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A Foxy Hysteria (With Norm Harris)

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HYSTERIA

poem by: T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)

As she laughed I was aware of becoming involved
in her laughter and being part of it, until her
teeth were only accidental stars with a talent
for squad-drill. I was drawn in by short gasps,
inhaled at each momentary recovery, lost finally
in the dark caverns of her throat, bruised by
the ripple of unseen muscles. An elderly waiter
with trembling hands was hurriedly spreading
a pink and white checked cloth over the rusty
green iron table, saying: “If the lady and
gentleman wish to take their tea in the garden,
if the lady and gentleman wish to take their
tea in the garden …” I decided that if the
shaking of her breasts could be stopped, some of
the fragments of the afternoon might be collected,
and I concentrated my attention with careful
subtlety to this end.

“Hysteria” was originally printed in Catholic Anthology, November 1915.

I decided it was about time I went all acoustic just like Norm :-) I abuse his Afoxé Rendition with Blocks

Well, I can’t help the electric bass, but this is the first time I recorded myself playing cornet, flute and harmonica, and also classical (nylon string) guitar plus vocals.

Norm - I hope this is ok with you!!

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Reefwalker's avatar
Reefwalker said

still diggin this

Guest said

Careful subtlety! Perfect!

Guest said

One of my fave ever AT tracks (for what it's worth). This is what this site is all about - a total gem, just given away for the fun, and the joy of it.

Guest said

Still totally digging this! All elements work perfectly.

Guest said

*APPLAUSE*

Guest said

!!! Brilliant! The music slinks along awesomely, but the narration is the kiss of la la la la life!

Norm's avatar
Norm said

I *love* this one.

Reefwalker's avatar
Reefwalker said

love the narration, and the echo FX's of the tea in the garden bit. And harp too? excellent.

Guest said

Cool song and istrumentation

igor's avatar
igor said

Sketch of the ripple of unseen muscles. Tea for two who wish to take their tea in the garden. Concentrating of attention with careful subtlety to this end. I like that.

Rick Phillips's avatar
Rick Phillips said

WOW! Great sound and meaty lyrics, maestros!

richardlaceves's avatar
richardlaceves said

very cool guys,,,,has a primal feel,,,,,,enjoyed very much

kavin.'s avatar
kavin. said

nice spoken word piece and the music provides the perfect backdrop.

thetworegs's avatar
thetworegs said

Great percussion as well arrryyehh yeehh yaaah

thetworegs's avatar
thetworegs said

Enjoyed this immensely in fact so much so i started to laugh

Norm's avatar
Norm said

Ha! Very clever! I love the bass lick and vox... and I'm very proud to be a part of your first accoustic recording of cornet, flute and harmonica. Historic indeed. And what an interesting poem. I read up on it. Some highlights: With "Hysteria" Eliot created an unconventional poetic diction by using verse rhythms that were based on the cadences of speech rather than poetic structure. It is possible that the laughter may be a product of the woman’s ‘hysteria’, but it is more likely that the title applies to the narrator’s reaction to that laughter. “As she laughed,” he begins, “I was aware of becoming involved in her laughter and being part of it.” He begins to feel as though he has physically become the laughter he is observing." "The narrator’s goal is to collect pieces of the details he was able to capture in order to rebuild a coherent reality. The reader is left somewhat skeptical of this goal, however, because of the narrator’s doubtful language. “If” the woman’s breasts “could” be stopped, “some” fragments “might” be collected. Each line contains two distinct words of uncertainty, and by the end we are not sure that the narrator’s hysteria can be cured.

Movement To Contact's avatar
Movement To Contact said

Kick ass collab gents. Fine work chris and norm! FAV'D Love the additions to the track! The horns work great.

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