Will Sylvian ever use drums on a solo album again...

by **Simonp** on Sun Oct 25, 2009 3:11 am

Blemish...Manafon....?

by **barryinstockholm** on Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:38 am

Of course he will. Steve will make him! Don't loose faith...and you know Blemish live had some electronic percussion which really added a new flavor. I am ever hopeful not only will he have drums, but actual songs someday too.

by **baht habit** on Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:09 am

Who could really predict the future? What we should remember is that Blemish was first influenced by the sound generated by musicians who perform within the field of electro-acoustic improvisation. And, normally, that style is free from relying on measured tempos, defined time signatures and rigid rhythmic structure...plus, what is usually the main ingredient which provides such elements - drums.
We also might recall that the songs on Blemish and Manafon were concurrently conceived and created within the relative time frame that Sylvian was also contributing to the Nine Horses project, where Jansen played such a dominant role. Sylvian was not entirely fulfilled during the initial sessions of recording that project and drifted towards making Blemish. What substantially differentiates the concept behind Blemish and Manafon from any material on a Nine Horses product is the lack of drums and how the drums function primarily to keep the music within a strict structure. So on top of the EAI influence which was obviously evident, we could be given the impression that by refraining from utilizing drums or percussion, Sylvian was determined to keep the sound of his recent solo work from coming any way near close to following the more conventional methods behind Nine Horses.
By the way, we can't be sure if it will be released as a solo album, but we've been informed that When We Return You Won't Recognise Us features contributions from drummer Eddie Prevost.
Of course, he seldom performs in the typical manner of most drummers....but he is a drummer. :twisted: