Galás is known for being a fiercely confrontational avant-garde performer and is noted for her wailing, four-octave vocal range. Galás was the daughter of Greek Orthodox parents and her singing was roundly discouraged, although her prowess as a classical pianist was nurtured; ultimately, her strict upbringing resulted in a reckless, drug-fueled youth prior to her entrance into the University of California's music and visual arts program. Galás made her performing debut in 1979 at France's Festival d'Avignon, which led to an invitation to assume the lead role in composer Vinko Globokar's politically charged opera Un Jour Comme un Autre. In subsequent solo performance art pieces like Wild Women with Steak Knives and Tragouthia Apo to Aima Exon Fonos, Galás further honed her unique, shattering vocal style, inspired by the Schrei ("shriek") opera of German expressionism (a form employing a system of four microphones and a series of echoes and delays).
She worked with many avant-garde composers including Phillip Glass, Terry Riley, John Zorn, Iannis Xenakis and Vinko Globokar. She made her performance debut at the Festival d'Avignon in France as the lead in Globokar's opera, Un Jour Comme Une Autre which deals with the death by torture of a Turkish woman. The work was sponsored by Amnesty International. She also contributed her voice to Francis Ford Coppola's film Dracula (1992) and appeared on the film's soundtrack.
Her work first garnered widespread attention with the controversial 1991 live recording of the album "Plague Mass" in the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York. With it, Galás attacked the Catholic Church for its indifference to AIDS using biblical texts. In the words of Terrorizor Magazine, "The church was made to burn with sound, not fire." Plague Mass was a live rendition of excerpts from her same-titled trilogy which began as a response/homage/indictment to the multitudinous effects of AIDS upon the silent class - of which her brother was a member. During the period of these recordings, Galás had "We are all HIV+" tattooed upon her knuckles; an artistic expression of disillusionment and disgust with the ignorance and apathy surrounding the AIDS epidemic. Her brother, who died during the trilogy's final production, reportedly appreciated her efforts.
Susan McClary (1991) writes that Galás, "heralds a new moment in the history of musical representation," after describing her thus: "Galás emerged within the post-modern performance art scene in the seventies...protesting...the treatment of victims of the junta, attitudes towards victims of AIDS...Her pieces are constructed from the ululation of traditional Mediterranean keening...whispers, shrieks, and moans."
In 1994, Galás collaborated with Led Zeppelin bass guitarist John Paul Jones. The resultant record, "The Sporting Life", while containing much of Galás's trademark vocal gymnastics, is probably the closest she has ever come to rock music.
Galás also performs as a blues artist interpreting a wide range of songs into her unique piano and vocal styles. This aspect of her work is perhaps best represented by her 1992 album, "The Singer" where she covered the likes of Willie Dixon, Roy Acuff, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins while accompaning herself on piano. For that album, she also recorded several traditional songs as well as the rarely heard Desmond Carter-penned version of Gloomy Sunday. Many of her selections both within and outside of blues repertoire have sometimes been categorized as 'homicidal love songs'. She also focuses on the death penalty. One program of songs, "Frenzy", has been dedicated to Aileen Wuornos and features the work of Phil Ochs and Hank Williams Sr.
Her latest song cycle is an interpretation of songs by Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich.
Official Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/songsofexile
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Diamanda Galás Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever."
Diamanda Galás's interpretation of Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd, conveys a message of hope and reassurance in an era in which pain, death, and suffering are part of human existence. The song's lyrics are taken directly from Psalm 23, which highlights a shepherd's provision and protection for his flock. In this song, the Shepherd is seen as a source of comfort, strength, and love, leading His sheep to green pastures and still waters. The lyrics describe a restoration of the soul and a guidance towards righteousness.
The next line of the song mentions the "valley of the shadow of death," which is a metaphorical representation of life's struggles and challenges. In this passage, the singer is acknowledging her mortality and the inevitability of facing hardship. However, she is convinced that the Shepherd will be with her and provide comfort, represented by His rod and staff. The final verse of the song describes a feast set before the singer in the presence of her enemies, and again, the overflowing cup of oil represents a symbol of abundance and unconditional love.
Overall, Diamanda Galás's interpretation of Psalm 23 reassures listeners that they can call upon God as their shepherd, even in difficult times. The song acknowledges the harsh realities of life but emphasizes the comfort and strength found in faith.
Line by Line Meaning
The LORD is my shepherd,
I am under God's care and guidance.
I shall not be in want.
I will lack nothing that I need.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
God provides me with rest and nourishment.
he leads me beside quiet waters,
God gives me peace and tranquility.
he restores my soul.
God brings renewal and healing to my inner being.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
God directs me on the way of goodness and justice.
for his name's sake.
God's actions are motivated by his own character and reputation.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Although I am faced with danger and uncertainty,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
I am not afraid because God is present and protecting me.
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
God's discipline and guidance bring me comfort and assurance.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
God provides for me even when my enemies are present.
You anoint my head with oil;
God blesses me with honor and favor.
my cup overflows.
God's generosity exceeds my expectations.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
God's grace and mercy will never leave me,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
I will be with God eternally in his dwelling place.
Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.