Why do so many singers love the Lady of Shalott? Several months ago I got it into my head to try to recreate the famous Waterhouse artwork in a photographic self-portrait (I haven't yet tried it), and searched the internet to see if any other photographer/model had done so, with no luck. I did, however, discover that several musicians have interpreted the artwork for their CD covers or music videos.
A few examples?
Of course, there's Loreena McKennitt, who has been my favorite singer for 14 years, and through whom I discovered the Pre-Raphaelites in the first place. She sings a version of the Tennyson poem.
Enya as the Lady of Shalott
A Fine Frenzy as the Lady of Shalott (a bit more of a stretch, but...boat, white dress?)
Emily Ovenden of the group Celtic Legend, in her music video "The Boatman"
And Patti Rothberg on the cover of her album "Candleabra Cadabra" (album title is cleverly written in the place where Waterhouse wrote the Lady's name on the boat)
I keep seeing new examples of singers using the Lady of Shalott as inspiration, so I'm sure there are more out there. Perhaps it's the fact that the Lady herself was a singer, with her voice as the only means by which her art could be expressed to others when she was trapped in the tower. Perhaps those musicians who use the Waterhouse art as a model don't even give it that much thought. But it is deliciously ironic.
I love Loreena McKennitt's Lady of Shallott--the melody goes so well with the poem!
ReplyDeleteThe lady of Shalott has become somewhat of an icon in English culture. Did you see Atonement? All the scenes by the water reminded me of Waterhouse paintings with the lighting and atmosphere...maybe it's a bit of a stretch, but I think the directors were aiming for it.
I haven't yet seen Atonement, but I believe...wasn't the Lady of Shalott one of the "antiquities" owned by V in the movie V for Vendetta? I had forgotten that until you mentioned movies :)
ReplyDeleteIh, i think it was!
ReplyDeleteI think the fascination with the legend is probably based on the fact that we all want what we can't have, and can identify with the Lady of Shalott. We might feel locked into the mundane lives we lead, forced to do what we must and longing for that forbidden fruit.
As for me, the empathy goes a step farther, what with my very own Lancelot and all...
Not to mention, of course, that it's an absolutely beautiful poem, and Loreena McKennitt's version is pure haunting loveliness. It's one of MY favorite songs to sing, beyond a doubt.
As a matter of fact, I walked into the bathroom just a couple of hours ago, and burst into, "A bow shot from her bower eaves..." lol
I love singing in the bathroom.
I think the way the poem weaves and the way it echoes the woven tapestry are both beautiful. And the irony of Lancelot blessing the woman who died because of him...makes for such a perfect ending.
ReplyDeleteI think Enya had a similar pic in a boat in one of her albums too, the Kelts maybe?
ReplyDeleteregarding Loreena and celtic legend, have you heard Priscilla Hernandez, she´s a singer from my country, not very known, also in this line. I think she was in a fest with the celtic legend singer but I'm not very sure. I really like her a lot, although I keep on missing all her scarce live shows :(
Loreena came also to spain recently but I missed it too :(
Francisco, are you talking about one other than the one I posted? If so, wow...Enya really likes the Lady! :D
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of that musician, no...I'll have to look into her!
There was also a song about her on the album "Ancient Spirit Rising" by the band Domine. They play power metal, but I've never heard their recordings.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lucy...I'll have to try to track that down.
ReplyDeleteThis may not be the right place to post this, but, again something from
ReplyDeleteAnne of Green Gables I thought you might appreciate - She is enacting the scene in the boat - Lady of Shallott
http://ashp.fotopic.net/p38918087.html
How wonderful! I had totally forgotten about that scene :)
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to add this- the singer Emilie Autumn has made a song, which is named 'Shallot', and which is based upon the Lady of Shallot. You should hear it, it's great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up, Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteAnother thing you might enjoy! The Band Perry's music video is a bit of a tribute to The Lady of Shallott:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NJqUN9TClM
Kinda odd for country, but it's always nice to see someone holding a book of Tennyson!
In the TV Series "Merlin" there is an episode called "The Lady of the Lake". It does a little tribute to the Lady of Shalott at the end when Merlin puts the girl in a boat and sets her afloat on the lake. Thought you might enjoy this.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Anne of Green Gables has a great "Lady of Shalott" scene and the new song, "If I Die Young" from The Band Perry, depicts the Lady of Shalott a bit as well.
ReplyDeleteAfter I and my lover spent about 4 years together, my boyfriend told me that we can not be together. and already We were making ready ourselves to get married this year and I was very happy and absolutely ready to marry him. this breakup started when he went a little far from the city where I live, a year before. He found a good job out there. And he promised me to come back in one or two years. In the mean time, I found a job around his place (we take it as a good opportunity for us to start living together) but the company I worked for resist to leave me since I am a responsible person in the company. They offered me a very nice salary increment with huge responsibility of work. Then I told to my boyfriend I preferred to stay where I live and work, since, he has not a plan to live there forever. He was very upset at the moment... and ignored me totally. I tried to contact him but I can’t. Following so much effort he sends me a message saying "our relationship is over". I never expected such a thing to happen, so I got sick. Even after so much begging he allow me to see him, but told me the same thing that it is over. I asked him the real reason. He said, you never listened to me, you never gave me credit, and you disrespected me…..and so on. I never noticed such a thing in our relationship before, so I got shocked and couldn’t say a word in front of him. For me our relationship was perfect. And I really love him. I want to be with him. I send so many letters saying I’m sorry, I tried to contact him but there is no reply. I did everything to attract him and live with him forever but nothing was going through. so I needed a help on how to get my lover back. I had the feelling that he still loves me, though he did not say a word. I needed help seriously. I thought it will never possible to get him back and be the happy couple again? so when I read testimonies about {greatidibiaspelltemple30@gmail} I contacted him and he told me that my case is a simple one to solve, so after his consultation and casting of his spell my boyfriend emailed me telling me he was sorry for all that he did to me, that he is ready to marry me now, I was shocked, I never believed that GREAT Idibia could make such thing to happen with his spell, today I am getting married to my boyfriend, and I will never forget this spell caster I will always talk about him anywhere I go angelina hocombe. Via +2348103508204
ReplyDeleteHello my name is Sandra from Canada, My life is back!!! After 8 years of marriage, my husband left me and left me with our three kids. I felt like my life was about to end, and was
ReplyDeletefalling apart. I contacted you and after I explained you my problem. In just 3 days, my husband came back to us and show me and my kids much love and apologize for all the pain he
have bring to the family. We solved our is sues, and we are even happier than before you are the best spell caster DR.ADELEKE , i really appreciate the love spell you castes for me to get the man back to my life i will keep sharing more testimonies to people about your good work Thank you once again at DR.ADELEKE (DR.ADELEKEAYODELE1960@GMAIL.COM). in case you are in any problem you can contact this man for help he is always there in his temple to help you solve your problem Contact number (+2349035594773) Call him and he will answer you and solve your problems and make you happy in life his spell casting only take 3 days for the result to get to you i have trust in him and he did it very well for my family today