Mark Wastell/Rhodri Davies/David Sylvian

Sakamoto, Fripp, Czukay et al.

Mark Wastell/Rhodri Davies/David Sylvian

Postby silentwings on Sun Oct 30, 2016 6:58 pm

Tonight I visited the wonderful little venue Cafe Oto in Dalston, North London. I'd visited twice before - both for the improvised performances that the venue is famous for.. .on the first occasion to hear John Tilbury, Evan Parker and Eddie Prevost, and the second time to hear a solo performance by Mark Ribot. It's tremendously intimate with perhaps 70 seats and space for 30 or so standing.

There was a disappointment to begin with as Keith Tippett had been due to play as part of a quartet, but due to illness he was unable to perform - only the third time in a long career that he had pulled out of a performance due to ill health. Keith was one of the first free improvisers that David asked to provide music for him to respond to. This was back in 1990/91, and the only recording to have seen the light of day from these recordings is the track 'Thoroughly Lost to Logic' where David recites over Keith's playing.

However, the main reason for attending was for a performance by Mark Wastell - who runs Confront Recordings which released 'Playing the School House' - and Rhodri Davies who has recorded with David as part of the sessions for upcoming releases.

This concert was part of the celebrations for 20 years of Confront Recordings and the publicity for the event was as follows:

"RHODRI DAVIES / MARK WASTELL PERFORM AN EXCERPT OF “IN THE SOLITUTE OF THE COTTON FIELDS”
FEATURING AN EXCLUSIVELY COMMISSIONED PRE-RECORDED READING OF THE TEXT BY DAVID SYLVIAN*

Rhodri Davies / electric harp with bass amplifier
Mark Wastell / tam-tam, tubular bells, chimes, floor tom

Text excerpt read and recorded by David Sylvian, September 2016

During the early months of 1996, Rhodri Davies and Mark Wastell received a commission from the Trivial Theatre Company to produce and record an original score for the World and English language premiere of “In the Solitude of the Cotton Fields” by French playwright Bernard-Marie Koltes. Performances of the play took place later that year in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Twenty years have passed and what better time and occasion to revisit the piece? The music scheduled for performance tonight is a brand new interpretation, drawing on elements of the original soundtrack and text and encompassing freshly scored material.

Rhodri Davies and Mark Wastell, two musicians who have radically redefined the possibilities of their chosen instruments. Since their initial meeting in 1995 they have continued to captivate, enthral, dismay and infuriate audiences in equal measure. They have numerous releases on Confront Recordings, notably with THE SEALED KNOT and IST.

In recent years, David Sylvian has sort [sought] the musical company of, and worked ever more frequently with, musicians readily associated within the Cafe OTO orbit; John Butcher, Keith Rowe, Evan Parker, Sachiko M, Otomo Yoshihide, John Tilbury and Eddie Prevost to name but a few. His distinct voice, a captivating instrument in it’s own right, will be an enthralling addition to tonight’s performance. David’s EP length CD on Confront,‘Playing the Schoolhouse’, has enjoyed two issues in differing formats, both of which sold out almost immediately upon release."

The piece started with David speaking the words 'there is no love' a phrase which was repeated as a refrain throughout its 20 minute duration.

I sat beside Rhodri Davies and it was fascinating to see how he uses ebow and real bow to draw beautifully atmospheric sounds from the table-top harp.

Mark's percussion playing was delicate and complemented Rhodri's atmospherics beautifully.

David's readings reflected both the perspective of the Dealer and The Client, the two characters featured in the play. I enjoyed his delivery, it had more variation than other spoken word pieces he has recorded, and a vulnerability as his voice breaks as he delivers the lines.

All told it was an enjoyable evening and I hope Mark or the folk from Cafe Oto find a way to release the recording so I can listen once more and this can be heard by a wider audience.
“Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.” att to Jack Kerouac
User avatar
silentwings
Everything & Nothing
Everything & Nothing
 
Posts: 287
Joined: Fri May 26, 2006 4:12 pm

Re: Mark Wastell/Rhodri Davies/David Sylvian

Postby inkinthewell on Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:39 pm

Lovely. Thanks.
Hope it does get released.
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans - JL 1940-1980
User avatar
inkinthewell
Everything & Nothing
Everything & Nothing
 
Posts: 982
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:38 pm
Location: Italy

Re: Mark Wastell/Rhodri Davies/David Sylvian

Postby silentwings on Sat Apr 08, 2017 3:16 am

A studio version is being released on 31 May 2017. See the topic 'New Release: There is No Love'
“Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.” att to Jack Kerouac
User avatar
silentwings
Everything & Nothing
Everything & Nothing
 
Posts: 287
Joined: Fri May 26, 2006 4:12 pm


Return to Collaborations

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests

cron