Dead Can Dance's Into the Labyrinth


Anybody on this one? Just picked it up, after hearing Srajan, from 6moons, talking on Audio Asylum, about this cd he heard at the CES Show in Las Vegas. Actually, what I'm interested in is Dead Can Dance. Other cds. Background. Whatever. thanks in advance. peace, warren
128x128warrenh

Showing 6 responses by albertporter

Sorry Warren, the danger of suggesting music to people we cannot listen with.

You probably won't like Cocteau Twins either, they have more tracks on the "This Mortal Coil" album than Lisa Gerard .

So, my suggestion would be to listen before considering any other 4AD artists. Obviously Lisa Gerard and "Dead Can Dance" is the most accessible of the 4AD artist, otherwise they would not have shown up in Audiogon forums.

Must say though, I still like Cocteau Twins very much and enjoy "This Mortal Coil" as it is an introduction to the history and sound of these artists, long before they became famous.
The mysterious voice of "Dead Can Dance" is Lisa Gerrard, the same voice heard in the motion picture "Gladiator" and "Whale Rider".

Her first album is simply titled "This Mortal Coil," produced in 1983 and available in the USA on LP in 1984. It's a compilation of artists on the 4AD record label.

Shortly after that release, she became part of "Dead Can Dance, " supplying her magic on the following LP's.

1984. "Dead Can Dance" 4AD 
1985 "Spleen and Ideal" 4AD
1987 "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun" 4AD
1988 "Serpent's Egg" 4AD
1999 "Aion" 4AD
1993 "Into the Labyrinth" 4AD
1994 "Toward the Within" [live] 4AD
1996 "Spiritchaser" 4AD

Lisa's success caused her to go out on here own but rumors are the group will get back together, including a USA and European tour this year. I saw them live about 1989 and was overwhelmed by their talent and musical performance.

The 1984 release of "This Mortal Coil", is worth looking for, here is the track line up for that album, the artists and the length of play.

1 "Kanga-Roo," Chilton (3:30)
2 "Song to the Siren," Beckett, Buckley (3:30)
3 "Holocaust," Chilton (3:38)
4 "Fyt," Fryer, Watts-Russell (4:23)
5 "Fond Affections," Rema, Rema (3:50)
6 "The Last Ray." Guthrie, Raymonde (4:08) 
7 "Another Day," Harper (2:54) 
8 "Waves Become Wings," Gerrard (4:25)
9 "Barramundi," Raymonde (3:56)
10 "Dreams Made Flesh." Gerrard (3:48)
11 "Not Me," Newman (3:44)
12 "A Single Wish." Raymonde, Sharp, Young (2:26)

As you can see, Lisa is responsible for only track 8 and contributions to other cuts, with fellow 4AD artists.

If you like this type of sound, these other artist have struggled along, making magic and mystical music like LIsa but failed to catch as much attention as "Dead Can Dance", which if you consider Lisa's recent motion picture music success as 'arriving', it took 20 years for much of the general public to know who she was.

Here are but a few of the other 4AD artists:
MODERN ENGLISH *
BAUHAUS
DIF JUZ *
IN CAMERA
COCTEAU TWINS *
COLOURBOX
XMAL DEUTSCHLAND *
CLAN OF XYMOX *
RICHENEL *
THROWING MUSES
XYMOX *
PIXIES
LUSH
PALE SAINTS
SPIREA X
RED HOUSE PAINTERS

I have all the starred (*) titles on LP and in general, the recordings are absolutely superb. Nice to see a thread about music.
Warren. First would be This Mortal Coil, "It'll End In Tears" as mentioned in my first post.

Next would be Cocteau Twins where the voices are mysteriously intertwined and very melodic set to off beat timing and phasing. I have half dozen from this group but unfortunately the best songs and sound are equally scattered, making a definitive suggestion difficult.

Next is Richenel, the material I own is sung in French (which I don't understand). Although I cannot follow the lyrics, the album is very beautiful. My favorite from Richenel is "L'esclave Endormi", which I believe means "The Sleeping Slave." My version is LP and pressed at 45 RPM with stunningly dynamic bass and soaring vocal, making it a joy to listen to.

Richenel may be difficult to find, particularly the 45RPM version. This artist switched record labels shortly after he released this one with 4AD.

Next choice would be Clan of Xymox which is a distant third from "Dead Can Dance," and "This Mortal Coil," but still a very interesting piece and cannot be mistaken for typical FM radio play.

Here is a link to the Rolling Stone review of "This Mortal Coil." Appears you can download a sample and determine if worth seeking out.

This may not suit every taste, I am extremely diverse in my in music choices and why I hesitate to make suggestions.

http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/_/id/241644/thismortalcoil?pageid=rs.Artistcage&pageregion=triple1
Ralph, I have not found The Eden on vinyl, if you see a copy let me know.

I did get confirmation that Steve Tibbetts, "Big Map Idea" was shipped. When I see it, I will shoot it off to you.

Wish you could have been here tonight. One new member just bought Atma-Sphere amps and preamp and he is positively glowing over it.

We listened to open reel tape most of the night except for a break for LP of Schubert "Trout" (speaker corner release) and Bjork's new double LP which is 45 RPM !

Ella Fitzgerald and Dave Brubeck on open reel is awesome.
Fishboat:

recently picked up a copy of "Into the Labyrinth"....wonderful CD. While listening to the last cut (sorry, last track)on the CD my mind sort of wandered a bit & I thought I was listening to Jim Morrison for a moment. There are hints of the Paul Winter Consort(Common Ground) in this CD also.

Funny, I hear Jim Morrison and Paul Winter too. Very often I hear something in the music that reminds me of another group or tune and people I am with either understand or they don't.

My son who I love more than anyone else on this earth, can never pick up these traits. When I tell him what I'm hearing and name the two groups he either stares at me blankly or tells me I'm wrong. Thanks for reminding me of the parallel in Dead Can Dance.
I can stand the price, particularly since Lisa Gerrard signs each copy but wonder if this live recording will be up to the standards of their previous releases. Any info on that Gordus?

Thank you for the link, I'm a big fan.