Description
An introduction to a new mystical world, Waiting Around fuses the great Brit folk-jazz traditions of Nick Drake, Bert Jansch, Davy Graham, with further-flung sounds of Gene Rains, Eden Ahbez, Moondog and Sun Ra.
Whilst their influence would not sit so brazenly on Johns rolled-up sleeves, each one possesses inspiring techniques; I deliberately listen to how music is recorded and put that into my process, John explains. A lot of percussion in exotica stuff or Indian, South American folk gives me ideas. Things like a distorted reggae hi hat or a backing vocal thats way too loud and bleeds all over the other musicians I like natural accidents which you only get with tape.
Fittingly titled, Waiting Around is the fruits of melodic craftsman, John Stammers labour. Arriving no sooner than six years since the release of his 2011 debut; a physically demanding day job and fascination for all things analogue has made way for a record of stark beauty and enduring quality delayed only by an unyielding sense of intrepid experimentalism.
Sounding like its own reel of ticker tape, Waiting Around is punched with even more magical moments; given its name, its a wake-up call (It means youre wasting your life and not being as productive as you or I should be! John says), whilst beautifully warm songs recall friends as well as past and present loves. Stepping Round Her Clothes captures the feeling of being young and in love whilst fiancée Yasmin plays a starring role in Woman. Risky Flowers is about a troubled young man I knew who smoked heroin; he didnt do it regularly but then I once met him and he looked bad. People said they didnt recognize him. Then I didnt see him for ages that was three years ago, John says.
Waiting Around also features the varied skillset of Johns many musical friends. Paddy Steer (Home Life, 808 State) lends his expertise by way of homemade percussion, Nancy Elizabeth plays Celtic harp and adds warmth with her vocals, piano melodies are provided by Aidan Smith and Alfies Ben Dumville plumps up proceedings with rousing trumpet sounds.
Produced by Jim Spencer (The Charlatans, Bert Jansch), Miles Copeland (Superimposers), and Dan Munslow (The Monks Kitchen, Luca Nieri), the album was recorded in Eve studio, nestled in Manchesters city suburbs. The idea was to book the studio for two weeks and rehearse in my cellar, tells John. We got to choose which tape machine to use, synths, compressors the perfect place to record if youre geared to analogue and like 18th century chapels.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.