move up to somewhere in the middle. As is, it’s too monotonous to keep my attention for almost 10 minutes.
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I saw this coming a mile off. I think we have almost no musical taste in common. Closing in on @pyatnitski.
In 8th place, scoring 9 points, @LikeClockwork with The Great Curve by Talking Heads
From here on out it gets good with a bunch of tracks that couldn’t be anymore dissimilar.
Right here we are looking at colourful tapestry of sound woven from a variety of fabrics. The percussion keep the energy at a high level throughout. The vocals are admittedly an acquired taste. Not sure that I have.
That could very well be true. Not much either of us can do about that. On the plus side there are only three more categories where you subjected to my whims.
I do not feel trolled, comrade smrk4. I always liked Russian patriotic music. It’s full of pathos. It makes me want to volunteer to defend the motherland against the fascist and capitalist aggressors.
