For whatever reasons, the band Japan decided to regroup to make an album under the name of Rain Tree Crow. David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Steven Jansen, and Richard Barbieri co-wrote all the music, but Sylvian dominated the lyrics. I have the album on CD, but I just recently found a copy of a limited edition 12" of one of the songs that are on the album, "Blackwater."
Without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful recordings from Sylvian and company with an elegant melody played with great sensitivity by all above, including guest guitarist Bill Nelson. It's ironic that this song is hidden in the Rain Tree Crow project, even though it is on a Sylvian compilation, it really needs full attention from Japan fans and elsewhere. Whatever it is tensioned between Sylvian and Karn that caused the unit to break up, they clearly work well together, with respect to the results of their recordings. Both have an interest in Eastern music or melodies, and it's borderline tragic that they didn't stick it out to make further albums. The Sylvian and Karn solo recordings are good, but I often listen to a Sylvian solo release and think "where's Karn's fretless bass?" Still, perhaps it wasn't meant to be. At least Japan has made three excellent albums and Rain Tree Crow is very good as well. Although it's a mystery to me why they didn't go under the name of Japan. Legal reasons? It's a stupid name for a band, and maybe they wanted a fresh start. Nevertheless, "Blackwater" is a great record.
No comments:
Post a Comment