Rain Tree Crow [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Import]

Rain Tree Crow | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 7, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: EMI Europe Generic
• ASIN: B0000AQOQX
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,699 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Big Wheels In Shanty Town

2. Every Colour You Are

3. Rain Tree Crow

4. Red Earth (As Summertime Ends)

5. Pocket Full Of Change

6. Boat's For Burning

7. New Moon At Red Deer Wallow

8. Blackwater

9. A Reassuringly Dull Sunday

10. Blackcrow Hits Shoe Shine City

11. Scratchings On The Bible Belt

12. Cries And Whispers

13. I Drink To Forget

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Album by the old "Japan" crew, February 6, 2004

By 

Stuart "stuart_377" (Big Apple, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rain Tree Crow (Audio CD)

When this album first came out there seemed to be a lot of buzz about its release signaling the reforming of Japan. From what I have read, this seemed to be the intention of band members (Sylvian, Jansen, Barbieri and Karn). However, old rivalries resurfaced and this became a one-off.

True to their unquestioned musical skills, Rain Tree Crow were not here to just rehash past glories. Times had changed, the musicians had matured and the music on this album acknowledges this. David Sylvian, having released highly acclaimed and exquisite solo work (Brilliant Trees, Gone To Earth, Alchemy, Secrets of the Beehive) seems to be the undeniable major force on this album. His influence is paramount (and may explain why the other members might have felt that they were mere session musicians in this effort).

The results (despite the politics that may have been present) are probably some of the best tracks they have ever done (Jansen, Barbieri and Karn have worked together on quite a few albums without Sylvian). The somewhat "rock and roll" and blues energy is present throughout and works a lot better here than on Sylvian's collaborations with Robert Fripp. Mark Feltham (harmonica genius who has played on Talk Talk's later albums) is present on some tracks, adding some terrific gritty ambiance.

The tracks are far from mainstream, these musicians have always pushed the boundaries and continue to do so here though these tracks are probably a little more accessible to those not used to this calibre of music.

I think Thomas Horan's review below unfairly gives the album 3 stars. I think his rating is based too much on the bonus track and not the album as a whole. My point of view is that these reviews are for those who do not have the album and would like to know what others think before they buy. A review by someone buying a second copy solely for the bonus track and then judging it primarily on the value of that one track is misleading.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Crow please., January 12, 2005

By 

Dan A. Bobrowski "boceephus" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rain Tree Crow (Audio CD)

Japan reformed for this one off collaboration of stunningly beautiful tunes created from studio improvisations, full of slow, groove inflected pieces with sensual vocals by David Sylvian, a plethora of percussive instruments by Steve Jansen, synth ambience courtesy of Richard Barbieri and the slippery slide fretless bass playing of Mick Karn. A concoction reminiscent of Sylvian's solo music, but with more experimentation and mood.

Sylvian's voice is in the "love it, or hate it" category. Personally, I find his voice soothing, yet dreamy and seductive. This is music to get laid to. Subtle and suggestive. Songs of love lost and dying, pain and ache. No new territory, just music done well. Karn and Sylvian also add a bit of multi-instrumental flavor with sax, clarinet, harmonium and other devices. A unique mix.

Stand out tracks include the opener "Big Wheels in Shanty Town" with it's swirling percussive mix and African backing vocals and pulse bass. Hypnotic. "Blackcrow Hits Show Shine City" with Bill Nelson (Be-Bop Deluxe) playing a wonderful bluesy solo. "Blackwater" is a radio-friendly tune that is achingly plaintive and emotive.

Porcupine Tree fans may be interested to hear pre-PT music from Richard Barbieri, as well as aspiring bass players who should check out fretless master, Mick Karn and those who enjoy more ambient fare would find plenty to muse over with Rain Tree Crow.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flawless gem., April 11, 2005

By 

Michael Stack (North Chelmsford, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rain Tree Crow (Audio CD)

In 1989, the four members of Japan came back together to record a reunion project-- largely against the will of the record label, the album was released by a band of the name Rain Tree Crow. This was a long time coming-- with Jansen and Barbieri working together and appearing on both Sylvian's and Karn's solo records, and finally Sylvian's contribution to Karn's most recent record, the stage was set. Unfortunately, during their time in the studio, the band fell apart and the reunion project, largely finished by Sylvian, proved to be a one-shot.

While Sylvian finished the record, it is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a solo record-- the input from the rest of the band is pretty obvious, and the material succeeds at its best when the band's contributions are largely greater than the individuals-- the haunting "Every Colour You Are", the achingly beautiful ballad "Pocket Full of Change" (which shows the depth and range of Sylvian's voice better than anything else he's ever done), the longing bass clarinet strains on "New Moon at Red Deer Wallow", or the relatively straightforward pop of "Blackwater".

The real point is, there's some many moods, so much ground covered on this record that it is far more than any of the individual contributors have any precedent for on thier own, and quite honestly, its an extremely accessible record-- I'd be shocked if anyone listening to this wouldn't find something that didn't really excite them in some way.

Perhaps most amazing is that there really is nothing on this that doesn't live up to the expectations-- the whole record, start to finish, is superb. This reissue adds pristine sound, and like the entirity of the Virgin Japan/Sylvian catlog, sounds like it was recorded on state-of-the-art equipment yesterday and tags another piece from the sessions, the brief "I Drink to Forget", originally a b-side from when the album was released.

Its also quite a good introduction to the music of any of its contributors, certainly some of the best work they've done is on here. Bottom line, this album is essential listening-- of the thousands of albums that I own, this is one of the three or four best.