reviews of recent and retro recordings -- Sexing the Political

reviews of recent and
retro recordings

the octaves beyond silence project

kristy beckman

The Octaves Beyond Silence Project was compiled to raise awareness about the violence women have suffered- and continue to suffer- around the world. The CD raises money for six organizations that help women around the world, from countries such as Afghanistan, Rwanda, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosova, and the United States.

The album begins and ends with songs by daughters of female survivors of war and female victims of genocide in Rwanda, Kosova, and Bosnia. They are songs of healing whose joy transcends the hate that has engulfed their families. Also featured on the CD are women from Afghanistan describing the atrocities of war they have suffered and the betrayal of their government, along with the imposition of the Islamic veil. They declare, "My fists are clenched with the fists of thousands of compatriots to break together all these suffering, all these fetters of slavery. I am the woman who has awoken. I have found my path and I will never return." This song was arranged by Allison Miller, along with a song by Bosnian women who explain how the organization Women for Women gave them hope and a support network that believed"everyone has a right to live without violence." These songs have incredible hand-drum beats, and the latter is backed up by a lively bass line.

Some of the songs on Octaves are tales of the heart-wrenching pain women have suffered. Eve Ensler performs "My Vagina Was My Village" from her internationally acclaimed play, "The Vagina Monologues." She wrote this piece from the point of view of a woman who had recently been released from a Bosnian rape camp. Her emotional delivery reveals that visiting her vagina now means revisiting the rapes and beatings she endured. This track can be excruciating to listen to. Nicki Walker performs a song about a woman who is living with domestic violence. Her voice is low and powerful, accompanied by her unique guitar strumming and beat. Walker tells of the care this woman provides to her abusive partner, explaining that "she waters the flowers on her grave." Liza Figoeroa plays a lullaby called "New Little Girl" on her piano, imploring us, "When she finds out that some things are not what they seem, When she finds out that life’s not a little girl’s dream, Will she still want to dance? Will she still want to sing? Will she still want to laugh?"

The band Earthwurm contributed "I Wait For You," a song about a woman who is going down to the depths of her pain to explore the possibility of loving and trusting again. The haunting, forceful chorus and charged guitar delivers the message that women do have the power to heal themselves from violence. This ties into the overall theme of Octaves; that we have the ability to help other women in need. The Indigo Girls’ "The Girl With the Weight of the World in Her Hands" questions what we can do when we know that others are undergoing hard times, but we find ourselves "busy with our happiness, busy with our plans." Ani DiFranco’s take on this is that we absolutely must leave the safety of our own worlds, and even our own oppression, to fight for what we believe in. She delivers a strong, painful, and hopeful live version of "Willing to Fight." Alisa Fineman adds that we must help each other search for peace, and hope for a life without pain. Her folk song "A Candle For Claire" is dedicated to Claire Chappellet, who worked for peace everywhere while living with mental illness. Alisa’s lulling, authoritative voice is backed by a complimentary mandolin and guitar.

The remainder of the CD is a celebration of all that women contribute to the world. Sheryl Bailey creates a symphony using only guitars in her waltz. Virginia Mayhew performs a jazz conversation between a trumpet and sax. There’s even a show tune, where Kathy LeMay and Vicki Ford sing about loving unconditionally. Rachel Z encourages women to love their bodies in the midst of a society with ridiculous notions of beauty. Betty performs "It Girl," a declaration of self-love and self-reliance whose guitar riffs and beats have fun pop roots. Even Me’Shell Ndegeocello makes an appearance with a new song called "Beautiful," a tribute to a lover accompanied by a wistful piano.

The Octaves Beyond Silence Project offers a diverse group of musicians sharing a variety of musical styles, with a definite folksy theme. The album is both an uplifting experience, and a journey into the pain of women survivors of violence. The CD pamphlet contains lyrics, photos of the musicians, contact information for the beneficiary organizations, and educational info. about the wars in Bosnia, Croatia, Afghanistan, and Rwanda.

For more information, visit Octaves Beyond Silence. To order a copy, call or visit Ladyslipper Music .

about this column

Each month, a compact disc recording is reviewed--either a recent release or an oldie that deserves revisiting within a contemporary context. The reviews are written through the lens of third wave feminist sexuality, as defined in its broadest terms. The reviews may explore the cultural response to the release including accompanying trends or controversies as well as implications for women's sexuality. A range of musical styles and artists are included. There are no promises of faithfulness to "women's music" or to review the latest, hippest, hottest artist (including Ani DiFranco).