Pooka

1. Pooka

2. Joker

3. Mars Bar (Call for Gary!)

4. Tica

5. Kahlua Blues

6. News on the March

7. Lesson in Violin

8. Pooka Soundtrack

Pooka,Lars Horntveth,Smalltown Supersound,Jazz,Pop

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: Found it in a freebee bin Songs of summertime Beautiful Discordant melodies A rare and wonderful Gem

Pooka Pooka Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Long Shot Novena Robin Holcomb Spine Mud The Disconnection ASIN: B000005ISW Release Date: 1994-03-22

Tracks:

1. City Sick
2. Bluebell
3. The Car
4. Graham Robert Wood
5. Breeze
6. Nothing In Particular
7. Dream
8. Boomerang
9. Demon
10. Rolling Stone
11. Between My Knees
12. Sleepwalking

Customer Reviews:

Found it in a freebee bin.......2005-05-28

I found this album in a freebee bin outside my old college's radio station and thank god! It's one of my favorites... okay, I'll fess up, my ex-boyfriend found it, so he still has the original copy and I have my dubed-to-tape copy, which has somehow survivied hundreds...possibly thousands...of listenings. I just bought it on CD through amazon, though, and I can't wait to get it! "City Sick" and "The Car" are easily my favorites, but I love all the songs! I've never heard two women (or any duo) be able to so simply fine-tune their harmonies in such an intricate way. It's as if their voices were made to complement each other. The guitar on "Graham Robert Wood" is so amazing I get a fuzzy feeling everytime I hear it. Definitely worth the trouble of getting this album!!

Songs of summertime.......2005-02-15

I bought the City Sick EP when it was newly released on a whim in a little record shop in Scarborough, England, and was quietly charmed by this creative duo. Why it took me so long to pick up the debut album I am not sure (I bought it in early 1995), but even more perplexing to me is why I passed by the chance to buy the Graham Robert Wood EP from the same shop a couple of weeks later for the very reasonable price of 50 pence. I've never seen it since, save online, where I view it longingly like a window-shopper.

This album, meanwhile, is a beauty, and it contains three of my favourite songs of all time - Dream, Graham Robert Wood, Boomerang. It is a curious, eldritch concoction of delicate shades of sweetness, intricate spells of magic, playful mischief, and contorting, off-kilter or earthbound darkness. The ingredients add up to something resembling, to my thinking, the spirit found in folktales and nursery rhymes, the play on darkness and light, brooding menace and impossibly pure goodness. It makes for intriguing and enchanting company.

The artwork on the accompanying booklet is a fine, descriptive portrait of the duo and their music, and enhances the whole. In contrast, the artwork on their follow-up album, "Spinning" feels at odds with their sound.

It seems to me a great shame that Pooka never received the recognition they deserved, and spent their time together on the edge of obscurity yet respected by music critics. There are four albums in existence, and a handful of ep's and bits and pieces, but the chances of finding any of them under normal circumstances, aside from this album and (it seems) Shift are lamentably slight. Somebody should gather up all the odds and ends and put out a retrospective compilation from this truly talented duo.

Beautiful.......2001-01-05

Some of the most magic and mystical vocals I've ever heard. These girls are beautiful.

Where can I get their other album? I need a fix now.

Discordant melodies.......2000-03-21

A wonderful album which is not well known but should be listened to by anybody with an interest in strange but amazing female vocals. Most of the songs are acoustic but different with loads of strange discordant harmonies which work (check out the car). Sharon & Natasha - where is the follow up !

A rare and wonderful Gem.......1999-03-01

This album is wonderful. Emotional, insightful and musically mature. This album was a random desperation choice found in the returned CD section. It has found a new home in my top 5 all time favorite recordings.

Average customer rating: Jaga Jazzist's musician, produces compelling Solo Album.....

Pooka Lars Horntveth Manufacturer: Smalltown Supersound ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B00025OJ9G Release Date: 2004-08-31

Tracks:

1. Pooka
2. Joker
3. Mars Bar (Call for Gary!)
4. Tica
5. Kahlua Blues
6. News on the March
7. Lesson in Violin
8. Pooka Soundtrack

Customer Reviews:

Jaga Jazzist's musician, produces compelling Solo Album............2005-06-02

Having already made up one half of the celebrated Scandinavian experimental Jazz outfit "Jaga Jazzist", most people would surely been surprised by Lars decision to release a solo album. But it seems that Lars had a great many ideas, that wouldn't have fitted neatly within the energetic and elaborate progressive-Jazz that earmarked that group. And so, has released an album that although in theory contains little of the electronic exploration and beats, of Jaga, is in fact a far more subtle, reflective and stylish album, one that leans heavily towards soundtrack and classical-electronic music. Although running at a mere 8 tracks over 46 minutes, it completely justifies it's existence by being a more that worthy alternative to the fractured progressive sounds of Jaga Jazzist, and opens listeners ears to a gorgeously classical-orientated sound.

"Pooka" for all intents and purposes sounds more like something from the IDM / Post-rock of "Four Tet" & "Fridge", with looped, sliced and complex rhythms making up the main ideas behind this lovely track. With a more Heavy focus on acoustic bass and scattered drums, string basses glide in & out, and precision beats all serve to remind what made "Four Tet's" style of warm, melodic production so inviting here.

"The Joker" being one of the key singles here (mostly because it would make up most of the EP, that came before this LP), is the track that most people will liken to the work of Jaga Jazzist, Melodic with a nervy sense of drama, and the strum of jangly guitars, that work alongside the canopy of enigmatic saxophone and clicky programmed beats. Although less experimental, and less abrasive, it neatly sits in amongst the more progressive-Jazz sound, pioneered by that band.

"Mars Bar (Call for Gary!)", is a lush classically-orientated sound, steeped in atmospheric orchestrated music, with delicate Sax looming ominously large, sparse bass, & brooding Violin, all delivered with such a immaculately produced and performed sheen, that its a wonder that Lars didn't go solo sooner, such is the competence of his compostions contained here.

"Tics" opens with lovely whirling electronic sounds, over which a beautiful Sax arrangement plays uninterrupted, before seamlessly sliding into skittering shuffling downtemp breakbeats, clarinet & string arrangements underpin this particularly lush composition and its Lars, keen ear for a orchestrated hook that proves completely irresistible here, and the emphasis on the whole album being completely instrumental means that there are no astonishing vocals performances to rescue mediocre production, everything here, has to be able to stand up on its own rights, and with his unique way of weaving intricate sounds together, and infusing instruments with beats or classical-sensibilities, its a remarkable statement (and probably my favourite track).

"Kahlua Blues" shifts the style somewhat, into an almost ambient-era 'Aphex Twin', with clickly bass & and droning keyboard sound, and layered barely audible background vocal samples mixed with long passages of saxophone, this is the most electronic sounding track on the album with a unsettling electronic soundscape and rather subdued intricately balanced sounds. And yet again, shows that Lars isn't merely content to regurgitate sounds across the album, but instead have a broad idea, and explore the many opportunities offered to him.

"News on The March" is arguably the most traditionally orchestrated sounding track on here, and the sublimely delicate almost 'Swan Lake' gentlee orchestrated music, aptly confirms the point. with a organic bass gently throbbing in the background, its underpins the tracks perfectly, showing concessions to both old and new music, with Classical dance, rubbing shoulders with contemporary electronic music, with the frequent introductions of strong violin, marking changes in tempo.

"1. Lesson in Violin" takes a more experimental approach....with intimate soft orchestration shimmering wonderfully, add thrilling keyboards and a soft violin, before become overtaken by pounding insistent rock guitars, in an almost symphonic way...drum crashes begin to take hold. Those that have heard the latest 'Jaga Jazzist' album, will know what to expect, as this is most obviously a direction that would later be explored by the band. The only criticism is that this is a very short track, almost acting as a transition track.

"Pooka Soundtrack" is a pocket symphony of sorts, with dramatic, anxious and theatrical arrangements, one might associate with an 'Ennio Morricone' soundtrack (in this instance, think legendary 'Godfather' soundtrack). And a Gorgeous gentle bed of strings to cushion fragile violins, which combine perfectly to create moments of intense drama and incredible beauty, such is the proficiency of his work here, that if Lars decided to stop creating albums, a promising career in films beckons.

For those of you, that are familiar with his 'Jaga Jazzist' work, this is highly recommended, sure...it contains none of the widely varied progressive Jazz work-outs that Jaga are known for, but if you truly enjoyed their other work, this far more accessible classical-orchestration, that will impress those with a wide diversity in music. And those that didn't appreciate the attributes of Jaga Jazzist are still strongly recommended to pick this up, as its more melodic, accessible, and cinematic in its approach, that its brilliantly devised enough to pick up a whole new set of fans. Theres a level of playfulness and serious craftmanship here to continuously impress all but the most jaded listener. Almost certainly not as high profile a release as their Jaga Jazzist work, but no less worthy for it....essential

Average customer rating:

Pooka Lars Horntveth Manufacturer: Smalltown Supersound ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B0002ADUQO Release Date: 2004-08-31

Tracks:

1. Pooka
2. Joker
3. Mars Bar (Call for Gary!)
4. Tica
5. Kahlua Blues
6. News on the March
7. Lesson in Violin
8. Pooka Soundtrack

Average customer rating: Pooka Makes a "Shift" to a Larger World

Shift Pooka Manufacturer: Rough ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music ASIN: B000059TN1 Release Date: 2001-07-27

Tracks:

1. What You Need
2. One In A Million
3. Yellow Fever
4. Joy
5. Constant
6. Music Is The Light
7. Ovum
8. Face
9. Empty
10. Exit

Customer Reviews:

Pooka Makes a "Shift" to a Larger World.......2002-06-06

I like this CD. The music is polished and the lyrics well-crafted. The harmonies are sophisticated and the music combines the energy of techno-pop with an edgy, experimental feel. It is everything one would expect from a sophomore effort. And -- other than the two lead vocalists -- it has absolutely nothing in common with their first CD.

That being said, I have to wax sentimental here. I loved Pooka's debut CD. I loved the whimsy of Graham Robert Wood, Breeze and The Car. I loved the angst filled ballads to mother (Dream) and teacher (Nothing in Particular), wrestling with demons (Demon) and dark water spirits (Sleepwalking), the explorations of love and sex in City Sick, Boomerang, Rolling Stone and Between My Knees. I loved it for everything it was not. It was not copycat material. It was fresh, raw, young talent that was unafraid of being itself, brave enough to exist outside the categories of "folk" and "pop" and "rock." I eagerly awaited more.

Shift is an appropriate title. I did not expect this shift from acoustic to techno. I don't think you can even hear a guitar on this CD, for it is dominated by electronic keyboard and drum tracks. I get the feeling that these two girls went into a studio and went into a creative frenzy trying everything out, a grand experiment a la Bjork. Immediately, I realized they were no longer the guitar-toting teens from the UK. They were young women now, inhabitants of a much larger world. There are no fairy tales here. Their lyrics are almost exclusively preoccupied with love and sex and the dark side of life. Granted, they do so with exquisite lyrics, but after all is said and sung, I am left waiting for something more.

The strongest song on this CD is One in a Million. It is the only one with which I find myself singing along. The other songs are interesting, but not as memorable.

Like I said, I like this CD. I listen to it occasionally. But -- like the parent whose kids are grown and gone, who can't quite put the baby pictures away -- I find myself reaching for the debut CD far more often.

Average customer rating:

Pooka Whisky Trail Manufacturer: Forrest Hill Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B000EDWLLE Release Date: 2006-03-14

Tracks:

1. Eiri Na Greine
2. Leprechaun
3. Da Luan Da Mort
4. Pooka
5. Fairy Love Song/Way Haul Away
6. Witch's Curses
7. Agata
8. Mermaid's Croon
9. Never Wed An Auld Man
10. Green Hills
11. Fairy Nurse

Album Description

"Whisky Trail is more a serendipitous event than a band: a group of six Italian musicians who fell in love with Irish music and lore some 25 years ago and have been performing and recording it ever since." -SING OUT

A new version of Whisky Trail's Pooka, available 30 years after its original release! The musical program evokes fairy heroines and the magic of ritual dance with reels, jigs and airs, using traditional tunes as a base for original lyrics.

Average customer rating: One of My Favorite CDs The true bardic tradition Glint at the Kindling - a timeless masterpiece Chillingly good.

Glint At The Kindling/Selected Writings [2 on 1] Manufacturer: TMC ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B000003M36 Release Date: 1994-11-22

Tracks:

1. The Road The Gypsies Go
2. Me & The Mad Girl
3. Lough Foyle
4. The Woodcutter's Song
5. By Weary Well
6. Boyhood Of Henry Morgan The Pooka
7. Five Denials On Merlin's Grave
8. The Poacher's Song
9. Song Of Mabon
10. The Fair
11. The Fair Dance
12. Edinburgh
13. Lammas

Customer Reviews:

One of My Favorite CDs.......2005-06-18

Many years ago, I owned "A Glint at the Kindling" on LP, and was fortunate enough to buy one of what turned out to be a limited edition of 3,500 CDs on a business trip to London about a decade ago. "Kindling," a concept album dealing with Williamson's boyhood, was one of my favorite LPs of the 1970s, and at first, I thought of the "Selected Writings" as an annoyance tacked on to the end. Then I listened to it. In my opinion, an artist owes the world exactly nothing, but Robin, if you're reading this, please bring out another edition. "Edinburgh" alone is worth the price of admission -- a 19-minute rant that is one of the most amazing things I've ever heard. I have a lot of CDs, but if I had to chose a dozen "desert island disks" this would definitely be one of them.

The true bardic tradition.......2002-11-28

Robin Williamson isn't a folksinger - he's a bard. And the modern bardic tradition gets no better than this album. Five Denials on Merlin's Grave is a wake for a Britain that never really was, but should have been. My favorite track is Me and the Mad Girl, one of the saddest and most touching songs I have ever heard. The line "You took me for an enemy, and I took you for a friend" describes the loneliness of being different in such a pure way...

Apparently this album is out of print again. If you find a copy, grab it!

Glint at the Kindling - a timeless masterpiece.......1998-08-21

When I first encountered "Glint at the kindling" I was only familiar with Robin's work in the Incredible String Band. This was different stuff - but it soon captured me as much as the best the ISB produced - it even neared the dizzying heights of "The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter" ! Later I bought more Williamson records, but this one, along with "Songs of love & parting" and his recent "Mirrorman's Sequences" is the most captivating - amazingly well-crafted and filled with all one could wish for, both textual and musical. Earlier records like "American Stonehenge" sound like he was trying to find a new voice, but on "Glint" he definitely found one - and a strong one it is.

On cd, the original "Glint" is teamed up with some new unreleased songs, which are all great.

On the original lp, Robin plays with the Merry Band - of which he has said he's never worked with better musicians - and it shows ! The songs I love best are "The road the gypsies go", "The woodcutter's song" with its great instrumental coda, "By weary well" and of course the epic "Five denials on Merlin's grave".

Of the added songs especially "Song of Mabon" and "The Fair" stand out, as well as the intriguing "The Fair Dance", which evokes the weird atmosphere of his "Dancing of the Lord of Weir" which graces his "Myrrh" album. "Lammas" has been re-recorded on "Ten of Songs", and sounds better there. "Edinburgh", though a great effort, is not completely satisfying.

I was very happy with the release of the album on cd - and also very pleased with the additions, although, in some sense, these have destroyed the intimacy and the sense of completeness of the original. But I can still play the lp, can't I ?

Chillingly good........1998-06-16

This CD may be the best example of a Bardic performance anywhere. It's a rich mixture of songs and spoken pieces, traditional tunes and original ones, following both timeless mythic themes and intensely personal ones. I love it.

The two showpieces of this album have to be "Five Denials on Merlin's Grave" and "Edinburgh", each of which is over ten minutes long. They're both spoken pieces; long, lovingly-crafted poems evoking wonderfully intense moods. That's about the extent of the similarity, however. "Five Denials" traces the history of the British Isles, comparing the dry historical texts with the meaty stuff of myth and poetry, resounding always with the refrain "I will not forget!" "Edinburgh" plays with layered voices and sound effects to paint a picture of a city haunted by the ghosts of its past, and filled with a population shaped by the haunting.

Other pieces on the album should not be ignored, however. "Mabon's Song" sends chills down my spine every time I hear it, "Lough Foyle" is fun and funny, and "Hard Wood Logs" takes and old rhyme that my Grandfather hung in his woodshed and sets it to music.

All in all, this album illustrates a flexibility and artistry that makes Mr. Williamson, in my humble opinion, one of the last True Bards.

Buy it. Listen to it. Enjoy it.

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