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Tall Trees
Andria Degens’ voice is sometimes
heard as part of Current 93, but here she’s collaborating
with that altogether more bucolic partnership of Michael Tanner
and Nick Palmer (Plinth, Directoround etc), The pieces here were
recorded in Dorset and East Sussex, England, during the summer of
2007 and breathe an idyllic air of the summers of our imagination
which, in the U.K. at any rate, seldom become reality!
A short instrumental called The Warming is the first of four tracks
and it features Michael Tanner’s vibraphone, almost as a scene-setter
to what follows. Dance Of The Honey Bees has wordless vocals, guitar
and handclaps and although Sing Night Swallow – third on the
disc - clearly has words, it is the sound of Degens voice which
conveys meaning, rather than lyric content. Here, the harmonium
sounds as though it’s played through a cyclic Leslie effect,
is quite hypnotic and stands as my personal favourite song of the
set.
On the closing title track (which does have audible words), a most
unusual and lovely instrument surfaces. The dulcitone is a bit like
a small version of the celeste, where keyboard action strikes tuning
forks. Its chiming tones only add to what is already an utterly
charming e.p. 8/10
John Cavanagh, Foxy Digitalis, 10 September, 2008
An absolutely gorgeous four song
EP by Andria Degens, supplying songs, voice, guitar, harmonica,
and hand claps, with assistance from Michael Tanner (vibes, dulcitone,
harmonium, and guitar), and Nick Palmer (accordion, dulcimer, and
harmonium). Most of all this reminds me a bit of Anna Domino and
Virginia Astley's mix of atmospherically chilly cool balladry and
more brightly pop-like melodic fare. Often a musical contributor
to Current 93, this solo outing finds Andria in a much more accessible
and lighthearted mood and mindset. First a short dreamy instrumental
introductory piece, then a second instrumental conjuring a gently
swaying summer afternoon in a meadow filled with sunlight and glimpses
of a joyful eternity with a hauntingly nostalgic undertow. Then
follows a song with heartbreakingly gorgeous vocals like some lost
outtake from the soundtrack to Twin Peaks or one of Julee Cruise's
Lynch/Badalamenti classics, and ending things with the titular Tall
Trees that feels like the lullaby for the end of a perfect day.
- DREAM MAGAZINE #9
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