You probably haven't noticed this, but I promise you I have: it's been a whole three months since the last covermount CD compilation featured on Music Arcades. I wish I could say that, after the respite, it's good to hear one again. However, absence has not made the heart grow fonder — and I know what's in store for tomorrow, as well.
I'm not sure whether The Wire Tapper series has now breathed its last. The September issue of The Wire arrived yesterday (David Sylvian still looking beautiful) and it features the first in a new download series for subscribers, Below the Radar, which seems to occupy the same curated musical space hitherto occupied by The Wire Tapper. I'm vicariously proud to say that the engine behind this is provided by Diogenes Music, one of the many projects of my friend Eric (mentioned previously).
But that's another story. As well as listening to over two hours of Below the Radar at my desk yesterday, I played both Wire Tapper 10 CDs. Some of this stuff you need stamina for. Consequently you can be pathetically grateful when a gentle and vaguely hummable piece comes along: Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, sure, and also Colleen. Stafrænn Hákon's Tálkn was just about favourite of them all (reminiscent of Apollo-era Eno). Also Faust with Dälek, Loren Mazzakane Connors with David Grubbs, and Four Tet. Laibach: how could it be anyone else? And Jah Wobble, always interesting. Plus probably a few others I might pick out on a second hearing.
So not all that bad when you look at it like that, I suppose.
MusicBrainz entry for this album
Wikipedia entry for this album
Rate Your Music entry for this album
Listen to this disc 1 in part at Last.fm, disc 2
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