David Sylvian - Manafon

[jon abbey]

I know at least two writers who have heard it already, so it definitely seems to be circulating.

[Simonp]

and what's their thoughts on it jon?

[camphorvan]

Bit disturbing how this guy can post a review on Amazon.de though could be just made up stuff - If not, how did he get hold of Manafon....? When they seem to control this release much harder. No mention on his multiply. com webpage unless another guy.

Yeah, it appears as though Fred didn't write the review - he merely translated it. I believe that if Fred had heard Manafon and wrote a review, there would be much more detail. This particular review is fairly vague and could leave one to assume that the writer hasn't actually heard the cd yet and is basing his or her observations on what has been previously written about the release.

Yeah - call me too trusting, but why would someone lie about it? What can they possibly stand to gain?!

[ob8]

if anyone has a copy of Manafon for me to review i would be more than happy to do it

[jon abbey]

and what's their thoughts on it jon?

seems to be positive, they both went out of their way to mention it.

[baht habit]

From a writer who has also seen the DVD:

The DVD is also really good – it’s a documentary, titled Amplified Gesture, featuring interviews with the free improvisers who worked on the album. The interviews don’t focus on Manafon so much as get at the working methods and life-long practices of all the players – Evan Parker, Fennesz, Keith Rowe, Eddie Prevost, John Tilbury, and others. People often say that it’s impossible to talk about this kind of music or put it in words, and yet I find that every time I hear musicians at that level talk about their work, it’s endlessly fascinating. So, that’s a terrific addition to the whole package.

[jon abbey]

so Eddie Prevost is on the documentary, but not any of the final tracks?

[baht habit]

so Eddie Prevost is on the documentary, but not any of the final tracks?

Yes, Jon, that is the information which I have received.
Since learning of the very telling bit of information from the Mojo interview (kindly shared by ob8, thanks), I am starting to believe that some other musicians were expected to be a part of Manafon yet wound up not contributing...


Sylvian: When you get into a room with a group of wonderful free improv players there's very little that you can tell them. We're mining for gold but i'm only going to recognise the gold when we strike it. The important part of the process is the selection: who's going to be in that room and what's the chemistry going to be ? The first session i did was in Vienna in 2004. I gave myself eight days to explore the territory with Christian Fennesz, Keith Rowe and a couple of other musicians. We started out with a large group of players and the music was very dense. It was amazing stuff but it was'nt what i was looking for. It was'nt until about day seven when we pared it down to a quartet - a bass, cello and Keith and Christian - that it began to work.


So from reading that reply, we could perhaps surmise that certain musicians such as John Butcher, percussionists Brandlmayr and Prevost (as you've mentioned), and cellist Taku Sugimoto who were previously rumored to have been involved in sessions for Manafon, and yet any possible contributions from those musicians, or even others we haven't been informed of before, didn't end up as part of the final result.

[neonico]

so theres no mr sylvian on the dvd when not then i wont buy it unfortunately

[kitaj]

so theres no mr sylvian on the dvd when not then i wont buy it unfortunately

: )

there's no Sylvian on the Manafon cover either, Alex. are you sure you want to buy the cd?

[jon abbey]

"cellist Taku Sugimoto"

Taku plays the guitar mostly, I don't think the cello almost ever, and he was not involved in the Tokyo recordings for Manafon, and I doubt any of the others.

[neonico]

is davud sylvian on the dvd (sorry john forgot to write dvd) recordings or not john abby what you wrote i didnt umderstand sorry i meant was you refering to the dvd or cd.

[jon abbey]

huh?

[triskadekaphobia]

from Fourth Door Review email interview with DS carried out in 2005

Q: Do you see other record labels taking over the space ECM promoted for many years ?

A: "Mike Harding of Touch is doing a tremendous job as is Jon Abbey with Erstwhile..."

[missouriman]

Jon Abbey: Is you is or is you not my baby is what Neonico was not was trying to tell/ask you/me/us.