By DJ Bear/ PopOff!
What in the Samhain is going on in here?
Paganism clearly spans across all continents but in my dealings with it I find most people think of it (rightly or wrongly) in terms of forests and fairies of a European “new age” flavour, or goats’ heads and virgin sacrifices of a “metal” vein. But it is obvious that Shintoism, Aboriginal, Dreamtime, Yoruba, Polynesian cultures and so on, at their cores, are very similar in practice so much so that in thinking on this subject, The Hero with A Thousand Faces, a book of mythology by Joseph Campbell, was immediately brought to mind.
So with the push and pull of the playful pop candy and music that aims for deeper or more reverential goals, the task was how to balance the two. Or does one even need to?
Also there was the push and pull of representation. And while I do adore some serious voodoo vibes, I tended to stay more in the European workings of paganism for the A-list. Not because of any loyalty to western practice, but because I do believe that Voodou, Santeria (and Orishas), Día De Muertos (a theme I have covered on my show) deserve their own blogs (hint hint). In fact there were many sub themes to be found in the numerous nominations from animal worship, to the solstice, to reverence for and name-dropping of gods and goddess, that a whole season’s worth of subjects could be culled from the numerous nominations here.
Also for the A-list I tried to lean into songs and artists I was less familiar with to arrive at my sacred 13.
I always like to start a mix like this with some kind of musical incantation or invitation to set the festivities in motion and Sunrise by The Grateful Dead was a perfect fit and a more or less literal sunrise salutation. From there we continue on throughout the day's rituals. We even take a moment to stop and make ale with John Barleycorn. For what is a fete frollick without some alcohol? And we even get help cleaning up with some Santeria magic from Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe. Also you cannot properly fest with out some drumming and that was provided to us by Sabu Martinez. As the dusk draws near and evening descends; animals are praised, legends of gods are are sung, and we end by reaching the “the other world” known to the Sami as Sáivu.
Stir In The Big Cauldron PopOff! Mix:
You may listen to the complete A and B list audio mix here. Or go with the video mixes below.
Autumnal Ritual A-List Playlist:
The Grateful Dead – Sunrise
Enya – The River Sings
Dadawa – Melodious Goddess
Heilung – Krigsgaldr
Steeleye Span – John Barleycorn
Héctor Lavoe & Willie Colón – Aguanile
Sabu Martinez – Sorcery
The HU – Wolf Totem
Faun – Egil Saga
Loreena McKennitt – Samhain Night
The Waterboys – The Return of Pan
Buffy Sainte-Marie – Starwalker
Torgeir Vassvik – Sáivu
With the ceremonial rites and traditions out of way, we put the children put to bed and begin the fais do-doportion of the party. Turning up the radio we pull prayers from pop 40 and more continuing with the spiritual songs, ritualistic rhythm and blues, holistic hip hop, and other magical musings. The divine Missy Elliot leads the procession, commanding all to Get Ur Freak On. And the saturnalian revelry goes on from there; with festive funky sea and sun worship from Angélique Kidjo and Ramsey Lewis. And at the twilight hour we fire up the volume to 11 break out the guitars and shamanism with Led Zeppelin and Baby Metal.
I felt I did need one direct ode to Halloween this week and the choices were plenty but in the end I was “over-the-topped” by the in-your-face kitchen sink of Halloween Junky Orchestra, featuring a day-glo video and every notable J-pop star of the period, followed by my loan shoehorn Etta Jones night note with Some Enchanted Evening. For what is a party without a little romance?
We end dancing with death compliments of Lila Downs, an ode to Orishas from the queen of samba paganess Clara Nunes, and one more prayer by the graceful Ute flautist R. Carlos Nakai.
The Bonus Bacchanalia B-List Playlist:
Missy Elliot – Get Ur Freak On
Sampa The Great – Energy
Angélique Kidjo – Goddess Of The Sea
Ramsey Lewis – Sun Goddess
Lee Perry and the Upsetters – Voodoo Man
Koko Taylor – Voodoo Woman
Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song
Baby Metal – Megitsune
Sharon Tandy & Les Fleur De Lys – Daughter Of The Sun
Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik
T. Rex – Ride The White Swan
Halloween Junky Orchestra – Halloween
Etta Jones – Some Enchanted Evening
Celia Cruz & La Sonora Matancera – Oya, Diosa Y Fe
Gabriel Rios – Bones Bugalu
Lila Downs – Son de Difuntos
Clara Nunes – A Deusa Dox Orixás
R. Carlos Nakai – Solstice Prayer
Guru’s Wildcard Picks:
There are four selections here representing the four directions, four seasons… yadda yadda yadda … but more importantly four aspects of my own spirit. Starting with a Hawaiian prayer of gratitude Oli Mahalo. Then inspired by the Missy and R.C.H. noms we have more carnal dance, music, sex, romance from Prince. Then we continue to let our playful freak flags fly with the playful Southern Culture On The Skids. Lastly calling my Italian lineage, Alessandra Belloni reciting a medieval chant/tarantella in honour of the Black Madonna and chant meant specifically to protect from death and the plague.
Eat, drink, be merry, and most importantly – be yourself.
Kalani Pe’a – Oli Mahalo
Prince – D.M.S.R.
Southern Culture On The Skids – Freak Flag
Alessandra Belloni – Cuncti Simus Concanentes
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: Wiccan work it out: pagan-themed songs – a Halloween special. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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