comicopera

the latest album from english singer-songwriter robert wyatt
his 16th album according to wiki
other interesting information ex wiki is that in 1973 he had a nasty accident
fell out of a 3rd floor window while 'inebriated' and has been paralysed from the waist-down since
seems he is also good friends with the english music aristocracy including pink floyd
who have put on benefit concerts in his aid
which probably means he may be well regarded but he ain't rich from it
this album has had raves in at least 2 magazines i respect
so decided to take the plunge
my first impressions are less than enthusiastic
maybe an in-depth track by track listen and critique may make a difference
stay tuned
the thing about robert wyatt is the voice - totally unique and instantly recognisable
he's starts out the album with a track with everything thrown at it
orchestral arrangement, female operatic backing, pleading vocals
so if you can hear me - if you're still there stay tuned
there is more to come oh don't start searching stay tuned
just as you are
this tune gets special mention in the reviews i have read
features his life partner monica benje on vocals
and paul weller guesting on guitar
it's a lovely little ditty about the love between him and her
maybe it will grow on me but i find it quite cloying in it's simplicity
you you
i'm not sure whether it's intentional or not with his style
but he seems to be the master of the non-song
that is record some interesting noises from various instruments
and ditto come up with some lyrics and interesting vocal techniques
then stick 'em together and see what comes out - it kind of works with this one
a.w.o.l.
i do think that he has a distinctive style that he has cornered the market on
one review suggested he is the quintessential english musician
whatever that means but maybe the ability to churn out a style of tune
that captures the feel of the english countryside, nostalgia and all
as with this quite likeable jazz-based tune recalling days gone by
anachronist
and carrying forward with the same feel into an instrumental track
with his voice making noises in unison with the brass
again it's a bit of a non-tune with no riff or melody
you could say it's a straightup jazz track
but it seems too light and non-eventful for that label - a bit forgetful really
a beautiful peace
co-credited to a chap by the name of eno
and featuring phil manzanera on guitar
so further proof of mr wyatts standing amongst his peers
another very simple little ditty about a walk around his town
gets along quite nicely and inoffensively - not too bad
be serious
i really envy christians, i envy muslims too
it must be great to be so sure as a top hindu or jew
paul weller again on guitar on this anti-religion tune
maybe i just am missing the point or something
but take away the guest guitarist and the voice and there's not much left
on the town square
another instrumental with an odd collection of instruments
cornet, sax, steelpan all at work here
starts out with a gentle cyclic riff
that builds on the basis of each muso repeating a simple pattern
nice sax work from one gilad atzmon is the standout on this tune
mob rule
this is a quick little tune which references life in a small town
seems there has been some debate about a local town planning issue
directors of planning must be given the right to make plans
just as say the woodworm must bore so too advisors must advise
yeah thanks for the insight and hope they get it worked out
a beautiful war
uh-oh mr wyatt is a cynic up there with the best of them
unlike the title the lyrics talk about a beautiful day
when i open the hatch and i dropped the first batch
i'll give him points for consistency
another example of a non-song musically with vocals to the rescue
out of the blue
features an enotron - 'i.e. the voice of brian eno'
why do i get the impression he has put this album together very quickly
a sort of 'down in one take' approach to both the lyrics and music
here we are trying to be clever with off-key noises
and the enotron is interesting but in the end is kind of annoying
del mondo
sung completely in italian so no idea what this is about
credited to 5 italian sounding names so maybe a cover
well if nothing else it's a change to other songs on the album
instrumentation is very light and simple - bass violin and keyboards
all a bit of nothingness unfortunately - starts and goes nowhere really
capricion de julieta
and continuing the theme of foreign language songs
very similar feel to the previous tune
some interesting brass noises going on in the background
and the bass violin also kicks in with some good weirdo noises
leading to a long almost groovey outro - quite a pleasant one really
pastafari
the guest musician on this tune is a vibraphone player named orphy robinson
he seems to have been given the brief to play whatever he wants
and then other noises are added to the mix ('electrical interference')
the obvious question is - why
the obvious answer is - album filler
fragment
ask the same question and get the same answer
take a few samples of the big hit single off the album (track 2)
mix it up, reverse them, add some piano bits
add some electronica just for the fun of it
and stick it on the album to prove we are contemporary
hasta siempre comandante
not even beginning to pretend to be an expert on linguistics
but the lyrics to this song seem to be spanish
and all the other musicians (5) have names that seem spanish
there are musical hints of an authentic spanish gypsy kind of tune
before a vocal mixed-up fade-out of the tune (and album)

conclusion - more listens required to be totally judgmental
but i have a feeling a warm and fuzzy feeling is not going to develop
but all respect due to mr wyatt - he definitely is in his own space