Putting together a show based on emotions, moods and feelings is an interesting experience, one that I don’t know if I fully knew what I was getting into when I choose the name and theme of this show, “Moods In Free Time.” Perhaps the most interesting thing is where/how/when the inspiration for a show will come. I settled on “Duende” as this month’s focus because of an observation about Federico García Lorca, brought up during a wide-ranging conversation with Poet, Actress & Director (and wearer of likely a dozen other hats I’ve failed to mention here) Elisa Noemí. The mere mention of Lorca was the necessary spark that made me think of this concept of “Duende,” one that he discussed quite often, and just like that, the die was cast for this month’s show.
“Duende,” as I mention in the show, is actually a tough feeling to nail down. It’s one of those, “I know it when I feel it,” kind of things, and in some ways the depth of feeling that you feel is exactly what is so hard to easily describe. In Lorca’s essay (an English translation of which you can find here), he talks at length about “Duende,” but it’s this passage about Flamenco singer Manuel Torre, that I’ve always found most illuminating:
“…Manuel Torre, a man who had more culture in his veins than anyone I’ve known, on hearing Falla play his own Nocturno del Generalife spoke this splendid sentence: ‘All that has dark sounds has duende.’ And there’s no deeper truth than that. Those dark sounds are the mystery, the roots that cling to the mire that we all know, that we all ignore, but from which comes the very substance of art. ‘Dark sounds’ said the man of the Spanish people, agreeing with Goethe, who in speaking of Paganini hit on a definition of the duende: ‘A mysterious force that everyone feels and no philosopher has explained.’ So, then, the duende is a force not a labour, a struggle not a thought. I heard an old maestro of the guitar say: ‘The duende is not in the throat: the duende surges up, inside, from the soles of the feet.’ Meaning, it’s not a question of skill, but of a style that’s truly alive: meaning, it’s in the veins: meaning, it’s of the most ancient culture of immediate creation.”
That description of “Duende,” that “mysterious force that everyone feels,” but no one can really explain is the one that guides this show.
So after Elisa’s initial inspiration, and the choice of “Duende,” the challenge then was to choose the songs. I knew a while ago that this month would be the first with 2 hours to play with, but that extra 60 minutes didn’t help me out too much. There were easily another 3 hours of music from artists that I personally felt fit “Duende,” that didn’t make it into the show, but at least now that they’re at the front of my mind, I’ll likely find a place for them in future shows. But, it’s important to note that, in terms of what IS here, it’s all music that I deeply feel, and that if you’re a fan of mixes or shows that I’ve done in the past, you’ll likely also deeply feel…I certainly truly hope that you do.
In terms of what’s coming next, I can already tell you that August’s edition will focus on “Gratitude,” as it’s my Birthday month (as well as the gang of Leos and Virgos that I know personally), but, as I’ve only picked one song for the show thus far, you’ll just have to wait to see what makes it in…Until then, enjoy these sounds. Peace and Bright Moments.
Moods In Free Time 007: Duende
Playlist – Moods In Free Time Vol. 007: Duende
{opening theme} The Visitors – The Juggler – In My Youth (Muse)
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Buika – Volver, Volver – Niña De Fuego (Casa Limon/DRO Atlantic)
Mable John – Your Good Thing – 7” (Stax)
Gal Costa – Hotel Das Estrellas – LeGal (Philips)
Otis Redding – Free Me – Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding (Rhino)
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Maria Callas – Ecco: Respiro Appena … Lo Son L’umile Ancella (Atto I) from Adriana Lecouver – Opera Arias (EMI Classics)
Nina Simone – Wild Is The Wind – Wild Is The Wind (Philips)
David Axelrod – Song Of Innocence – Song Of Innocence (Capitol/Now-Again)
Miguel Aceves Mejía – La Malagueña – El Gallo Colorado (RCA Victor)
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Anna Melato – Amare Me – Love & Anarchy: Original Soundtrack (Cinevox)
Nearly God – Poems – 12” (Island)
Saba – Life – Care For Me (Saba Pivot/Vinyl Me Please)
Googoosh – Shekayat – Googoosh (Finders Keepers/B-Music)
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El Chocolate y La Familia Farruco – Soleá De Farruco – Flamenco: Original Soundtrack (New York Video)
Charles Mingus – Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting – Blues & Roots (Atlantic)
The 24-Carat Black – Best Of Good Love Gone – Gone: The Promises Of Yesterday (Numero)
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Chavela Vargas – Luz De Luna – Kika: Original Soundtrack (Polydor)
Billie Holiday Orchestra feat. Lester Young – All Of Me – Billie Holiday Sings (Columbia)
La Santa Cecilia – Amar y Vivir – Amar y Vivir (Universal Music Latin)
Magic Sam – My Love Will Never Die – West Side Soul (Delmark)
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Duke Ellington feat. Mahalia Jackson – Come Sunday – Black, Brown & Biege (CBS)
Charlie Haden & the Liberation Music Orchestra – Song for Che – Liberation Music Orchestra (Impulse!)
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{closing theme} Tony Williams – Wild Life – Believe It (Columbia)