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Peter Hammill — Everyone You Hold
(Fie! 9117, 1997, CD)

by Jon Davis, Published 1998-02-01

Everyone You Hold Cover art

Peter Hammill is the consistent English musical playwright, reliably making an album every year for the last 30 years. Here we have nine tracks: approximately 50 minutes of introspection and insight from the thoughtful master of the well-crafted European songwriting tradition. Vocally the album appears to contain a stronger melodic content than 1996's excellent X My Heart. Some bite in the form of piercing electric lead guitar is evident on tracks such as "Can Do" (a piece about willpower). It's to the point now where the breadth of work by this overlooked artist is on par with his peer, Peter Gabriel, but with less world music influences. Everyone You Hold is yet another subtle progression through dissemination of individual experience and expression. The title track itself is a revelatory look at those we interact with and broken personal barriers we pass through. The disc contains sophisticated arrangements: e.g. backwards taped drums, swelling soprano backing vocals (by Hammill's daughters?). "From the Safe House" is purely classic with a Frippertronics style guitar intro, leading into a distinct operatic style. Musical guests include Hugh Banton (ex-VDGG organist) and constant contributors Manny Elias (drums) and Stuart Gordon (violin), whose solos appear tailor made for a standard Hammill composition (such as on self doubting tone for "Nothing Comes"). Compelling listening for serious listeners!

Filed under: New releases, Issue 14, 1997 releases

Related artist(s): Peter Hammill

 

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