Tim Bowness / Peter Chilvers "California, Norfolk" Burning Shed bsed0201 2002 (44:47)
Hostage
(6:02)
California, Norfolk (3:05)
Post-Its (5:01)
Chant One (3:46)
Also Out Of Air (2:23)
Days Turn Into Years (4:55)
Rocks On the Green (3:53)
Winter With You (10:10)
Dreamer's Song (5:32)
Deviating from their usual medium of on-demand CD-Rs, the Burning Shed online label debuts their first Red Book disc in a good old fashioned jewel case. Peter Chilvers (Alias Grace) and Tim Bowness (No-Man, Centrozoon) also collaborate in Samuel Smiles and Henry Fool. "California, Norfolk" is a sort of extension of the former's "World Of Bright Futures" album, the title track in particular. Bowness' ruminations on lost love and fading memories are fairly simple, but his rich tone and breathy delivery brings the inherent sadness and muted joys within them to life. The vocals are very forward in the mix but deftly framed by minor beats, sampled auras and tender piano, keyboard, guitar and bass melodies and textures. It's beautifully stark - part balladry, part ambient, part soundscape - think of Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" spirit as processed by Brian Eno. It's strange how quickly this album floats by despite its 45 minute running time. And although good beginning to end and back again, "Hostage" and "Winter With You" are my personal favorites. For the former, sweeping orchestral synth and background giggling help tell the short story of "the girl you never forgot, was never happy with her lot ... walked around a hostage to her fright". And in the latter, the crunch of trodden snow drifts in and out of its 10 plus minutes. Chilvers subtlety steals the limelight by breaking up an instrumental passage with a delicate piano refrain. "California, Norfolk" is another great addition to the ever growing Chilvers and Bowness related pile ...
Where did I get this CD? - Forced Exposure