Diamanda Galas- Let My People Go

Judgement Day (VHS)
October 12, 1993

Tracklist:
1. There Are No More Tickets To The Funeral (excerpt) / Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
2. Let My People Go
3. Judgement Day
4. spoken word
5. Artémis / Cris D'Aveugle (Blind Man's Cry)
6. Insane Asylum
7. Gloomy Sunday
8. I Put A Spell On You
9. Scream of Love (bonus track)

http://diamanda-galas.hit.bg
http://diamandagalas.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Diamanda
• Galas
• avant-garde
• let
• my
• people
• go

[danilamorte]

While I understand the historical context of this song, I've never particularly interpreted Diamanda's version as speaking to slavery.

Given her other work (in particular "Plague Mass"), it seems she's using this song to express some of the despair, confusion, and frustration felt by members of communities affected by HIV/AIDS.

That's not to say that everyone should/will love Galas - simply that we should remember that part of art is recontextualizing what has alerady been made.

[sex6cult9revolution]

@fudloe Whether or not the Greeks were enslaved is irrelevant. The context she has reinterpreted this song for is those who suffer from HIV/AIDS. Whether or not you appreciate that, it is certainly not mockery. She is simply speaking for the suffering of a different people than the original song.

Now, if you knew how much she meant to some of those people, I think you'd feel a little ridiculous accusing her of pretense or being "strange" for its own sake or whatever... I hope.

[CrabJock]

I didn't know sheep could play the piano.

All joking aside, the only song I have heard her perform that I thought was good was her version of Gloomy Sunday. But it was a stroke of luck. By that I mean the song and it's purpose fit very well with the way she sings. Like fudloe, I too find most of her material just a bit too abstract for my tastes. The way I see it, If she was a painter, she would be one of those that just throws paint around and calls it "The demise of a nation" or whatever.

[fudloe]

Uh! GOD! It's like when you burn the roof of your mouth in hot pizza, and you keep jamming your tongue against it, even though it hurts really badly! I listen to this song (well, like 30 seconds of it) over and over, simply to annoy myself! Still isn't growing on me in a positive way, however.

[fudloe]

I retract all previous derisive comments about Ms. Galas. Having said that, I must qualify THIS statement by saying I still can't stand her...HOWEVER- While enjoying Tom Waits, it dawned on me that he, like Ms. Galas, has a polarizing effect on his listeners. It is a love 'em or hate 'em situation and although I still find this woman completely annoying and talentless, it is because she is simply not my cup of tea. Although I am still not a fan, I get it. Sorry to anyone I have annoyed.

[fudloe]

@danilamorte , a fair and level headed assessment. Agreed.

[danilamorte]

@danilamorte *already

[fudloe]

@ojoroto I am forever grateful to be filtered and separated from people who give this sort of self indulgent pap credence. Thank you, Diamanda for making my life unencumbered from those with bad taste. Oh, and I just posted an opinion. Your reply made it a dialogue. So, there you go.

[ojoroto]

@fudloe If you say so. But really? Are we in 4th grade? I don't think you can convince anyone except those who already agree with you. And I bet you don't care.. so.. wow.. how useless it is to have a dialog with you. I still think she is amazing and that anyone can sing about whatever the fuck they want. Imagine that... That's why You are commenting on her video and not the other way around Maybe she is consciously being "strange" -- it works. she filters people like you out.