Tag Archives: David Sylvian

Japan: Adolescent Sex

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In March 1978, “Hansa” label released “Adolescent Sex” the debut Japan album. It was recorded 1977-1978, and was produced by Ray Singer.

Personnel:

  • David Sylvian– lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Rob Dean– lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Richard Barbieri– keyboards, backing vocals
  • Mick Karn– bass, backing vocals
  • Steve Jansen– drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Ray Singer– backing vocals
  • Pete Silver – engineer
  • Dick Whitbread – design, artwork
  • Graham Hughes – cover photography

Track listing:

All tracks by David Sylvian, except where noted.

“Don’t Rain on My Parade” by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill.

  1. Transmission
  2. The Unconventional
  3. Wish You Were Back
  4. Performance
  5. Lover on Main Street
  6. Don’t Rain on My Parade – Jule Styne, Bob Merrill
  7. Suburban Love
  8. Adolescent Sex
  9. Communist China
  10. Television

Japan: Tin Drum

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tin-drum

On November 13, 1981, “Virgin” label released “Tin Drum”, the fifth and final Japan studio album. It was recorded in 1981, and was produced by Steve Nye, David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Steve Jansen, and Richard Barbieri.

Personnel:

  • David Sylvian– vocals, guitar, keyboard, keyboard programming, tapes, cover concept
  • Mick Karn– fretless bass guitar, African flute, dida
  • Steve Jansen– acoustic drums, electronic drums, keyboard percussion
  • Richard Barbieri– keyboard, keyboard programming, tapes
  • Simon House– violin
  • Yuka Fujii – backing vocals
  • Steve Nye– engineer
  • Phil Bodger – engineer assistant
  • Steve Joule – design
  • Fin Costello – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by David Sylvian, except where noted.

  1. The Art of Parties
  2. Talking Drum
  3. Ghosts
  4. Canton – Steve Jansen, David Sylvian
  5. Still Life in Mobile Homes
  6. Visions of China – Steve Jansen, David Sylvian
  7. Sons of Pioneers – Mick Karn, David Sylvian
  8. Cantonese Boy

David Sylvian: Secrets Of The Beehive

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David_Sylvian-Secrets_of_the_Beehive

On November 7, 1987, “Virgin” label released “Secrets of the Beehive”, the fourth David Sylvian album. It was recorded in 1987, at “London and Bath” in England;” Chateau Miraval” in France and “Wisseloord Studios” in Netherlands, and was produced by Steve Nye.

Personnel:

  • David Sylvian– vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, organ, synths, tapes, treated piano
  • Phil Palmer- slide guitar, acoustic guitars
  • David Torn- electric guitar, guitar loop
  • Ryuichi Sakamoto – organ, synths, piano, treated piano, woodwind, brass and string arrangements
  • Danny Thompson- double bass
  • Steve Jansen– drums
  • Danny Cummings- percussion
  • Mark Isham- flugelhorn, trumpet
  • Brian Gascoigne – orchestral and string arrangements
  • Ann O’Dell – string arrangements
  • Vaughan Oliver(23 Envelope) – design, typography
  • Nigel Grierson (23 Envelope) – still life photography
  • Yuka Fujii – portrait photography

Track listing:

All tracks by David Sylvian.

  1. September
  2. The Boy With the Gun
  3. Maria
  4. Orpheus
  5. The Devil’s Own
  6. When Poets Dreamed of Angels
  7. Mother and Child
  8. Let the Happiness In
  9. Waterfront

Japan: Gentlemen Take Polaroids

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Japan_-_Gentlemen_Take_Polaroids

On October 24, 1980, “Virgin” label released “Gentlemen Take Polaroids”, the fourth Japan studio album.  It was recorded in October 1980,  at “Air Studios” and “Townhouse Studios” in London and was produced by John Punter.

Personnel:

  • David Sylvian– vocals, synthesizers, piano, electric guitar
  • Mick Karn– fretless bass guitar, oboe, saxophone, recorder
  • Steve Jansen– drums, synthesizer, percussion
  • Richard Barbieri– synthesizers, sequencer, piano
  • Rob Dean– guitar, ebow
  • Ryuichi Sakamoto– synthesizers
  • Cyo – vocals
  • Barry Guy– double bass
  • Andrew Cauthery – oboe
  • Simon House– violin

Track listing:

All tracks by David Sylvian, except where noted.

  1. Gentlemen Take Polaroids
  2. Swing
  3. Burning Bridges
  4. My New Career
  5. Methods of Dance
  6. Ain’t That Peculiar – Smokey Robinson, Warren ’Pete’ Moore, Marvin Tarplin, Bobby Rogers
  7. Nightporter
  8. Taking island in Africa – Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Sylvian