Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities is David Sylvian's second solo album, released in 1985 on cassette only and produced by Sylvian and Nigel Walker. It was reissued in its original form on CD in Japan in 1991.
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
History
The opening suite "Words with the Shaman" was simultaneously issued as a 12" single, while "Steel Cathedrals" was used in a short film by Sylvian and Yasayuki Yamaguchi, shot in Tokyo, Japan, and released on VHS. The soundtrack features the voice of Jean Cocteau.
In 2003, the album was remastered and included two additional songs: "The Stigma of Childhood (Kin)", originally recorded for Gaby Agis's dance piece, Kin; and "A Brief Conversation Ending in Divorce". Both songs were originally released in 1989 on the Pop Song EP.
Steel Index Video
Track listing
All compositions by David Sylvian and Jon Hassell except where noted.
UK Cassette/Japanese CD
"Words with the Shaman"
- "Pt.1 Ancient Evening" - 5:11
- "Pt.2 Incantation" - 3:30
- "Pt.3 Awakening - Songs from the Treetops" (Sylvian/Hassell/Steve Jansen) - 5:21
- "Preparations for a Journey" (Sylvian) - 3:40
- "Steel Cathedrals" (Sylvian/Ryuichi Sakamoto) - 18:55
Remastered UK CD
"Words with the Shaman"
- "Pt.1 Ancient Evening" - 5:11
- "Pt.2 Incantation" - 3:30
- "Pt.3 Awakening - Songs from the Treetops" (Sylvian/Hassell/Steve Jansen) - 5:21
- "Preparations for a Journey" (Sylvian) - 3:40
- "The Stigma Of Childhood (Kin)" (Sylvian) - 8:30
- "A Brief Conversation Ending In Divorce" (Sylvian) - 3:30
- "Steel Cathedrals" (Sylvian/Ryuichi Sakamoto) - 18:55
Personnel
"Words with the Shaman": (Produced by David Sylvian and Nigel Walker)
- David Sylvian - Keyboards, guitars, tapes
- Steve Jansen - Drums, percussion, additional keyboards
- Jon Hassell - Trumpet
- Holger Czukay - Radio, dictaphone
- Percy Jones - Fretless bass
"Preparations.." and "The Stigma....": (Produced by David Sylvian)
- Performed by David Sylvian
"A Brief Conversation...": (Produced by David Sylvian and Steve Nye)
- David Sylvian - Guitars, synthesisers, keyboard programming
- John Taylor - Piano
- Stuart Bruce - Computer programming
"Steel Cathedrals": (Produced by David Sylvian)
- David Sylvian - Keyboards, tapes, digital percussion
- Ryuichi Sakamoto - Piano, strings
- Steve Jansen - Percussion
- Kenny Wheeler - Flugelhorn
- Robert Fripp - Guitar
- Holger Czukay - Dictaphone
- Masami Tsuchiya - "Guitar abstractions"
Source of the article : Wikipedia
EmoticonEmoticon