Customer Reviews

Lookaftering

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Back in the mid-Sixties, after quitting art school to pursue music, Vashti met Andrew Loog Oldham and recorded a single -written by Jagger/Richards of all people- for Decca. Although reviews compare Marianne Faithful' and even went as far as labeling her a "female Bob Dylan," sales were minimal and Decca decided not to invest on releasing further material.

The story goes that Bunyan, dejected by the experience, bought a horse and cart and set off for a commune that Donovan founded on the Isle of Skye. Although she was not to remain there long, that experience gave birth to the core material that would become "Just Another Diamond Day," backed by members of Incredible String Band and Fairport Convention, and produced by Joe Boyd.

Once again, success eluded her -critics, even the ones who praised it, did not pay for their copy- and this time was off to Ireland, to live life a life away from music and raise a family.

Thirty-five years after releasing her debut album, Vashti returns with her new solo work, an album that manages to be faithful to the sound and mood that permeated her 1969 "Just Another Diamond Day", and at the same time, present the work of a mature artist, still pastoral yet it is mature woman speaking. Evocative, even spiritual in a contemplative way.

"Lookaftering" was co-produced with Max Richter, who also co-wrote the arrangements. Wisely anchored around Vashti's voice, acoustic guitar and Richter's these songs just fall down like fine rain over you, such is the subtlety of their touch.

At different times accompanied by Joanna Newsom, Kevin Barker from Espers, ex-Four Tet's Adem, and Devendra Banhart, Bunyan weaves the tales of what Adrienne Rich has called a "difficult, ordinary happiness," songs of mothering or upon the death of her brother, or joys you stumbled on possibly every day.

Every song has also being thoughtfully arranged, whether the choice is an intimate and sparse sound, require the warmth of an oboe, or a strings quartet. "Same But Different," "Against The Sky," "If I Were," "Wayward" -and also its hummed coda, at the end- or Brother are gems. gems of the quiet kind, music that may take to early sunny mornings by yourself.

wow... this one exceeded my very high expectations... incredibly beautiful, delicate, elegant songs perfectly arranged and produced (by the amazing Max Richter) with minimal but gorgeous mostly-acoustic accompaniment. I think Vashti even tops her once-forgotten, now classic Just Another Diamond Day here. Only 35 minutes or so, but not a single note is wasted filler here.

As you may have noticed, no one has given this release less than 5 stars. I could go on for pages giving the reasons for this but instead I'll just reccomend listening to the audio samples.In a year full of of great new albums, "Lookaftering" shines w/ indescribable beauty. This album may go down in history as being as beloved as "J.A.D.D.".Let's all keep our fingers crossed that it's not another 35 years before Vashti's next.

Vashti Bunyan is a cult hero. Her first album came out in 1969. Andrew Loog Oldham burned her. His narcissism was mediocre. The Rolling Stones used people back then. Vashti could be bitter but is not. She has created another beautiful album in spite of it. She now lives in Edinburgh. Her first album "Just Another Diamond Day" was recorded by Joe Boyd (and featured members of The Incredible String Band and Fairport Convention). Instead of promoting the album, she became a recluse and disappeared for thirty years. Over the years, admirers emerged citing her influence. These people included The Cocteau Twins' Simon Raymonde, Devendra Banhart, and Animal Collective. This new album is amazing. Just the song "Turning Backs" is alone worthy of getting this. In all of Vashti's music there is a medieval folk vibe that is not so forced. Maybe a little what Dead Can Dance later explored. The arrangements are amazing too. Its instrumentation includes a string quartet, oboe, harp, French horn, recorder, flute, hammer dulcimer, glasses, harmonium, and Rhodes piano. This is not obscure folk music. I am now wondering what Devendra Banhart was so inspired by. His early music might have a hint of influence, but the later stuff is more like rock music. Whereas Vashti's music is very pure. It's been 35 years and the music is of the same cloth. This album features Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, Adam Pierce (Mice Parade), Robert Kirby (Nick Drake), Otto Hauser and Kevin Barker (Espers). There is a balance of intimate pieces and heavily worked out songs. This album is all about taking care and remembering lost ones. This is art. Nothing is sentimental. Vashti Bunyan is a mature artist showing us shades of light and dark.

Yes, that is an extreme statement - but IT'S TRUE. This collection of songs is almost flawless, and with each listen the different layers unravel and the true perfection is even more realized. If you liked Bunyan's first album you will love this one even more, it is so refreshing to find an artist like Vashti whose style hasn't changed with the degeneration of mainstream music, and who intelligently aligns herself with the great neo-folksters like Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, and Animal Collective.

Vashti does not want to be mainstream, she just wants to be recognized by someone. This is her second coming, and it is incredible.

Highlights for me are the second track "Here Before" and the seventh, "If I were."

CHECK IT OUT!!!

There was a time when I wished the earth would know of more performers like Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, Lavender Diamond, Bat for Lashes, Vetiver, Jana Hunter and Andrew Bird. That day has still not come, but it bears paying attention to the fact that all the above listed performers would not have their careers today had Vashti Bunyan not existed.

Everyone now knows the story where her music was lost for years, until Devendra Banhart found her reissue, was transfixed by it, and through his grassroots promotion managed to get her back onto the radar, thus culminating in the recording of her second album. I bet Banhart wouldn't give himself all that credit, but certainly he needs to be respected for it.

"Lookaftering" is only Vashti's second album, but upon release it was evident that this is one of those classics that could hold its own against all-time favorites such as "Astral Weeks" or "Sergeant Pepper" (it really could). The downside is that there are still thousands of people, even those who are interested in folk music, who don't know of Bunyan's existence at all, which makes it clear why this album didn't sell very well, nor did it culminate in a 'second lease of life' for Bunyan.

So whats the music like? While Vashti herself detests the 'folk singer' label, the music here is pastoral and very British, in the most quaint and rural sort of way. Her voice is something of a whisper that could become a wail, and almost every song here is slow and moody, with very, very sparse instrumentation (one track has Joanna Newsom play the harp, but the song is all too short). Backup musicians such as Devendra Banhart do appear, but at no time do they smother the proceedings with their personalities.

Prime cuts include "Lately", and "Wayward". The latter is sung as a hum, as the last track on the CD (its supposed to be one of those 'accidental' recordings that were made unbeknowest to Bunyan). Whether you buy that or not, the song is a light, mellow reminder that music need not be loud or loaded with instrumentation to make an impact. Sometimes simple is good enough. "Lookaftering" if full of such gems - each more beautiful than the other.

However, on the downside, the CD I would most readily compare this to is "For Emma, Forever Ago" by Bon Iver. The similarities ar endless. Like that album, this is so slow that some listeners may find themselves absolutely annoyed and impatient, and they might wonder what all the glowing reviews were all about. Those concerns are in part true. This is not a 'readily accessible' album, and chances are that you might not 'get' it upon first, or even second listen. However, just like Bon Iver, repeated listening should do the trick, as it is indeed quite multilayered and hypnotic. The womans' voice is a national treasure!

If you liked this, I highly recommend her earlier recording "Just Another Diamond Day", as well as "Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon" by Devendra Banhart, and "The Milk Eyed Mender" by Joanna Newsom. Also, anything by the obscure band Vetiver. All these people own Bunyan a load of thanks for influencing their musical style.

Five Stars. A Classic indeed, but definitely not for everyone.

This music is beautifully made and those who made it obviously took the time to make sure it flowed and was presented well. The songs and the arrangements simply float out of the speakers - folky, with plain acoustic guitar and touches of piano arpeggios as the foundation for some songs . Other songs have some wind instruments behind them, always supporting Vashti, never threatening to overwhelm her fragile voice.

All is tasteful, but it is also affecting. You may find this music helpful if you are in a contemplative mood.
After hearing the great arrangements of Max Richter, I will start looking for his albums too. Those who are Nick Drake fans will be pleased to know that his arranger, Robert Kirby, is also involved.
This is a largely unknown record, but it is part of my life now and will remain so. I recommend it.

Like a comet, she comes round every some-years.

Like a comet, I come back to her every time I need some light and some comfort.

Hello. I put off getting this album for a little while, thinking that it would sound like a new James Taytlor album or something...I hate when that happens. Or like the new Neil Young album. Prarie Wind. Man, that album is the worst hting ever. But...Vashti killed it. This is just a breath of something sweet. Vashti, good for you. 35 years later and killing it again...buy it.