DAVID SYLVIAN Blemish RARE lp Limited Edition from Samadhi Sound UK 2003 Japan

$

77

RARE Limited Edition Samadhi Sound UK lp pressing - DAVID SYLVIAN - Blemish - 2003 Samadhi Sound UK - sound-lp 001.  I believe this is the very first LP pressing that Samadhi Sound released, and although I am not positive, it is likely 160 - 180 gram vinyl.  The bottom of the back side on the gatefold jacket/cover says, "This vinyl edition of Blemish is one of a limited run of 2000 manufactured in the UK, December 2003."  Includes the following tracks:  "Blemish," "The Good Son," "The Only Daughter," "The Heart Knows Better," "She is Not," "Late Night Shopping," "How Little We Need to Be Happy," "A Fire in the Forest" and "Trauma."  "Trauma" is an LP bonus track, not included in the standard CD release.

From eBay album notes regarding this release:  Multi-instrumentalist/wordsmith/auteur, David Sylvian is joined here by avant garde jazz guitar hero, Derek Bailey, for one of the most adventurous outings of his already adventurous career.  Cut in 2003, his 12th album isn't the kind of thing you "get" on the first listen, but stick with it and the rewards are myriad.  The fractured, stark yin to Dead Bees on a Cake's tranquil, sensuous yang, Blemish is an unforeseen detour taken by David Sylvian who has made eight (nine on the LP edition) of his most bare, anguished, and instense songs, all of which are neither pleasant nor the least bit settling.  For half of the album, Sylvian is completely alone, accompanied only by his own guitar and electronic treatments.  On the others, he is joined by either Derek Bailey or Christian Fennesz, two guitarists with indispensible roles.  The opening title track sets the tone, with heavily echoed noise fibers warping and reverberating for nearly 14 minues.  The effects swell and recede at a disquieting but sunken volume, while Sylivian's upfront voice -- more stripped and vulnerable than it was in Japan's "Ghosts" -- slips in lines like "I fall outside of her," "Give me one more chance to do things right," and "Life's for the taking, so they say -- take it away."  Bailey's improvised work appears in three songs and is most complementary during "The Good Son," in which his prickles and sudden spasms carry and push, rather than support, Sylvian's voice.  "A Fire in the Forest," the album's own "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," lets the listener out with a battered sense of optimism.  Featuring an arrangement from Fennesz, a melody struggles to find its way out of twisted fragments and soft beams of noise, as Sylvian sings of his search to reach the sunshine that awaits him above gray skies.  Throughout the album, clues are dropped about the events that transpired and the circumstances surrounding them, but it's all left to be pieced together and interpreted by the listener, whoi will have to sift throught the hedged lines, meticulously organized sounds -- from rattling shopping carts to handclaps to delicate fragments of guitar -- and numerous disconfigurations of clear-cut linear thought.  Blemish is the kind of record that provokes many longtime followers to throw up their arms in aggravation -- it's very much a "final straw" record.  A work of beautiful, desolate fragility, Blemish is also the kind of record that will have the opposite effect on a select few, most of whom no doubt obsess over records like Scott Walker's "Tilt" and Mark Hollis' "Mark Hollis." ...Andy Kellman

This LP has been played no more than three times and has been stored in a non-smoking environment.  Beautiful gatefold jacket/cover -- see photos.." Vinyl is VG++ ...one tiny surface mark and a few light scuffs caused by the cardboard inner sleeve.  The LP has since been transferred to a protective rice paper-style inner sleeve.  Includes original cardboard inner sleeve (see photo).  Gatefold jacket/cover is Near Mint ...one tiny corner indentation (very small and very minor).  Inner gatefold contains credits and nice artwork (see photo).  Enclosed in a protective poly outer sleeve.  Please ask questions if you are unclear about this or any of my other auctions.  Low opening bid, or use the Buy It Now option to purchase NOW.  Serious bidders only, please.  Thank you.  Shipping and careful packaging, including delivery confirmation is $4.00 to anyone in the continental USA.  International bidders are welcome.  If you are outside the continental USA please ask for a shipping quote.  I can combine LPs to help save on shipping costs.  I prefer payments via PayPal.  I will accept other forms of payment, if appropriate, at my discretion.  Please see my feedback so that you can bid with confidence.  I want you to be happy with your purchase!