Tag: UK

Edward Elgar | Enigma Variations

“Elgar was born on 2nd June 1857 at Broadheath, a village some three miles from the small city of Worcester in the English West Midlands,” (Elgar.org). “His father had a music shop in Worcester and tuned pianos. The young Elgar, therefore, had the great advantage of growing up in a thoroughly practical musical atmosphere. He studied the music available in his father’s shop and taught himself to play a wide variety of instruments … Elgar was very largely self-taught as a composer – evidence of the strong determination behind his original and unique genius.”

“Premiered in London in 1899 … the Enigma Variations consist of a theme followed by 14 variations … apparently created when, during a spot of pianistic doodling after a long day teaching, Elgar was prompted by his wife Alice to develop a tune which she had enjoyed amidst the tinkling,” (Edinburgh Music Review). “The variations developed into representations in music of various friends and colleagues, some whimsical, some deeply moving, and Elgar hinted at some deeper profundity, and also at another hidden theme, hence the name, ‘The Enigma Variations.’ For me, the mystery is much less interesting than the actual music, which is sublime. 

Variation IX, ‘Nimrod’, is justly famous. The title is a clever allusion to Elgar’s friend and editor, August Jaeger, whose name means ‘hunter’ in German. Nimrod was the ‘Mighty Hunter’ in Genesis, the first book of the bible, and this magnificent slow movement, dedicated to Elgar’s close companion, reveals the depth of their friendship.”

At 14:45, there is a prominent shift from G major to Eb over a hushed section — nearly a complete pause — at the beginning of the “Nimrod” theme.

Leveret | Ricer II

“In the close-knit world of English folk music, Leveret boasts an impressive pedigree,” (NPR). “The trio’s Andy Cutting is renowned for his mastery of the melodeon, a type of accordion with a push-pull mechanism for intonation that imbues it with a wheezy kick. The band’s fiddler is Sam Sweeney, of the flamboyant nu-folk band Bellowhead, and its concertina player is Rob Harbron — both are deft and expressive musicians in their own right. (The concertina is yet another variety of squeezebox, a small hexagonal specimen with a pure, invigorating honk.) Within its respective milieu, Leveret might be considered a supergroup were the term not anathema to the band’s entire ethos: introspective, understated, minimalist.

… Leveret’s members have stated on multiple occasions that their music is not so much arranged as felt, operating without predetermined parts — a jam session. So profound is the trio’s communion that its players seem telepathic, charting a rippling musical terrain visible only to each other. Leveret’s (2017) effort features exclusively original material and is aptly titled Inventions. In an album overflowing with lovely melodies, ‘Ricer II’ is the most baldly euphoric. (The tune was composed by Cutting, who named it after a potato ricer, presumably one that brought him especially great joy.) The happy-go-lucky number skips along in accelerated triple-time; about halfway through, it even goes so far as to change keys, modulating triumphantly with the gusto of a Broadway finale. ‘Ricer II’ is neither difficult nor complex, just two short parts that circle round and round like a kitten chasing its tail.” The two keys in question are C major and (after 1:04) D major.

Pet Shop Boys | The Theatre

” … for years, they’ve been a very brilliant pop thing,” (BBC). “From the artwork, to their outlook, image, and literally quite good ability with tunes, they created an intelligence and panache that has seen them become one of the most successful duos of all time. Not for nothing did they once describe themselves as ‘The Smiths you can dance to.'”

” … the whole album (1993’s Very) sounds like it’s been double dipped in Tennant/Lowe’s jar of magical pop dust, and though it has lots of dancefloor-ready tunes” (Steve Pafford) ” … there are some weighty lyrics, with the coruscating anti-Conservative overtones of ‘The Theatre’ lambasting societal imbalances while mocking the bourgeoisie attending Pavarotti in the Park.”

“The Theatre” begins with an intro in Eb minor, but shifts at 0:38 to Eb major as the first verse begins. At 1:42, the chorus brings us back to the original key, but at 2:02, we’ve returned to Eb major for the next verse. The pattern continues from there. As mentioned in Pafford’s review, the sections in major key detail the glossy world of theatre-goers:

It’s another world here / the streets are gleaming / I was even dreaming / that they’re paved with gold

With the Pets’ trademark ease, the point of view of the minor-key choruses turn on a dime:

While you pretend not to notice / all the years we’ve been here / we’re the bums you step over / as you leave the theatre

Many thanks to longtime reader/listener and first-time contributor Mandy D. for this wonderful submission — her first!

Scritti Politti | Bam Salute

“… to these ears, Provision (1988) is an almost-perfect follow-up to the classic Cupid & Psyche ’85,” (MovingTheRiver). “There’s arguably more cohesion – (vocalist Green) Gartside and keyboard-playing cohort David Gamson co-wrote and co-produced all tracks (no Arif Mardin this time) and the guest spots from Miles Davis, Roger Troutman and Marcus Miller are expertly placed.

‘Sweetness’ is the word that seems to follows Scritti around. And despite containing two classic ballads (‘Overnite’, ‘Oh Patti’), Provision is unashamedly happy music – all the songs are in major keys … And is there a Grammy award for arrangement? If so, Provision should have won. Gamson and Green do some intricate things here with backing vocals (check out ‘Bam Salute’), rhythm guitars and synth syncopation. No-one else has really explored similar areas, including the greats of ’80s R&B. No wonder Miles was a bit obsessed with Scritti.

Provision missed the top 100 in the States but made the top 10 in the UK (selling over 100,000 copies) and produced one top 20 hit in ‘Oh Patti’. Writer Nick Coleman gave the album a 9/10 rave in the NME, calling its songs ‘sweeties to rot your teeth and detonate your heart.'”

Starting in C major for the verse, “Bam Salute” both tumbles and climbs(!) into its D major chorus at 0:54. At 1:17, the next verse returns us to the original key. The pattern continues from there. Throughout the track, the solid reggae-inspired groove fights for top billing with polished synths effervescing with syncopated kicks.

James Duncan Mackenzie | Fibhig

“With a superb piping pedigree and an equally fine touch on the wooden flute, this Lewis multi-instrumentalist and composer focuses on his island heritage and his own compositions on Fìbhig,” (Living Tradition).

“Fine new tunes, a dozen musicians and singers, and bewitching production by James himself bring the rugged beauty of (Scotland’s) Hebrides to life. Birthdays and weddings, mountains and sea, and an animal menagerie – there’s no shortage of excitement here. For an island album, especially one from Lewis, Fìbhig is surprisingly cheery and upbeat, enjoyable from start to finish … the charming title track (is) named for a tiny hamlet in the back of beyond … “

The first long section of “Fibhig” walks the line between Ab major and its relative F minor. At 2:19, an unprepared key change jumps us up to Eb major, which similarly shares the spotlight with its relative C minor.

Eurythmics | There Must Be An Angel

“Released in June 1985, ‘There Must Be An Angel’ it became Eurythmics’ only UK #1 single — a jubilant, gospel-infused track that remains one of their most celebrated works,” (Ultimate Eurythmics). “Written by Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox, the song is a euphoric blend of soul, pop, and gospel, with Annie’s vocal soaring above a rich arrangement. But what truly elevates the track is the harmonica solo, performed by none other than Stevie Wonder … The single was the second release from the Be Yourself Tonight album, following the punchy ‘Would I Lie to You?’

… The lush orchestration, gospel choir, and Stevie’s harmonica all contribute to a sound that feels transcendent … Annie has described the song as ‘pure joy,’ a deliberate contrast to some of the darker, more introspective material in Eurythmics’ catalogue. Dave Stewart once recalled that when they were working on the track, Annie said, ‘This could be great for Stevie Wonder,’ and the idea of bringing him in added to the song’s sense of wonder and spontaneity.

The 1985 track is built primarily in C major, but from 2:34 – 3:08, the bridge shifts to Bb major, bringing a temporary change in the groove as well. An instrumental verse follows the bridge (including the harmonica feature).

Eric Clapton | Let It Rain

“Eric Clapton was such a reluctant recipient of the solo spotlight in the early 1970s that he hid behind a different band name at least some of the time,” (UDiscoverMusic). “But after Derek and the Dominos’ ‘Layla’ had belatedly become a Top 10 US hit on Atco in August 1972, Polydor hoped to keep the momentum going by returning to Eric’s self-titled debut solo album of two years before.

The result was the release of his soft-rock co-write with Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, ‘Let It Rain,’ as a US single. It was a new entry on the Billboard Hot 100 for September 23, 1972. The track entered at #80 … The song stuttered up to halfway on the Hot 100, most weeks without the “bullet” that signified major sales or airplay increases, and stopped at #48 in the chart for the first week of December. Clapton wouldn’t make the Top 10 as a solo artist again until 1974, but when he did, he went all the way to No.1, with ‘I Shot the Sheriff.’”

After an intro in A mixolydian, 0:15 brings a verse in D mixolydian. 1:17 features a return of the intro material, this time as an interlude. The sections continue to alternate from there.

Oli Howe | Livin’ On a Prayer

“After releasing his debut album Moving Forward in 2020, Brighton UK based pianist/producer Oli Howe has been establishing himself a leading force amongst the dynamic UK jazz scene … In 2022/23, Oli released a six-track EP Hackney Daze … which amassed over 2.8 million streams on Spotify alone in just six months (artist website).

… Oli has shared stages with the likes of Yoland Brown, Omar Lyefook, Tortured Soul, Freak Power, The House & Garage Orchestra, Billy Cobham and Taylor McFerrin while drawing sold out houses with headline shows at top UK venues such as Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Brighton Jazz Festival and most recently Love Supreme Jazz Festival.”

Via his very popular Instagram channel, Howe has made a habit out of cranking out modernized, harmonically up-cycled cover versions of pop favorites. Just like Bon Jovi’s 1986 original, “Livin’ on a Prayer” starts in E minor (later flipping over to its relative G major). But after the bridge, there’s a shift up to Bb major, enhanced by a hiccup in the otherwise stable meter.

NOTE: Howe’s Instagram channel won’t allow direct embeds, so please click through below!

Level 42 | Take a Look

“Following the success of 1987’s Running In the Family, Level 42’s stock as the premier UK based pop/funk crossover act was assured, but the original fusion of the two genres had been watered down with each individual collection until by 1988 the band were a highly polished pop group with only the merest hint of their funk past,” (The Hackskeptic).

Staring At the Sun is by far Level 42’s most uneven performance. There is a definite lack of bite in the songs, none of Mark King’s superior bass prowess, with listless arrangements and a tired, formulaic production effort … (but) the uptempo funk/rock ‘Heaven In My Hands,’ which became a successful single, harks back to the “Hot Water” era Level 42 … the sweetly heartfelt ballad “Take A Look” can’t disguise the rest of the album’s inherent problems.”

“Take a Look” starts in F# major, yielding to G# major during a chorus mid-phrase at 2:18.

The Honeydrippers | Sea of Love

Somewhere between his tenure as the tenor banshee frontman of Led Zeppelin and his recent role as rock’s elder statesman in his collaborations with Alison Krauss, Robert Plant assembled The Honeydrippers, which recorded just one EP. While the group formed in 1981, it did not have a fixed membership. Members on the 1984 EP included guitarists Jimmy Page (Plant’s Zep bandmate), Jeff Beck, Nile Rodgers, keyboardist Paul Shaffer (yes, that Paul Shaffer), and drummer Dave Weckl.

“Sea of Love” was written by and originally recorded by Phil Phillips. Released on a small Louisiana label at first, and later on Mercury, the single was a considerable success, reaching #2 on the Billboard pop chart and #1 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1959. The spartan arrangement features a doo-wop chorus with dubious pitch, piano, and brushed drums.

The Honeydrippers’ version uses a more complex soundstage, with a string section providing an elaborate intro and accents throughout, and subtly-present female background singers. The groove drops out for an upward half-step modulation (1:40) introduces a tasteful guitar solo (Page, maybe?).