Clouds = Busted
Ξ September 12th, 2011 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Music is Life |
*melts*
I was actually dreading doing yet another Kate Bush post. There’s way too much too say, and all too often words just do not suffice to describe the more intangible levels and layers of her work and how they affect me. With some relief I read My Kate Bush Page (off of the Menu menu at top), and found that most of the important bits are covered there anyway, so no need to repeat them here. There’s so much that I haven’t said that the prospect of writing another was a bit daunting, but I found myself inspired after watching a few of her vids. Quite a few, thanks to The Timesink That Is YouTube. Kate’s like kandy and a sure cure for the blues whether you want to wallow or escape.
I do feel much better now, thank you 
There are just two videos there though (“The Sensual World” and “Lily” official vids), so I thought I’d do this post in reverse. Instead of another “wall o’ words” post of stuff I’ve already said, it’ll be more of a “wall-o-videos” of Kate songs, with minimal text. I hope. You know how I get 
(Watch these in Fullscreen for maximum enjoyment!)
First up, the official “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” video. Kate composed, choreographed, sang and played, and left some other bits for her mates to fiddle with, quite competently, I should add. Great song, and as always her lyrics are unabashedly honest, heartfelt, thoughtful, deep, and most of all, True:
The wonderful full-length “Cloudbusting” video she made with Donald Sutherland (one of my favorite actors) depicts the relationship between Wilhelm Reich and his son Peter, who had written the book that had inspired Kate, “A Book of Dreams”. Contains one of my most-loved Kate lyrics:
- “But every time it rains,
- You’re here in my head,
- Like the sun coming out–
- Ooh, I just know that something good is going to happen.
- And I don’t know when,
- But just saying it could even make it happen…”
The above clips are from 1985′s Hounds of Love, which ignited a fiery months-long period of discovery that followed the slow burn lit by the first Kate album I bought in ’84, Never For Ever. One of the more haunting tracks from this album is “The Infant Kiss”, here represented by another Kate fan, not-so-oddly named k8fan, who skillfully edited scenes from the film that had inspired Kate, “The Innocents”, against the music, creating a whole that is seamless. Well done!
(K8fan also helps run the superb Gaffaweb with Vickie (among others, I think), home to all things Kate-related; do check it out.)
It’s certainly interesting to see how Kate is interpreted by others visually. There are some other excellent fan-made videos out there, and these next three celebrate the soundscapes of 2005′s Aerial album. First up is the exquisite A Coral Room, probably Kate’s most personal song, and my favorite, I think. It’s so hard to choose! Gives me chills every time I listen to it. The movie scenes it is playing with is (I believe) Swept From the Sea; it and the song fit together so beautfully… “Put your hand over the side of the boat/What do you feel?”
Next up is another fan-made video for “Nocturne”; it’s clearly a labor of love! If you want to get right to the song, it’s at 2:30 following a sort of prelude. Lengthy video, but worth it. ‘cos the music, y’know… is great 
Next up is an exhilarating video of a… well, “aerial” performance by the Cirque du Soleil, to the title track “Aerial”:
Due to damnable circumstances far beyond my control, I still haven’t been able to buy Kate’s latest, Director’s Cut, released this May. But while searching the Tube of Yous I came across a few of its songs, and hearing new Kate material really lifted my downtrodden spirits. I’ll get it eventually, that’s for sure! Normally I won’t “preview” any music from albums I intend to own, preferring to have a hard copy in my hand when I’m first hearing it. Resistance to DC, as it turns out, is futile *whine* -I HAD TO TASTE ITTTT!!! Anyway, I found several tracks along with finally allowing myself to hear the 55-minute interview with Mark Radcliffe, and am doubly anxious to get it now. Triply. Great, like I needed that LOL
First up is Kate’s re-imagining of “Never Be Mine”, which I like just a bit more than the original, paired with some very nice imagery and lyrics. I should note here that I don’t feel that one version overwrites another; actually now there are two versions I can have to choose between to listen to, not rank. Lovely, thanks Kate ;-)
Finally, we come full circle (of sorts) with her re-do of “Lily”. Needless to say, I was both anticipating and dreading a new version of the most singular of Kate’s songs (for me), considering its connection with our own Lily. I do believe that I like it better than the original, but I won’t be able to tell until I listen properly: between the speakers, eyes closed, lights out and no other distractions. Who knows when that’ll be? In the meantime, at least, I have this version and the original, with Lily in between; a veritable bouquet of lillies
If curious about Unbound and the story of Lily, this video definitely echoes some of its vibe (as does Kate’s!). While completely unrelated, the two Lilys are connected. Say no moah 
Oddly (and incomprehensively LOL), this vid features two “Lily-likes“, Charlize Theron’s role from Aeon Flux (or is that another, Kate Beckinsale?), and Milla Jovovich. Inconsequential, I know, but curious as they really have no connection with Kate’s Lily, hm…
STRANGE PHENOMENA, oh yeahhhh…
an aspect of Kate as Molly as Lily
I’ve found a few Kate Lily-like pics as well, not surprising since her Molly Bloom character from The Sensual World is probably more Lily-like than anything else, especially in the video for it (it’s on the My Kate Bush Page). Both of them ”stepping out of the page and into the sensual world…” as it were. Wonder how she’d look with blue eyes, hm… (Not that I’d EVER change a thing about her, especially her eyes!) (<— hastily added)
Hope you enjoyed this very small tip of the Kate-iceberg, and please feel free to leave a comment if feeling friendly, informed, or informative ;-)
(STRANGE PHENOMENA Update & Bulletin Edit:) About a half-hour later after I finished this up I received an official email notification regarding the new album’s imminent release!!! Woo-hoo!!! Isn’t that Strange??? (Actually, no it’s not, All Things Considered, as “everything’s connected”!) The title will be “50 Words for Snow” to be released November 21! Seven tracks running about 65 minutes, titles include (more significance!) “Among Angels” and “Lake Tahoe” which I really find mind-blowing, as that is my favorite vacation spot where I spent many summers while growing up. If I ever have. BUT WOW! During one winter excursion there, I met a sweet girl who showed me my first snow angel :-O
Damn, too excited to sleep now, and it’s after 4AM o.O -But it’s a good damn
YAY <3