In the wake of English avant-garde rock group Henry Cow (1968-1978), Art Bears (1978-1981), a song-oriented group, was formed by three of Henry Cow's members, drummer Chris Cutler, multi-instrumentalist Fred Frith and singer Dagmar Krause. In Art Bears' wake, News From Babel emerged in 1983, comprising Cutler, Krause, Henry Cow woodwind player Lindsay Cooper, and United States harpist Zeena Parkins. It was Parkins' first "rock group" and the first time she had recorded with her harp. This new group followed the song-oriented approach of Art Bears, but with a different musical emphasis. Cooper composed all the music and Cutler wrote all the song texts.
News From Babel was purely a studio group. The name was derived from the title of George Steiner's book After Babel, and some of the songs on their albums relate directly to Steiner's books. In 1983 they recorded Work Resumed on the Tower, the title referring to the Tower of Babel, with guest vocalist Phil Minton. In 1986 they recorded Letters Home, named after the title of one of Sylvia Plath's books, with guest vocalists Robert Wyatt, Sally Potter and Phil Minton. Cooper's music on both albums is a blend of jazz and cabaret, while Cutler's lyrics are literate, exploring Marxist themes and personal alienation.
The group disbanded in 1986 after recording their second album. However, in 2014 they reformed as part of the larger ensemble that performed the music of Lindsay Cooper. These were their only live performances (with John Greaves deputising for Robert Wyatt).
Odysseus
News From Babel Lyrics
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bound between Death
and Death
to the
soft emissions
of his
mortal
breath.
The lyrics of News From Babel's song "Odysseus" narrate the unfortunate situation of the titular character, who is trapped in the realm between life and death. The phrase "bound between Death and Death" emphasizes the liminal nature of Odysseus' condition, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the human struggle between mortality and eternity. Despite his predicament, Odysseus still possesses the ability to breathe, which is described as "soft emissions of his mortal breath." This line suggests that even in the face of death, life's fundamental forces still exert themselves.
The image of Odysseus listening to his breath implies a sense of introspection and reflection. It's unclear whether he is contemplating his own mortality, searching for a way out of his predicament, or simply attempting to pass the time. Nevertheless, his situation is undoubtedly a source of discomfort, perhaps even torment, as he is trapped in a state of uncertainty, neither entirely alive nor completely dead. The lyrics overall create a moody, introspective atmosphere, effectively conveying the sense of unease that characterizes Odysseus' situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Odysseus listens
The singer Odysseus is paying close attention to his surroundings.
bound between Death
Odysseus is trapped in a state of limbo between the afterlife and living world.
and Death
The ambiguity around Odysseus’ state of existence is emphasized by double mention of Death.
to the
Simple linking word, indicating the following words will elaborate on the previous line.
soft emissions
The delicate and subtle exhalations of Odysseus’ breath.
of his
Demonstrates that these breaths are not just any breaths, but specifically Odysseus’.
mortal
The breaths are specifically mortal in nature, highlighting Odysseus’ human vulnerability.
breath.
Culminates the idea that Odysseus is acutely aware of his own humanity and physical constraints.
Contributed by Isaiah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
massimo marchesin
Il degno continuo degli ART BEARS!!!!! I NEWS FROM BABEL possono essere considerati gli ART BEARS 2 !!!! Eccellenti entrambi gli albums realizzati !!!!! Dagmar Krause è la voce del primo album mentre nel secondo album si alternano vari cantanti oltre a DAGMAR KRAUSE anche ROBERT WYATT e altri due che ora non ricordo i nomi uno femminile uno maschile !!!!!!
threeby8887
The year that--well, we can dream, right?