Artist
of the Month
Natalie
Merchant
OPHELIA [1998]
Elektra
Entertainment Group
Copyright
1998 Indian Love Bride/ASCAP
Dedicated
to Allen Ginsburg (1926-1997)
In OPHELIA Natalie Merchant has created a musical unity of theme and
style rarely heard in contemporary pop sound these days. Searching for
comparisons (from the misty past?), one is reminded of Janis Ian's BETWEEN THE
LINES, or Jackson Browne's LIVES IN THE BALANCE. Natalie Merchant is both a
composer and musician whose style and abilities are uniquely her own, and this
album proves she is a gifted composer, poet and singer of great depth and
understanding.
The opening theme song, OPHELIA, is a
strangely ambivalent paean to the Every-Woman, the Anima, both vulnerable and
inviolate, betrayer and betrayed.
Ophelia
was the rebel girl/blue stocking
suffragette/who-remedied society/between her cigarettes.
Ophelia
was the circus queen/the female cannonball
projected through flaming hoops/to wild and shocked applause...
The song is reminiscent of Bob Dylan's SAD-EYED
LADY OF THE LOWLANDS or Leonard Cohen's NANCY. The closing sequence introduces
a galaxy of international female vocalists who accompany the artist on other
selections.
Other songs include:
KIND & GENEROUS, a strong and lovely celebration to a good friend,
lover--or god?
FROZEN CHARLOTTE, a seasonal remembrance showcasing the singer's voice in
all its depth and attractive individuality. The refrain features vocal blending
with Karen Peris.
MY SKIN,
an exquisite poem suggesting the loneliness of misunderstanding; the soul lost
inside a Self-people seldom care to notice.
I've
been treated so wrong,
I've been treated so long--
as if I'm becoming untouchable...
KING OF MAY, a heartfelt farewell and affirmative anthem in praise of life.
THICK AS THIEVES, an apocalyptic Gingsbergian vision of contemporary
materialistic decadence and New Age faddish hypocrisy (the falling out/of the
doomsday crowd); perhaps a reflection of the irony of youth injuring themselves
and being injured at a recent Freedom-for-Tibet concert "caught up in a
catatonic dance." A vision of Kali Yuga. Very solid use of instrumental
accompaniment and mixing.
EFFIGY,
this song is possibly the most effective blending of guest vocalist, featuring
the Tibetan translation and exotic voice of Yungchen Lhamo, sending shivers up
the charkas:
I'm an effigy/a parody/of who
I appear to be/put
your flaming torches under me...
THE LIVING (the bottle has been to me/my closest friend/my worst enemy.../and
I don't stand a chance/among the living),
demonstrates a clear understanding of alcoholism and addiction--and organically
blends into WHEN THEY RING THE GOLDEN
BELLS, a purist, Salvation Army-like 1887's
tune by Dion deMarbelle.
The OPHELIA REPRISE, arranged
& conducted by Gauin Bryars and performed by Members of Fretwork, is a real
neo- renaissance treat for classicalmusic lovers .
Please select from the following options:
REVIEW:
GNOSIS The Nature & History of Gnosticism by Kurt Rudolph
REVIEW
(19990: "DAIMONIC REALITY" Patrick Harpur
REVIEW
(1997): "THE VISIT" Loreena McKennit
REVIEW
(1998): "INITIATION" Elisabeth Haich
REVIEW
(1999): "AWAKENING OSIRIS" Normandi Ellis
GNOSTIC
PAGAN PANTHEON & CORRESPONDENCES
"666" & Historical Materialism
