Garbarek's sound is one of the hallmarks of the ECM record label, which has released virtually all of his recordings. His style incorporates a sharp-edged tone, long, keening, sustained notes strongly reminiscent of Islamic prayer calls, and generous use of silence. He began his recording career in the late 1960s, notably featuring on recordings by the American jazz composer George Russell (such as Othello Ballet Suite and Electronic Sonata for Souls Loved by Nature). If he had initially appeared as a devotee of Albert Ayler and Peter Brötzmann, by 1973 he had turned his back on the harsh dissonances of avant-garde jazz, retaining only his tone from his previous approach.
As a composer, Garbarek tends to draw heavily from Scandinavian folk melodies, a legacy of his Ayler influence. He is also a pioneer of ambient jazz composition, most notably on his 1976 album Dis. This textural approach, which rejects traditional notions of thematic improvisation (best exemplified by Sonny Rollins) in favor of a style described by critics Richard Cook and Brian Morton as "sculptural in its impact", has been critically divisive.
After recording a string of unheralded avant-garde albums, Garbarek rose to international prominence in the mid-1970s playing post-bop jazz, both as a leader and as a member of Keith Jarrett's successful "European Quartet." He achieved considerable commercial success in Europe with Dis, a meditative collaboration with guitarist Ralph Towner that featured the distinctive sound of a wind harp on several tracks. (Selections from Dis have been used as incidental music in several feature films and documentaries.) In the 1980s, Garbarek's music began to incorporate synthesizers and elements of world music. In 1993, during the Gregorian chant craze, his album Officium, a collaboration with early music vocal performers the Hilliard Ensemble, became one of ECM's biggest-selling albums of all time, reaching the pop charts in several European countries. (Its sequel, Mnemosyne, followed in 1999.) In 2005, his album In Praise of Dreams was nominated for a Grammy.
In addition to the selections from Dis, Garbarek has also composed music for several other European films, including French and Norwegian films. Also his song 'Rites' was used in the American film The Insider.
East Of The Sun And West Of The Moon
Jan Garbarek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll build a dream house of love dear
Close to the sun in the day
Near to the moon at night
We'll live in a lovely way dear
Sharing our love in the pale moonlight
Just you and I,
Love will not die,
We'll keep it that way
Up among the stars
We'll find a harmony of life to a lovely tune
East of the sun and west of the moon dear
East of the sun and west of the moon
The lyrics of Jan Garbarek's "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" evoke feelings of romantic retreat and setting off on a journey with a loved one. The opening lines describe a dream house of love that the two will build "East of the sun and west of the moon," which represents a place beyond our familiar world, a place of endless possibilities. The idea of building a dream house in such an extraordinary place can be interpreted to signify the sublime nature of the lovers' feelings for each other.
The second verse talks about the couple's living in a lovely way, sharing their love in the pale moonlight both near the sun in the daytime and near the moon at night. The phrase "sharing our love in the pale moonlight" captures the nature of their love - committed and dense, but with an aura of intimacy and harmony that connects the lovers in a world far from the chaos of everyday life.
The final verse paints the picture of forever love that will not die, and how they will find harmony in life in the cosmos while finding a lovely tune. The song ends with the chorus, repeating the opening lines, reinforcing the idea of building a dream house of love in an imaginary world beyond the constraints of reality.
Overall, "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" is a poignant ode to love, escape, and transcendence, marked by affecting lyricism and gorgeous instrumentation.
Line by Line Meaning
East of the sun and west of the moon
We will escape the confines of reality to live in a fantasy world of our own making
We'll build a dream house of love dear
Our love will be the foundation of our new home
Close to the sun in the day
Our love will shine brightly like the sun
Near to the moon at night
Our love will be as calm and peaceful as the moonlight
We'll live in a lovely way dear
Our love will be beautiful, kind, and gentle
Sharing our love in the pale moonlight
We will share our affection and warmth under the moon's soft glow
Just you and I,
Our love is only for us, no one else
Forever and a day
Our love will never fade, it will last through eternity
Love will not die,
Our love will overcome any obstacle or challenge
We'll keep it that way
We will protect and nurture our love
Up among the stars
Our love will soar high and reach new heights
We'll find a harmony of life to a lovely tune
Our love will bring balance and joy to our lives, like a harmonious melody
East of the sun and west of the moon dear
Our love transcends geography and logic
East of the sun and west of the moon
Our love exists in a realm beyond worldly limitations
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brooks Bowman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@erzebettotbagi3024
I wish that we could live up in the sky
Where we could find a place away up high
Live among the stars, the sun, the moon
Just you and I
East of the sun and west of the moon
We'll build a dream house of love dear
Near to the sun in the day
Near to the moon at night
We'll live in a lovely way dear
Living our love and pale moonlight
Just you and I, forever and a day
Love will not die, we'll keep it that way
Up among the stars we'll find
A harmony of life to a lovely tune
East of the sun and west of the moon, dear
East of the sun and west of the moon
@DustyCrow6
And this is why I love jazz
@louissilvani1389
I never get tired of this
classic thanks
@robertbudnik3318
What a lovely songstress!
@MrJazzohjazz
Nicki is simply a wonderful musician who sings beautifully. Listening to her and Rosanno is always a treat.
@renandias7926
Blossom Dearie is alive and plays tons of bass. Niki you are great, along with Maestro Rossano, the dream of every bassist is to accompany a piano player like him. Amazing duo
@michaelchapman4955
I caught Blossom Dearie on the LA Jazz scene back in the Day/Evening... in Santa Monica Ca 'What a Treat like Nicki & Ross here.....
@fjduarte1203
45:5555 thererugxccsttteas
@kuniotanabe196
I’ll follow you east of the sun and west of the moon . . . Your singing style and bass playing are out there among the stars! Nikki Parrot, love your music!
@ShanghaiJazzVideos
Thanks for sharing our love of music at Shanghai Jazz. It means the world to us!
@lucianoinvernizzi5027
I had the honour playng with Rossano in tribute to bessie smth. Luciano invernizzi trombone great