British passionate pop band STARSAILOR hit the scene back in 2001 with their amazing debut albumLove Is Here featuring their classic hit ‘GOOD SOULS’. Watch the band play
a highly intense and dynamic version of the first-class pearl on American TV in 2001 here…
Going back in sonic history looking for memorable albums…
15 September 2018
Band: STARSAILOR
Album: SILENCE IS EASY – the band’s second LP
Released: 15 September 2003 – 15 years ago
BBC MUSIC review: “In early 2000 Starsailor were the most hyped band in the UK.
They got top billing as the new Travis Coldplay. The soulful indie sounds of their debut
‘Love Is Here’, released the following year, won them critical acclaim and commercial
success. ‘Silence Is Easy’ is captivating. The group’s new found confidence and experimental
edge are evident throughout the album… If there is any expectation left to be met, it will be to wonder how Starsailor will manage to produce a third album to surpass this fantastic mix of tunes.” – Full review here.
TURN UP THE VOLUME! says: Big ardour. Big sentiments. Big sound. Big pop.
Big record with the best ever Starsailor in ‘Silence Is Easy‘.
THREE TOP TRACKS: Silence Is Easy / Some Of Us / Four To The Floor
* SILENCE IS EASY – euphoric live version…
* SOME OF US – moving pearl…
* FOUR TO THE FLOOR – the dance mix was probably one of their greatest hits…
Looking back at memorable vibrations in music history that still shine today…
LOVE IS HERE by STARSAILOR
Welsh band STARSAILOR released their debut album LOVE IS HERE fifteen years ago,
on 8 October 2001. A truly great, delicate blues pop achievement. Moody, sensitive and melancholic. Yes, I know, too mellow for some, but for me a high-quality-songwriting performance by frontman/singer James Walsh to please the nostalgic side of my eclectic ears. Richer than Coldplay‘s debut (although Yellow is unbeatable) or Travis’ best work,
two of Starsailor‘s contemporary heart and soul bands. Tender symphonies for wistful moments. Fervid and full of passion, pain and sorrow. To be honest, I didn’t listen to
the record in full for years. Doing that again last night it felt really intense. Like a good
old friend coming to visit you, with a tasty bottle of red Bordeaux, after a very long time.
It reminded me that ‘Love Is Here‘ is a damn fine soundtrack for dusky autumn hours.
Here are three of my favorite highlights. Three to cherish…
GOOD SOULS
POOR MISGUIDED FOOL
LULLABY
Here’s the birthday cake in full…
.
The band released a greatest hits album last year and is still touring…
(yes – saw them 4 times – great live band too!)
SONG TO THE SIREN is an intensely precious pearl written by TIM BUCKLEY (and writing partner Larry Beckett) in 1967 but only released three years later on his Starsailor album.
A beauty with the lyrics inspired by Greek mythology. One of the first and best covers (Robert Plant‘s version is also quite remarkable) was performed in 1983 by dream pop project THIS MORTAL COIL founded by Ivo Watts-Russell (manager of British indie label 4AD) and producer John Fryer. They worked and recorded with a large rotating group of different artists. They engaged the amazing LIZ FRASER from Scottish indie band Cocteau Twins as vocalist for their cover of Song To The Siren. The result was stunning. Atmospheric
and cinematic. Evocative and enthralling. Here’s the melancholic splendor…
On the floating, shipless oceans
I did all my best to smile
til your singing eyes and fingers
drew me loving into your isle.
And you sang “Sail to me, sail to me;
Let me enfold you.”
Here I am, here I am waiting to hold you.
Did I dream you dreamed about me?
Were you here when I was full sail?
Now my foolish boat is leaning, broken lovelorn on your rocks.
For you sang, “Touch me not, touch me not, come back tomorrow.”
Oh my heart, oh my heart shies from the sorrow.
I’m as puzzled as a newborn child.
I’m as riddled as the tide.
Should I stand amid the breakers?
Or should I lie with death my bride?
Hear me sing: “Swim to me, swim to me, let me enfold you.”
“Here I am. Here I am, waiting to hold you.”
