The Seed-At-Zero [Import]

Robin Williamson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 27, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Ecm Import
• ASIN: B00004VXEY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,992 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST MAN FOR THE JOB AT HAND..., May 23, 2001

By 

Larry L. Looney (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Seed-At-Zero (Audio CD)

Those listeners already familiar with the breadth, scope and quality of Robin Williamson's work should not be surprised to se him take on such a seemingly monumental endeavor -- setting works of Dylan Thomas to music. I don't think there's another artist more suited to the task. Williamson's arrangements -- sparse, skeletal constructions utilising acoustic guitar, harp and mandolin to accompany his one-of-a-kind voice -- are simple and perfect, not once getting in the way of the words. And the words, after all, are the jewels in this showcase.

Thomas has been admired and reviled, worshipped and derided, since he first unleashed his incredible literary vision on an unsuspecting world back in the 30s. Few before or since have had at their disposal his remarkable gift for turning the English language on its head, twisting it inside-out, yet, in the process, revealing its heart and soul, as well as that of the human condition and our world, in the process.

Though the cd is touted as 'Dylan Thomas set to music', there are only five works here actually written by Thomas. However, Williamson's own pieces, as well as his choices of works from other sources, perfectly complement Thomas' own. The words roll off Robin's tongue magically, wrap themselves around the mind, burrow into it, and draw the listener inexorably into another world, from which nothing will ever look the same.

Williamson's own 'Cold days of February' brings with it chilling new insights, absent in the old recording by his group The Incredible String Band, on their album 'Hard rope and silken twine'. It's a timeless piece, more relevant than ever.

It's especially interesting to see the works of Thomas and Williamson side by side, as it were -- Robin's work is anything but derivative, but there are definite echoes there. His use of language, not only in the selectrions contained here, but in his entire body of work, is extraordinary.

Not an album full of tunes you'll find yourself whistling at work, but one which will touch your soul, and to which, I predict, you will return again and again.

Robin has already completed work on a second album for ECM, featuring the works of Whitman, Blake and Vaughan, entitled 'Skirting the river road', set for release in 2002. The Incredible String Band has also reformed, including fellow-founding members Mike Heron and Clive Palmer -- we can look forward to a renaissance of creativity in this new millenium....

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Robin Williamson - Genius Confirmed, February 28, 2001

By 

S. GODFREY "Stuart" (Risca, South Wales) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Seed-At-Zero (Audio CD)

This is a work of quite astonishing intensity and of major importance to the worlds of poetry and music. Williamson's genius for delighting, amazing, and sometimes perplexing his audience is brought into breathtaking focus as he applies his interpretive talents to the already vivid and virile poetry of Dylan Thomas (and others). The arrangements are stark: the opening "The World" serves as un unflinching declaration of intent as, unaccompanied, he uncurls and carresses every vowel and syllable of this momentous work. Easy listening it definitely is not, but hair-raising and mind-boggling it certainly is. How does the man manage to sing like this? There is just no-one else performing at this level - Robin Williamson is truly in a class of his own. As the album unfolds Robin re-visits some of his own earlier works to good effect, playing to his vocal and intsrumental strengths with many a deft touch and a sure craftsman's eye for detail. Despite all the astonishing skill on display here, however, its most remarkable feature is the amount of pure "heart" which the artist has put into these songs. He is in his element here, giving everything. Buy this album and enrich your life!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heed his craft and art, August 26, 2005

By 

J. Carroll "Jack" (Island Heights,NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Seed-At-Zero (Audio CD)

Creating sparse settings for the poems of Dylan Thomas and others, Robin Williamson has fashioned a quiet, respectful, and meditative CD. Williamson's voice does not soar. Rather, it connects you to the earth; a solid low timber emanates and gives a good solid base for the poems selected. The music doesn't interfere with the words; it accompanies them in a cooperative manner, making the music work for the poetry unobtrusively. The fact that Williamson put his heart into this work can be easily heard. The only difficulty with this CD is the unbalanced nature of the compositions chosen; Thomas's work dominates, and the other pieces chosen from Welsh traditionals and Mr. Williamson's own work don't quite have the same beauty, although Williamson's "For Mr. Thomas" is a worthy effort.