Log #170 - What Was The Secret Of David Sylvian's Beehive?

Built on noir balladry, instrumental abstraction, and an abiding sense of distance.

...So Pitchfork describes David Sylvian's sumptuous 4th solo album Secrets Of The Beehive. It's a far cry from his pop work with chart topping new wave band Japan in the 80s.

Al Stewart Year Of The Cat
Nucleus Plastic Rock

Nils Frahm All Melody

Jeff Buckley Grace
David Sylvian Secrets Of The Beehive

Floating Points Elaenia

Probably only half a dozen times or so I've heard something so unique and different and significant and new to me it has left an indelible impression on my life - when I heard Can for the first time (taking a chance on a 2nd hand record - their Spanner fronted one, closely followed with Tago Mago and Hallelujah in particular), Black Dog by Led Zeppelin (possibly on TV?), Van Morrison (I bought Astral Weeks and Moondance together when I was about 19 and feel lucky I took that plunge relatively early in my music listening career!), discovering The Cocteau Twins (hearing Heaven Or Las Vegas and Four Calendar Cafe on a long journey in a friend's car), the coda to Mr. Blue Sky (Out Of The Blue being my first ever LP purchase), Re-ac-tor by Neil Young (borrowed on cassette tape from someone), Epitaph by King Crimson (my school friend Guy was moving on all his King Crimson albums in favour of Neil Young incidentally - come to think of it he probably lent me the Re-ac-tor tape), Captain Beefheart (not Trout Mask Replica but Clearspot), and The Orb's Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld.

There have probably been lots more life changing moments actually although the experience is less frequent than once was. Anyway the point is Secrets Of The Beehive was one such experience. It was one of the most beautiful records I'd ever heard, the experience was no doubt enhanced by the setting - 1987, late one cold winter night, in a smokey student room (where it was so cold I had to put my coat on to come indoors). It was also an utter surprise, coming from the bloke in Japan of course. I remember the crystal clear acoustic guitar, the tender piano, the horns, swirling strings, and Sylvian's slow easy going baritone. It's an album that flows from start to finish, one of atmosphere. Like Astral Weeks.

Oddly like a number of classic albums (and the similarly brilliant Grace by Jeff Buckley is another - what a voice that gentleman had) it is not one I play that often any more - I wonder why. Maybe it belongs to that time when I first heard it. Maybe I remember it too well.  But nevertheless if it is a record you've never heard I recommend you do and see if it leaves a similar impression.

David Sylvian released a number of other solo albums and ambient collaborations with the likes of Holger Czukay and Robert Fripp. They vary from minimalist experimentation to more traditional rock music but all are of a consistently high standard. 

Checkout the other records in this week's playlist here>>:

Elaenia

Year Of The Cat

All Melody

Plastic Rock

All four excellent albums, three will be near my Album Of The Year shortlist.