New album coming soon

[sisterlondon]

I hope that Tim from SBP also makes something in this album. His is just absolutely amazing!

[ob8]

i very much like the sound of bold and uncompromising, David is one of the few artists to continually push the boundaries and break new ground in his song writing. After all faint heart never won fair maiden !

[inkinthewell]

I strongly suggest checking out http://erstwhilerecords.com/ and looking up some of these artists' names so that one can acclimate oneself to the predominately experimental sounds which will permeate this release.

does anyone else have a feeling this might be, at least in part spoken word ?

Alright. I think I can just start to figure out how this record will sound.

Track 1:
buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
David (speaking): I looked out my window
buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (for 20 odd minutes)
David (as above): It was snowing

Track 2:
buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(a very long buzz)
David (ditto): It's still snowing
buzz!

[inkinthewell]

In all honesty, be it extreme or ordinary, I can't wait to hear and enjoy it. And if it's too bold for my poor old ears and head, I'll just have to give it extra time to win me.

[Tin Bird]

There's no question that with that list of collaborators that the album is going to be on the experimental side. I'm expecting something half-way between Blemish and Nine Horses. There certainly will be buzzes and bleeps, but I'm hoping there will be some warm/etheral/acoustic melodies worked in there as well. OK w me if there is SOME spoken work...hope not all though. A Sylvian album without his crooning would be a shame. I am very, very excited about this new record and I hope he decides to tour the states again and perhaps visit the 9:30 Club in DC again.

[baht habit]

That's quite humorous, Ink.
Yes, this release isn't going to be melodic or filled with beauty....even though I've read that there is actually a "Beehive Pub and Inn" located in the region of Manafon.
I had mentioned in another post that the track 'Sleepwalkers' is probably the best indicator of what to expect. That song was recorded as part of the sessions for this project and possibly served well as a foretaste of what is to come musically. There is also a strong sense of disgust, belligerence and disdain in the words of that track and I wouldn't be all that surprised if such attitudes are predominant throughout this new disc. I also think that Simonp is onto a great point when making mention of RS Thomas. His misanthropic demeanor toward the modernization of societies would indeed seem to appeal to Sylvian very much at this point in time.
I wouldn't be counting on hearing any similarities to Nine Horses. That musical output was mostly created due to the instigations and imaginations of Steve Jansen and Burnt Friedman. I recall learning somewhere that after creating 'blemish' and the subsequent tour, Sylvian's focus was on following further into that highly experimental direction. Thankfully, due to allegiance to his brother and an interest to work with Friedman, he did happen to follow through on the Nine Horses project. But all the while, he was toiling away working on this new one - and this is where his heart and head are now firmly fixed. So as far as I know, he is not all that interested in working with accessible forms of music.

[sisterlondon]

I'm sorry if everyone hates me for saying this, but I REALLY hope it's not like Blemish.

And Ink, that made me laugh like crazy!

[Blemished]

R.S.Thomas was an extraordinary poet. For me there is clear empathy with the atmospheres created by Sylvian's work. If this is the reason for the title it is quite inspiring. And a bit of Welsh pedantry - in Welsh 'F' is pronounced 'V', so Manafon is man-ahhvon phonetically.

Find it very funny that people are nervous about the sound. I was not really keen on the 9H stuff - it's nicely produced but I find it pedestrian, dull even; it has none of the magic I generally find with his stuff. So a different direction can only be a good thing in my view.

Sylvian has moved into really interesting new territory since linking up with the likes of Fennesz. It may be harder to get into, but I think it's new, innovative and exciting. For example, the percussion work on Sleepwalkers is amazing, so I hope it is indicative of the direction. What would disappoint me more is if it's in the same vein of the Derek Bailey material. That I find atonal for it's own sake and borderline unlistenable.

Anyway, exciting times!

[neonico]

i think the new album will be in form of sleepwalkers as already said on this thread but with lots of experimental jazz eliments and poetry. as the title explains. and i think the influence of R.S. Thomas will be a striking point.

[Brian]

I really am enjoying the discussion. The more I read, the more my anticipation grows. Some of your posts have been extremely informative.
I do have a question - Does everyone like the title "Manafon"?

[ob8]

Whilst i would tend to agree with the speculation regarding Manafon i am hoping David does not neglect his best asset. I have enjoyed the contributions to the Cartography project but the thing that gets me every time is when David sings. His singing is beyond comparison and adds a beauty to every track it graces. The Nine Horses project was not as diverse as some of his work for me but the vocal performance on it was one of his finest. David please sing for us !

[proggrl]

I will laugh SOOO hard if it is the most commercial and accessible thing he's ever done.

[Brian]

There probably won't be all that much laughter resulting from this release.

[baht habit]

A wise noob once said:

There probably won't be all that much laughter resulting from this release.

Oh, there may actually be laughter....yet it'd be nervous laughter.

[ob8]

There will be much laughter on my part if David tours with this release as a friend of mine who does not like Davids solo work has agreed to come see him next time he performs live ! He reckons you should take the opportunity to see these older artists while they still tour. So i am hoping for a difficult album that rewards many listens and a follow up tour !