Stefan J. Selbert – Persimmons
When managers and producers make arrangements for a music artist to record new material, the assumption seems to be that the artist in question is a master in selling illusions. Stories are created, and a mythology is built up.
In reality, however, musicians, much like any other artists, don’t just sell illusions, but need to conjure up magic spells. They’re people with a powerful, mesmeric effect over crowds. That, at least. Is the theory that when everything is working well?
Stefan J. Selbert can do it, sure. But not everyone can. And among the list of those who often can hack it are platinum-selling artists that, regardless of the quality of the personnel on hand or how expensive booking time at the studio is, can’t create something out of nothing.
On “Persimmons,” Stefan J. Selbert leaves the impression that he needs very little in order to create inspired work. Why does the music make you sound like you’re floating into a Summer’s daydream? Why does every line feel the gentle whisper of the breeze? Essentially a lo-fi folk recording, Selbert’s talent and ability to fully engage your attention is what create this magic effect. It can’t be bought or taught.
PAV – Cuatros Baladas Amarillas
The poet gets murdered, and everyone asks themselves if living life this way was ever worth it. His friends move on, get rich, move away from each other and from the dreams they shared as youngsters. The poet’s family moves on with a tinge of shame about their association. Even the war moves on and, inevitably, stops with countless other victims and not enough people to hang so that justice can ever be properly served.
But a funny, and most important thing happens. The words of the poet live on and send most of the people who’ve heard them on a search. None of them is searching for the same thing. A few of them are searching together or at the same time. All of them are brave, determined, and, even though they don’t know specifically what they hope to find, they hold the poet’s tragedy as a symbol for their own tribulations. They’ll stop at nothing to search.
PAV cuts a mysterious figure and works with the mystery of Federico Garcia Lorca’s poetry. The writing and performance of “Cuatros Baladas Amarillas” are delivered in a way that removes all personal touches. This sounds like music that springs out of the river, or that’s hiding inside a giant rock. With this PAV, just like the Andalusian poet that they admire, it adds to the enigma of the world, but also to the wellspring of energy required to go out and solve it. Besides all of that, and I’m sure Lorca would approve, “Cuatros Baladas Amarillas” sounds good and encourages you to play it back often.
