* in stock
CD: NV32611
RELEASE DATE: 1999
LABEL: Naive
01. Sandriam
02. This Time It's Goodbye
03. Leave It All Behind
04. No Lullabies
05. If I Let You In
06. Bury Me With Her
07. Still Lives
08. Friend
09. War In France
10. Stop Breathing
11. Driftwood
12. Give Me Back My Childhood
13. Wisemans Blues
During the middle of the last decade a refreshing brand of music emerged from the shadows and begun to catch on the tail of the mainstream charts. This new wave of performers slowly began to breathe life back into the stagnating music scene. While this was happening, a little known singer called Perry Blake had just signed a major label deal, and was plotting what steps he'd take towards making his debut album. Although Blake sings in a manner that you'd expect him to have had a tortured life, you'd be quite wrong to assume this. You could say that it's his influences that give his music a sombre tone. Over the last couple of years, Blake has found his place in the hearts of the French. His 'Still Life' album has only been available there, with no official word on it coming out in his native Ireland and the rest of Europe. Much like some of his influences, his music hasn't been appreciated as much as it could have thus far, but that may change over the coming years. 'Still Life' is a deeper and more heartfelt offering than his debut, simply entitled 'Perry Blake'. This isnt to say that his previous venture lacks any sincerity, its just his newer work finds him reaching that next level. None of those difficult second album problems manage to creep on here. Blake sticks to what he knows and blends it splendidly with a subtle synthesised background. The songs are romantic , melancholic, thought provoking and deserve to be heard by as many discerning ears as possible. Perry Blake is often singing in a falsetto that would break anyones heart and he relates tales of lost childhood and love while backed by orchestration that is flawless, never drowning out just how fragile these songs in fact are. If you have ever been moved by the music of David Sylvian, Mark Hollis , Nick Drake, Scott Walker, Tindersticks etc. then 'Still Life' is definately for you... little to lose but so much to gain!!
Influences / Similar Artists:
David Sylvian, Human Drama, Burt Bacharach, Scott Walker
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