P:ano- Foot Hills

Foot Hills by P:ano is another example of bass clarinet in popular music, although it is used much differently that in the previous post. Whereas before, the clarinet sound was smooth and ghastly, here it is very upbeat and bouncy. In this track, the clarinet is the only source of bass, so it is integral to the instrumentation, and offers the tune a very distinct quality. P:ano, a Canadian based pop band, uses both clarinet and bass clarinet in many of their tracks, and it is this diverse use of instruments that gives them their edge.

Follow this link to online streaming audio of Foot Hills by P:ano: http://radio3.cbc.ca/play/band/PAno/Foothills. You will be redirected to CBC Radio.


Sources:

P:ano. (n.d.). Discogs. Retrieved from http://www.last.fm/music/P%3Aano.

Gorillaz- Intro

The Gorillaz used this electronic and bass clarinet infused track as the introduction to their second album Demon Days. The track is very short, and portrays a very eerie quality that sets the listener up for an album full of subdued, dreary, hip hop and electronic beats. There are no other notable uses of clarinet throughout the album, but the ominous loop included in this first track greatly adds to it’s ghastly quality. It gives the song a since of waiting or suspension through frequent repetitions, and a clock-like, ticking quality.



Sources:

Gorillaz, The. (n.d.). Discogs. Retrieved from http://www.discogs.com/artist/Gorillaz?anv=Gorillaz%2C+The.

Tom Waits- All The World is Green

The music of Tom Waits is certainly an acquired taste. His raspy voice, among many of his other interesting tonal and sonic qualities, are beyond some listeners. There is an unrefined nature to his music, found in the recording quality and also in the sound quality of the instruments. His music ranges from extremely overdriven, with shouting vocals and distorted guitars, to crude back hill instrumentation, as exemplified in this song All The World is Green. The guitar is twangy, the drums are dull and, the clarinet is very soft and airy. Previously, we have already discussed the ability of the clarinet to match many different vocal qualities, and it is no different for the voice of Tom Waits. The clarinet is just as raspy and whispery as his voice. The lyrics and subject matter of this tune are very whimsical, yet bittersweet, and the clarinetist does a magnificent job of capturing the mood.