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Reviews

John Greaves — Songs
(Resurgence RES112CD, 1993, CD)

by Jeff Melton, Published 1998-02-01

Songs Cover art

This is quite a different project for the former member of Slapp Happy, Henry Cow, and National Health: one of songwriter and arranger rather than bassist and vocalist (although he does contribute vocal to one track). He's assembled an allstar French cast of players to help interpret these songs of personal indifference and alienation. What I'm most surprised about is the that the basic arrangement for the entire album has been fixed upon lead vocalists and accompanying acoustic guitar, provided by François Voide. It gives the set of eleven compositions (most by Greaves and Peter Blegvad) an emotive sense of intimacy and depth. The first track is an instrumental with accordion backing; Robert Wyatt offers another heartfelt interpretation on "The Song," as well as two other tracks, a re-working of "Kew Rhone" and the album's closing piece, "Gegenstand." Track three is the impassioned song "Swelling Valley" sung by S'ange (also one of three tracks she contributes to). Additional players included Sophia Domincich (piano) and Mirielle Bauer (of Shamal - Gazuese period Gong). The disc is also recorded especially well since there is a distinct separation between most of the instruments adding to the sympathetic mood and tone for pieces. Highly recommend to enthusiasts of the European ballads and love gone amiss.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 14, 1993 releases

Related artist(s): Elton Dean, Robert Wyatt, John Greaves, Sophia Domancich

More info
http://darkcompanionrecords.bandcamp.com/album/songs

 

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