Oil on Canvas

‘a moment of inspiration between the painter and the canvas’

On 1 March 1982, an album simply titled Japan was released in the US by the band of the same name. A deal with the Epic label gave the group a tilt at the American market. Japan’s members were on hiatus at the time, taking a break after the tensions of the Visions of China tour in late 1981, a chance to pursue solo and other projects or interests. There was a UK TV appearance for the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test on 4 March, with ‘Ghosts’ and ‘Cantonese Boy’ played live to promote the former’s release as a single (see ‘Ghosts – live’) but this was a brief reunion among other endeavours. Steve Jansen, Mick Karn and David Sylvian contributed to Akiko Yano’s album Ai Ga Nakucha Ne, sessions taking place in London in February ’82 with Ryuichi Sakamoto producing. Then Sylvian and Sakamoto headed into the studio to fulfil a long-held ambition for a joint project, the fruits of which were ‘Bamboo Music’ and ‘Bamboo Houses’.

Continue reading “Oil on Canvas”

Small Metal Gods – Random Acts of Senseless Violence – variations

‘fascinatingly original and protean’

‘Died in the Wool came about in an incremental fashion,’ said David Sylvian of his 2011 double-cd set containing “variations” of tracks from 2009’s Manafon alongside a number of new pieces. ‘Wheels were unintentionally put into motion whilst I was still working on Manafon. I’d met Dai [Fujikura] in London, where he’d expressed a desire to work together. We’d continued an in-depth conversation via email regarding potential future projects. At some point it seemed like a good idea to test the water to see if we were speaking the same language.’

Continue reading “Small Metal Gods – Random Acts of Senseless Violence – variations”

Let the Happiness In – Gone to Earth – live

‘building a bridge into another world’

On 9 July 1987 the Penguin Cafe Orchestra performed at the Royal Festival Hall in London, a concert captured for the album When in Rome, released by E.G. Records the following year. Among the performers that night were several names familiar to followers of David Sylvian’s music. Simon Jeffes, co-founder of the group, had by this time been invited by Sylvian to contribute to sessions for the ‘Bamboo Houses’ /‘Bamboo Music’ single with Ryuichi Sakamoto, and to provide an orchestral arrangement for ‘Wave’ during its development for Gone to Earth, although ultimately Jeffes’ contributions didn’t make the final mixes for either project. Steve Nye, producer of Japan’s Tin Drum and Sylvian’s solo work throughout the ’80s, was also on stage. Nye had been one of the founder members of Penguin Cafe Orchestra back in 1973, when the line-up was a quartet, his principal contribution being piano and harmonium at the Royal Festival Hall. And finally there was Jennifer Maidman who mainly shared percussion duties with Julio Segovia that night, although she took up bass guitar for the exuberant opener, ‘Air à Danser’. Maidman’s bass propels a trio of tracks on Gone to Earth, none more so than the opening track and lead single ‘Taking the Veil’ (see here for an earlier conversation with Jennifer about that song).

Continue reading “Let the Happiness In – Gone to Earth – live”

Nightporter

‘influenced by something relatively untouched’

Teenage musical memories often take hold for a lifetime. Early in the ’80s a friend of mine held a party at his family’s home. These were always good nights, an opportunity to spend time with friends outside of sixth form classes and the common room at school. A time to enjoy the music that was in and around the charts, and favourite past tracks from Bowie and others. At the end of the evening, most people having by now drifted away, someone took out the vinyl of Gentlemen Take Polaroids and dropped the needle mid-way through side B for ‘Nightporter’. I knew the song, of course, but here it was being played on a quality sound system and at a volume that wouldn’t have been possible back at home. The person who selected it then sat cross-legged on the floor, head bowed, eyes closed, transfixed by the music.

Continue reading “Nightporter”

Jean the Birdman – Weathered Wall – live

‘a real rapport’

I was living some four hours’ drive from London in the mid-1990s. There was nobody I knew in the West Country of England who had heard of David Sylvian, yet alone followed his musical activities. Discovering news was difficult and I was always concerned that I’d miss something significant. Bamboo magazine had finished, its Winter 1992 edition being the last. For nearly a decade this fan-run labour of love had been a much-valued source of information and insight, its closure marking the start of Medium – an excellent official newsletter and label concentrating on the activities of Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri and Mick Karn.

Continue reading “Jean the Birdman – Weathered Wall – live”