SOUNDTRACK: MEREBA-Tiny Desk Concert #916 (November 27, 2019).
Who the heck is Mereba?
Very few artists get to return to the Tiny Desk, and fewer still return twice in the same year. But after contributing background vocals behind the desk for Dreamville artist Bas in early 2019, we invited Mereba back for a solo set that puts her eclectic, major-label debut The Jungle Is The Only Way Out into sharp focus.
As with many singers I’ve never heard of, I’m not sure if these songs sound like this on the record or if they are more dancey. I do quite like the simple, organic sounds that accompany these songs.
The stripped-down soundscape Mereba achieves live with her four-piece band is equally dreamlike here, drawing from influences as wide-ranging as the many places she’s called home (Alabama, Philly, North Carolina, Atlanta, Ethiopia). As she pulls from genres as seemingly disparate as folk, rap and spoken word, her set reflects the years she spent perfecting her craft on live stages in Atlanta cafes and clubs, where she attracted the attention of the indie creative collective Spillage Village before joining them in 2014.
She sings three songs and recites a poem (all on the album).
When “Black Truck” started I thought she sounded exactly like Alanis Morissette. The way she says “and I said world would you please have some mercy on me” sounds very uncannily like her. The song is a quiet, mellow piece that starts with a simple bass line (including some harmonics) from Chris James and guitar washes that turn into a nice picked melody from Sam Hoffman. After a minute or so, Aisha Gaillard plays a simple drum beat and the song kicks into higher gear.
Through all of this, the backing vocals from Olivia Walker were just beautiful. The end of the song turns into a kind of rap as the guitar and bass fade out. I say kind of a rap because Mereba is also a poet and she has more of a poet’s delivery than a rapper’s delivery.
For “Stay Tru” the guys switch instruments and the bass takes on a slightly more lead role. But this song is also very mellow. Mereba’s vocals sound a bit more Jamaican in his song. Midway through, James switches to violin and Mereba plays keys which adds a whole new texture. I didn’t like this song as much because the chorus is kinda lame with a lot of repeating of “cut the bullshit, this time” sung in a sweet voice. It also seems to drag on for a really long time (although it is very pretty).
“Dodging The Devil” is a poem she wrote when things just didn’t seem to be going right. After a couple of verses, a quiet guitar line fills in the background.
On the last song, “Kinfolk,” Mereba plays the main guitar line while Sam plays single soaring notes. The song kicks into gear with a simple guitar riff and some prominent bass.
I really enjoyed this set. I thought the music was beautifully restrained and her voice distinct enough in each song to show such a range of sounds. It’s always nice to be surprised by a new musician.
[READ: November 15, 2019] Cursed
I saw this book in the new YA section at the library. I was attracted by the cover and fascinated by the “soon to be a Netflix Original Series” sticker.
I have known of Frank Miller for years. I’m sure I’ve read graphic novels by him, although I don’t know if I’ve read Sin City (maybe a long time ago?). Mostly he drew superhero comics which is not my thing. Turns out I really don’t like his artistic style in this book (at least for the way he draws the heroine–I rather like the way the bad guys are drawn). If the series was in any way designed to look like the art in the book I don’t think I’d watch it.
But the story itself is petty darn good. It took me a while to read it for some reason. I guess maybe the opening was a little slow because there’s so much going on it takes awhile to really get settled in this universe.
But the description of the story is pretty intriguing: Whosoever wields the sword of power shall be the one true king. But what if the sword has chosen a queen?
For this is a story of Arthurian legend with many many twists. My knowledge of Arthurian legend is surprisingly minimal. I love the story and I know the main participants, but there is a lot of information in here that I didn’t know about–or even how much Wheeler is making up.
The protagonist of the story is Nimue. Nimue grew up in a Druid village, but she was an outcast. She had connections to dark magic–The Hidden–and many mistrusted her and called her a witch. Her father left them when she was a girl–because of her–so her mother raised her to be string and to harness her powers, not to be ruled by them.
She is beloved by some of the young ones in the village, but most people fear her. Nimue was sick of the abuse she had been taking but she is shocked when the Council of Elders gathers to pick the next Summoner. The Summoner is the Keeper of Relics and Harvest Priest, someone who shares a deep communion with The Hidden.
The anticipated Summoner was Clovis, but when The Hidden gave their blessing, they chose Nimue who was standing nearby. The elder men are distrustful of this decision. But Lenore stays strong:
Yes when she was very young, Nimue was lured to the Iron Wood by a dark spirit and would have very likely been killed, or worse, were it not for the intervention of the Hidden. One might suggest that event alone makes her a worthy Summoner.”
As the elders argued over Nimue’s validity as Summoner she stormed off yelling she didn’t want the role anyhow.
She tells her confidant Pym that she was going to Hawksbridge, the nearest city. She thought she could escape everyone and start anew. I really enjoyed the scenes with her and Pym at the marketplace, and wish there were more.
But while she is there, she becomes aware that the Red Paladins have reached her village. The Red Paladins are a ruthless band of religious men bent on “purifying the woods.” Her people–Sky Folk–were impure according to the Paladins. So they set upon her village burning what they could and leaving no one alive
Nimue raced home and saw her mother get struck down by the Paladins. Her last words to Nimue were to give the bundle she was protecting to Merlin. She must find Merlin.
We cut to King Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur. He has called Merlin before him. Merlin is 400 years old and is currently very drunk. He has also lost his magic, and his use is being questioned.
Nimue unwrapped the bundle to find a beautiful sword. As she set out from her village, she was set upon by a pack of wolves. She was able to slay them with the sword. As Paladins came upon the scene, she easily bested them as well. The sword seemed like it was a part of her and she wielded it perfectly.
She found a traveler and made her way to Hawksbridge where she discovered that she was now known as the Wolf-Blood Witch and she was wanted dead by the Paladins.
She happens upon Arthur (and impresses and frightens him with her violence and swordsmanship). Arthur is a ne’er-do-well, a sword for hire and one who does not stick around if trouble comes. He is on the verge of leaving her many times in their journey. But instead he brings Nimue to his half sister Morgan. Morgan has heard of the Wolf-Blood Witch and she pledges to help her fight the Paladins and to find Merlin (even if she doesn’t actually trust Merlin).
There’s a lot of little side stories that flesh out this adventure. Like the way Uther’s mother–Lady Lunette, the Queen Regent–is pulling the strings of what Arthur is doing. He is getting tired of that. There is also the fact that Arthur is actually illegitimate and has no real claim to the throne.
This illegitimacy also explains why everyone is so hell-bent on finding the sword–the sword that will confer Kingship upon the owner.
The story does eventually introduce many of the Knights of the Round table before the Round Table existed. We meet Gawain when he was The Green Knight an old friend of Nimue who is used to protecting her. He is taken back by her power and her skill with the sword. We learn that The Weeping Monk, the strongest and fiercest fighter among the Paladins has secrets, one of which is that his name is Lancelot.
Speaking of the Paladins, we see that they are under the direct hand of Pope Abel, a rather nasty and gluttonous old man
We meet many of the Fey refugees whom Nimue swears to protect. All the different clans–typically hostile to each other–are hiding in a cave. There are Moon Wings, Fauns, Tusks, Snakes. But collectively they are thrilled with what the Wolf-Blood Princess has done.
There’s also clans living on the sea. The Vikings–not known to care about things on the mainland–and the pirates who play an important role in key scenes.
When Nimue eventually reaches Merlin, we learn a vast amount about his past. How he knew Nimue’s mother. Why the sword is important to him and why she should be careful with it. Although it’s not always clear whether or not she (or anyone) can trust Merlin–his allegiances are always in question. Earlier we saw Merlin making a pact with The Leper King of the Underworld.
The story is very violent with a lots of character–including loved ones–dying cruelly. There’s also some surprisingly allegiances and backstabbing.
The end of the book is shocking with a mostly forgotten character taking a decisive action and changing the fate of everything–the thing that Wheeler in the acknowledgments says sets up book two perfectly.
I’m really intrigued to see how this show comes together. And I’m also interested in reading the next book in the series.
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