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'Gulyaxî' is a lovely light Kurdish song that one can listen to time and again and not get bored of. Yet it has a typical Kurdish STROPHIC FORM [one text block that is repeated in instruments and…
[Wait 10 Seconds - Slow Bit-Chute Buffering]
'Gulyaxî' is a lovely light Kurdish song that one can listen to time and again and not get bored of. Yet it has a typical Kurdish STROPHIC FORM [one text block that is repeated in instruments and voice without sense of VERSE/CHORUS or development of song material]. The other striking feature is the narrow melody RANGE [span of notes that make up the melody] which again is typical of music of both the Kurds and the Pathans on either side of Iran. The liking for the same notes and melodic material to be relentlessly repeated seems a strong feature of music of these two cultures.
The ENSEMBLE [group of instruments/vocalists] is an electronic drum machine providing a basic METRE [number of beats per bar] of four. A simple pop drum beat plays with FILLS [rhythmic full stops] that puntuate the ends of sections. There is a SAZ or BAĞLAMA [Turkish three stringed lute] that strums along or plays the STROPH at times for variety. There is also a traditional NAY [overblown wooden Turkish flute - very difficult to learn to play]. That gives a 'breathy' WOODWIND sound that plays a seperate LAYERED [played ontop of another melody but not harmony] parts over the STROPH for variety. All of the instruments are DOUBLE-TRACKED [recorded more than once and played like there are several players but there is only one]. This is for TONE MASS [thick tone] and economic reasons.
Salih Dilovan's voice is solo at times, DOUBLE-TRACKED most of the time, plus electronically HARMONISED [performed in harmonic chords] but the song is MONODIC [singing and drumming with no bass or hamony] so the harmonising is only done for effect and variety which is peculiar when harmony is used? Salih's voice is a little weak in style but the use of the studio really does work to make the vocals more striking and varied in the driving repetition of the STROPH.
VIDEO
The visuals are wonderful. Beautiful Eastern Turkey in the snow with the mountains and village behind! The costumes of the men are two different kinds of traditional ŞALVAR [baggy trousers] with waistcoats - really smart and a great treat to see men in costumes of Turkey as men in traditional clothes is becoming a rare thing. The dancing is 'HALAY' [folk dance]. In countries around Turkey these kinds of holding hands line dances are important - maybe to do with the old rural culture of community and supporting each other in harvesting whilst living in difficult conditions. HALAY is often a celebration of community and working together.
Salih Dilovan alternates between traditional and Western clothes in a way that is normal in the Turkish Republic. The traditional clothes and dance are a beautiful touch to the video.
The filming is one video camera but Salih Dilovan has a good eye for balance and images. The video is a colourful and thrilling montage of Men of Kurdistan. Really Magic! Spras!
