Florence and the Machine - naiad, or what?

Let's get things straight, I'm not going to give you a lot of information about the derivation of the band name, a complete discography, an in-depth analysis of the major influences on Flo's songwriting, and all that stuff.  This is MY blog, I just do what I feel.

What I AM going to do is to try to make you understand why I am drawn to her material.  Other than that, admittedly (and as heretofore stated) I am a sucker for female vocal.  I said 'vocal';  stop tittering at the back.

And really, it starts with the voice, and what a voice she has.  OK, here's a video from the very early days which I hope she wouldn't disown, much as you wouldn't put your first teddy bear out for landfill. 

It's a virtually unaccompanied version of 'My boy builds coffins', and has a charm all its own.  There is some charming preamble, but you could always skip to the three minute mark, where the song begins. 

If you're at all interested in Ms. Welch, and I suppose there's a chance you are to have arrived here, you will know that she has, since those days, gone global.  Whilst managing to retain her quirky humour and not becoming subsumed in the industry.  Good for her, I say.

For example, I have it on the highest authority that after performing a major concert in the London area, giving it her all in front of her family, fans and friends, she repaired to a local hostelry and continued to entertain until the early hours.  It's rare that performers can maintain that energy and interest.

Now, I'm not going to criticise the FATM operation for the recent videos they have produced;  lavish, controversial ..... look, Shania Twain is a guilty pleasure of mine, and her videos went the same route.  With me, it's mostly about the music, so that don't impress me much.  Florence's 'No Light, No Light' went just about as far and as far out as can feasibly be imagined, and I don't know what they were thinking.  You can go and look at the official video - or why not watch that of 'What the water gave me', which strikes a happier balance.

Or you could watch some of the live videos on YouTube.  In fact, I'm going to include here one of my favourites.  Recorded from the crowd, it is neverthless of high quality, and manages to capture some of the .... well, come on, let's not beat about the bush .... the magic of performance.  (Maybe 'electricity' would have been less sick-making - Editor) 

Oh, that's my problem, I can never stop at one .... here comes another.  This is from the same evening.  Watch Flo prance as she performs 'No Light, No Light' live.  We were there the next night, and she was equally [electric - Editor]. 

Warning - flashing lights. 

Warning - excessive backing choir.

And so, to my conclusion .... 

Made you look, made you stare!  I don't have one. 

Didn't I say?  I just do what I feel.

Evenin', all.

*whistling fades away down the gasoline alley where I was born*


[YouTube videos courtesy of the ID - and legend - known as knappafire]