In lieu of CD Liner Notes for our new album,Genghis Baby: Songs for Noa, we'd like to offer some in-depth info and commentary from the Barbies which we'll post periodically here on the blog! Here's our third installment:
Track 10
Hengilás
Written by Jón "Jónsi" Birgisson
Arranged by Joe Henry
The arranger, Joe Henry (husband of Cosmic Barbie!), had this to say about his experience:
"When I heard that Genghis Barbie was looking to do an album inspired by lullabies for baby Noa, I immediately thought of one of my favorite artists, Jón "Jónsi" Birgisson, who is the guitarist and lead singer for the Icelandic band Sigur Rós. Jónsi had recently put out a solo album, and I was especially enamored with a track off of it entitled "Hengilás".
The title of the song loosely translates to "padlock", and the original lyrics are admittedly not very "lullaby" like - they involve the true emotions we keep locked inside and the challenges we face opening up to one another. Despite the conflicted nature of the lyrics, those familiar with the song (or any of Jónsi's compositions) know that he has an incredible lyricism and a masterful grasp of simple, powerful harmonies that lend themselves perfectly to a "lullaby".
The original track is recorded with lots of low strings and features a constant, undulating pattern that rises and falls throughout the track like a calmly rolling sea. The vocal melody floats above this string ostinato, almost like an afterthought. The whole effect is hypnotic and calming - the quintessential lullaby.
The challenge with arranging the track was coming up with a version for four horns that could capture the long sustain of the strings from the original while making sure the poor Barbies get enough oxygen so they don't pass out after the first minute. It also features some deceptively difficult tuning, with low chords in first inversion throughout. Working closely with the barbies, using some stagger breathing magic, phrasing, and their impressive lung capacities, we were able to create a beautiful version. The track showcases GB's nuanced musicality and their impressive range as performers. Thanks to GB for making my vision a reality!"
Joe Henry is an arranger, tuba player, and bass player based in NYC. You can visit his blog at http://joehenry.net/blog/
