Norman S - The Feel Tank
Tracklisting: 1.Rebirth 2.Sunnyday 3.The Sweetest Kiss 4.1000 Days 5.Messenger 6.The Healer 7.L.O.R.U.O.K (slow) 8.L.O.R.U.O.K (fast) 9.Far Into You 10.Bride 11.Reverse
Many songs sound better when played live, in front of a small audience, late at night. They take their real dimension through time and space, hypnotize people not ready for what happens before their eyes. The hardest thing for an artist is to show the audience, on a CD format, that songs are written to be shared , in a bar or a pub, 'round midnight. How can somebody describe intimacy and confidence while recording live songs in a studio, or on a four-track recorder? Norman S. knows it, and his songs are genuine and straight-to-the-bone, so that he succeeds in his aims.
While listening to The Feel Tank, people will first be struck by its organic shape and sound; guitar and voice are the main instruments, and we can't help but think that he's playing just in front of us. No elaborated arranging comes to hide the real nature of each song, here is a real piece of sad folk music, in its most visceral way. As Joseph Arthur does in his own albums, Norman S. is here to play and share, be heard and exposed to a captivated audience. Songs like 1000 Days or Messenger show how much he looks like Joseph Arthur; songs are written to be straightforward, and to strike the audience's mind. But not in a violent way; words and music , as melancholic as happy, are a present to people who really admire the art of songwriting. And they also create a kind of frustration: why isn't Norman here, in front of us, playing his tunes, alone with his guitar and remarkable voice, and why can't we live a special moment with him, right here, right now? This recollection of tunes, as he explains in the album booklet, are a gift from his deepest self for everyone who feels concerned. And who wouldn't feel concerned anyway?
Most of the album was recorded on a 4-track recorder, and this way of doing reflects his need to give himself to the audience. Here is pleasure and sharing, and that's all. Of course, a few arrangings appear in some of the songs (the wonderful The Healer, The Sweetest Kiss) but remain discreet and helpful for the guitar-voice format. And, ,while playing his songs, Norman also shows a kind of respect for the artists who influenced him, or whom he's close to: The Cure (guitar melody on Rebirth), Joseph Arthur (1000 Days), The Pixies (chorus on Far Into You), Jeff Buckley (fast version of L.O.R.U.O.K., sounding like Yard of Blonde Girls), Johnny Cash (slow version of L.O.R.U.O.K.). He shares their mood: writing songs for the audience being the main pleasure in music.
He also keeps a certain way of experimenting new things, and how to use them in order to value each word and melody (Reverse, The Healer). Music then becomes a playground, but no child is here. It's almost midnight and beautiful losers meet here to sing, smoke, drink, and have real fun and spend melancholic moments while Norman sings. His songs create a visual universe, where energy and beautiful sadness come and have a sit together. Norman brings full energy to his tunes, and complete strength to bring them to life and make them exist.
The Feel Tank is more than a single recollection of tunes. It's a real songwriter's album, well-structured and representative of a personal style, a personal way of showing what folk music really is. It is a music for folks, for people who really want to have a good time, listening to beautiful and desperate songs about relationships bound to failure, friendship and questions about life. Norman gives his own vision of who he really is, he stands naked in front of the audience, showing his real self, and giving everything possible for him.
All we want to do is see him play live, have a sit, a smoke, and talk. In the middle of the night, while shadows are flying around, we could live a true moment of intimacy, carrying along with us the sensational effect of his wonderful album, feeling blue and sharing everything our lives bring to us, whether good or bad. Thanks, Norman, for remaining a friend in precious moments...
Slug
While listening to The Feel Tank, people will first be struck by its organic shape and sound; guitar and voice are the main instruments, and we can't help but think that he's playing just in front of us. No elaborated arranging comes to hide the real nature of each song, here is a real piece of sad folk music, in its most visceral way. As Joseph Arthur does in his own albums, Norman S. is here to play and share, be heard and exposed to a captivated audience. Songs like 1000 Days or Messenger show how much he looks like Joseph Arthur; songs are written to be straightforward, and to strike the audience's mind. But not in a violent way; words and music , as melancholic as happy, are a present to people who really admire the art of songwriting. And they also create a kind of frustration: why isn't Norman here, in front of us, playing his tunes, alone with his guitar and remarkable voice, and why can't we live a special moment with him, right here, right now? This recollection of tunes, as he explains in the album booklet, are a gift from his deepest self for everyone who feels concerned. And who wouldn't feel concerned anyway?
Most of the album was recorded on a 4-track recorder, and this way of doing reflects his need to give himself to the audience. Here is pleasure and sharing, and that's all. Of course, a few arrangings appear in some of the songs (the wonderful The Healer, The Sweetest Kiss) but remain discreet and helpful for the guitar-voice format. And, ,while playing his songs, Norman also shows a kind of respect for the artists who influenced him, or whom he's close to: The Cure (guitar melody on Rebirth), Joseph Arthur (1000 Days), The Pixies (chorus on Far Into You), Jeff Buckley (fast version of L.O.R.U.O.K., sounding like Yard of Blonde Girls), Johnny Cash (slow version of L.O.R.U.O.K.). He shares their mood: writing songs for the audience being the main pleasure in music.
He also keeps a certain way of experimenting new things, and how to use them in order to value each word and melody (Reverse, The Healer). Music then becomes a playground, but no child is here. It's almost midnight and beautiful losers meet here to sing, smoke, drink, and have real fun and spend melancholic moments while Norman sings. His songs create a visual universe, where energy and beautiful sadness come and have a sit together. Norman brings full energy to his tunes, and complete strength to bring them to life and make them exist.
The Feel Tank is more than a single recollection of tunes. It's a real songwriter's album, well-structured and representative of a personal style, a personal way of showing what folk music really is. It is a music for folks, for people who really want to have a good time, listening to beautiful and desperate songs about relationships bound to failure, friendship and questions about life. Norman gives his own vision of who he really is, he stands naked in front of the audience, showing his real self, and giving everything possible for him.
All we want to do is see him play live, have a sit, a smoke, and talk. In the middle of the night, while shadows are flying around, we could live a true moment of intimacy, carrying along with us the sensational effect of his wonderful album, feeling blue and sharing everything our lives bring to us, whether good or bad. Thanks, Norman, for remaining a friend in precious moments...
Slug
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