Sonic wonder and skill, a joy to hear and so rare to find. Christope Bailleau, French librarian perhaps better known for his multi disciple artistic adventures and electronics skill teams up with American folk singer and multi instrumentalist Neal Williams. Bailleau proves yet again that the accumulation and application of knowledge, here in electronic and sonic manipulation proves to be a very good thing indeed. Hanging out in libraries obviously pays off and if the audience for this sound is rarified, it could easily be a reflection of the knowledge of the audience, rather than a testament to the skills of the artist.
Neal Williams vocals and guitar are fore grounded on some tracks and the folk philosophy of the lyrics are wistfully displayed with the hint of bright optimism. ‘A Lucky Dip’ and ‘Where does it start’s demonstrate Williams folk writing most clearly. He also plays drums, banjo, synth, cymbals, bells and melodica among others and the fusion of possible soundscapes presented by Williams and Bailleau meld and merge, float between worlds of existent sound.
Bailleau plays laptop, piano, guitar, drums and field recordings. That folk and digital manipulation/sound tapestry are seemingly disparate yet meld in this context is perhaps tantamount to Bailleau’ ability to digitally fuse these worlds as much as the width and breath of both minds in being able to conceive of impossible combinations revealing new found possible sound. Sonically dynamic and original, this album stands outside definitive summation, striving for sonic ears of it’s equivalence will be a harder task.
Innerversitysound
