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2009 studio album by David Sylvian From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Manafon is the seventh full-length studio album by David Sylvian, released on 14 September 2009 by the Samadhisound label. It is an avant-garde work combining elements of free improvisation, experimental rock and chamber music. It reached rank No. 6 in The Wire's list of best 2009 albums.[7]
Manafon | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 14 September 2009 | |||
Recorded | between 2004–2007 in Vienna, Tokyo, London | |||
Genre | Avant-garde | |||
Length | 49:48 | |||
Label | Samadhi Sound | |||
Producer | David Sylvian | |||
David Sylvian chronology | ||||
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Manafon was recorded over a three-year period in Vienna, Tokyo and London. Of the recording process, Sylvian said:
"There was nothing written when we went into the studio – this was very much free improvisation. So, the selection of the group of musicians for each improvisation was paramount. I recognized on the day which pieces could work for me. The process was that I took the material away and then wrote and recorded the vocal line over in a couple of hours. So I couldn't analyze my contribution and that in a way was my form of improvisation – and I enjoyed the rapidity of response."[8]
"I take the sessions and work on them at a later time. I attempt to 'improvise' lyrics and melodies as I go, writing and recording all in a matter of hours. The basic tracks themselves undergo little or no editing as such. The structure pretty much remains as given from the original sessions. I might add an introduction or overdub other elements onto the original take. Here's a couple of examples: "Senseless Violence": Recorded in Vienna with Rowe/Polwechsel/Fennesz. I added guitar parts then layered Tilbury's piano into the track then added the vocal and an introduction. "Greatest Living Englishman: Initial take" suggested acoustic guitar overdubs which I requested of Otomo and Tetuzi on the spot. I later cut and pasted some interesting turntable activity from an alternate take onto this track. I also added an introduction by cutting and pasting elements from an earlier take. Tilbury was added to the coda. Melody and vocal added. "Rabbit Skinner": no editing. added acoustic guitar myself then vocals."[9]
For the recording of Manafon, Sylvian was also inspired by the Welsh poet R. S. Thomas: lyrics often reflect the main themes written by the poet[citation needed] and the title of the album refers indeed to a Welsh namesake village (in north Powys) in which Thomas lived for a while.
"Manafon is indeed a village in Wales, a village in which Thomas lived for sometime and served as rector to the parish. In this small village, Thomas had trouble filling the pews of a Sunday but in a sense it was something of an idyllic spot in which to raise a child (a strict, taciturn and somewhat indifferent parent), master his profession and write his poetry. So, the physically real village became for me a metaphor for the poetic imagination."[8]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Small Metal Gods" | 5:49 |
2. | "The Rabbit Skinner" | 4:41 |
3. | "Random Acts of Senseless Violence" | 7:06 |
4. | "The Greatest Living Englishman" | 10:55 |
5. | "125 Spheres" | 0:29 |
6. | "Snow White in Appalachia" | 6:35 |
7. | "Emily Dickinson" | 6:25 |
8. | "The Department of Dead Letters" | 2:25 |
9. | "Manafon" | 5:23 |
Total length: | 49:48 |
All tracks are written by David Sylvian
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
10. | "Random Acts of Senseless Violence" (Remixed by Dai Fujikura) | 6:24 |
Total length: | 56:12 |
A limited edition boxed set came with a DVD of the album in 5.1 Surround Sound, and a feature-length making-of documentary, Amplified Gesture.
Special thanks to: Richard Chadwick, Yuka Fujii, Adrian Molloy, Chris Bigg, Sarah Humphries, Steve Jansen, Noël Akchoté, Philipp Wachsmann and all the musicians who generously participated in this recording.
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