When Irish Eyes Are Glazed
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Artist:
Hewing to the theme-oriented and holiday-happy tendencies at MOG, I wanted to acknowledge tomorrow's St. Patrick's Day celebration in a musical way. Some amongst us, from various countries across the globe, may not be well acquainted with this particular feast, so for them…
Every March 17, America shows solidarity with its Irish brethren and commemorates a PETA member's nightmare - St. Patrick, who purportedly drove all of the snakes out of Ireland way back in the 5th century. (Must've been some kinda weird serpent infestation, although that would certainly keep the rodent population under control.) Speaking of the hazy mists of antiquity, otherwise normal people observe St. Patrick's Day by getting shit-faced drunk, engaging in fisticuffs, groping one another, and projectile vomiting. The wearin' of the green is encouraged, as a tribute to the so-called Emerald Isle. But, considering the massive amounts of alcohol consumed, you're just as likely to see the turnin' of the green.
If you expect me to dredge up an old favorite by hard-drinkin' Irish folk-punk band The Pogues, you'll be disappointed. There's just so much of that boozin' and brawlin' stereotype that I can stomach. Instead, I'd like to go with the flip side of Ireland's image - the mystical, magical side populated by leprechauns, fairies, banshees…and Enya.
An Irish folk-singer and composer with an electronic bent, Enya was a member of her family's renowned musical ensemble Clannad, but decided to go the solo route. She moved beyond pure traditional styles and conjured a blend of Celtic and New Age music, multi-tracking her angelic vocals and setting them in a lush wash of synthesized sound. After a well-received solo debut and a couple of intriguing collaborations (one as a back-up vocalist on Sinéad O'Connor's first album, The Lion and the Cobra), her big breakthrough was the 1988 album Watermark and its exquisite, rippling (but unlikely) hit single "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)." (Conventional wisdom says that the song was named after Orinoco Studio where it was recorded, but I should remind everyone that there's a mighty waterway in South America called the Orinoco River - and rivers…flow.)
Even two decades later, "Orinoco Flow" is as lovely an aural painting as could be imagined. And listening to it is still a transporting experience.
Forget the green beer. For St. Paddy's Day, I'm gonna get wasted on "Orinoco Flow." (Ride the audio stream above, or watch the gorgeous promotional video below. But do go with the "Flow.")
Locating MOG account...
Comments (45)
Can you imagine the uproar if we all dressed "ethnically" and acted out all the worst stereotypes (as we imagined them to be) of any other nationality or race?
here in nyc people already were dressed up and drinking this past weekend
the bars are trying to drum up some funds in these hard times
I love your approach very appealing perspective on this normally very overly americanized celebration of the Irish. I am going to have the tradional irsh meal ( or perhaps americanized) peice of brisket and cabbage and a good Irish beer to top the night off but may now consider more options than Flogging Molly to accompany it, Cheers! INdy x
dmdm: People would be pissed. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to celebrate my German and Russian ancestry by invading myself.
NeilNathan: I've got a feeling that the drinky drinks and "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" buttons would be out in flush times. And, considering the amount of joy juice that will be guzzled tomorrow, get ready for a lot more flushing.
Indiana: And there will be plenty of Molly flogging, too. ;-)
I recall this album (CD) well. My wife- a yoga teacher- really got into it so I absorbed it kind of by osmosis. After a few listenings I really began enjoying it.
Somehow, all the layering she does on this ended up working quite well.
Speaking of "dressing up "ethnically" and acting out all the worst stereotypes" where is Flux? Haven't heard from him in a bit.
All Enya does to me is make me want to drink bottled water or write only in the papyrus font. ick.
Fasted7: All of Enya's stuff is seductively listenable. There are those who will poke fun at any New Age recordings (including hers), but, if you shrug off the earnestness or what can seem like pretentiousness, Enya's music is a pure pleasure.
c.b.w.: Ha! My advice: Just sail away - sail very far away.
Like Christopher Cross? I'm there!
Christopher Cross? Not to quote the obnoxious comic-strip character Cathy or anything, but...Ack!!!
Then quote Bill The Cat - "Ack!"
How about Charlie Brown? "Aughhhh!"
I used specifically so not wear green on That Day; back when i had more stuff in my wardrobe, i would (being Protestant, though either Eastern Europe or England/Scotland variety, depending on which fork of the family tree one considers) often wear something orange.
And here I thought you were putting her up as Toxic Tuesday. I'm sorry, I'm better than that, I know...
My favourite part of this dreamy song is that amongst all those lyrics about Fiji and Tripoli is this:
we can steer, we can near with Rob Dickins at the wheel,
we can sigh, say goodbye Ross and his dependencies
Rob Dickins was the president of the record company. One way to make sure your record is promoted!
ff: Orange you clever!
Jonh: Wasn't she clever! (And trust me. Toxicity is a-comin'!)
As another Orangeman and a former New Yorker, all St. Patrick's Day means to me is stepping over the teenagers from Long Island who are passed out on the street, and not being to cross Fifth Ave. for a large part of the day....
ivy: Step gingerly! (Get it? Irish? Ginger? Ginger-ly? Oh, never mind.)
Oh, dear....
The best part of St. Patty's Day is when it fall on the first Thursday of March Madness. The last fight I was part of was related to both! Bar in Georgetown . . . women getting slammed to floor by drunks . . . fisticuffs ensued . . . blood . . booted from the bar . . . memories light the corners of mind.
ivy: Okay. Okay, I'm very sorry. Sometimes, I just can't help myself.
funoka: We're all so proud of you! (That you survived...)
I take offence at your denigrating remarks regarding projectile vomiting.
Urp.
Thank you :-)
my days of getting blitzed on paddy day are long gone, although you might want to send a beer to the sub at my school that got fired for drinking while teaching. Saw that it made Leno last night, what a dick.
http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11882924
For the record, I was the teacher who got to report him, lots of fun this guy
Kevin: You newsmaker, you! We've always known that you're a solid citizen! (At least, now.) The safety of our children is paramount. Just don't let the little weasels get wind of your previous March 17th exploits. Wouldn't want them to get the wrong idea.
I have always been interested in Myth's as they prove to be more impelling to make people deviate from the reality of what is historically been proved as well as the main group (group's) that foster this day as well as other so called, HOLY, days.
I went through a period of rebelling against the so called churches of Christendom and saw the dis-unity and hatred among them but almost all of them with great fervor followed the, MYTH, days.
I love Corned Beef and Cabbage in LARGE amounts and pitcher of BEER!!
I loved "Watermark" back in the day but I eventually lost interest when subsequent albums failed to bring anything new/challenging to my ear. Nice tribute to the day o' green though.
elmanolete: It's always hit or myth for me. Not much for the corned beef and cabbage, but the beer? Bring on a pitcher!
August: I agree that she has a style that she's relied upon from album to album. I can listen to any of them when the mood strikes me, and it seldom matters which one. But this song rises above them all. A while back, I posted that Apeboy's Enya/Prodigy mash-up "Smack Up the Orinoco Flow," and it even sounds splendid in that context. Then, there's "Ducks Sailing," the Phil n' Dog mash of Lemon Jelly and Enya that sounds a little less harsh than that "Smack" thing. (It's available via the red button in this comment.) Oh yeah. Erin Go Bragh!
Yes this song is truly a classic. Thanks for the Ducks song, love it! I think I recall the Smack one too.
taking me back to the 90's. who didn't own pure moods with all those enya tracks on it?
"Some amongst us are from various countries across the globe" - weird, I thought we were ALL from various countries across the globe!
The snakes thing is a pretty bizarre myth, all he did was bring christianity to this godforsaken isle. Fat lot of good that did us! I've never seen that as something worth celebrating, but I'll take any excuse for drunken debauchery.
So, chin chin. And Enya's a perfect choice!
August: And ducks on smack? Wonder what that would sound like...
Charley: Hey! I'm not Casey Kasem, but I like the occasional resonant oldie, too.
laura27: Uh-oh. This will definitely be a part of my new R-rated video "Semantics Gone Wild!" And, after reading a little of your personal philosophy, I can only say how honored I am to have you join this thread. Salut!
Semantics Gone Wild - that's a porno I could really get into!
Pleasure to be here! Sláinte :D
It would sound smackin' ducky! heh
laura27: Get into it? As nominal producer, I can only say, "Be my guest!" And wow! First Gaelic exhortation on my MOG page, toast or otherwise - other than my earlier Erin Go Bragh! Now, I'm really honored!
August: Duck!
Duck, Duck, Goose!
Whoa! Did someone just goose me?
If you like it like that! hehe
I prefer my goose cooked and served with a nice side of apple sauce. After all, what's good for the goose is not necessarily good for me.
Then no goosing necessary! @;P
I'd rather spend 10 years with leprechauns, fairies, and banshees than all my life with drunken twats. Kapranos knows how many of them where out in Leeds that night (apparently, it is easy being green).
Thank you for your ethereal offering, Mike!
Anna: It is my duty, honor and pleasure, fair maiden. (bows deeply, then staggers forward, dizzy from the Guinness)
I am Joseph
Not to sure what you are trying to say..I mean is it or is it not.
Anyhow I know I am rambling but try to see it from someone reading it the first time without thinking about it first.
Luwow Goldman
Say what?