This song changed my life upon hearing it many years ago....I will love it forever. Heard it, and had to buy the album instantly, sent to uk from America. I’ll treasure it forever.
Again Justin, thanks for making us discover new music. I never heard of him before. It's something very special and interesting. His voice makes me think of Antony and the Johnsons. On the other hand the title and the mongolian feel of the music makes me thing of Huun-Huur-Tu, a mongolian traditional band, who recorded a song called… "Orphan's lament". If you never heard Huun-Huur-Tu, you MUST give them a listen because of the superb use of throat singing and overtone singing. And their Orphan's lament is just beautiful. I don't know if there is a connection between them and Robbie Basho, maybe a traditional song arranged ?!
He reminds me of John Jacob Niles, another eccentric folkie who used an older classical vocal style (falsetto in his case) and curiously random rhythm approach. I find Niles too arch and mannered, but this guy sounds more authentic and heartfelt.
Big thanks for checking out my recommendation, dude! I'm glad you enjoyed it and I really like your takes on it. One of my favorite things about him is how he combines all of his Eastern and Western influences into something wholly unique, particularly how his eccentric, nearly classical singing style works with his folk influences. The dude was really a genius. And this one of his more accesible songs. His stuff got pretty far out. BTW, every song of his is just him and his instrument, occasionally with another musician on the track. Some other songs of his you might like to try, besides Rocky Mountain Raga, are Song of the Stallion and Night Way.
We must admit we never heard of him before, but what a gem! We looked him up in Wikipedia, and what we found most interesting is that he had wanted to create a raga system for America and that his finger-picking technique was influenced by sarod playing. We certainly heard the resemblance to Indian raga music.
Wow Justin Wow! Wasn't too sure what was going to happen because I researched Robbie before listening and most of his bio is kinda negative! Albums and record labels dropping him and the genre was INTERESTING!! That explains it all too! Just like your opening line: VERY INTERESTING! Right out of the old t.v.show: LAUGH IN!! Lol. So I was hoping it wasn't going to be a repeat of DEAD CAN DANCE! Must admit I was pleasently surprised!! Again I feel your reaction was spot on perfect!! I too could feel the weight of his fingers on the keys of the piano! And yes it seemed like he was singing from a mountaintop almost in tears!! HEAVY AND DEEP FOR sure!! Thank you especially for playing a viewers request!!! Now please if you will get to some of MINE!! Lol you know: THE STRAWBS GRSCE DARLING which has some HAMMOND ORGAN YOU LOVE SO MUCH!- YES- TALES OF COURSE, GENESIS- THE LAMB, JONI MITCHELL- THE CIRCLE GAME, CARLY SIMON- THATS THE WAY IVE ALWAYS HEARD IT SHOULD BE, CAROL KING, SO FAR AWAY, THE CARPENTERS- BLESS THE BEASTS AND THE CHILDREN, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST: MY MAN MIKE LEDBETTER( MY NEPHEW) JUST TO NAME A FEW!! HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND!! YIUR #1 AZ FAN MICHAEL😊😊😊😊
He reminds me of opera singers. There's a certain quality to his voice that reminds me of opera-class tenors. The mood set by the music and his vocals is very haunting. Achingly beautiful. I'm very glad you exposed me to it! I have a new artist now to look into. My late partner was an opera aficionado, and he helped me develop an appreciation for opera and classical. When this started playing, I first thought it was an opera because there seemed to be similar qualities in his voice. If you ever want to hear an incredibly beautiful duet in opera, check out "Placido Domingo @ Andrea Bocelli - Pearl Fishers duet". It's about two simple pearl fishers who are best friends but become rivals when they meet a beautiful goddess and both fall madly in love with her. My partner told me it's one of the most beautiful arias in opera (it's immensely popular with opera fans), and I have to admit I think it is too. It still gives me chills when I hear it.
I've never heard of him but I really enjoyed that. There are many forgotten but talented musicians such as Karen Dalton, Josephine Foster, Connie Converse and Daniel Johnston, all with strange stories but wonderful talent. I often find them hidden away on TV shows and look up the songs on tunefind which is really helpful. A nice find Justin.
Man I really enjoyed this track. Agree, different from our usual every day norms. I was getting an opera/folk feel and from the piano the sound I was getting was something out of an old western movie. Loved his vocals. I'd like to hear more. Nice reaction and review.
@@jzonkel Sorry, I didn't get a notification for your reply. Mehera, Rhapsody in Druz, Leaf in the Wind, and Day in the Life of Lemuria are the ones I can remember. Rhapsody in Druz is absolutely incredible.
I agree - this was a neat break from the ‘ normal ‘ schedule , though coming directly upon the heels of Dusk , it was almost more like a pastoral extension So I either stay in this melancholy mood for a bit or .... I’m going to que up Fire - the Crazy World of Arthur Brown It’s really cool and will cleanse the listening palate Well worth the 3 minutes
Please listen to the whole "Venus in Cancer" album. Robbie Basho was a genius. He composed several masterpieces, but "Venus in Cancer", for me, is his peak. Thank you for reacting to him.
Never heard of him or his music, but really intrigued. Listened to another song on strength of your listen, and very like Anthony Hegarty of Anthony and the Johnsons... would like to think he was an influence. Thanks for that anyway, would never have experienced him, without following your reactions. Incidentally the other song was Blue Crystal Fire!
The piano and song reminded me of the time I entered the saloon and the piano roll is playing and the singer sings a sad song while I drank my beer. It obviously was a deeper song and I feel bad making light of it, I did enjoy it. Very different, better than another Genesis song... jk. Be cool, be safe, Peace and Music
Michael again Justin! Got a cool rock band from the late 70s early 80s to listen to down the road from youngstown, Ohio! They're called: The Micheal Stanley Band! Im also curious if you would consider some Bluegrass tunes to check out!! That's kinda what I'm into right now!! Ttyl Michael!!
Robbie was great. Tragic death 😕 I’d recommend John Fahey if you’re looking for deep, spiritual, idiosyncratic American music. 👍. May I also recommend a song by the Scottish singer, Ottilie Patterson, “The Bitterness of Death”. It’s chilling but the message cuts across the ages 🤔 Also...the list is endless...you MUST listen to the late, great David Ackles!
This is certainly not a Basho I’m familiar with, but it was interesting. As commented below, Opera meets Scottish lament. The Basho I know is more of a finger style guitar soloist in the mode John Fahey. But yeah what a nice break in the channel.
The first moment, I wonted to turn it off, but it had a strange fascination between someone ist trining to sing somthing out of an opara and a sad scotish lament ... You realy could her the emotions, and feel that it´s not just another song for him. Don´t know the artist, but I have another orphane theamed song, you could look into - Verry Diverent, bu one that get´s me everytime I heare it... Mary Gauthire : . March 2.1962 based on her own story, like the compleate "The Foundling" record
Never heard of him.. naah not my cup.. but hey that's just me, JustJP! Wish u would do more David Sylvian. If so.. his song Surrender from the album Dead bees on a cake is just great !
To me it sounds like someone who taught themselves to play with no lessons constantly hitting the keys instead of using the floor pedals ... The un-unified structure of the vocals and music make me wonder if he recorded vocals / then piano or vise versa ... Amazing he had 10 albums before he died at 45 ... I like it ... hadn't heard it ..,
The piano technique he's using is called tremolo. The voice and piano were recorded together. He just rarely, if ever, keeps the timing or structure the way you'd expect it to go.
