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UNEARTHED
Track list: Bottle (2.53), The Gynaecologist (7.24), New Liquid (3.16), Linh-le (5.01), The Only Song (3.42), Hardware (3.43), Children (3.58), Christmas Past (5.46), Handkerchief (2.00), Dog With A Conscience
(5.57), The Black Dog (2.37).
'Unearthed' is an album that is completely different from the norm ... and Peter Blegvad is a storyteller who tells his somewhat idiosyncratic and bizarre tales with an intensity that makes them absolutely compelling
to listen to.
Each of the eleven tracks on this album, which was originally released in 1995, were written by Blagved - founder member of Slapp Happy, who recorded two albums in collaboration with Henry Cow.
Blegvad reads the text and plays psalter, music boxes and harmonica. John Greaves plays bass, synths, recorders, talking drum and also provides a variety of other sounds.
With the CD is an accompanying booklet which contains all of the texts together with illustrations, also by Blagved.
Peter Blegvad has a easy voice to listen to - gentle and mesmeric - and the narratives are read against an ever changing musical backdrop that compliments and enhances the stories without ever taking over.
This is an album that can be listened to both as a set of fascinating, if somewhat strange, stories in which, when he examines the minutiae of life, Blegvad's attention to detail is amazing. Listened to as a
background to reality it works too, the voice becomes another instrument in a subtle, almost ambient soundscape.
Highlights of album include 'The Gynaecologist', the tale of two people, the narrator and a mute native woman who he calls Chatterlee, who are shipwrecked.
The vocal is supported by an alternately reedy and piano sound that creates a feeling of tension and excitement throughout.
'The Only Song' is, as it says, the only song on the CD. It's a hypnotically repetitive piece with the down beat vocal sung over a charming background of chimes and gentle guitar and synth sounds.
'Hardware' has a jolly and bouncy backing track against which its story is told. This is a masterful tale that glories in the smallest thoughts and ideas; things that we take for granted every day of our lives
are taken out and minutely examined and the track leaves you feeling more aware and more thoughtful.
'Handkerchief' is another track that closely examines a single incident. The tone of voice telling the tale is harsher here and the music is less harmonious, with space rock type synth sounds proliferating.
All in all, this album delivers a beguiling sound that is easy on the ears, yet thought provoking ... ideal for those who are looking for something alternative and original.
Marisa 21st January 2000
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