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.

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Log #126 - There's A Party Going On, Griffin Anthony Picks 6

This Sunday, in the first of a new series, I'm very pleased to give over the (b)log to special guest curator NY singer songwriter Griffin Anthony who sends greetings from snowy Connecticut and lists 6 of his all time fave albums and current obsessions (with handy Spotify links too!).  Thank you Griff.

Griffin's own most excellent record Refuge is now out on Big Eyes Records.

Van Morrison - Veedon Fleece

Jeff Buckley - Grace

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

Hiss Golden Messenger - Lateness Of Dancers

D'Angelo - Voodoo

Andy Shauf - The Party

Van Morrison Veedon Fleece (1974)

Live, human, and dynamic. Richly atmospheric loose-limbed arrangements that parallel ‘Van the Man’s’ tenderly gentle and wildly explosive deliveries. It's pretty damned inspiring to know that an artist like this exists.

Spotify

Jeff Buckley Grace (1994)

Epic soaring melodies and performances from such a young and talented (gone too soon) artistic force. For a time in digital production when most of the material released by major labels sounds dated and affected, Grace still stands up and feels timeless.

Spotify

Marvin Gaye What’s Going On (1971)

One song more powerful than the next. Haunting yet hopeful. Greasy yet poignant. After The Beatles took me through middle school, What’s Going On blew my mind and carried me through high school.

Spotify

Hiss Golden Messenger Lateness of Dancers (2014)

When asked, “Who are some of your favorite bands?,” HGM usually tops the list. Musically, Lateness of Dancers is everything I love about The Grateful Dead, JJ Cale, and Buffalo Springfield. MC Taylor is one of our generation’s greatest and often under-appreciated songwriters.

Spotify

D’Angelo Voodoo (2000)

Equal parts crunchy and smooth with lush Prince-esque layered harmonies floating atop fuzzy guitars, organs, and the sticky-icky deep pocket grooves. Voodoo celebrates femininity without all the stale R & B cheese of its era.

Spotify

Andy Shauf The Party (2016)

Proof the concept record isn’t dead. The Party is playfully clumsy at times, but with a ton of overall instrumental restraint. What it lacks in live performance, it makes up for with its charm, clever orchestration, and efficient brush strokes. Favorite album of the last few years.

Spotify

Our contributor this week is Griffin Anthony, an American songwriter with three albums and a number of film scores to his credit. As a teen, the 35-year old New York native worked his summers as a stagehand for the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals absorbing influences from the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Chick Corea, and George Benson before eventually signing with BMI and Orange Music Publishing in 2008. His debut full length Crazy Ways was released in 2010, followed by The Making Of A Man. Last year's Refuge was recorded at Nashville's vintage analog Bomb Shelter studio with producer Jon Estes (Kesha, John Paul White) and Grammy Award-winning engineer Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Margo Price, Phosphorescent).

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