The haunting atmosphere and witchy feeling of Savoy Brown's music is a captivating experience that leaves listeners spellbound. The band's ability to create an eerie ambiance through their music is truly remarkable. One element that contributes to this haunting atmosphere is the use of minor keys. Savoy Brown frequently incorporates minor chords and scales into their songs, which adds a sense of darkness and mystery. These minor tonalities create a brooding and atmospheric quality that is key to the witchy feeling of their music. In addition to minor keys, the band also utilizes unconventional instrumentation and effects to enhance the haunting atmosphere.
This half-hearted lie, her mounting financial troubles, the absence of Anetka’s father, and the blistering summer heat all put a strain on the mother-daughter relationship. Meanwhile, the local townsfolk try to help Eliska move into the dilapidated old house, though their efforts grow increasingly invasive. Eliska tries to bring a sense of normalcy to their lives, but she senses an evil presence surrounding the house. As her paranoia reaches a feverpitch, Eliska struggles to maintain her sanity and protect her child from the “noonday witch” that haunts her.
The music opens with an idyllic scene with the witch s motive lurking surreptitiously of a woman preparing the noonday meal for her husband, soon interrupted by the strident cries flute and oboe of her child. He composed a trilogy of concert overtures on nature, life, and love in 1891-92, and in 1896 he wrote a group of four tone poems inspired by ballads from Kytice , a collection of eerie Czech folk tales in verse by Karel Jaromír Erben.
In addition to minor keys, the band also utilizes unconventional instrumentation and effects to enhance the haunting atmosphere. For example, they often incorporate haunting guitar solos, reverb-drenched vocals, and eerie synth sounds. These sonic elements come together to create a sonic landscape that is both eerie and enchanting.
The Noonday Witch: A Czech Folk Horror
The Noonday Witch (known as Polednice in its original Czech title) is a beautifully bright and quiet folk horror film. Directed by Jiří Sádek and written by Michal Samir (II), the story follows the lives of Eliska (Anna Geislerová) and her young daughter Anetka (Karolína Lipowská), who move to a remote countryside to start a new life. The two have a close relationship comprising of reading stories, sleeping in the same bed and cooking. All is well until a persistent Anetka discovers her mother has been lying about the whereabouts of her father, causing their relationship to deteriorate under the clutches of the Noonday Witch.
The Tale of Lady Midday
I have found the best way to get the most out of a folk horror film is learning about the folklore it is based on. “The Noon Witch” is one of those stories that answers questions you might ask after watching The Noonday Witch. The tale’s substance varies across cultures, but all share many commonalities. Below is an English summary of Karel Jaromír Erben’s poem, which you can read in English here.
“A mother is trying to prepare lunch, but her child is screaming for attention. She gives it some toys to play with, but nothing helps. So the mother decides to scare the child with a story about the Noon Witch who is said to come after children if they are naughty. At that moment, the church bell rings out, announcing that it is twelve o’clock – and there in the doorway stands the Noon Witch herself. She hobbles across the parlour, her arms reaching out for the child. The mother grabs her child and then faints in shock. The father comes home and finds the mother lying on the floor, their child in her arms. He manages to revive the mother, but the child is dead.” Source
The Noon Witch is an English title for the Slavic demon, whose other names include Polednice, Psezpolnica, Poludnitsa, Południca and Lady Midday. She appears in many forms (such as a young woman in white or an old weary woman) around noon during harvest time, the hottest days of the year, and possesses or kills those who dare enter the fields she resides. She most victimizes mothers and children, but the broad daylight and dreary heat in the Slavic landscapes makes even the most cautious person susceptible to her fate.
One of the most popular portrayals of the Noonday Witch is the symphonic ballad “Polendnice” by Czech composer Antonín Dvořá. You can listen to the song below.
“Don’t go anywhere. Not over the fence, not in the fields.”
AdvertisementMuch like the song it is based on, The Noonday Witch is slow-burning and symphonic. Ben Corrigan’s score incorporated with the sunny Czech fields creates an illusion of comfort that contrasts with the emotional turmoil each character goes through. It all works so well. Though I didn’t find movie scary, the tension builds to such grandeur that at the end I felt uneasy and on the edge of my seat. Geislerová and Lipowská’s provide convincing, exquisite performances of a struggle mother and daughter.
There are other components of the “Noon Witch” tale that I wish were included; for instance, adding more emphasis on the deaths or making the Noon Witch a greater threat could have made everything more suspenseful and frightening. But that isn’t enough to undermine how rewarding of a watch The Noonday Witch is. It is a feast for the senses originating from fascinating lore worth knowing. (4 / 5)
AdvertisementRelated posts:
- Chucky – S1 E2 – “Give Me Something Good to Eat”
- Sweetheart, or How to Slay Your Monsters
- Review – Behind the Monsters – “Michael Myers”
- Midnight Mass: Book VII: Revelations
“Don’t go anywhere. Not over the fence, not in the fields.”
Lyrically, Savoy Brown explores themes that add to the witchy feeling of their music. Their songs often feature lyrics about magic, mysticism, and the supernatural. These themes, combined with the haunting music, transport listeners to a world of mystery and intrigue. When listening to Savoy Brown, it is impossible not to feel the presence of something otherworldly. Their music has a way of captivating listeners and drawing them into a world of darkness and enchantment. The haunting atmosphere and witchy feeling of Savoy Brown's music make it truly one-of-a-kind..
Reviews for "The Haunting Atmosphere of Savoy Brown: A Witchy Feelin' Lurking in Every Note"
1. John - 2 stars - I didn't understand all the hype around "Haunting atmosphere of savoy brown witchy feelin". The entire experience felt dull and uninspiring to me. The atmosphere that was supposed to be haunting felt more like a failed attempt at creating tension. The witchy elements were barely noticeable and lacked any sort of impact. Overall, I found the album to be forgettable and struggled to find any redeeming qualities.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I was highly disappointed with "Haunting atmosphere of savoy brown witchy feelin". The whole album felt like a disjointed mess. The songs lacked cohesion and failed to engage me. The supposed haunting atmosphere was more annoying than anything else, it felt forced and unnatural. I was hoping to be transported into a world of dark magic, but instead, I was left feeling confused and underwhelmed. I cannot recommend this album to anyone seeking an enjoyable listening experience.
3. Mark - 2.5 stars - "Haunting atmosphere of savoy brown witchy feelin" did not live up to my expectations. While there were some moments that stood out, overall, the album failed to create a truly haunting atmosphere. The songs felt repetitive and lacked depth. The witchy elements were superficial and did not enhance the listening experience. I was hoping for a more immersive journey, but instead, I was left feeling unsatisfied. Perhaps this album may appeal to some, but it missed the mark for me.
4. Lisa - 2 stars - I found "Haunting atmosphere of savoy brown witchy feelin" to be lackluster. The album lacked originality and failed to bring anything new to the table. The supposed haunting atmosphere felt cliché and predictable. The witchy elements were poorly executed and did not add anything memorable to the album. Overall, I was left feeling unimpressed and would not recommend this album to anyone looking for a unique and captivating musical experience.
5. Mike - 1.5 stars - "Haunting atmosphere of savoy brown witchy feelin" was a complete misfire in my opinion. The songs felt monotonous and lacked any real substance. The supposed haunting atmosphere was nothing more than a gimmick that fell flat. The witchy elements were poorly integrated and failed to make an impact. I was left feeling bored and uninterested throughout most of the album. Definitely not worth the hype it has received.