Even more songs to calm the nerves

Summary

All Songs Considered: Episode Summary - "Even More Songs to Calm the Nerves"

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Songs Considered
• Host: Robin Hilton, with contributors Lars Gottridge and Stephen Thompson
• Description: NPR's flagship program for music discovery, artist interviews, and deep conversations about music's impact on our lives.
• Episode Title: Even More Songs to Calm the Nerves
• Release Date: April 8, 2025

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Introduction

In the April 8, 2025 episode of All Songs Considered, host Robin Hilton welcomes contributors Lars Gottridge and Stephen Thompson to delve deeper into the theme of music designed to soothe and calm the nerves. Building upon previous installments, this episode expands the playlist with a diverse array of artists and genres, offering listeners an extensive selection of calming tunes.

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Opening Conversation: Finding Calm Amidst Chaos

The episode begins with a casual conversation between Lars and Stephen about contemporary drinking habits, reflecting on societal changes since 2020. Lars Gottridge mentions a headline about increased alcohol consumption, leading to a thoughtful discussion on personal relationships with alcohol.

• Stephen Thompson shares his intentional decision to reduce drinking, emphasizing self-assessment:

  "[00:44] Stephen Thompson: It's intentional. A good friend of mine said it's always a good idea to reassess your relationship with alcohol. Just kind of take a step back..."

• Lars echoes his commitment to sobriety, highlighting the challenges of resisting old habits:

  "[01:07] Lars Gottridge: ...if there was some sort of academy that handed out awards for the amount of willpower it takes to not guzzle wine... I would win that award."

This conversation sets the stage for exploring how music can serve as a buffer against the stresses of everyday life.

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Exploring Calming Music Selections

1. The Choir - "You Don't Have to Smile" ([03:00]–[06:00])

Stephen Thompson introduces The Choir, an instrumental album titled Translucent, released in January 2025. This marks a departure from their traditional Christian rock roots, offering ambient, cathedral-like soundscapes.

• Stephen praises the band's evolution:

  "[06:00] Stephen Thompson: So for the last 30, almost 40 years, it's primarily been a vehicle for the songwriting of Steve Hindalong and Dari Dougherty."

• Lars appreciates the ambient qualities, noting the band’s long-standing presence:

  "[05:34] Lars Gottridge: ...they've been doing this for a minute."

2. Orbital Patterns - "Can't Tell if I'm Aw" ([06:57]–[10:27])

Lars introduces Orbital Patterns, the project of Michigan-based electronic artist Abdul Alam. The track "Can't Tell if I'm Aw" from the extended version of Imposter Syndrome showcases ambient textures designed to induce a trance-like state.

• Stephen comments on the playlist’s suitability:

  "[10:27] Stephen Thompson: Ambient music is certainly what I feel drawn to... this seems like a good contender for that playlist."

• Lars admires the intricate sound design:

  "[10:44] Lars Gottridge: ...this is really beautifully done and I don't really know what's what he's making the music with either..."

3. Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto - "Logic Moon" ([11:31]–[17:15])

The conversation shifts to Alva Noto's collaboration with renowned pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto on the track "Logic Moon." Stephen shares a personal anecdote about finding solace in Sakamoto's work while navigating anxiety in a new city.

• Stephen reflects on the emotional impact:

  "[14:11] Lars Gottridge: ...his music is just so perfect for calming the nerves."

• Lars connects the music to visual experiences:

  "[15:51] Lars Gottridge: Watching the water bottle... makes me appreciate this song a little bit more..."

4. Leah Bertucci - "VAP" ([18:32]–[22:12])

Lars spotlights Leah Bertucci, a New York-based composer and improviser. Her piece "VAP," performed by the Quartetto Maurice, emphasizes string arrangements devoid of saxophones, highlighting a blend of violin, viola, cello, and ambient textures.

• Stephen describes the music as "pastoral ambient":

  "[21:12] Stephen Thompson: ...I like to call it pastoral ambient music or stuff that you can see soundtracking a Terrence Malick movie."

• Lars appreciates the human element in the string textures:

  "[22:12] Lars Gottridge: There's a lot of humanity in that, in a way, for me."

5. Hayden Pedigo - "Long Pond Lily" ([23:07]–[29:28])

The duo discusses Hayden Pedigo's new song "Long Pond Lily" from his upcoming album I'll Be Waving as You Drive Away. Stephen shares an emotional connection, recalling a concert experience that moved him to tears.

• Stephen praises Pedigo as a "storyteller without words":

  "[26:53] Stephen Thompson: I like to call him a storyteller without words."

• Lars reflects on the song’s imagery and emotional depth:

  "[27:55] Stephen Thompson: That's where your mind went to first."

6. Max Richter - "Voices" and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ([28:15]–[33:31])

Lars introduces Max Richter's album Voices, inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The opening track "All Human Beings" features a reading by Eleanor Roosevelt, combining stirring music with impactful text.

• Stephen reads the preamble of the Declaration:

  "[29:28] Stephen Thompson: ...everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration without distinction of any kind."

• Lars expresses the album’s uplifting nature:

  "[31:20] Lars Gottridge: I just find this so inspiring, so uplifting."

7. Wayne Shorter & Milton Nascimento - "Tarja" ([34:17]–[38:55])

Stephen highlights Wayne Shorter's collaboration with Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento on the track "Tarja" from the album Native Dancer. The blend of jazz and Brazilian rhythms creates a unique, calming atmosphere.

• Lars notes the fusion of genres:

  "[37:41] Stephen Thompson: ...they kind of find this third way of music. It's not quite Brazilian popular music. It's not quite jazz. It's not quite... fusion."

• Stephen describes the song as ideal for winding down a party:

  "[38:55] Stephen Thompson: ...let's wind the party down."

8. Maby Fratti - "El Sol Sigue" ([39:07]–[43:32])

The focus shifts to Maby Fratti, a Guatemalan cellist and composer. Her solo piece "El Sol Sigue" from Pia sobre la Tierra showcases her versatility beyond the cello, incorporating voice and electronics.

• Stephen compares her to Arthur Russell:

  "[42:34] Stephen Thompson: ...Mabi Frate really inhabits and inherits that kind of like Arthur Russellian world."

• Lars praises her creative spirit and the song's orchestration:

  "[42:56] Lars Gottridge: ...she does really, really gorgeous work."

9. Ida - "Don't Get Sad" ([44:10]–[48:29])

Stephen introduces Ida's track "Don't Get Sad" from their latest album You’ll Find Me, reissued in a box set by Numero Group. The song offers comforting lyrics and harmonies aimed at uplifting listeners during tough times.

• Lars reflects on the song’s reassuring message:

  "[46:22] Lars Gottridge: ...it's like optimism, but it's not blind optimism or blind idealism."

• Stephen emphasizes the importance of community through music:

  "[44:10] Stephen Thompson: ...live music is a big part of that for me."

10. Henrik Goretzki - "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs" ([49:03]–[53:05])

Closing the episode, Lars selects an excerpt from Henrik Goretzki's Symphony Number 3, Opus 36, specifically the "Lento" section. The piece builds gradually, encapsulating profound sorrow and beauty.

• Lars conveys the emotional weight of the symphony:

  "[51:58] Lars Gottridge: ...just a breathtaking work... I have cried to this song so many times just from the beauty of it all."

• Stephen mentions notable renditions by Beth Gibbons and Lisa Gerrard:

  "[52:32] Stephen Thompson: ...there are two versions that came out in somewhat recent years featuring Beth Gibbons... and Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance."

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Personal Stories and Reflections

Throughout the episode, both Lars and Stephen intertwine personal anecdotes, illustrating how these musical selections have personally aided in managing anxiety and finding calm. Their shared experiences create an intimate atmosphere, inviting listeners to connect with the music on a deeper level.

• Lars shares a heartfelt perspective on love versus hate:

  "[32:39] Lars Gottridge: ...love always wins. Hate does not win..."

• Stephen emphasizes the importance of routines and community in maintaining mental well-being:

  "[17:15] Stephen Thompson: ...reminding ourselves that we are a humanity that deserves to be loved and connected and supported is crucial."

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Recommendations and Conclusion

As the episode concludes, Stephen and Lars encourage listeners to explore the featured tracks through their curated playlist "Songs to Calm the Nerves," available on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. They highlight the extensive nature of the playlist, boasting over three and a half hours of music designed for relaxation and emotional support.

• Lars hints at future episodes:

  "[53:05] Lars Gottridge: ...we'll put all of this music on there."

• Stephen nods to the ongoing journey:

  "[54:00] Lars Gottridge: ...it's all songs. Consider."

The episode wraps with a mutual appreciation for the therapeutic power of music, leaving listeners with a sense of hope and encouragement to seek solace through their own musical explorations.

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Notable Quotes

• Stephen Thompson on reassessing relationships with substances:

  "[00:44] ...take a step back and like, how do I interact with this substance?"

• Lars Gottridge on personal willpower:

  "[01:07] ...I would win that award. It is Herculean."

• Lars Gottridge on love overcoming hate:

  "[32:39] ...love always wins. Hate does not win."

• Stephen Thompson on community and support:

  "[17:15] ...we are a humanity that deserves to be loved and connected and supported."

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Final Thoughts

This episode of All Songs Considered presents a rich tapestry of music selections aimed at providing comfort and tranquility. Through thoughtful discussions, personal reflections, and diverse musical showcases, Lars Gottridge and Stephen Thompson guide listeners on a journey to find peace and calm through the power of song.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the curated playlist and embrace the therapeutic benefits of music in their daily lives. As Robin Hilton aptly concludes, the show's blend of insightful commentary and evocative music continues to inspire and soothe audiences worldwide.

Transcript

[Robin Hilton]

Support for this podcast and the following message come from Dignity Memorial. When your celebration of life is prepaid today, your family is protected tomorrow, planning ahead is truly one of the best gifts you can give your family. For additional information, visit dignitymemorial.com I saw this headline recently.

[Lars Gottridge]

It said, people are drinking like it's 2020.

[Stephen Thompson]

We are.

[Lars Gottridge]

That's what the headline said. People are drinking like it's 2020. And I shared this with a friend of mine and he said, that's aw. And I said, I don't think it's actually supposed to be a good thing.

[Stephen Thompson]

No, I'm drinking. I mean, for me, I'm drinking far less than I ever had in my adulthood.

[Lars Gottridge]

Is that intentional?

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah, it's intentional. A good friend of mine said it's always a good idea to reassess your relationship with alcohol. Just kind of take a step back and like, how do I interact with this substance? Does it help me? Does it hurt me? Does it hinder me? Yeah, you know, I've been thinking a lot about it the last couple years and I, you know, I still have a beer, like on a Friday night, but that's about it.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah, I really bought into the whole red wine is good for you thing, and I totally leaned into that and I was one of those 2020 drinkers and I had to stop. So, yeah, I'm being very good. You know, if there was some sort of academy that handed out awards for the amount of willpower it takes to not guzzle wine, pound snacks, and stay up until 2 o'clock in the morning watching television, I would win that award. It is Herculean.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's a lot of my snack consumption. I stick to nuts and fruits these days. I'm really trying here, Robin.

[Lars Gottridge]

Wow, you're being very good. Is that how you stay grounded then right now?

[Stephen Thompson]

I think so. I think it's like having routines.

[Lars Gottridge]

That's true.

[Stephen Thompson]

And having. Having things that I do regularly and then allowing yourself deviations when it's just the crisis calls for it, you know?

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah. I think the problem is every day feels like a. It feels like an exception. We're gonna break that rule today too.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah, well, some, some days, you know, I do work for a journalism company, but some days I do try to tune out what's happening in the world, but, you know, sometimes you just can't help it.

[Lars Gottridge]

Well, you're in good luck because this show is all about tuning out what's happening in the rest of the world. You know, around this time last year, we did an episode of All Songs Considered called Songs to Calm the Nerves, which was exactly what it sounds like. It was an extended playlist of grindcore and death metal.

[Stephen Thompson]

Hell, yeah.

[Lars Gottridge]

And then a bit later last fall or so, we did More Songs to Calm the Nerves. And here we are, we're making it a trilogy. Even More Songs to Calm the Nerves. And Lars Gottridge, even though I know you do love you some grindcore and death metal, I can also count on you for the complete opposite, at least sonically.

[Stephen Thompson]

For what it is worth, I do find comfort in heavy metal.

[Lars Gottridge]

I know you do, too. And for this show, you've been very good to me. I thought, he's gonna bring some noisy thing on, because I did think about it.

[Stephen Thompson]

But the funny thing is, after looking at your playlist, you actually balanced me out with kind of noisier.

[Lars Gottridge]

Oh, you think?

[Stephen Thompson]

Okay, okay, we'll get to that, though.

[Lars Gottridge]

All right, well, let's just start with what we've been listening to here. It's one of your picks, a band called the Choir. And this piece is called you don't have To Smile.

[Stephen Thompson]

Sat.

[Lars Gottridge]

Everything's Sort of Melting Away. This is a great pick. And, you know, I have to admit, I didn't know the Choir, so I did a little reading about them and they've been doing this for a minute.

[Stephen Thompson]

The Choir has been a band since the early 80s. They've made all sorts of music, but ostensibly they're a rock band. And more specifically to my growing up, and I think a lot of listeners know this, but I grew up on Christian rock, so this was a Christian rock band that I loved, so.

[Lars Gottridge]

But they must do more sort of ambient stuff. Are they instrumental rock?

[Stephen Thompson]

This is their first instrumental album ever.

[Lars Gottridge]

Oh, wow. Okay.

[Stephen Thompson]

So for the last 30, almost 40 years, it's primarily been a vehicle for the songwriting of Steve Hindalong and Dari Dougherty. And Derry has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. He has this gorgeous tenor that verges on alto, very high and lofty and airy, and he sings songs about wonder and curiosity. And even without you hearing him sing here, you can hear that wonder and curiosity and this, like, cathedral, swelling ambient music.

[Lars Gottridge]

Well, I love this. This is a great pick and a great way to start the show off. So the album it's from is called.

[Stephen Thompson]

Translucent, came out just earlier this year in January, so it's pretty brand new.

[Lars Gottridge]

Oh, wow. Well, I want to follow with something that's maybe another kind of ambienty track from an artist known as Orbital Patterns. This is A project of artist named Abdul Alam, an electronic artist and composer based out of Michigan. He had what is. I mean, I guess I would call it an ambient album he put out last year called Imposter Syndrome. And, well, actually that came out in 2023. Last year he had an extended version of it called Extended Imposter Syndrome. And that's what I want to play a cut from. They're all pretty long. It is the extended version. Yeah. After all. But I want to play a bit of one called Can't Tell if I'm Aw. Installments of music to calm the nerves. We've talked about the different kinds of songs that can, you know, lower your shoulders and slow the blood. And it doesn't just have to be ambient music. There are certainly lots of different kinds of music that'll do that. But it is, I find it is what I reach for the most. Anything that can sort of lull me into a trance. And, you know, the longer the cut, the better. Because I think Stephen Thompson said in one of the episodes we did that then you don't have to get up and hit play again or skip to the next track or flip the record over or whatever.

[Stephen Thompson]

Ambient music is certainly what I feel drawn to. I have a personal playlist that I update every now and again called has the Next Song Started yet? And it's just 10, 20 minute ambient and drone tracks. This seems like a good contender for that playlist.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah, that's a great name for a playlist, actually. I just. I find this really transfixing. This is really beautifully done and I don't really know what's what he's making the music with either, which is something else I really love. Could be guitars, maybe it could be run through a bunch of pedals, could be synths. I'm not really sure.

[Stephen Thompson]

I actually have another song on that playlist that I was just talking about that. Has the next song started it yet?

[Lars Gottridge]

Oh, okay.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's one that's been in my life for a long time that I return to often when I need to reset my pulse.

[Lars Gottridge]

Right. Clear.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yes. Yes.

[Lars Gottridge]

That would be a good name for a playlist. Clear.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's the song Logic Moon from the album Insign, which was a collaboration between the German artist Alva Noto and the Japanese pianist and composer Ruichi Sakamoto. Sa.

[Lars Gottridge]

I'm so glad you picked this and picked something from Richie Sakamoto. Honestly, I can't believe that we didn't play anything from him on either of our.

[Stephen Thompson]

I was looking at previous episodes. It's like, why is Sakamoto not on any of these?

[Lars Gottridge]

I know. I mean, his music is just so perfect for calming the nerves. And he's obviously produced so much. I'm gonna forgive myself for not knowing this album or. And I really don't know Alvin Noto either.

[Stephen Thompson]

They did a handful of these collaborations, and all of them are stunning and beautiful, and I've loved every single one of them. If this is your mode, this is a great place to be. I remember when I first moved to Washington, D.C. i didn't know anybody here. I was trying something new for myself. For somebody who grew up, you know.

[Lars Gottridge]

In the south, had you never really lived anywhere else?

[Stephen Thompson]

Never lived. Not really as an adult. You know, moved around when I was a kid, but. And so I remember I was on the metro late one night, and I put this album on, and this song in particular came on. And I remember watching. There was like, a bottle of water that had fallen to the floor, and it sprung a leak, and the water was just kind of like moving back and forth on the floor of this metro, sort of in time with these little glitches. And I remember hearing. Seeing that and hearing the glitches, and then hearing Sakamoto's. It's like he's playing one note at a time, and he's resolving and unresolving a chord at the same time, and everything seems to be backwards and forwards. And in that moment, I sort of felt like I was allowing myself to experience something new. It was calming.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah. Wow.

[Stephen Thompson]

Because I was so full of anxiety about this place I'd never been. And I was like, suddenly I felt, oh, this is okay.

[Lars Gottridge]

That's a real American beauty plastic bag floating in the air moment, Lars.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yes, I know.

[Lars Gottridge]

Watching the water bottle slosh back and forth in time to this, it actually makes me appreciate this song a little bit more, because I found if I had any complaint about it, I would say that the little digital glitch sounds that pulse throughout this are actually a little unnerving to me.

[Stephen Thompson]

They're a little jarring. Yeah. But they're so soft.

[Lars Gottridge]

They are. But it sounds like something's wrong. Like, it sounds like something's broken or it's like an alarm or something telling me.

[Stephen Thompson]

But, like, that little water bottle is like. That was also out of time.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

And I felt out of time. I felt out of sync. And here is this thing that suddenly became in sync in a strange way.

[Robin Hilton]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Betterment, the automated investing and savings app CEO, Sara Levy shares how Betterment utilizes tech tools powered by human advice.

[Lars Gottridge]

Betterment is here to help customers build wealth their way and we provide powerful technology and complete human support where technology can deliver ease of use and affordability and the people behind that technology can provide advice and guidance.

[Robin Hilton]

Learn [e-mail] Investing involves risk performance, not guaranteed support for NPR and the following Message come from LinkedIn ads One of the hardest parts about B2B marketing is reaching the right audience. When you want to reach the right professionals, use LinkedIn ads. LinkedIn has grown to a network of over 1 billion professionals. Target buyers by job title, industry, company role, seniority skills, company revenue, all the professionals you need to reach in one place. Get a $100 credit on your next campaign. Just go to LinkedIn.com allsongs Terms and conditions apply only on LinkedIn ads.

[Lars Gottridge]

This message comes from Viking Committed to exploring the world in comfort journey through the heart of Europe on an elegant Viking longship with thoughtful service, destination focused dining and cultural enrichment on board and on shore. And every Viking voyage is all inclusive with no children and no casinos. Discover [e-mail] Lars I actually have an artist that I think I maybe discovered on one of your many playlists that you've shared over the years. Leah Bertucci. Oh yeah, I know you're a fan, I guess if you had to call Leah Bertucci any one thing as an artist. She's a saxophonist, but I mean that's.

[Stephen Thompson]

Really the least of what she does.

[Lars Gottridge]

It really is the least of what she does. And she's a New York based composer, improviser, makes beautiful avant garde music. She does play the saxophone, but really she writes for voice and strings and electronics and all kinds of other sounds. She's put out a number of albums and EPs over the past decade or so, but I want to play a single that she released in 2023 called VAP. So no saxophone? No on this one at all. All strings, violin, viola, cello. It's all performed by the Quartetto Maurice.

[Stephen Thompson]

This is what goes back to what I saying earlier about how I was surprised how some of your picks felt noisier than what I was expecting. Because I love Leah Bertucci's music and this is the kind of music is totally in my jam. I love. I like to call it pastoral ambient music or stuff that you can see soundtracking a Terrence Malick movie maybe my.

[Lars Gottridge]

All time favorite director, right?

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah, but there's always such a tension with this kind of composition. You're doing a lot of glissando on those strings and you're screeching them.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah. You're getting the texture of the strings, for sure.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah. It's a very tangible ambient music.

[Lars Gottridge]

Maybe. Because also, as you say, it is pastoral. There's something about it that I really love. The texture of the strings. It's like you can hear the bow dragging across them in the. You know, outside of the tone that it produces. And you can hear the fingers moving on the strings, and. I don't know, there's a lot of humanity in that, in a way, for me. And, yeah, I really love this.

[Stephen Thompson]

Can I change the mood, like, a little bit?

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

I can't help but notice that we're picking a lot of somber music. I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm very much on team Sad songs make me happy.

[Lars Gottridge]

Right. I bet I know where you're going from here. I've seen your playlist here.

[Stephen Thompson]

There's a guitarist named Hayden Pedigo, who I've loved for a long time. I've been following his career since he was a teenager. I've talked about him on the show many times already. But he has a new record coming out just announced today. It's called I'll be waving as you drive away. It's out in June. And he has a new song called long pond lily that I actually saw him perform last fall here in Washington, D.C. he previewed a handful of new tracks when he was playing at the Songbird music venue, and this song really stuck out to me.

[Lars Gottridge]

Full disclosure, this is not where I thought you were going. We'll get to where I. Where I thought you were going.

[Stephen Thompson]

Okay.

[Lars Gottridge]

I know a little bit later on the show, but this is so wonderful. It is just. It's just so reassuring in a way. I don't know what else. It's like optimism, but it's not blind optimism or blind idealism. You know, it's not music just to make you forget everything for a while, you know, which. That's important in good kind of music, too. But there's something that's just like a steady, calming hand in this music.

[Stephen Thompson]

I think that's right. And something I say about Hayden often is that he's a storyteller without words. And there are so many characters in this song. You have that acoustic guitar. You have that rippling electric guitar figure. A little drums come in. I think there's some pedal steel. I think there's some upright bass that pops through. Everything's got a little bit of a bounce to it, and you feel like you're in a movie where the whole town comes together and solves a problem.

[Lars Gottridge]

Everything's gonna be just fine. Yeah, yeah. It conjures a lot of really wonderful images and it's partly because of the name, you know, Long Pond Lily. Again, pastoral. It feels kind of like you're stepping into a Monet painting or something. You know, it has all those weird, wild, wonderful colors. But then also the album title, I'll Be Waving as yous Drive Away. I thought, well, maybe they're waving to try to get their attention. Cause they're about to drive off a cliff. I don't think so. I love.

[Stephen Thompson]

That's where your mind went to first.

[Lars Gottridge]

Bye. No, wait. But you know, it's clearly someone's leaving and it's again that idea that it's okay, you're waving fondly. You know, it's okay to be sad and to say goodbye and still feel good.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah, it can be bittersweet.

[Lars Gottridge]

Well, I know you love yourself some finger picked guitars. That's true. And Hayden Pedigo is one of the best. Doing it right now.

[Stephen Thompson]

I think so. Absolutely.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah. You know, on the last installment of Songs to calm the nerves, we played a little bit of Max Richter's Sleep. You know, that opus designed to put you to sleep and then guide you to sleep. And I wanted to feature all new stuff on this episode, but you know, from different artists than we featured before. But I just had to reach for Max Richter again because I have been thinking a lot about and listening a lot to this album that he put out in 2020 called Voices. And it's just this really, I think, profoundly stirring album that is inspired and sort of about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was this document that the United nations put out not long after World War II. And the album Voices from Max Richter has a lot of really gorgeous music in it, but also a reading of the Declaration by a number of different people. And it opens with a track called called All Human Beings. And the first voice you're going to hear on this cut is actually Eleanor Roosevelt, who chaired the UN committee that drafted this.

[Stephen Thompson]

I'm going to read you the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the preamble. Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of, of freedom, justice and peace in the world. Now therefore, the General assembly proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations to the end that every individual and every organ of Society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive, by teaching and education, to promote respect for these rights and freedoms, and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance. Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity.

[Robin Hilton]

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of community. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

[Lars Gottridge]

I just find this so inspiring, so uplifting. If you need a reminder that the world is a good place, full of good people trying to do good things, listen to this. Really, this whole album. And it's not just a reading like this. It is just full of really gorgeous music too.

[Stephen Thompson]

When I saw that you were going to feature this song, I was like, man, Robin's feeling hopeful.

[Lars Gottridge]

I know I put on a good game face with the whole grumpy old man thing, but I, deep in my heart, I am an optimistic, hopeful person.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yes, that's so crucial. It is so easy to give in to despair. And I am definitely one of those people who struggles with that, like giving into despair. And like I said, I have my routines to kind of keep me steady. I am a prayerful person. So that is an important part of my, you know, keeping myself level headed. Reminding ourselves that we are a humanity that deserves to be loved and connected and supported is crucial. There's going to be a lot of different ways that you're going to do that. Some people are going to fight, some people are going to love, some people are going to make art. The point is that you do it.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah. If you could indulge me just being very earnest for a moment, I will say, and this is something that I've said to my kids whenever they're worried about what they hear in the news or what's going on in the world, I say that the thing that gives me the most hope is that I, and I truly believe this is that love always wins. Hate does not win. Hate can cause lots of problems and make life very difficult for people and hurt people, but it never wins the long fight. And, you know, because hate is ultimately very brittle and hard and it's hollow and it's very unstable. It teeters and falls over eventually. Love is always on strong, solid ground, solid footing, and it's very resilient and it may not feel like it, but Love always wins.

[Stephen Thompson]

Amen, brother Robin. Foreign.

[Robin Hilton]

Support for this podcast and the following message come from Lagunitas Brewing Company. Since 1993, Laganitas has been challenging the status quo, brewing innovative beer and crafting stories along the way, featuring a wide range of craft brews, cult classics and non alcoholic options. There's a seat at the bar for everyone. Bring the dog to Lagunitas Brewing Co. Because every great song deserves a great beer. It's good to have friends. Learn [e-mail] Robin let's play something a.

[Stephen Thompson]

Little bit different than everything else we've been playing.

[Lars Gottridge]

Okay, now I know where I think you're going.

[Stephen Thompson]

I think I've mentioned on the show before that I have an extremely fond love and appreciation for music from Brazil on this show. And. And in 1975, Wayne Shorter, the great American saxophonist, did this record called Native Dancer and he is the name on the record. But the star of the show is the Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento. It's a great record. It's incredibly influential. Esperanza Spalding has cited it as a major influence and it's a record I come back to often. It's a great party record if you need like a chill party record. But there's one song on it that just as our colleague Stephen Thompson says, slows the blood, but also feels like it could soundtrack a late night party wind down. This is the track Tarja from Native Dancer Chapring.

[Lars Gottridge]

And Wayne Shorter in his saxophone actually doesn't come in until like maybe halfway through. We can scooch ahead here so people can hear.

[Stephen Thompson]

Just. Okay, great.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's so crucial, this part, just so people know that's Wayne Shorter on sax, Herbie Hancock on electric piano.

[Lars Gottridge]

Oh, wow. Okay.

[Stephen Thompson]

And then Milton Nascimento again and singing. And you know, you don't need to know Portuguese to know what he's singing about to know that it's beautiful. It is a song about longing, as most songs from the country of Brazil are about.

[Lars Gottridge]

This is a very interesting mix of sounds. So it's not necessarily what I first think of when I think of Brazilian music. There is sort of a New York City vibe in it.

[Stephen Thompson]

This is kind of a popular thing that was happening during this time in New York where a lot of New York jazz musicians wanted to make Brazilian records. And so that was happening a lot. And so he wanted to do it too. And he does. And he doesn't. Like, he got the right guy to sing and he brought an ear to the brilliant percussionist to play on A lot of this album, he doesn't play in this song. But they kind of find this third way of music. It's not quite Brazilian popular music. It's not quite jazz. It's not quite. Call it fusion, I guess, but fusion is just a good word for, like, when you fuse two different kinds of things together.

[Lars Gottridge]

Don't know what else to call it.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah, yeah. So, like I said, this song in particular is such a great. Let's wind the party down. But let's, like, recognize that we had a great night.

[Lars Gottridge]

Well, nothing calms my nerves more than everyone leaving. So I like the image of this being the final song where, like, everyone's kind of trickling out the door, except for that one person. Right.

[Stephen Thompson]

Who just won't leave, won't leave just to punish her.

[Lars Gottridge]

Let's go to music from Guatemala. And Maby Fratti, a cellist I absolutely love. Kind of like the Leah Bertucci, you know, Maby Fratti contains multitudes. She has collaborated with so many different artists doing so many different styles of music. And again, you know, sort of like, you wouldn't just call Leah Bertucci a saxophonist. I don't think you could just call Mavi Fratti a cellist. I want to play something from her solo album that she put out in 2019 called Pia sobre la Tierra, or Feet on the Ground. And this is the opening song, El Sol Sigue. That is the sun is still.

[Stephen Thompson]

It, baby Sam.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah. She just does so much with her voice, with her cello. The way it's orchestrated, the way the song sort of opens up, I think it's just beautiful.

[Stephen Thompson]

The composer and arranger, Simon Parkin, once said that the cello is the only instrument that encompasses the entire range of the human voice, which, you know, is a thing that heard many times over the years, but I think is just true. It starts down at the low C and goes all the way up to the high C. And that is what the human voice can do.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

And, you know, it's an instrument that you literally hug with your body, so you're feeling the vibrations of these strings, and you are just enveloped. And especially if you're singing with the cello, what kind of resonance are you capturing? So I think about somebody like Arthur Russell. It was the first time when I really realized that the cello was, like, made for the human voice. And I think Mabi Frate really inhabits and inherits that kind of like Arthur Russellian world.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah, you would like Oliver Coates. Do you ever listen to him? He did the score for After sun that movie, he does similar things with the cello and can really coax all these incredible sounds out of it. But yeah, Mami Fratti, she does really, really gorgeous work. And I'm just so inspired by everything she does. She is such a creative spirit. Incredible art. Lars, I think you've got one more that you want to play for us.

[Stephen Thompson]

You ask me, you know, what am I doing to help settle my nerves. And you know, I mentioned routine, but live music is a big part of that for me. It's very important for me to go see a show, even if I'm just going by myself. To be surrounded by like minded lovers of music engaging in this music communion together is very important to me. And so recently I got to see a band that I've never been able to see, but I've been listening to since college. The band Ida. Ida has been sort of reactivated a little bit. They've been doing some reunion shows.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah. I was gonna ask, did they break up or.

[Stephen Thompson]

They just kind of stopped. You know, life was lifein'and. So I was so thrilled that they announced this tour. And I saw them here at the black cat in D.C. and definitely cried.

[Lars Gottridge]

Well, that's interesting because I know that the song that you want to play is called Don't Get Sad.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yes, it is a song from well youl Find Me, which originally came out in 2000. It's getting a nice box set reissue in April on Numero Group. They're recognizing that you need some comfort in this world, but they're not shying away from the things that are hurting. And that's exactly what this song is about. Don't get sad on me don't get sad I may not have a lot of comfort to spare But I hear you. I hear you. Put on your coat and your hat and your gloves and go walking Take one hand out of your glove on the street when you're walking look straight ahead don't turn around when you're walking Cuz nothing can hurt you now when you walk in.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah, those harmonies are just gorgeous. And I love just all the simple little images in this too.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah, the lyrics are fairly unadorned. They're just saying, let's go for a walk.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah, Put on your gloves yeah, let's go.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah. But I want them to say that to me.

[Lars Gottridge]

You know, you could be very close if they would just give you a chance. Can I come too on this walk?

[Stephen Thompson]

I love you, Ida, so much. I'm so glad that you're back.

[Lars Gottridge]

I have thought of making a Mixtape or a playlist of songs all about hanging in there, you know, like maybe you got this playlist, you know, this would fit on that. You know, like REM's Everybody Hurts.

[Stephen Thompson]

Right.

[Lars Gottridge]

Peter Gabriel's Don't Give Up. I think Bill Fay's Be not so Fearful sure.

[Stephen Thompson]

Would be a good.

[Lars Gottridge]

Maybe we should do that show.

[Stephen Thompson]

Let's do that show.

[Lars Gottridge]

Maybe we need to do that show. We can do that a little bit.

[Stephen Thompson]

Later on, you know, and the image for the show could be the Hang in there cat.

[Lars Gottridge]

Yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

Oh, God.

[Lars Gottridge]

Well, if people want to listen to full versions of these songs, and some of them are very long, we have a playlist songs to calm the nerves that we've been adding to as we've been doing these episodes. So we'll put all of this music on there. We must be up to, I don't know, three and a half hours of music on there by now. Just because the full versions of some of These songs are 15 minutes long, you know, but if people look for that in Apple music or Spotify, they'll find it there.

[Stephen Thompson]

We're about to add a 25 minute song right now. Yeah.

[Lars Gottridge]

And this is one that, you know, I almost included on both of our previous episodes because it really is one of my all time favorite pieces of music of any music of any genre. Genre, but especially music that takes me away. It's from the Polish composer Henrik Goretzki. This is easily his most famous piece. It's his Symphony Number 3, Opus 36. It's known as the Symphony of Sorrowful Songs. It is, yes, as you said, like maybe 20 minutes or so. Just this one section and then of course, the whole, whole symphony is much longer. This is the opening piece. It's called Lento. And we'll just do a little bit of it here and we can come back and talk more about it.

[Stephen Thompson]

Sa.

[Lars Gottridge]

This is just a breathtaking work. You know, when it starts off at the very beginning, it's so quiet you can barely even hear it. The cellos that are playing at the beginning and it just keeps building and building and building. And it's this sort of same line that feels like it has no beginning or end that they just keep repeating. There's something in this piece that it just feels like the very soul of the universe is opening up and revealing itself to me in the most wondrous way. And I have cried to this song so many times just from the beauty of it all.

[Stephen Thompson]

This is probably the most famous version of this piece of music, but there are two versions that came out in somewhat recent years featuring Beth Gibbons as the singer performing with the Polish Symphony. And then Lisa Gerard from Dead Can Dance also did a version.

[Lars Gottridge]

Oh, I didn't know that.

[Stephen Thompson]

And they bring their own textures and colors to this piece of music. So start with this one. A song by Don Upshaw. It's the Goat. It's the greatest all time. But the Beth Gibbons and the Lisa Gerard versions are also really incredible.

[Lars Gottridge]

I thought you were gonna say Colin Stetson cause he did a version too. Oh, really? Okay. Yeah, you should check that out. Really incredible. We'll go out on this. You know, we've been closing every episode by looking back at the number one songs from each of All Songs Considered's 25 years in the digital universe. But I, I want to stay in this head space this week, Lars. You know, I don't want to harsh anyone's mellow here. So we're, we're gonna go out on this and we will be back with more from our 25th anniversary series on next week's show. But do stay tuned for your weekly reset that also comes at the end of every episode. In case this week's show wasn't enough to recalibrate your mood, maybe the weekly resets will. All right, Lars, thanks as always for this journey.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah. Are we gonna hug it out after this?

[Lars Gottridge]

Absolutely. Not going to do that. But a firm handshake and thanks for everything will do.

[Stephen Thompson]

Okay, I'll take it.

[Lars Gottridge]

And for NPR Music, I'm Robin Hilton. It's all songs. Consider.

[Robin Hilton]

Support for this podcast and the following message come from Lagunitas Brewing Company. Challenging the status quo and crafting stories along the way. Featuring a wide range of innovative craft brews and non alcoholic options. It's good to have friends. Learn [e-mail] this message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses at Warby Parker? It's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country.

[Lars Gottridge]

This message comes from the Capital One Saver. With Savor, you earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment and at grocery stores. That's unlimited cash back on ordering takeout from home. So grab a bite, grab a seat and earn unlimited 3% cash back with the Savor card. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capitalone.com for details.