Pandemic Music: Intercontinent7al and the possible future of recorded music…

Not long ago, a podcast tried to explain that our current COVID crisis is not so bad when you compare it to the Black Plague of the Middle Ages. I suppose that is historically correct but maybe the Dinosaurs might quibble a bit on that one and there is always the aftermath of an asteroid strike to look forward to for comparative purposes.

As for me, I look at the life I live and share with others and I think that this will probably be the worse thing that will happen in my lifetime — at least socially speaking. That may be selfish from a historical perspective, but this is the only era in time I — we — have a stake in.

As a species we are turning ever inward and that seems to be bringing out the worse in us. In-person socialization, of course, has been on the decline for many years now but the pandemic has likely permanently ended many types of human interactions.

For one, movie going may never make a come back and dining out has become less communal. But the suspended social activity that has troubled me the most is music both live and recorded.

With live music, the current pandemic problem is obvious. Concert crowds are super spreader events and, absent total herd immunity, it is hard to see how it comes back. Being part of an audience may never be the same.

The pandemic problem with recorded music is less obvious but it would seem to me that it must exist. Bands use to depend on face to face rehearsals and live playing to work up new songs. DIY computer technology and applications have closed the in-person gap but can creativity flourish without face to face spontaneity?

Internation7al has answered that question and more. They have found a way to create music across time and space. Moreover, they have done it using the concept of crowdsourcing.

Mind you, they did not do this for just one song or a novelty number but over the course of a full album. A fully realized album in every sense that pre-pandemic albums could deliver in terms of singular and unified atmospherics.

This is no small achievement. This sort of collaboration is also the kind of hope and fellowship that will put us pass this thing with some semblance of compassion. But what of the music?

Given the circumstances and the era, it should come as no surprise that the overall feel of the album is pensive, it is also warm and thoughtful. In other words, the best of a bad situation. A great album to share a bottle of wine with.

The opening track Fire, is an urgent sexy samba with crystalline vocals, and a fine acoustic guitar riff that is matched by the congas. It sets the mood which is picked up again in the Spanish language No Somos De Este Lugar.

A more sober number is the duet Big Shot which echos Richard and Linda Thompson. The bluesy When I Am Gone would be at home on a Los Lobos record and Astray is the best Carly Simon song in years. Finally, there is Albatross Flight which just might be a sequel to the early Fleetwood Mac track, Albatross.

Sounds good no? If that were not enough, each track was crowd sourced in a cut and paste manner where a good idea was sent out to the world with a suggestion and returned with a result.

You would think such an approach would be disjointed but the songs are seamless which says a lot. For one, that musicians have some sort of innate ability to understand each other and that creativity can thrive under daunting circumstances.

The project’s name reflects the fact that they collectively were able to work in contributions from artists representing all seven continents. No doubt a rewarding experience that the artists themselves are giving back to COVID relief via the sales proceeds.

This is a praise worthy gesture in any era but an especially poignant one now. It borders on hope and transcendence in an isolated and divided world. But — hey — that is the power of music.

One final note, I happen to know one of the project leaders here, guitarist Matt Smith. He is a talented graphic designer whom I didn’t know was an equally talented musician. I can be a little dense like that. I also appreciate that just knowing Matt may raise doubts about my motives here.

All I can say to that is don’t be so cynical, especially when previews are free. You can listen and get into the spirit of the thing and see a different tomorrow for us all. Like I said, that is the power of music…