Vista blog

[Quiet Visitor]

Thanks. Great work again.
Unlike you I followed Japan from the single Adolescent Sex, so for me Quiet Life became on my radar when it was released. It's still my favourite Japan-album, although I love them all in one way or another.
The recent Electronic Sound-edition mentioned there would be a re-release early next year.

[silentwings]

Thanks Quiet Visitor for the feedback. Your history as a fan certainly pre-dates mine!

I just updated my article on Japan's 'Taking Islands in Africa' to include some scans of notes made by Ryuichi Sakamoto during the recording sessions. Also, if you look in the comments section you will see some first-hand observations from Rob Dean that he shared in an on-line discussion of the article.

Here's the link: https://sylvianvista.com/2019/05/17/tak ... in-africa/

Thank you to everyone for the interest in Vista in 2019.

[silentwings]

The first article for 2020 features the opening instrumental on disc two of Gone to Earth - 'The Healing Place'.

The track includes luminous guitar from Bill Nelson and the voice of radical artist Joseph Beuys.

Just as Jean Cocteau before him, Beuys became a huge influence on David Sylvian and an almost-tangible presence. His inspiration can be traced from 'Steel Cathedrals' to 'Manafon'.

Here's the link: https://sylvianvista.com/2020/01/03/the-healing-place/

[javier]

The first article for 2020 features the opening instrumental on disc two of Gone to Earth - 'The Healing Place'.

The track includes luminous guitar from Bill Nelson and the voice of radical artist Joseph Beuys.

Just as Jean Cocteau before him, Beuys became a huge influence on David Sylvian and an almost-tangible presence. His inspiration can be traced from 'Steel Cathedrals' to 'Manafon'.

Another great read - thanks.

[silentwings]

Thanks everyone for your continuing interest in the blog.

In 1987 I was one of the fortunate few who got to see 'Kin', the dance production by Gaby Agis and Company for which David Sylvian provided the score. It was a collaboration with the sculptor Kate Blacker who provided the set.

Recently I spoke with Kate and with dancer Charlotte Zerbey about the production. The article contains some rare photographs from Kate's collection:

Here's the link, I hope you enjoy: https://sylvianvista.com/2020/01/24/kin/

[Quiet Visitor]

Interesting read.

B.t.w. the track "The Stigma of Childhood (Kin)" is also on the 2003 remaster of "Alchemy An Index Of Possibilities"

[silentwings]

B.t.w. the track "The Stigma of Childhood (Kin)" is also on the 2003 remaster of "Alchemy An Index Of Possibilities"

You are right, of course, Quiet Visitor. I've added this point to the article.

[silentwings]

I've made a couple of updates to my article on David Sylvian's 'Wave' featuring Robert Fripp. Adding insight from a recent interview shared by davidsylvian.net from which we can be almost certain that Jan Garbarek had been the intended soloist, and adding another working title of the song discovered on a mastering cassette.

It seems incredible that we may never have heard Robert Fripp's wonderful guitar on this track! I'd certainly have loved to hear a Jan Garbarek/David Sylvian collaboration, but schedules ruled that out..

Here's the updated article: https://sylvianvista.com/2019/08/30/wave/

[silentwings]

A new article just published about the brilliant song 'Linoleum' by Chris Vrenna (as tweaker) with David Sylvian on vocals.

I love this side project, it has such a menacing feel about it. Playing a role in Chris' story of the character Elliot draws Sylvian into new territory, it seems to me.

It was a pleasure to talk to Chris Vrenna about the project.

Oh, and what a great video!

Here's the link - https://sylvianvista.com/2020/02/14/linoleum/

[Quiet Visitor]

Thanks for that!!!

I love Linoleum and actually it made me a tweaker and Chris Vrenna-fan.
I bought most of his recordings (including the soundtrack for American McGee's Alice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcyeL9-_tl0))
And I also bought (and still have) the t-shirt that came with the first album. Yes, it has a large t on it.
But to be honest I never knew that first tweaker was actually a kind of concept-album, so I'm a wiser man now and will listen to the album and EP with different ears next time.

What I really liked about Linoleum was David's anger and from your piece I can understand where that came from.

[silentwings]

Thanks as always for reading the blog articles and for the feedback.

A new article has been published themed around the first two of Franz Wright's poems featured on the album there's a light that enters houses with no other house in sight.

Wright was a fascinating character and writer, and his collection Kindertotenwald resonated deeply with Sylvian.

The article explores the poet's earlier Pulitzer Prize winning work, the pieces 'Wintersleep' and 'The Wall', and the collaboration with David Sylvian.

Here's the link - https://sylvianvista.com/2020/03/06/win ... -the-wall/

[silentwings]

Sending good wishes to everyone out there are at this extraordinary time.

What's happening in the world makes you question what you are doing. Is it really relevant? I've concluded that music brings light and calm to me (and so much more), so I aim to continue to write the articles if I can.

The latest one returns to Rain Tree Crow and explores how Jansen & Barbieri's Stories Across Borders and RTC have a shared history, the creation of the duo project being paused to allow for the group re-formation.

'New Moon at Red Deer Wallow' features just the four band members, with a wonderful bass clarinet lead from Mick.

Here's the link: https://sylvianvista.com/2020/03/27/new ... er-wallow/

Take care, stay safe.

[javier]

Great article, really informative about the context around the album.
Thank you.

[silentwings]

Thanks javier for the feedback on the Rain Tree Crow article, it's much appreciated.

I've just published a new piece on the stunning song 'Damage' by Sylvian/Fripp from the 1993 The Road to Graceland tour.

Fantastic memories of hearing this live at the Royal Albert Hall - what better way to be introduced to a new song by a favourite artist than to hear it played live in front of you?

It was a song that made a deep impression on performers and audience alike.

Here's the link: https://sylvianvista.com/2020/04/17/damage/

[depeon]

Thank you for another excellent and informative article, i do very much appreciate your effort and look forward to reading them every fortnight, i too was at the Sunday night concert at the Albert Hall, i think i still have my ticket stub and t shirt somewhere.