40 years on: Top 10 albums of 1980

 Top 10 albums of 1980 (in chronological order)

1. John Foxx - Metamatic
2. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
3. Genesis - Duke
4. The Human League - Travelogue
5. Gary Numan - Telekon
6. David Bowie - Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
7. Simple Minds - Empires & Dance
8. Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids
9. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Organisation
10. Mike Oldfield - QE2

Solo Sylvian re-issues

The first three solo albums by David Sylvian, Brilliant Trees (1984), Gone To Earth (1986) and Secrets of the Beehive (1987) and the "intermediary album" An Index of Possibilities (1985) are all to be re-issued on 180g 'deluxe vinyl' in 2019. Although it's not specified if the audio has been remastered in any way, there are some changes to the artwork and presentation. Whiole retaining the same front cover photo, the solo debut Brilliant Trees is now housed in a gatefold sleeve, while the other three LPs all feature brand new artwork with printed inner bags. The revised artwork has not found favour with many die-hards although via facebook, the man himself had this to say:

As the original art for my albums had been lost/destroyed on its journey from one label's stewardship to another, I decided against scanning pristine copies of the original vinyl covers (as Universal did with the recent Japan reissues) and instead create a series that works as a ‘collection’ incorporating new photographic prints and design elements. With no budget, but access to Yuka's archives and Chris’ design contributions, we feel we've created something beautifully expansive as will be evident once the set is seen in its entirety.

(full statement here, more details and ordering here)

The re-issues are scheduled for 22 February 2019.

Gone to Earth 2019 gatefold sleeve

Spotted on Spotify: David Sylvian compilation albums

David Sylvian's compilation albums Everything and Nothing and A Victim of Stars 1982-2012 are available for streaming on Spotify for the first time from today.

Digital downloads of both are also available on amazon with issue date 03 November 2017 although not sure if they've been available before today.

Spotify 'em here:

David Sylvian's back

And by that, we don't mean 'he has returned', quite the opposite in fact as Sylvian has had to postpone the upcoming tour due to problems with "..a lower back injury that is causing him significant pain and affecting his mobility", ie. he's done his back in.
The official statement published last week was quite clear about the reason for postponing the much anticipated Implausible Beauty tour, and was followed up with a personal message from Dave expressing  ".. sincere apologies (and gratitude) to all who purchased tickets for the shows" and ominously promising that the delay would make the tour "..all the stronger for it.". Mmm.

Not all is lost however as EMI's new best of compilation is still due for release on 27th February. A Victim Of Stars 1982-2012 is a celebration of Sylvian's 30 year solo, or rather post-Japan career,  including tracks done alone and with Sakamoto, Rain Tree Crow and Robert Fripp. And just to make sure the fans buy it there's also the token previously unreleased track Where's Your Gravity?
Speaking of 30 years of history, Sylvian was featured as star interviewee in Smash Hits, February 1982, discussing Japan's surprise 'break' announcement of the time. Click on pic below to see full issue and interview on pages 4 & 5. (Our gratidude - to use a Sylvian-esque term - as ever to Brian at Like Punk Never Happened for the scans)

Wooly variations

David Sylvian has announced a new double CD for May called Died in the Wool (sic.), variations on 2009's album Manafon, plus six new pieces, and a stereo mix of his audio installation when we return you won’t recognise us.

I'm not saying anymore otherwise SamadhiSound will probably get me banned again or something.

Here's yer link, do what you will.

(PS just like to add that it sounds good and I actually like the artwork)

Sylvian music is pants

At the risk of receiving another "notification" by those nice people at SamadhiSound, this here blog is daring to feature some David Sylvian music which has been used in the latest video advert for Armani pants, sorry underwear, and jeans.

With Sylvian's 'Trauma Therapy' music in the background, hunky tennis star Rafael Nadal moodily flops around in black and white showing off his posh Armani pants and jeans in the process.

Tasteful.

Chav's revenge

..and by some coincidence, My Sylvian's ex-wife Ingrid Chavez will also be releasing her new solo album A Flutter and Some Words in September.
Chavez began working with Sylvian on Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'Heartbeat' single. Soon after, Ingrid married David and over the years contributed her trademark whispered-stylevocals to a number of her husband's releases. During the mid-1990s, Chavez worked with Sylvian on a second solo album entitled, 'Little Girls with 99 lives' which was never released.
On her facebook profile Chavez cites her influences as "..thunderclouds, tangerine skies, venus over temple mountain, power lines, silhouettes, moonlight and shadows, back roads."
Her current partner, Lorenzo Scopellito, has also colloborated on "Flutter". Follow Ms Chavez on twitter if you will..

Sylvian/Sakamoto - Heartbeat




Ingrid Chavez and some snow; cheer up Ing, might never happen..

September is..

..the title of a song by David Sylvian and also the month of the release of his new album... Manafon is set for release on September 14th 2008 and will be available as a regular CD/digipak edition and a twin volume deluxe edition with CD and DVD featuring the film 'Amplified Gesture'. Details and new website to follow soon.
Watch this space..or this one.

David Sylvian - Small Metal Gods

Quixotic? Moi?

News taken entirely from davidsylvian.net:

Small Metal Gods is "probably the title of the upcoming single taken from the long awaited album Manafon. Manafon is about to be released this summer. The recording sessions have been filmed while in progress. There is a small possibility that these will be released later on DVD.

David himself describes (the album) as:

a completely modern kind of chamber music. Intimate, dynamic, emotive, democratic, economical.

It's almost certain that the following contributers will be included on the final cut: Keith Rowe, Sachiko Matsubara, Evan Parker, Christian Fennesz, members of Polwechsel, Otomo Yoshihide and John Tilbury.

From good sources it is told that there are no percussionists! The basic arrangement is an improvised backdrop with spare overdubs supporting Sylvian’s voice. Lyrical themes concern the loss of faith, life as a quixotic and isolated individuals and creativity.

LIM says: Phew!