|
|
Jan Allain's career is testament to how the energy of talent and creativity will succeed, above and without the lumbering and fickle machinery that is the music business. A woman who has paved her own way into our musical hearts. Here are songs of surprise, even a second time around, and a skip along a summer beach can soon lead us into the contemplation of the deepest ocean. A song-writing force of great subtlety and stealth, Jan's songs slip beneath our sheets and soon become sweet company for our daily lives, difficult to part with. They allow us to see into her life, and then suddenly into our own. This is what I have always wanted from a songwriter: companionship in experience. Jan offers this with great honesty, humor, and humility. Follow her down, and keep this with you at all times - it will help. Gary Kemp,
London, 2000 |
|
A Kind of Glory' is a selection of my songs recorded between 1991 and 2000 from four existing albums and several tracks recorded more recently. Sunset in a Box album began as a five track demo tape made with cellist Ilse de Ziah in 1991. It was recorded on a Fostex eight track machine using synth backing. We added six tracks recorded on the four track porta studio and pressed and sold five hundred copies on our first mammoth tour of Germany. We returned to London ready to find a producer for our first proper album. Between August 1993 and May 1994 we recorded Pearl in the Wreckage with Tony Arnold at his extraordinary twenty four track studio in Cranbourne, Dorset. Unique, because Tony has the most amazing collection of vintage recording equipment and instruments and we were lucky enough to work with such an experienced magician. On a considerably lower budget in 1996 we worked with Justin Nicholls who recorded Life is Pink. This was a short fun project involving our first live band members, dedicated to the lesbian community in Germany. In 1997 with Alistair Gavin's help we put "A Little Zugabe" live album together from a collection of live recordings made at concerts in Germany and the U.K. In Summer 1998, after seven incredibly creative years of performing and recording together, Ilse de Ziah left to pursue her own musical direction. In March 1999 I recorded some 'Single' tracks with Alastair Gavin and a whole new team of musicians. These were the biggest production situations to date and it was an intense but satisfying few weeks. Record label interest arrived and the idea for a compilation album began to emerge.In March 2000 I recorded two new extra tracks at The Premises studio especially for this album. These were put down in two or three live takes with smiles all around. All these recording have been self financed and have been sold only at concerts, largely in Germany, over the last nine years. This compilation is really the culmination of a decade of do-it-myself music but it wasn't without enormous contributions from some exceptionally talented souls. You know who you are, my deepest thanks for your part in this album and my life. Jan Allain |
|
|
|
'
