a r t i s t : Brethren of the Free Spirit
t i t l e : All Things are from Him, through Him and in Him
d a t e : 2008
l a b e l : audioMER
c a t : audioMER 001
s o u r c e : Vinyl
g e n r e : Folk
r l s. d a t e : Feb/2008
t r a c k s : 04
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 40,6 MB
_______________________________________________________________________
Brethren of the Free Spirit is composed out of Jozef van
Wissem (The Netherlands), who plays the lute, and James
Blackshaw (United Kingdom), who plays 12-string guitar. Their
first release under the Brethren moniker is called 'All Things
are from Him, through Him and in Him', and is loosely based on
the heretic writings of 13th Century French mystic Marguerite
Porete. The album consists of four contemplative and circular
pieces, that were the result of sessions held at Locksley Hall
in 2007.
'All Things are from Him, through Him and in Him' is the first
release on the MER. Paper Kunsthalle vzw project, audioMER.
The record is available on CD in an edition of 1078 copies,
and on vinyl, in an edition of 330 copies. Both versions
contain artwork by Belgian illustrator Wouter Vanhaelemeesch.
Graphic design & typography was handled by Levi Seeldraeyers &
Marijke Loozen.
Reviews.
In an ideal world James Blackshaw would be working here
playing his guitar in the corner of the room from 9 til 5.
Then we wouldn't have to listen to half the other gash that's
released each week. Life would be better and I reckon I'd have
a much calmer outlook on life. In the absence of him slaving
away here for my sole pleasure I have to appease myself with
the reasonably small amount of his recorded output. The newest
addition to his family is an album by him & Jozef Wissem under
the guise of Brethren Of The Free Spirit. 'All Things Are from
Him, Through Him And In Him' is on new label Audiomer. Here we
here have 4 tracks showcasing amazing guitar playing and
musicianshipery. Blackshaw plays his usual 12 stringer and Van
Willemz plays a 13 course baroque lute (whatever one of them
is), electronics and Tennis Edits and together they make a
rather special record. It's the 12 string guitar that carries
this album from start to end with it's bright crispness.
It kicks off with a couple of typical suitably familiar
Blackshaw tracks which totally are the business. The opener
'The Lifting Of The Veil' sounds very soundtracky indeed. Very
emotive and it's perfectly complimented with Van Willemz lute.
The title track is one of those cyclical guitar ragas which
Blackshaw has seemed to master pretty quickly. It's vintage
sounding gear and if you ask me is one of the finest pieces of
music I've heard in a while. In fact I think it's the best
thing I've heard him do since 'Sunshrine' (my favourite tune
he's done).
'How The Enencombered Soul Advises' is a dark piece of music
which is as claustrophobic as it is sleazy. It makes me think
of dark alleys full of tramp juice filled men wavering their
filth bodies surrounded by scraggy death cats..... It's a dark
piece of music with cats miaowing in the background (oddly
enough). If you're interested the cat is called Bun Bun.
Then it all ends with 'In Him Is No Sin' which is more
cyclical loveliness complimented with some warm electronics
and that lute thing again. Works a right proper treat and the
two together seem to have developed some musical chemistry.
Put simply this album is really good. 4 tracks oozing with
passion and emotion. Stick with it as it just gets better and
better... BTW Mr. Blackshaw, it's 6.50 an hour plus 'benefits'
-norman records
_______________________________________________________________________
01-The Lifting of the Veil [08:45]
02-All Things are from Him, through Him and in Him [10:07]
03-How the Unemcumbered Soul Advises that One Not Refuse [05:15]
the Calls of A Good Spirit
04-In Him is No Sin [04:19]
-------
28:26 min