Damon Albarn — Spoons
Album: Mali MusicAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 1715
Length: 5:13
Plays (last 30 days): 3
share
tweet
(Instrumental)
Comments (109)add comment
Thought I heard Gorillaz. Seems I was 1/7 right.
tm wrote:
Moi aussi
I love this…
Moi aussi
Probably best appreciated in concert, with sofas and pot provided.
"OK, listen up, we don't have the lyrics finished yet, so let's just do a run-through using "yeah, yeah, yeah" or whatever. OK, Take one . . ."
Yeah, yeah, yeah....No, no, no
Belongs in the soundtrack for "Lost in Translation"
Lexapro_Headrush wrote:
Agreed, this is the musical version of being hammered. Still it's an interesting tune, I like it.
this is my mind after 1 Jameson's too many
Agreed, this is the musical version of being hammered. Still it's an interesting tune, I like it.
3-2 = 1
Nice desk music.
After enduring 7+ minutes of Incubus's Aqueous Transmissions, it's a bit cruel to follow it with 5+ minutes of this droning.
Great concert on R.F. 2018 until
"Del the Funky Homosapien"
fell off the stage. But he made it despite the fall.
"Del the Funky Homosapien"
fell off the stage. But he made it despite the fall.
I love this…
tonysilva wrote:
You're at the wrong station, pal.
I listen to Radio Paradise to get away from this. Conceptually, sure. Aurally, ouch.
You're at the wrong station, pal.
DaveInVA wrote:
Reminds me a bit of the calliope from The Stranglers-Golden Brown track
I like it also kinda creepy carnival sounding.., 
Reminds me a bit of the calliope from The Stranglers-Golden Brown track
I listen to Radio Paradise to get away from this. Conceptually, sure. Aurally, ouch.
Dreamy....and catchy lyrics......I like it!
Jelani wrote:
needs more Harsicord!
til you mentioned it, I hadn't noticed but yeah. It's like a missing layer to Golden Brown was found in the mixing studio and Damon used it for some fill.
ubuntourist wrote:
Catchy lyrics. 
Was there a clean needle with that spoon?
Shades of "Golden Brown" ?Was there a clean needle with that spoon?
needs more Harsicord!
til you mentioned it, I hadn't noticed but yeah. It's like a missing layer to Golden Brown was found in the mixing studio and Damon used it for some fill.
This is very nice, but somebody ought to let the bass section out of the bathroom
ubuntourist wrote:
Catchy lyrics.
Was there a clean needle with that spoon?
Shades of "Golden Brown" ?Was there a clean needle with that spoon?
feelin this
ubuntourist wrote:
I love this song, but I can't fault your criticism one bit!
Catchy lyrics.
Was there a clean needle with that spoon?
Was there a clean needle with that spoon?
I love this song, but I can't fault your criticism one bit!
E.T., drone home
Catchy lyrics.
Was there a clean needle with that spoon?
Was there a clean needle with that spoon?
I'm hearing Japan "Night Porter", but much worse.
In the words of Billy Bob Thornton "Well now they can't all be winners, can they kid?"
Fascinating
'Has anything interesting happened to you in connection with spoons? '
Because for sure there's feck-all interesting in this 'ya ya ya' dirge, Damon, mate.
Because for sure there's feck-all interesting in this 'ya ya ya' dirge, Damon, mate.
SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
Well. . . I like this review.
Mali Music is based on the recordings made by Damon Albarn on an Oxfam-organised trip to Mali a couple of years ago. Rather than take the usual rushed celebrity approach, the Blur and Gorillaz man stayed for a few weeks and with his melodica in hand, played wherever he could (clubs gigs, village jams, on riverboats and in musicians' compounds) with anyone who would let him join in: Toumani Diabate, Lobi Traore and Kasse Mady to name but a few. The tapes were taken back to his West London studio, things were mixed and added and then it was back to Mali for further additions from the excellent Afel Bocoum. Perhaps surprisingly, this doesn't result in a self-indulgent mess. Albarn is clearly motivated by a love of Malian music but he's not afraid to mess with it when he feels the need. So that while some tracks (the self explanatory 4am At Toumani's for example) are pretty much unmucked around with, others feature twangy guitars, muted synth lines or the deep dubby bass of Junior Dan. Apparently the aim was to create a musical travelogue of Mali, but it's one filtered through a particular laid-back West London sensibility. Albarn mainly contents himself with orchestrating the whole thing and playing simple melodica melodies, with just the occasional understated vocal thrown in. The decision to involve Bocoum is a definite plus and all in all, Mali Music is pulled off with just the right mix of respect and inventiveness. —Jamie Renton
As for the track. I believe it is about a . . . spoon
Oxfam organised it. Do you know if they funded the jolly or received all the proceeds from it? I would be happy to think they benefited.
Well. . . I like this review.
Mali Music is based on the recordings made by Damon Albarn on an Oxfam-organised trip to Mali a couple of years ago. Rather than take the usual rushed celebrity approach, the Blur and Gorillaz man stayed for a few weeks and with his melodica in hand, played wherever he could (clubs gigs, village jams, on riverboats and in musicians' compounds) with anyone who would let him join in: Toumani Diabate, Lobi Traore and Kasse Mady to name but a few. The tapes were taken back to his West London studio, things were mixed and added and then it was back to Mali for further additions from the excellent Afel Bocoum. Perhaps surprisingly, this doesn't result in a self-indulgent mess. Albarn is clearly motivated by a love of Malian music but he's not afraid to mess with it when he feels the need. So that while some tracks (the self explanatory 4am At Toumani's for example) are pretty much unmucked around with, others feature twangy guitars, muted synth lines or the deep dubby bass of Junior Dan. Apparently the aim was to create a musical travelogue of Mali, but it's one filtered through a particular laid-back West London sensibility. Albarn mainly contents himself with orchestrating the whole thing and playing simple melodica melodies, with just the occasional understated vocal thrown in. The decision to involve Bocoum is a definite plus and all in all, Mali Music is pulled off with just the right mix of respect and inventiveness. —Jamie Renton
As for the track. I believe it is about a . . . spoon
Oxfam organised it. Do you know if they funded the jolly or received all the proceeds from it? I would be happy to think they benefited.
Everyone in my trailer park thinks this track is dreamy.
I'll bet it sounds even better if you live in one of them states where weed is legal.
I'll bet it sounds even better if you live in one of them states where weed is legal.
YEAH YEAH YEAH!
SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
Well. . . I like this review.
Mali Music is based on the recordings made by Damon Albarn on an Oxfam-organised trip to Mali a couple of years ago. Rather than take the usual rushed celebrity approach, the Blur and Gorillaz man stayed for a few weeks and with his melodica in hand, played wherever he could (clubs gigs, village jams, on riverboats and in musicians' compounds) with anyone who would let him join in: Toumani Diabate, Lobi Traore and Kasse Mady to name but a few. The tapes were taken back to his West London studio, things were mixed and added and then it was back to Mali for further additions from the excellent Afel Bocoum. Perhaps surprisingly, this doesn't result in a self-indulgent mess. Albarn is clearly motivated by a love of Malian music but he's not afraid to mess with it when he feels the need. So that while some tracks (the self explanatory 4am At Toumani's for example) are pretty much unmucked around with, others feature twangy guitars, muted synth lines or the deep dubby bass of Junior Dan. Apparently the aim was to create a musical travelogue of Mali, but it's one filtered through a particular laid-back West London sensibility. Albarn mainly contents himself with orchestrating the whole thing and playing simple melodica melodies, with just the occasional understated vocal thrown in. The decision to involve Bocoum is a definite plus and all in all, Mali Music is pulled off with just the right mix of respect and inventiveness. —Jamie Renton
As for the track. I believe it is about a . . . spoon
Thank you for this Squid! I was almost getting sleepy and not sure where to place consideration for this : )
Well. . . I like this review.
Mali Music is based on the recordings made by Damon Albarn on an Oxfam-organised trip to Mali a couple of years ago. Rather than take the usual rushed celebrity approach, the Blur and Gorillaz man stayed for a few weeks and with his melodica in hand, played wherever he could (clubs gigs, village jams, on riverboats and in musicians' compounds) with anyone who would let him join in: Toumani Diabate, Lobi Traore and Kasse Mady to name but a few. The tapes were taken back to his West London studio, things were mixed and added and then it was back to Mali for further additions from the excellent Afel Bocoum. Perhaps surprisingly, this doesn't result in a self-indulgent mess. Albarn is clearly motivated by a love of Malian music but he's not afraid to mess with it when he feels the need. So that while some tracks (the self explanatory 4am At Toumani's for example) are pretty much unmucked around with, others feature twangy guitars, muted synth lines or the deep dubby bass of Junior Dan. Apparently the aim was to create a musical travelogue of Mali, but it's one filtered through a particular laid-back West London sensibility. Albarn mainly contents himself with orchestrating the whole thing and playing simple melodica melodies, with just the occasional understated vocal thrown in. The decision to involve Bocoum is a definite plus and all in all, Mali Music is pulled off with just the right mix of respect and inventiveness. —Jamie Renton
As for the track. I believe it is about a . . . spoon
Thank you for this Squid! I was almost getting sleepy and not sure where to place consideration for this : )
Proclivities wrote:
...about five minutes.
about five minutes too long, you mean.
...about five minutes.
about five minutes too long, you mean.
twcarlin wrote:
Yep, my first thought too.
I concur.
Yep, my first thought too.
I concur.
blotto wrote:
...about five minutes.
what is this song about?
...about five minutes.
1wolfy wrote:
Perfect description! I kinda like this...but must agree with what you said.
suddenly it sounds like the cotton on the cassette tape fell off and lost contact with the recording head ! ..and then the tape twisted and played the other side backwards..
Perfect description! I kinda like this...but must agree with what you said.
suddenly it sounds like the cotton on the cassette tape fell off and lost contact with the play head ! ..and then the tape twisted and played the other side backwards..
Hmm. I will have to reconsider the subject of "spoons." I suppose they really are quite unique. Very different from, say, forks. And a world apart from, let us say for example, pebbles.
Hey, pass that over to me, will you?
Hey, pass that over to me, will you?
To quote the RP rating system: S U C K O B A R F O
This gets tedious fast.
blotto wrote:
Well. . . I like this review.
Mali Music is based on the recordings made by Damon Albarn on an Oxfam-organised trip to Mali a couple of years ago. Rather than take the usual rushed celebrity approach, the Blur and Gorillaz man stayed for a few weeks and with his melodica in hand, played wherever he could (clubs gigs, village jams, on riverboats and in musicians' compounds) with anyone who would let him join in: Toumani Diabate, Lobi Traore and Kasse Mady to name but a few. The tapes were taken back to his West London studio, things were mixed and added and then it was back to Mali for further additions from the excellent Afel Bocoum. Perhaps surprisingly, this doesn't result in a self-indulgent mess. Albarn is clearly motivated by a love of Malian music but he's not afraid to mess with it when he feels the need. So that while some tracks (the self explanatory 4am At Toumani's for example) are pretty much unmucked around with, others feature twangy guitars, muted synth lines or the deep dubby bass of Junior Dan. Apparently the aim was to create a musical travelogue of Mali, but it's one filtered through a particular laid-back West London sensibility. Albarn mainly contents himself with orchestrating the whole thing and playing simple melodica melodies, with just the occasional understated vocal thrown in. The decision to involve Bocoum is a definite plus and all in all, Mali Music is pulled off with just the right mix of respect and inventiveness. —Jamie Renton
As for the track. I believe it is about a . . . spoon
what is this song about?
Well. . . I like this review.
Mali Music is based on the recordings made by Damon Albarn on an Oxfam-organised trip to Mali a couple of years ago. Rather than take the usual rushed celebrity approach, the Blur and Gorillaz man stayed for a few weeks and with his melodica in hand, played wherever he could (clubs gigs, village jams, on riverboats and in musicians' compounds) with anyone who would let him join in: Toumani Diabate, Lobi Traore and Kasse Mady to name but a few. The tapes were taken back to his West London studio, things were mixed and added and then it was back to Mali for further additions from the excellent Afel Bocoum. Perhaps surprisingly, this doesn't result in a self-indulgent mess. Albarn is clearly motivated by a love of Malian music but he's not afraid to mess with it when he feels the need. So that while some tracks (the self explanatory 4am At Toumani's for example) are pretty much unmucked around with, others feature twangy guitars, muted synth lines or the deep dubby bass of Junior Dan. Apparently the aim was to create a musical travelogue of Mali, but it's one filtered through a particular laid-back West London sensibility. Albarn mainly contents himself with orchestrating the whole thing and playing simple melodica melodies, with just the occasional understated vocal thrown in. The decision to involve Bocoum is a definite plus and all in all, Mali Music is pulled off with just the right mix of respect and inventiveness. —Jamie Renton
As for the track. I believe it is about a . . . spoon
what is this song about?
I like it also kinda creepy carnival sounding..,
I like this one, and I don't think I'm in the minority (but I don't even mind, by the way) .
twcarlin wrote:
I'm right there with you. Nice to have variety.
I must be in the minority- I love this- of course I've always been a sucker for mood music- 
I'm right there with you. Nice to have variety.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Yep, my first thought too.
This makes me want to hear the Stranglers. Golden Brown maybe? Hmm. Looks like one I'll have to upload.Edited By ScottFromWyoming at 5:32 pm on 1/16/2003
Yep, my first thought too.
Lexapro_Headrush wrote:
this is my mind after 1 Jameson's too many
One too many is a value that can, unfortunately, only be quantified in hindsight.I happen to like this though I thought I wouldn't at first...
this is my mind after 1 Jameson's too many
That intro really caught my attention
Michael Nyman always suxxx...so what do you expect? Tranquilizer music!
I must be in the minority- I love this- of course I've always been a sucker for mood music- :meditate.gif:
Usually when people accuse a song of being "boring", I completely disagree.
But this time I have to say that this song really _was_ utterly boring and it felt like it was going nowhere. Maybe it needs another listen..
trekhead wrote:
...........ifishwithspoonsalotgoodfortoothycrittersinshallowweedybaysinearlyspring.......
.......andthecritterseatcornchipsandrinkmilkshakes
andwhatkindofmushroomsdidyousaythosewereagain............
:sunny.gif: Very nice
hmmm. maybe if it had mellotron...
...........ifishwithspoonsalotgoodfortoothycrittersinshallowweedybaysinearlyspring.......
ewww, I hate seeing my weak-willed defense of Damon Albarn. It's not true at all!!! He's written many many great songs (with witty lyrics) on some of the newer albums too. This just isn't one of them (although I do find it nice as background music).
Oussar wrote:
Stranglers???
my thought exactly
timojuhala wrote:
Damon Albarn is blah.
not entirely true...there are a lot of great Blur songs out there (yes, some of them are on the older albums, but still...)
Background music for work. Nice, but not an attention getter.
There's really no need to continue to play this song.
Rampant_Gecko wrote:
I am stoned, and inside an aquarium, watching belugas watch me. I like it - its an odd song. For some reason it has an Amelie kind of ring to it too, d'ya think?
Might be the drunken frenchman playing the accordian in it.
Damon Albarn is blah.
What da f*@k??
billca42 wrote:
Every time he mumbles "Yeah, yeah, yeah," I find myself mumbling, "No, no, no."
:(
yep. concur.
In the la-la-land of subtle green genius ~ Aaaalbarn & Maaark...
hammock-cocktail tune.
This is a song for late night after losing a poker game
Stranglers???
sort of David Sylvian like - but I still don't know if that is a good thing...
Time to walk down to the coffee shop.
This is working for me.
Red_Dog wrote:
Does anyone know if this artist contributed to (or is otherwise genetically connected to...) The Vapors ('80's)?
There is no mention on AMG, however, Damon Albarn is the lead singer of Blur.
this is so dull it hurts
lame.... :roll: :roll: :roll:
:roll: :roll: :roll: 
i think i like it... maybe if it where dark outside and i was just getting home from a really loud party.
Yeah, yeah, yeah..
So VERY boring! 
Songs like this just make me glad I never went to art school....
I am stoned, and inside an aquarium, watching belugas watch me. I like it - its an odd song. For some reason it has an Amelie kind of ring to it too, d\'ya think?
Originally Posted by Skyhawk:
Should I have a lava lamp and bong with this? 
If that helps you, sure. 
This is different, kinda boring though. I try to reserve judgement on any new music I hear until I've heard it a few times...there's a lot of stuff that I didn't like on first listen that turns out to be much deeper than I thought it was.
Every time he mumbles \"Yeah, yeah, yeah,\" I find myself mumbling, \"No, no, no.\"
:(
Should I have a lava lamp and bong with this?
I feel like im going under water 
Ahhh. Eclectic, Intelligent Rock. 
strange but interesting, like driving in the car and losing the radio signal..blueslady
Caught my attention immediately when the high end started dropping out. Reminded me of an old cassette player going bad. Thought that was brilliant.
yeah the intro reminded me of golden brown too.
This rocks. 
This makes me want to hear the Stranglers. Golden Brown maybe?
Hmm. Looks like one I'll have to upload.
Originally Posted by breckwitte:
i think some of them are under water. i like it.
Yeah, the sound of "submersion" that starts the song is pretty cool. I love technology!
One of the strangest pieces of sound I've ever heard. And therefore very, very cool Is it music? Is it sound? Is it Klang? Is it tone? Is it...
Is it music? Is it sound? Is it Klang? Is it tone? Is it...It sounds like they were influenced by the work of Claude Debussy. Very nice.
Similar to some of his work with Gorillaz but more European sounding than reggae. Very nice mood
Decidedly different. Has a real Euro feel to it without being trashy. :)
i think some of them are under water. i like it.