David Sylvian is provably one of the best vocalist, songwriters and poets who ever stepped on the earth. And he is an amazing human being. Only as sensitive people as him, will understand his way of being. The day I've been introduce to his music is probably one of the most beautiful days of my life.
At one point during the late 90s I became properly obsessed with his music and love his solo work upto and including Dead Bees On a Cake. Beyond that he lost me. I count myself very lucky to have seen him a few times live including a solo show at the Paradiso club in Amsterdam.
David Torn's guitar work on this track is just an incredibly beautiful thing. It's just truly unique, and at first I wasn't even sure I was listening to a guitar. It glides in such a sad, melancholic weepy way, it's so ethereal and beautiful.
That is one seriously beautiful bass line. Probably the most beautiful I have ever heard. I could listen to just the bass melody on its own and be happy.
That's Danny Thompson...one of the great double bass players... tone, intonation, feel, creativity, musicality, and depth. The perfect choice for this song, this album. Check out his playing with Pentangle and John Martyn.
DS is my soulmate, not just fave musician. I thought nobody could ever understand me on the planet till I heard him a number of years ago. Seems like he has health struggles since 2017. Wish him well. And thanks for the vid. I'm afraid there is a lot of beautiful and strong stuff captured by him to cover all of it by reviews.
Wow, this was an unexpected blast from my past. I first became familiar with Japan, ironically, when I lived in Japan in the early 80s. A decade later my then brother-in-law, a very skilled guitarist in his own right, had studied with Robert Fripp (they remain collaborators today) and has worked with David Sylvian, opening shows for him in the 90s as part of his own group The California Guitar Trio. I believe he was there during recording of Damage: Live. Anyway, it was him who introduced me to David's post Japan work and particularly Secrets Of The Beehive. Forbidden Colours is another you should review, and then definitely, Every Colour You Are from Damage: Live. Then consider doing some Riyuchi Sakamoto while you're at it. Thanks for the memory jog!
Oooh! Never occurred to me to get into solo Sylvian (even though I've always considered Sakamoto a towering musical genius). Listened to 'Orpheus', while you were still gushing about this track! Beautiful music... do more of this; trust your own good taste and show us the stuff you love.
I’m showing my age, but I have followed David Sylvian’s career since the early days of Japan in the late 70s. I Loved the later Japan albums and could see the band really finding a unique sound. I was sad when they split up in the early eighties, but I needn’t have been as the music got way better with David’s solo career. Early Japan songs that hint at DS’s later musical direction are ‘Ghosts’ and ‘Voices raised in Welcome hands held in prayer’ off the ‘Oil on Canvas’ album. Your right JP, David has worked with some of the best musicians and producers in the world. I remember in the mid 80’s going into Newcastle in the north of England to buy ‘Gone to Earth’ (on vinyl) and dashing to my friends house to listen to it, worrying if I’d like it, well, I loved every note. The album reached something in me that just connected and I’ve been hooked ever since. Great choice JP. Did you know that David has collaborated with Mick Karn, (Buoy) is a great track. He has also sang vocals on a track by Tweeker called Linoleum. Thanks for the great reviews!
Ok, paused the vid before you "fanboy out". Really LOVED this song!!! Beautiful. Love David's voice. The lyrics are sad but clever. Interesting take on how a gun changes a person's mentality and sense of self, but also how some defect or damage drove him to pick up the gun in the first place. Leaves you in suspense as to what he's going to do - or is he really going to do anything, other than fantasize? I had never listened to David before. I will definitely check out more of his music, and would love to see you do more vids of him! Thanks for the introduction to him!
Thanks for the song. I'll just let you know that David Sylvian is one of my favourite vocalists too. I first discovered Japan with "Gentlemen Take Polaroids". "Tin Drum" was one of my top 10 Eighties albums and I think I bought David Sylvian's first four solo albums. I know he has done many more since then, and I have seen some amazing solo and collaborative work on TH-cam through the years. I'm telling you this, just in case you thought I was a "Peter Gabriel Genesis Era ONLY" sort of a guy. I totally agree that David Sylvian is very special.
Excellent appreciative review! Just subscribed, looking forward to your other videos (seeing many gems there!). I've loved this album since it's release, you're right, it's beautiful... True artistry!
Loved David since his Japan days, and his solo career in the 80s, caught up with his solo work in last few years and am amazed at the range of it. Love everything he’s done, even his spoken word and more avant garde work. This is a super review, lovely to see your enthusiasm for the man and his work. By the way he’s retired from music now, but let’s hope he makes a return in the future, it’s not unknown and he’s still young enough. 🤗💚
David Sylvian is one of my all-time favorites, and yes this is one of my favorites but I have so many of his that I love, it depends on my mood. I love Orpheus, I love all of the songs on this album. I started listening to him in the late 80s, and I've listened to him consistently ever since. I love When Poets Dream of Angels. That's probably one of my favorites from that album. I love Forbidden Colors with Sakamoto. Have you heard Linoleum that he did with Tweaker? Love that too.
David is in my top 3 favorites. I adore this album and song! Even now I get transported right back in time to when I first listened to this beauty. I agree about his voice hitting at a deep place. I have a true emotional attachment to his music. I was lucky to see him perform live twice in the 2000's, once with Fripp. Both were amazing shows. Yes, please do more DS so I can fangirl out with you. :-)
Been a Japan and David Sylvian fan since 1982... avid collector of all ex Japan members. Secrets is part of his trilogy of solo masterpieces... enjoying your enthusiasm for an artist I’ve loved most of my life💜
"The Boy With the Gun" is from my point of view one of the most moving songs by David Sylvian (with the title track "Damage"). I discovered David Sylvian in 1980 through Japan with their album 'Quiet Life' and did not stop listening to his various projects until the album 'Dead Bees on a Cake' included. Since the 'Blemish' album his music has become more and more stripped down, abstract and experimental and I gave up from there. My personal favorite from him is the double album 'Gone to Earth' followed by 'Secrets of the Beehive' and the live 'Damage' with Robert Fripp. Justin, did you know the song "Some Kind of Fool" which appears on the compilation 'Everything and Nothing' published in 2000. it's an unreleased track from the 'Gentlemen Take Polaroids' sessions recorded in 1980 but completed in 2000. Another superb piece from David Sylvian !
Great of you to share your favourite artist of all time with us! Thanks. And yes, a fine song and album. As are many of his others. He has chosen some very good musicians to work with on these recordings, too.
It’s my favourite album of all time. I love lots of music, but this album has a special place which I cannot describe. I even wrote ambient music inspired by his collaboration with Holgar Czukay.
This album has basically been my official sound track the last couple of weeks. Brilliant! And it's all because I saw this video - Thanks for helping me discover this record!
I love David Sylvian. Excellent complex albums. I started with the band Japan that I heard him sing and I liked the music. Gone to earth is my favorite album. I totally agree about his voice. It hits me too emotionally.
Love David Sylvian, been a fan since the Japan days, my one favourite artist. Everything he has produced has been a masterpiece, he sounds just wonderful live. Gutted he has decided to retire.
I've been a D. Sylvian fan since he was in Japan (also loved M. Karn). You have wonderful taste. I've also love R. Sakamoto for ages, and their colabs are always wonderful.
Japan or David Sylvian have never been high on my list to explore so I appreciate you bringing them to your listeners attention. I’m not gushing over the song like you but I enjoyed it. By coincidence I was listening to some Bill Nelson , Chimera ep , in which Mick Karn from Japan plays on.
For some reason, I've always considered Secrets of the Beehive my winter David Sylvian album (Orpheus being my favorite track) and Brilliant Trees my summer album (Nostalgia is my favorite from that album) - maybe Trees is a bit warmer. His voice is simply haunting - the live version of Night Porter during his Japan days is truly amazing, particularly the way it's intertwined with the oboe. He's always evolving. Thanks for a great analysis and for sending me back to my cd cabinet to pull out my DS discs! A band that evolved similarly is Talk Talk. The song Ascension Day from their album Laughing Stock is an amazing evolution from their good, but much more pop-orientated 80's stuff. I think you would enjoy that listen. Thanks again!
Awesome Justin. I bough this back when it was released, Took a while to get into but such beautiful chord changes and textures. My favourite was Orpheus.... Sakamoto just beautiful. Also loved the opener September...
Btw you should check out John Martyn if you like this vibe... guess you know the guy. Danny Thompson is on a few of his releases too. Solid Air would be a good start.
I've been following his career from Japan to his solo and collaboration work. His voice and work is outstanding. If I was to mention another Artist now sadly passed, but left us with a astonishing array of work from his time in Talk Talk and his Solo inventive and exploratory musical albums is Mark Hollis
I latched onto David Sylvian back in the 80s in and around the peak of the 4AD era with the like of This Mortal Coil, Dif Juz and, of course, The Cocteau Twins. I could never put my finger on what it was about Sylvian's vocal style that always intrigued me until the early 2000s when I heard the song "Linoleum" that he did with Tweaker. In the almost chaotic aural landscape that that song lays out, Sylvian's voice winds through it like a river, always moving forward and navigating the listener through it. That is what Sylvian does with pretty much every song, drawing the listener in and guiding them through to the end.
Great to see how enthusiastic about one certain artist you are. This must be how you can relate to people who are in enthusiastic about their favorite singer. Peter Hammill in my and many other cases. David has a very haunting soothing and atmospheric voice I've been trying to figure it out for days. I watched some videos of him with Robert Fripp these are also very good. Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
I lost track of Sylvian after Japan -thanks for putting a light to this . I held off on commenting til I could go sample a couple other tracks . Checked out Red Guitar , Damage and Silver Moon - big thanks , you've given a heads up on some really cool music I totally missed on so now I get the joy of discovery - give and take is what the channel is all about really , so thanks for 'giving' this . I can see why Fripp asked David to join Crimson - would've loved to see the results . I hear lots of sounds in his works so far - bits that remind me of Spandau Ballet , Wang Chung , Tears for Fears , Level 42 What Ive heard so far is smooth , well balanced , very smart - looking forward to the rest of the journey .
JustJP when I saw an image of David from that time I first thought : wait a second , that’s a picture of Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran - lol Wouldn’t mind seeing a reaction. to them - perhaps Save a Prayer or Come Undone
It's great that you love Sylvian, I used to play a lot of Japan in my bar in the 80's along with a large portion of the music you review on here. I'm having a great time here, thanks!
One of my favourite albums. The track Waterfront from the same album has one of the most incredible emotional lifts Mr. Sylvian ever did (and that was very much his thing, so rest assured how good it is). I know Before the Bullfight is too long to review, but I would love to hear what your thoughts are on that one (off the Gone to Earth album), but Silver Moon is also wonderful. Thank you, for reminding me how wonderfully emotive and resonant David Sylvian's music is.
Love "Maria" from this LP. Also: Weathered Wall, Pocket Full of Change (Rain Tree Crow), Brightness Falls (from The First Day w/ Robt Fripp) to name a few.
Forbidden Colours is beautiful. On par with Ghosts and Nightporter from his days with Japan. His voice and Kate Bush’s voice are on a different level. Also if you like Sylvian, you need to listen to Talk Talk’s last three records.
I think I never listened to D.S. but this deserves another listen. His voice is, as you said, profound and emotional. Thanks for helping discover new music.
My first listen of this artist - it's a nice laid back folk waltz, with atmospheric tones. Don;t know anything about the artist - he was never on Letterman or Austin City Limits, like my personal favorite folk waltz artist Nanci Griffith. But I would give him another listen.
One of my favourite albums ever. The version of Forbidden Colours that comes as a bonus track to Beehive is probably my favourite song of all time. Magical stuff
So great! Please listen to Pocket Full of Change by Sylvian’s Rain Tree Crow album in 1991 with all original Japan members. Also Linoleum by Tweaker with Sylvian on vocals is amazing 😉
Have never heard this myself, and I like it, but your passion for it almost made me tear up a little. Lol. This is because out of alllll the genres I love, and all the amazing music and artists that fill my playlists, Alphavilles album "Forever Young" has been my all time favorite since the first time I rushed out and bought it in 1984. The album still transports me to another place and time each time I listen to it. To me, its a gorgeous album. So I can definitely relate to all of your enthusiasm, like a proud father, lol.
Some recomendations on this genre : Blood - This Mortal Coil ; Playing with Fire - Spaceman 3 ; Mettle - Hugo Largo ; Serpents Egg - Dead Can Dance ; Ten Songs From Another World - The World of skin.
WOW !! So glad you've done this song Justin :) The boy with the Gun, written in 1987 the year of the Hungerford massacre, Michael Ryan. David Sylvian is certainly a musical pioneer. I have a feeling his muse will be appreciated far more, in years to come.
@@JustJP Yes, I remember ^^ I was not sure if you knew all their stuff. If you have not heard undecided yet (it is from from their third album Kisou) it is a very beautiful song with acoustic guitars. I think it could fit very well on the channel. And if you should not have heard anything from sukekiyo yet they have two major sounds: extremely beautiful, progressive, sometimes even a bit jazzy ballad like-songs and very experimental, electronic songs. There are some other types too but these are most prominent. Kugui is a very calm ballad with some near-operatic like vocals. If it does not suit the channel but you don't know the songs yet I just want to suggest to listen in you own time :) I am confident you will enjoy them.
Yes! Sylvian is my absolute favorite aswell. No singer/songwriter can match him imo. At the same time i get that not everybody likes his voice but he is still an impeccable songwriter.
This is an exceptionally good album, that I first listened to in 1989; not a bad song and I really appreciate that it keeps the mood and style throughout the whole album, nothing "interfers" with, or cuts off, the listening experience. Was really glad when I finally got hold of a japanesse promo vinyl pressing at an affordable price last year. Love the whole album, but my favorite is "When Poets Dreamed of Angels". Thanks JP! 😎👍
I like it. Have tried Japan and din't grab me, but I will delve more into this album and the overall catalog. I might need to be in a specific mood to listen, but it is definately good. Keep up the great work!
Great choice! Loved Japan and followed David Sylvian's solo work. Loved this whole album so obviously love this track. Loved hearing you 'fanboy' over him.
So nice to see you selecting DS and also this song in particular. There are so many. Nine Horses also have several accesible ones. BTW, on a different style, how about Saga, Ice Nice, for example. Thanks for this.
Interesting....with that slow ambient folk....youd probably like.Dave Kerzner, or The Antlers or Storm Corrosion, (particularly the song Storm Corrosion)...you should check em out...even just on your free time....
Excellent video man! Sylvian is also one of my favorites ever, like top 3. You could review songs like Nostalgia, Wave, Before the bullfight, and Darkest dreaming.
A waltz! A wonderful song I didn't know.... you never cease to surprise me! Going to listen to some Japan-songs immediately. "Jean the Birdman" by Fripp/Sylvian is highly recommended!
Love that album. I haven't heard it in over 30 years. I still have some of his original albums in my LP collection but, haven't had a turntable for >20 years. So now I have to go and buy them again. But I'm looking forward to it, especially Forbidden Colours. Thanks for reminding me about these gems. 🔥😎👍 Peace P.s. The acoustic bass is fantastic. P.p.s. The flashing cube is a bit distracting to my brain,... just me with flashing things probably.
Well JP you've been and gone and done it. Never heard this before but it's brilliant. I recognised Danny Thompson on bass immediately, which brings me onto the next thing. I don't know if you know but Thompson played a lot with one of my favourite singer/songwriters John Martyn. If you haven't been exposed to him can I suggest Solid Air and One World. Either the albums or their title tracks. I'm pretty sure they'll be right up your strasse. Perhaps you might consider giving us more recommendations in the future . Stay safe.
Great song, love the frippertronic at the end. But Orpheus is my favorite of this album. Gone to Earth with Fripp is a masterpiece too. I can listen to Before the bullfight on repeat. Sylvian creates music with care. Care for composition, the use of instruments and production. There aren’t many around. Mark Hollis is one. You have to review him on your channel too. He deserves it.
Oh, I see, you mention here you found this in 2009. My jaw dropped the first time I heard this in 1990. Orpheus is pure perfection on this album along with this song.
Sylvian is my favorite of all time. (Since the 80s). Gone To Earth is the greatest album of all time. (The two disc version). How do you feel about his later stuff when he went off into a new direction? (I find it interesting - but miss the David of old)
Awesome CC! So honestly, while I dont listen to it often, I still enjoy Manafon as an occasional listen. Nine Horses is good for a little more "straighforward" Sylvian.
Need to listen to more of David Sylvian solo music. Know him from Japan. Love his voice! There are two Japanese singers that remind me of his voice a lot. Kamijo from Lareine and Gackt.
well, I don't know if DS is my favorit artist but I know I have everything (or almost) he published. Last purchase was the double vynil "Plight / Premonition", "Flux / Mutability" he recorded with a huge name of the so called kraut rock scene, Holger Czukay (a scene and a name I sugest you to dive in). I like "Secrets of the Behive" but, my above all, is "Gone to Earth" (lots a Fripp there). Now, while spoking about the song, you touched names to look for, Sakamoto, Thorn, Steve Jansen (BTW SJ is DS's brother), Talk Talk (Mark Hollis, absolutely urgent) and many others. So much music to explore... stay safe.
Incredible song. Love this album. I never expected to find a review of this. As you're a Sylvia fan, have you reacted to any Japan? I'd love to hear your comments on the song Ghosts :-)
Often recommended but have never listened to David Sylvian. Very good! I should listen to more. Some similarity to early Porcupine Tree. It is like good prog, to fully appreciate requires a few listenings. Another suggestion (I've suggested it before) for something very different: Seventy Five by Touch. It's early proto-prog (about six months before release of In the Court of the Crimson King) worth a listen. Touch by Touch (1969) was a commercial bomb and hard to find, but progheads know that side two of that album is a masterpiece.
Hoping your 10k soon, you deserve! Go Justin! We are waiting 4 you to "dive" and to react in Trespass, the 2nd. Genesis album. The last song "The knife" is a masterpiece, but I recommend the 1973 live album version with Steve Hackett
I hadn't heard this, but I recognized David Torn's guitar playing right away. I'm a fan of Torn's earlier albums, especially his 1986"Cloud About Mercury", with Tony Levin and Bill Bruford. I have the later album "The First Day" Sylvian did with Robert Fripp. Thanks - this just lead me to the other Sylvian/Fripp collaborations, which I hadn't known about. Then there's the stuff Fripp did with Andy Summers of The Police.
Always associate Danny Thompson as John Martyn's sideman. Lot of stories down that Rabbit hole. I have the two preceding albums but this one passed my attention, I might had just discovered Acid house raves back then and had shifted my focus.
Pausing the video here before your review to say that it is a rather stunning work, very melancholy with great harmonic detail and musical phrases that go where I didn't expect, but when it goes there I think that's exactly how it should go, like the key shifting up a minor third. The playing is expressive beyond words, particularly the bass of course, but the other instruments rising and falling around it. And I'll have to relisten to the lyrics, but is it about a sad, but very dangerous personality? The music makes it haunting rather than menacing if so.
And! I've been listening to Ryuichi Sakamoto since seeing Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and buying the film score. What do you think of the Sylvian/Fripp album The First Day?
@@robertjewell9727 hi there, Sylvian fan too and music nerd, could you explain in more detail what he’s doing theory wise, like you said with the key shifting a minor third, the harmonic detail and it going places where you don’t expect it to go
@@nat15ify , theory wise I sense David is a feeling being with a bright, unrigid intellect so that he moves with emotional transitions that enliven the story he is telling and his discipline is more jazz based rather than simply using the 3-chord standard of most songwriting, but he is wholly aware of the standard and does use it as a base for altering expectations. So when a transition feels unexpected, but right, it is a way of making a listener listen better, to not fall into a pattern that mirrors other standards, but he doesn't do it in an arrogant way, but when listening it feels very intuitive and more vivid. I've not read anything about his education in music so I really have no idea what his approach is when beginning a song, but it likely relates to the lyrics and how he interprets them sonically. Justin may have more insight as well.
I heard some Japan in the early 80s and could take them or leave them, but as time goes on I find myself liking them more (even buying a couple of CDs). I haven't heard a lot of Sylvian (or other ex-Japan members) but this is very nice. I'd like to hear more.
The Hugerford Massacre (Mass shootings are rare in UK) happened in August of 1987, 10 weeks before the release of the album, and to my mind it was the motivation for this song?
I bought only 1 David Sylvian CD, "The First Day" because it's a collaboration with Robert Fripp. I also made a CD of "Gone to Earth" with a few other songs that have Fripp on them. This album has Fripp and other members of King Crimson on it. I'm not knocked out by him any more than you were by listening to XTC. Maybe that will change.
I have The First Day , like others, because of the Fripp connection. I liked it back then but to be honest haven’t listened to it in many years. David’s voice and music I need to be in the mood for, a little over the top sometimes. But, and this is a big but, I see his uniqueness in the music world and appreciate it. Now, on to your analysis... Fanboy much? Jk... hey, we like love what we love. That’s cool. I fanatically love musics that takes over eras of my life. I have made mix tapes, going back to 8-tracks(Hitachi 8-track recorder), CDs, Spotify mixes, etc. of different times in my life and it’s weird to see what I was into at the time. Anyway, enjoyed your choice today, I know you did and that makes me happy, now I’m going to fanboy myself: David Sancious Todd Rundgren Viva Voce Laurie Anderson Peace and Music
Have you listened to Sakamotos movie soundtracks? Fantastic. Give The Staggering Girl a listen. Merry Christmas Mr Lawence is awesome. David Bowie as a POW of the Japanese during WWII.
I like the album he did with Robert Fripp. Such an interesting voice. I feel the same way about Peter Gabriel and Richie Haven's voices. Arranging and mixing around a voice in a lower range is a different challenge but the sound is balanced has a haunting atmosphere. I will check out more. Thanks.
You mention that DS voice strikes an emotional cord. This is 100% fact, and I can say this bc EVERY time I listen to Forbidden Colors I weep like a child. I just drown in it!
I think I heard you say that you have not really listened to Japan. I saw your reaction for Quiet Life which was a bit to poppy for you perhaps. I would suggest the song “Nightporter” by Japan to you though. It’s beautiful and haunting and more introspective like DS’s solo work. PS. Brilliant Trees is a great album but I’m sure you know that.
David Sylvian is provably one of the best vocalist, songwriters and poets who ever stepped on the earth. And he is an amazing human being. Only as sensitive people as him, will understand his way of being. The day I've been introduce to his music is probably one of the most beautiful days of my life.
Agreed with ya!
That is beautifully put 👍🏼🫶🏼🙏🏼
The album is a masterpiece. Gone To Earth is amazing too
Sylvians voice is heavenly, been listening to him since 1982. Such a talented artist.
The production on this album is nothing short of perfection.
A pure masterpiece.
At one point during the late 90s I became
properly obsessed with his music and love his solo work upto and including Dead Bees On a Cake. Beyond that he lost me.
I count myself very lucky to have seen him a few times live including a solo show at the Paradiso club in Amsterdam.
If you enjoy his works pre-Blemish, try his work with Nine Horses
One of the best albums ever! The music. The voice. The arrangements. The lyrics. The artwork. Perfect.
Great one, Justin, and congrats on 5k. 🙌🎉🍻
“Damage,” the song from Sylvian/Fripp is shattering. Highly recommended!
Thanks Jim!
Just listened to half of the album Damage on your recommendation. Oh Yeah, I'm loving it.
@@ianmc8671 😊
Make sure to pick up BOTH versions of DAMAGE. There was one version overseen by Friip, and another version overseen by Sylvian.
David Torn's guitar work on this track is just an incredibly beautiful thing. It's just truly unique, and at first I wasn't even sure I was listening to a guitar. It glides in such a sad, melancholic weepy way, it's so ethereal and beautiful.
This is THE perfect album. I agree completely. And, I never thought that there was, or could be, such a thing - but this [and Hejira] ARE PERFECT…
That is one seriously beautiful bass line. Probably the most beautiful I have ever heard. I could listen to just the bass melody on its own and be happy.
That's Danny Thompson...one of the great double bass players... tone, intonation, feel, creativity, musicality, and depth. The perfect choice for this song, this album. Check out his playing with Pentangle and John Martyn.
DS is my soulmate, not just fave musician. I thought nobody could ever understand me on the planet till I heard him a number of years ago. Seems like he has health struggles since 2017. Wish him well. And thanks for the vid. I'm afraid there is a lot of beautiful and strong stuff captured by him to cover all of it by reviews.
Same feelings as yours! His music cured every hurts of me!
Wow, this was an unexpected blast from my past. I first became familiar with Japan, ironically, when I lived in Japan in the early 80s. A decade later my then brother-in-law, a very skilled guitarist in his own right, had studied with Robert Fripp (they remain collaborators today) and has worked with David Sylvian, opening shows for him in the 90s as part of his own group The California Guitar Trio. I believe he was there during recording of Damage: Live. Anyway, it was him who introduced me to David's post Japan work and particularly Secrets Of The Beehive. Forbidden Colours is another you should review, and then definitely, Every Colour You Are from Damage: Live. Then consider doing some Riyuchi Sakamoto while you're at it. Thanks for the memory jog!
Awesome!
Oooh! Never occurred to me to get into solo Sylvian (even though I've always considered Sakamoto a towering musical genius). Listened to 'Orpheus', while you were still gushing about this track! Beautiful music... do more of this; trust your own good taste and show us the stuff you love.
One of my favorite vocalist. Try Wave from Gone to Earth, it features stunning guitar work from Robert Fripp. Sylvian is a genius!
I’m showing my age, but I have followed David Sylvian’s career since the early days of Japan in the late 70s. I Loved the later Japan albums and could see the band really finding a unique sound. I was sad when they split up in the early eighties, but I needn’t have been as the music got way better with David’s solo career. Early Japan songs that hint at DS’s later musical direction are ‘Ghosts’ and ‘Voices raised in Welcome hands held in prayer’ off the ‘Oil on Canvas’ album. Your right JP, David has worked with some of the best musicians and producers in the world. I remember in the mid 80’s going into Newcastle in the north of England to buy ‘Gone to Earth’ (on vinyl) and dashing to my friends house to listen to it, worrying if I’d like it, well, I loved every note. The album reached something in me that just connected and I’ve been hooked ever since. Great choice JP. Did you know that David has collaborated with Mick Karn, (Buoy) is a great track. He has also sang vocals on a track by Tweeker called Linoleum. Thanks for the great reviews!
Ok, paused the vid before you "fanboy out".
Really LOVED this song!!! Beautiful. Love David's voice.
The lyrics are sad but clever. Interesting take on how a gun changes a person's mentality and sense of self, but also how some defect or damage drove him to pick up the gun in the first place. Leaves you in suspense as to what he's going to do - or is he really going to do anything, other than fantasize?
I had never listened to David before. I will definitely check out more of his music, and would love to see you do more vids of him!
Thanks for the introduction to him!
Thanks for the song. I'll just let you know that David Sylvian is one of my favourite vocalists too. I first discovered Japan with "Gentlemen Take Polaroids". "Tin Drum" was one of my top 10 Eighties albums and I think I bought David Sylvian's first four solo albums. I know he has done many more since then, and I have seen some amazing solo and collaborative work on TH-cam through the years. I'm telling you this, just in case you thought I was a "Peter Gabriel Genesis Era ONLY" sort of a guy. I totally agree that David Sylvian is very special.
'When Poets Dreamed Of Angels' is my favourite track of the album, highly recommend it!
Its definitely one of my favorites!
Excellent appreciative review! Just subscribed, looking forward to your other videos (seeing many gems there!). I've loved this album since it's release, you're right, it's beautiful... True artistry!
Thanks so much for that Katherine!
Loved David since his Japan days, and his solo career in the 80s, caught up with his solo work in last few years and am amazed at the range of it. Love everything he’s done, even his spoken word and more avant garde work. This is a super review, lovely to see your enthusiasm for the man and his work. By the way he’s retired from music now, but let’s hope he makes a return in the future, it’s not unknown and he’s still young enough. 🤗💚
Amazing! He really has an incredible body of work. Thank you so much for watching tomgirl!
David Sylvian is one of my all-time favorites, and yes this is one of my favorites but I have so many of his that I love, it depends on my mood. I love Orpheus, I love all of the songs on this album. I started listening to him in the late 80s, and I've listened to him consistently ever since. I love When Poets Dream of Angels. That's probably one of my favorites from that album. I love Forbidden Colors with Sakamoto. Have you heard Linoleum that he did with Tweaker? Love that too.
I understand the fanboy stuff because I feel the same. My partner rolls her eyes when I start talking about him.
And also love Everything and Nothing, especially Bird Man. edit: Jean the Bird Man.
I saw him in concert back in 88. Massey Hall in Toronto. Such a great concert in a fantastic venue.
David is in my top 3 favorites. I adore this album and song! Even now I get transported right back in time to when I first listened to this beauty. I agree about his voice hitting at a deep place. I have a true emotional attachment to his music. I was lucky to see him perform live twice in the 2000's, once with Fripp. Both were amazing shows. Yes, please do more DS so I can fangirl out with you. :-)
Just splendid - how wonderful that you recognise and appreciate this talent - Love your critique, brother
Been a Japan and David Sylvian fan since 1982... avid collector of all ex Japan members. Secrets is part of his trilogy of solo masterpieces... enjoying your enthusiasm for an artist I’ve loved most of my life💜
Thanks Jeffrey, he is absolutely amazing
JustJP he is please check out the other members, a lot of instrumentals but amazing especially JBK💜
"The Boy With the Gun" is from my point of view one of the most moving songs by David Sylvian (with the title track "Damage").
I discovered David Sylvian in 1980 through Japan with their album 'Quiet Life' and did not stop listening to his various projects until the album 'Dead Bees on a Cake' included.
Since the 'Blemish' album his music has become more and more stripped down, abstract and experimental and I gave up from there.
My personal favorite from him is the double album 'Gone to Earth' followed by 'Secrets of the Beehive' and the live 'Damage' with Robert Fripp.
Justin, did you know the song "Some Kind of Fool" which appears on the compilation 'Everything and Nothing' published in 2000. it's an unreleased track from the 'Gentlemen Take Polaroids' sessions recorded in 1980 but completed in 2000. Another superb piece from David Sylvian !
Great of you to share your favourite artist of all time with us! Thanks. And yes, a fine song and album. As are many of his others. He has chosen some very good musicians to work with on these recordings, too.
It’s my favourite album of all time. I love lots of music, but this album has a special place which I cannot describe. I even wrote ambient music inspired by his collaboration with Holgar Czukay.
This album has basically been my official sound track the last couple of weeks. Brilliant! And it's all because I saw this video - Thanks for helping me discover this record!
Anton that makes me happy to hear. Glad you've been enjoying it so much
@@JustJP 👍👍😁
I love David Sylvian. Excellent complex albums. I started with the band Japan that I heard him sing and I liked the music.
Gone to earth is my favorite album.
I totally agree about his voice. It hits me too emotionally.
Gone to Earth is one of my favorites from him, absolutely
Love David Sylvian, been a fan since the Japan days, my one favourite artist. Everything he has produced has been a masterpiece, he sounds just wonderful live. Gutted he has decided to retire.
I've been a D. Sylvian fan since he was in Japan (also loved M. Karn). You have wonderful taste. I've also love R. Sakamoto for ages, and their colabs are always wonderful.
Ty Judy! He's fantastic!
Japan or David Sylvian have never been high on my list to explore so I appreciate you bringing them to your listeners attention. I’m not gushing over the song like you but I enjoyed it.
By coincidence I was listening to some Bill Nelson , Chimera ep , in which Mick Karn from Japan plays on.
For some reason, I've always considered Secrets of the Beehive my winter David Sylvian album (Orpheus being my favorite track) and Brilliant Trees my summer album (Nostalgia is my favorite from that album) - maybe Trees is a bit warmer. His voice is simply haunting - the live version of Night Porter during his Japan days is truly amazing, particularly the way it's intertwined with the oboe. He's always evolving. Thanks for a great analysis and for sending me back to my cd cabinet to pull out my DS discs! A band that evolved similarly is Talk Talk. The song Ascension Day from their album Laughing Stock is an amazing evolution from their good, but much more pop-orientated 80's stuff. I think you would enjoy that listen. Thanks again!
Ty Bills!
Awesome Justin. I bough this back when it was released, Took a while to get into but such beautiful chord changes and textures. My favourite was Orpheus.... Sakamoto just beautiful. Also loved the opener September...
Btw you should check out John Martyn if you like this vibe... guess you know the guy. Danny Thompson is on a few of his releases too. Solid Air would be a good start.
Also good point about the production. Does not suffer from typical 80s production and sounds full even now.
I've been following his career from Japan to his solo and collaboration work. His voice and work is outstanding. If I was to mention another Artist now sadly passed, but left us with a astonishing array of work from his time in Talk Talk and his Solo inventive and exploratory musical albums is Mark Hollis
I latched onto David Sylvian back in the 80s in and around the peak of the 4AD era with the like of This Mortal Coil, Dif Juz and, of course, The Cocteau Twins. I could never put my finger on what it was about Sylvian's vocal style that always intrigued me until the early 2000s when I heard the song "Linoleum" that he did with Tweaker. In the almost chaotic aural landscape that that song lays out, Sylvian's voice winds through it like a river, always moving forward and navigating the listener through it. That is what Sylvian does with pretty much every song, drawing the listener in and guiding them through to the end.
Great to see how enthusiastic about one certain artist you are. This must be how you can relate to people who are in enthusiastic about their favorite singer. Peter Hammill in my and many other cases.
David has a very haunting soothing and atmospheric voice I've been trying to figure it out for days. I watched some videos of him with Robert Fripp these are also very good. Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it
I lost track of Sylvian after Japan -thanks for putting a light to this . I held off on commenting til I could go sample a couple other tracks .
Checked out Red Guitar , Damage and Silver Moon - big thanks , you've given a heads up on some really cool music I totally missed on so now I get the joy of discovery - give and take is what the channel is all about really , so thanks for 'giving' this .
I can see why Fripp asked David to join Crimson - would've loved to see the results .
I hear lots of sounds in his works so far - bits that remind me of Spandau Ballet , Wang Chung , Tears for Fears , Level 42
What Ive heard so far is smooth , well balanced , very smart - looking forward to the rest of the journey .
Excellent, hope you enjoy!
JustJP when I saw an image of David from that time I first thought : wait a second , that’s a picture of Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran - lol
Wouldn’t mind seeing a reaction. to them - perhaps Save a Prayer or Come Undone
It's great that you love Sylvian, I used to play a lot of Japan in my bar in the 80's along with a large portion of the music you review on here. I'm having a great time here, thanks!
Ty Mark! 😃
Great song, great album.
Used to listen to it late at night before bed (and anytime).
One of my favourite albums. The track Waterfront from the same album has one of the most incredible emotional lifts Mr. Sylvian ever did (and that was very much his thing, so rest assured how good it is). I know Before the Bullfight is too long to review, but I would love to hear what your thoughts are on that one (off the Gone to Earth album), but Silver Moon is also wonderful. Thank you, for reminding me how wonderfully emotive and resonant David Sylvian's music is.
Gone to Earth is just as fantastic as Beehive to me. Bullfight is one the the highlights
Congrats Justin, 5K Subs. Love the content.
Halfway to your 2020 goal of 10k. Congrats!
Almost there! Ty
Love "Maria" from this LP. Also: Weathered Wall, Pocket Full of Change (Rain Tree Crow), Brightness Falls (from The First Day w/ Robt Fripp) to name a few.
Maria is a wonderful slow drip!
Oh. Oh, this song. I cannot express how good this song is. I am so pleased he has reached so far into the future! Perfection.
One of my faves :D
Forbidden Colours is beautiful. On par with Ghosts and Nightporter from his days with Japan. His voice and Kate Bush’s voice are on a different level. Also if you like Sylvian, you need to listen to Talk Talk’s last three records.
I think I never listened to D.S. but this deserves another listen. His voice is, as you said, profound and emotional. Thanks for helping discover new music.
Absolutely!
Very good, he has a great tone to his voice! Great arraignment,and musicians. Well done! Peace from CT.
My first listen of this artist - it's a nice laid back folk waltz, with atmospheric tones. Don;t know anything about the artist - he was never on Letterman or Austin City Limits, like my personal favorite folk waltz artist Nanci Griffith. But I would give him another listen.
One of my favourite albums ever. The version of Forbidden Colours that comes as a bonus track to Beehive is probably my favourite song of all time. Magical stuff
Yes its absolutely beautiful!
So great! Please listen to Pocket Full of Change by Sylvian’s Rain Tree Crow album in 1991 with all original Japan members. Also Linoleum by Tweaker with Sylvian on vocals is amazing 😉
I was not familiar with Sylvian! Love this! Thank you for sharing!
Have never heard this myself, and I like it, but your passion for it almost made me tear up a little. Lol. This is because out of alllll the genres I love, and all the amazing music and artists that fill my playlists, Alphavilles album "Forever Young" has been my all time favorite since the first time I rushed out and bought it in 1984. The album still transports me to another place and time each time I listen to it. To me, its a gorgeous album. So I can definitely relate to all of your enthusiasm, like a proud father, lol.
Ty so much Jay, I'm glad you enjoyed the video and could relate 😊
Some recomendations on this genre : Blood - This Mortal Coil ; Playing with Fire - Spaceman 3 ; Mettle - Hugo Largo ; Serpents Egg - Dead Can Dance ; Ten Songs From Another World - The World of skin.
WOW !! So glad you've done this song Justin :) The boy with the Gun, written in 1987 the year of the Hungerford massacre, Michael Ryan. David Sylvian is certainly a musical pioneer. I have a feeling his muse will be appreciated far more, in years to come.
I love the way his voice works around the instrumentation in this one so much
Ty Passio! Kyo is an amazing singer, crazy range. I've listened to a few of DEG albums, always enjoyed them
@@JustJP Yes, I remember ^^ I was not sure if you knew all their stuff. If you have not heard undecided yet (it is from from their third album Kisou) it is a very beautiful song with acoustic guitars. I think it could fit very well on the channel.
And if you should not have heard anything from sukekiyo yet they have two major sounds: extremely beautiful, progressive, sometimes even a bit jazzy ballad like-songs and very experimental, electronic songs. There are some other types too but these are most prominent.
Kugui is a very calm ballad with some near-operatic like vocals.
If it does not suit the channel but you don't know the songs yet I just want to suggest to listen in you own time :) I am confident you will enjoy them.
This album, along with Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love" is on my list of most complete text albums--start to finish.
Hell yeah!! from Japan to Robert Fripp and beyond, he is a master!!!
Yes! Sylvian is my absolute favorite aswell. No singer/songwriter can match him imo. At the same time i get that not everybody likes his voice but he is still an impeccable songwriter.
The double bass is both dynamic and supportive of the lyrics. Incredible. But everything is great about this song.
This is an exceptionally good album, that I first listened to in 1989; not a bad song and I really appreciate that it keeps the mood and style throughout the whole album, nothing "interfers" with, or cuts off, the listening experience. Was really glad when I finally got hold of a japanesse promo vinyl pressing at an affordable price last year. Love the whole album, but my favorite is "When Poets Dreamed of Angels". Thanks JP! 😎👍
I like it. Have tried Japan and din't grab me, but I will delve more into this album and the overall catalog. I might need to be in a specific mood to listen, but it is definately good. Keep up the great work!
Ty Andre!
Great choice! Loved Japan and followed David Sylvian's solo work. Loved this whole album so obviously love this track. Loved hearing you 'fanboy' over him.
Haha ty Rich!
So nice to see you selecting DS and also this song in particular. There are so many. Nine Horses also have several accesible ones. BTW, on a different style, how about Saga, Ice Nice, for example. Thanks for this.
Thanks lejorify! Nine Horses is great as well
Interesting....with that slow ambient folk....youd probably like.Dave Kerzner, or The Antlers or Storm Corrosion, (particularly the song Storm Corrosion)...you should check em out...even just on your free time....
Excellent video man! Sylvian is also one of my favorites ever, like top 3. You could review songs like Nostalgia, Wave, Before the bullfight, and Darkest dreaming.
Ty Bruno! All of those are great songs😄
A waltz! A wonderful song I didn't know.... you never cease to surprise me! Going to listen to some Japan-songs immediately. "Jean the Birdman" by Fripp/Sylvian is highly recommended!
Thank you :D
Love that album. I haven't heard it in over 30 years. I still have some of his original albums in my LP collection but, haven't had a turntable for >20 years. So now I have to go and buy them again. But I'm looking forward to it, especially Forbidden Colours. Thanks for reminding me about these gems. 🔥😎👍 Peace
P.s. The acoustic bass is fantastic.
P.p.s. The flashing cube is a bit distracting to my brain,... just me with flashing things probably.
Glad you enjoyed it! Sry about the light😵
Well JP you've been and gone and done it. Never heard this before but it's brilliant. I recognised Danny Thompson on bass immediately, which brings me onto the next thing. I don't know if you know but Thompson played a lot with one of my favourite singer/songwriters John Martyn. If you haven't been exposed to him can I suggest Solid Air and One World. Either the albums or their title tracks. I'm pretty sure they'll be right up your strasse. Perhaps you might consider giving us more recommendations in the future . Stay safe.
Will definitely consider it! Thank you Smithysbat
Great song, love the frippertronic at the end. But Orpheus is my favorite of this album. Gone to Earth with Fripp is a masterpiece too. I can listen to Before the bullfight on repeat. Sylvian creates music with care. Care for composition, the use of instruments and production. There aren’t many around. Mark Hollis is one. You have to review him on your channel too. He deserves it.
Oh, I see, you mention here you found this in 2009. My jaw dropped the first time I heard this in 1990. Orpheus is pure perfection on this album along with this song.
Orpheus is definitely one of "those" songs thats just otherworldly in its beauty
By the way I still have songs from Kate Bush's The Ninth Wave playing in my head days later. They're haunting.
Yes they really are😃
Sylvian is my favorite of all time. (Since the 80s). Gone To Earth is the greatest album of all time. (The two disc version). How do you feel about his later stuff when he went off into a new direction? (I find it interesting - but miss the David of old)
Awesome CC! So honestly, while I dont listen to it often, I still enjoy Manafon as an occasional listen. Nine Horses is good for a little more "straighforward" Sylvian.
Wow, amazed. This is my favorite artist as well. Cheers!
Awesome!
@@JustJP Maybe something from The First Day? That album confused me when I first heard it.
@@inbrokenimages haha, yeah some of his work takes a bit. Ive heard most of his work, but i may do song reviews
@@JustJP There are songs on that album. lol
I love that album now.
Need to listen to more of David Sylvian solo music. Know him from Japan. Love his voice! There are two Japanese singers that remind me of his voice a lot. Kamijo from Lareine and Gackt.
Definitely try out Brilliant Trees and Secrets of the Beehive if you enjoy him :D
well, I don't know if DS is my favorit artist but I know I have everything (or almost) he published. Last purchase was the double vynil "Plight / Premonition", "Flux / Mutability" he recorded with a huge name of the so called kraut rock scene, Holger Czukay (a scene and a name I sugest you to dive in). I like "Secrets of the Behive" but, my above all, is "Gone to Earth" (lots a Fripp there). Now, while spoking about the song, you touched names to look for, Sakamoto, Thorn, Steve Jansen (BTW SJ is DS's brother), Talk Talk (Mark Hollis, absolutely urgent) and many others. So much music to explore... stay safe.
DS Blemish album has very abstract guitarist Derek Bailey and Fennez who does atmospheric glitchy processed laptop guitar.
Great piece J.. it kinda sounds like Porcupine Tree, an English prog rock band. Oh congrats in reaching 5k.. 10k coming up soon i feel. 🍻
Incredible song. Love this album. I never expected to find a review of this. As you're a Sylvia fan, have you reacted to any Japan? I'd love to hear your comments on the song Ghosts :-)
I've done a little Japan, and I've done Ghosts as a matter of fact😄
Are you familiar with his collabs with Holger Czukay? Amazing stuff. Probably not the best for a reaction vid, but definitely worth checking out.
Often recommended but have never listened to David Sylvian. Very good! I should listen to more. Some similarity to early Porcupine Tree. It is like good prog, to fully appreciate requires a few listenings.
Another suggestion (I've suggested it before) for something very different: Seventy Five by Touch. It's early proto-prog (about six months before release of In the Court of the Crimson King) worth a listen. Touch by Touch (1969) was a commercial bomb and hard to find, but progheads know that side two of that album is a masterpiece.
Hoping your 10k soon, you deserve! Go Justin! We are waiting 4 you to "dive" and to react in Trespass, the 2nd. Genesis album. The last song "The knife" is a masterpiece, but I recommend the 1973 live album version with Steve Hackett
I hadn't heard this, but I recognized David Torn's guitar playing right away. I'm a fan of Torn's earlier albums, especially his 1986"Cloud About Mercury", with Tony Levin and Bill Bruford. I have the later album "The First Day" Sylvian did with Robert Fripp. Thanks - this just lead me to the other Sylvian/Fripp collaborations, which I hadn't known about. Then there's the stuff Fripp did with Andy Summers of The Police.
Enjoy the journey!
Always associate Danny Thompson as John Martyn's sideman. Lot of stories down that Rabbit hole. I have the two preceding albums but this one passed my attention, I might had just discovered Acid house raves back then and had shifted my focus.
Pausing the video here before your review to say that it is a rather stunning work, very melancholy with great harmonic detail and musical phrases that go where I didn't expect, but when it goes there I think that's exactly how it should go, like the key shifting up a minor third. The playing is expressive beyond words, particularly the bass of course, but the other instruments rising and falling around it. And I'll have to relisten to the lyrics, but is it about a sad, but very dangerous personality? The music makes it haunting rather than menacing if so.
And!
I've been listening to Ryuichi Sakamoto since seeing Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and buying the film score. What do you think of the Sylvian/Fripp album The First Day?
@@robertjewell9727 hi there, Sylvian fan too and music nerd, could you explain in more detail what he’s doing theory wise, like you said with the key shifting a minor third, the harmonic detail and it going places where you don’t expect it to go
@@nat15ify , theory wise I sense David is a feeling being with a bright, unrigid intellect so that he moves with emotional transitions that enliven the story he is telling and his discipline is more jazz based rather than simply using the 3-chord standard of most songwriting, but he is wholly aware of the standard and does use it as a base for altering expectations. So when a transition feels unexpected, but right, it is a way of making a listener listen better, to not fall into a pattern that mirrors other standards, but he doesn't do it in an arrogant way, but when listening it feels very intuitive and more vivid. I've not read anything about his education in music so I really have no idea what his approach is when beginning a song, but it likely relates to the lyrics and how he interprets them sonically. Justin may have more insight as well.
Perfect album
Hi JP! What do you think about Nostalgia? Is my favourite song so far!
I heard some Japan in the early 80s and could take them or leave them, but as time goes on I find myself liking them more (even buying a couple of CDs). I haven't heard a lot of Sylvian (or other ex-Japan members) but this is very nice. I'd like to hear more.
The Hugerford Massacre (Mass shootings are rare in UK) happened in August of 1987, 10 weeks before the release of the album, and to my mind it was the motivation for this song?
I bought only 1 David Sylvian CD, "The First Day" because it's a collaboration with Robert Fripp. I also made a CD of "Gone to Earth" with a few other songs that have Fripp on them. This album has Fripp and other members of King Crimson on it. I'm not knocked out by him any more than you were by listening to XTC. Maybe that will change.
I have The First Day , like others, because of the Fripp connection. I liked it back then but to be honest haven’t listened to it in many years.
David’s voice and music I need to be in the mood for, a little over the top sometimes. But, and this is a big but, I see his uniqueness in the music world and appreciate it.
Now, on to your analysis...
Fanboy much? Jk... hey, we like love what we love. That’s cool. I fanatically love musics that takes over eras of my life. I have made mix tapes, going back to 8-tracks(Hitachi 8-track recorder), CDs, Spotify mixes, etc. of different times in my life and it’s weird to see what I was into at the time.
Anyway, enjoyed your choice today,
I know you did and that makes me happy, now I’m going to fanboy myself:
David Sancious
Todd Rundgren
Viva Voce
Laurie Anderson
Peace and Music
Have you listened to Sakamotos movie soundtracks? Fantastic. Give The Staggering Girl a listen. Merry Christmas Mr Lawence is awesome. David Bowie as a POW of the Japanese during WWII.
I like the album he did with Robert Fripp. Such an interesting voice. I feel the same way about Peter Gabriel and Richie Haven's voices. Arranging and mixing around a voice in a lower range is a different challenge but the sound is balanced has a haunting atmosphere. I will check out more. Thanks.
Anytime!
Small Metal Gods....a must!!
Manafon, difficult album, but carried by Sylvians voice and space :D
That was a loverly track; never heard of David Sylvian B4. Thanks
He was in 80s art-rock band Japan.
Glad you liked itA
I love how dreamy this is. Is Fripp playing guitar here?
You mention that DS voice strikes an emotional cord. This is 100% fact, and I can say this bc EVERY time I listen to Forbidden Colors I weep like a child. I just drown in it!
Wheat are you going to do Yes' Gates of Delirium?
I think I heard you say that you have not really listened to Japan. I saw your reaction for Quiet Life which was a bit to poppy for you perhaps. I would suggest the song “Nightporter” by Japan to you though. It’s beautiful and haunting and more introspective like DS’s solo work. PS. Brilliant Trees is a great album but I’m sure you know that.
Thanks Percy! I'll have to give Nightporter a listen, I've heard good things. And yup, I know BT :D Great album, especially the first 3 songs.
Perfect album. YES.
Glad you enjoy it as well!