barryinstockholm wrote:In other words, I'm a prime candidate for trauma therapy.
I am sorry, dear sir, though please be encouraged by our determination that you should be rejected for any such treatment of 'trauma therapy'.
You come across as far too rational nor do you display any signs of immense rage or anger. You don't seem to dwell in the past nor do you focus your remarks directly to Sylvian as if he were reading your words.
Also, it would be wise not to attempt self diagnosis - for you do you not give yourself enough credit in doing so.
I do prescribe that, for now, you focus on the songs that do appeal to you.
For the purpose of discussion, I will assume that Rabbit Skinner, Random Acts and Greatest Living Englishman are the tracks which are bringing the most 'discomfort'.
I apologize if I have come to incorrect conclusions.
If you happen to feel as if you wish to tackle the slightly more challenging content on Manafon, I can humbly suggest that you first decide what instruments (other than voice) will be your focus. What I noticed is that on some of what could be considered the more 'difficult' tracks, Sylvian added some truly fantastic sounding acoustic guitar. I am referring to his use of jazz chords on Rabbit Skinner or the almost flamenco sounding finger picking on Random Acts. Focusing mainly on Sylvian's voice, his guitar, and John Tilbury's piano will perhaps help to make this material come across somewhat smoother for they are the most conventionally played instruments throughout. Also, on Random Acts, take note that Sylvian alternates the phrasing of his vocals within the time signatures of both 4/4 and 6/8. The accompanying improvisations are obviously not based upon strict time nor tempo.
As a footnote, if the instrumental The Department Of Dead Letters is not a track that 'reaches' you, then may I suggest reprogramming the track sequence and placing it immediately after Random Acts? In my opinion, it sounds awesomely appropriate following that particular track rather than being placed in between the instrumental coda of Emily Dickinson and the instrumental intro to Manafon.
The Greatest Living Englishman is admittedly a lengthy track with a good deal of disparate elements : vast electronic fluctuations and manipulations, discordant acoustic guitar ala Derek Bailey, a vocal crooning (seemingly about a suicide note or such), and an eerie sampled string quartet. My 8 year old nephew especially enjoys this track and calls it Mad Scientist Music.
If this song didn't catch you on first listen or after the third listen, and happens to be causing the most difficulty, I suggest simply skipping it entirely with every listen.
Also, if you want to add a little more zest to the content of Manafon, I recommend putting Sleepwalkers in the tracklist. I personally feel that, though obviously the song was derived from entirely different practices, the inclusion of Sleepwalkers would have given Manafon a necessary amount of 'bite' which would have silenced a good deal of the critical reviewers --- imagine their response when they were giving a chance to have heard Sylvian toss out the f-bomb!?!
It's a darn shame that track has been marginalized by only being included on a limited collection of songs in a tour book. It sounds real good as a lead off track. Since it includes contributions from both Sachiko M and Toshimaru Nakamura - as well as Polwechsel's Martin Brandlmayr - I personally feel it fits in well enough with the mindset of Manafon
But, of course, I can't play that song for my nephew
For a fine example of an ideal candidate for 'trauma therapy', check out this splendid review:
dont even think of buying this
its amazing how inventive, talented musicians can create so many great albums and then release absolute TRASH like this. being a huge david sylvian fan i was anxious to hear some new material from him. this is totally unlistenable. by the second "piece" i was disinterested. this does not even deserve a ONE star rating. it is not ambient, it goes nowhere,the music and vocals do not interact, there are no songs and it is the most tedious crap i have ever heard. believe me stay away from this one. better luck next time davey!!!
