Björk – An Unmistakable Voice Coupled with Individuality

There have been so many great musicians that have influenced me while finding my own unique style and voice, both in person and through their music, that it is difficult to pinpoint just a few. One artist, however, has stuck out from the beginning for her creativity, amazing voice, sounds and courage to go where no other artist has gone before. And for a female musician, that has meant not being scared of being labeled as strange, eccentric and even ugly.

I‘m talking about Björk. Her talent has left a deep impact on me and many other female singers. In fact, with her nonconformist and non-feminine style, she has done much to liberate female singers from the cute and perfect image. But first things first. Did you know that Björk, before her commercial success with the Sugarcubes, already was a member of four bands and recorded her first album when she was only 11? At 14, she founded her first group, an all-girl band called Spit and Snot (it was punk, so what other name would you expect?).

Always the versatile artist, at 15, she was a member of the jazz fusion group Exodus. At 16, she formed another band called Jam-80, which released their first album two years later. The band KUKL (or “Sorcery”) followed soon after, playing something they called Gothic rock. It was with KUKL that Björk debuted her trademark singing style, punctuated by shrieks and other sounds and noises. Though the band released two albums in 1984 and 1986, they disbanded soon after the second one.

Image: Masao Nakagami

Soon after, some band members and other artists created a new band, also called KUKL but later changed the name to The Sugarcubes. Their first single, “Ammæli” or “Birthday” became a surprise hit in the UK and from then on, the band went on to become a big success. Almost immediately, they signed up with the new record label One Little Indian and soon had a cult following in the US and UK and became one of the most successful Icelandic rock bands of all times.

When the Sugarcubes split up in 1992, Bjoerk moved to London to pursue her solo career. Her first solo album (actually her second, counting the one when she was only 11) was called Debut and became an overnight success, especially her first international solo hit “Human Behavior”. Songs like “Venus As a Boy” and “Violently Happy” left few untouched – some rejecting them, some wholeheartedly embracing them. I remember that “she listens to Bjoerk” became something like a statement when being introduced to someone, as if that set you apart.

Image: Cristiano del Riccio

From then on, it went only up for Bjoerk, never a stranger to controversy, but also winner of many prizes and awards: She has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award. Her performance as a composer and actor in the 2002 movie Dancer in the Dark, Björk received the Best Actress Award at Cannes. One of her latest projects has been “The Comet Song” recorded for the children’s movie The Moomins and the Comet Chase. (Did you know that Bjoerk has two children? 24-year old Sindri and 9-year-old Ísadóra?) Here’s the video:

From punk, jazz, avant-garde to pop, ambient, electronic, classical, folk and alternative rock, Bjork has done it all and her amazing soprano voice with incredible range allows her to pursue all those different musical directions. A true inspiration!

Related post: The great tribute of Michael Jackson, Annie Lennox, The great white Soul singer, iMix with Bjork and other great singers, Discover Great New Age Singers, Peter Gabriel – The man, the mission.

Annie Lennox, the Greatest White Soul Singer

Listening to an old Eurythmics album of mine recently brought back a lot of treasured memories of the 80’s. Who could forget Annie Lennox’s deep and soothing voice in hit songs like “Here Comes the Rain Again”, “The Miracle of Love” and “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”?

Photo: Helge Øverås

Few are aware that Eurythmics was Annie Lennox’s second band, admittedly way more successful than The Tourists, her first collaboration with Dave Stewart, founded in 1977. Bang at the start of the 80’s, the duo formed Eurythmics, a band prominently featuring the synthesizer alongside Lennox’s distinctive voice. Read more

Marcomé’s Ambient and Dance Music iMix

I feel alive when I dance!  What better way to get your body moving than to put on some exciting, upbeat music?  When its time to clean house or get outside for some exercise, I love listening to the selections on my ambient and dance music iMix.

Its easy to be your own record producer at iTunes!  Simply select your favorite artists or the songs you love to hear time and again, then pull them together for your personal iMix.  I’ve created seven iMixes – so far – that range from new age music to ambient, chill and dance tunes.

In this Ambient and Dance Music iMix, you’ll find 23 songs from Madonna to Fat Boy Slim!  If you’ve ever wondered what’s playing in a singer songwriter’s iPod… take a peek here.  If you love it, you can download a copy for yourself!

Its my favorite selection of electronic, dance and ambient musics.

Go move! Marcomé ♥

Listen to Marcomé’s Ambient and Dance Music iMix

If you liked this post, be sure to see Marcomé’s New Age Music iMix and New Age Music Classics: iMix 2.

New Age Music Classics: iMix 2

Find some musical inspiration in Marcomé’s New Age Music iMixes.

Music is meant to uplift and to accompany us! I love this feature on iTunes that allows you to create a mix of your favorite songs from artists of your choice.  In my New Age Music Classics: iMix 2, I selected 15 tracks, including songs by Jean Michel Jarre, Vangelis and Brian Eno, all of whom influenced me as an artist.

Listen to “Echoes” by Vangelis, “Deep Blue Day,” by Brian Eno, and Jean Michel Jarre’s “Oxygene: Pt.4″  There are treasures from other artists, as well.  Check them out!

These singer songwriters inspired me to pursue and explore the keyboard’s virtual environment.  I would even say that they triggered my desire to do music!  Hope you’ll rediscover something in there.

Did you know you are free to purchase any of the selected songs, or buy the entire iTunes mix?  Also, don’t forget to make your vote count!  Rate my selections, and check out the rest of my iMixes.

Musically yours, Marcomé ♥

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to see Marcomé’s New Age Music iMix and Enjoy the Best New Age Music.

Other iMixes you might enjoy: New Age Music Classics , Smooth music to relax , Ambient and Dance music , Great Female Artists, Smooth Techno Music to Chill out.

The Sound of Silence

Does silence have a sound?  Do we ever stop just to be still and listen?

Mother Nature has a lovely voice.  She whispers during early dawning hours.  Softly sings through forest breezes.  She warbles over river rocks.  You can practically hear her songs through these nature photographs….

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