Search - Vashti Bunyan :: Lookaftering

Soft, affecting, beautifully musical, timeless

A C SHIELDS | melbourne , australia | 02/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This music is beautifully made and those who made it obviously took the time to make sure it flowed and was presented well. The songs and the arrangements simply float out of the speakers - folky, with plain acoustic guitar and touches of piano arpeggios as the foundation for some songs . Other songs have some wind instruments behind them, always supporting Vashti, never threatening to overwhelm her fragile voice.



All is tasteful, but it is also affecting. You may find this music helpful if you are in a contemplative mood.

After hearing the great arrangements of Max Richter, I will start looking for his albums too. Those who are Nick Drake fans will be pleased to know that his arranger, Robert Kirby, is also involved.

This is a largely unknown record, but it is part of my life now and will remain so. I recommend it."

A Certifiable Classic : But Not For Everyone

Cabir Davis | 04/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There was a time when I wished the earth would know of more performers like Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, Lavender Diamond, Bat for Lashes, Vetiver, Jana Hunter and Andrew Bird. That day has still not come, but it bears paying attention to the fact that all the above listed performers would not have their careers today had Vashti Bunyan not existed.



Everyone now knows the story where her music was lost for years, until Devendra Banhart found her reissue, was transfixed by it, and through his grassroots promotion managed to get her back onto the radar, thus culminating in the recording of her second album. I bet Banhart wouldn't give himself all that credit, but certainly he needs to be respected for it.



"Lookaftering" is only Vashti's second album, but upon release it was evident that this is one of those classics that could hold its own against all-time favorites such as "Astral Weeks" or "Sergeant Pepper" (it really could). The downside is that there are still thousands of people, even those who are interested in folk music, who don't know of Bunyan's existence at all, which makes it clear why this album didn't sell very well, nor did it culminate in a 'second lease of life' for Bunyan.



So whats the music like? While Vashti herself detests the 'folk singer' label, the music here is pastoral and very British, in the most quaint and rural sort of way. Her voice is something of a whisper that could become a wail, and almost every song here is slow and moody, with very, very sparse instrumentation (one track has Joanna Newsom play the harp, but the song is all too short). Backup musicians such as Devendra Banhart do appear, but at no time do they smother the proceedings with their personalities.



Prime cuts include "Lately", and "Wayward". The latter is sung as a hum, as the last track on the CD (its supposed to be one of those 'accidental' recordings that were made unbeknowest to Bunyan). Whether you buy that or not, the song is a light, mellow reminder that music need not be loud or loaded with instrumentation to make an impact. Sometimes simple is good enough. "Lookaftering" if full of such gems - each more beautiful than the other.



However, on the downside, the CD I would most readily compare this to is "For Emma, Forever Ago" by Bon Iver. The similarities ar endless. Like that album, this is so slow that some listeners may find themselves absolutely annoyed and impatient, and they might wonder what all the glowing reviews were all about. Those concerns are in part true. This is not a 'readily accessible' album, and chances are that you might not 'get' it upon first, or even second listen. However, just like Bon Iver, repeated listening should do the trick, as it is indeed quite multilayered and hypnotic. The womans' voice is a national treasure!



If you liked this, I highly recommend her earlier recording "Just Another Diamond Day", as well as "Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon" by Devendra Banhart, and "The Milk Eyed Mender" by Joanna Newsom. Also, anything by the obscure band Vetiver. All these people own Bunyan a load of thanks for influencing their musical style.



Five Stars. A Classic indeed, but definitely not for everyone.

"