‘THE FIRST TIME AROUND | WAS VERY ISOLATED'
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One-time Stones affiliate Vashti Bunyan is the old hand heading up a tour of pioneering acoustic musicians. Stewart Smith loves it, but just don’t call it nu folk.
he story behind Vashti Bunyan's l‘)7() albttm
Just Another Diamond Day has become
legendary. Vashti made her first bid for stardom guided by Rolling Stones manager Andrew l.oog ()ldham. Her wisp ot’ a mice and tall. elegant beauty suggested she could be an linglish Francoise Hardy. but it was not to be. l)isillusioned. Bunyan lel’t London with her boyl’riend to set up home on a Scottish island (recently acquired by Donoyan). Penniless. they trayelled by horse and cart. taking a year and a halt to reach their destination. by which time they found there was no room for them.
Along the way. Bunyan wrote delicate. eyocatiye songs about her journey. Just Another Diamond Day stands out of time. which was perhaps its undoing — the album went nowhere and Bunyan. resigned to its failure. sought other adyentures away from mitsic.
As the years went by Diamond Day became something ol‘ a holy grail amongst collectors. it wasn’t until the late 90s that the album's cult status was recognised and it was duly reissued. its reputation has only grown. becoming a touchstone for artists like Deyendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom. The warm reception encouraged Bunyan to return to intisic and Loo/(afii'ring. her first album in 35 years. was the result. l.ess l'olky and full ol‘ wistl‘ul ruminations on family lit’e. it‘s more modern and mature than Diamond Day. bttt eyery bit as magical.
Determined to giye her music the push it deserves. Bunyan has spent much of the past year touring.
‘The lirst time around I was yery isolated. l neyer played with other people. llaying a band is l‘abulous.’
The '/.ero Degrees of Separation tour will see her
sharing a stage with Argentina's lady ol' the loop. Juana Molina. San Franciscan folk-rockers \r’etiyer and London’s Adem with his famous box ol‘ mtisical tricks.
'lt’ll be like a reyue.‘ Vashti explains. ‘We’ll be doing otir own sets but merging them.’
Adem. who along with \r’etiyer's Andy (‘ahic. played on Loo/y'a/‘Ii'ring. hopes the tour will break down preconceptions ol’ so-called ‘nu-l'olk'.
‘There are a lot oT people trying to package tip this sort ol’ music and stick it on the road to make some money.’ he says. ‘What we wanted to do was something that was genuinely exciting and would challenge us and the audience. We're all going be each others’ band.
‘l‘ye been lttcky enough to tour with all three oi the other acts. so [We met them all and lime a good idea of how we can make it happen.’
The tour kicks ol‘l‘ what should he an interesting year for Bunyan. liehruary sees the release of Ballads o/‘i/it' Book. an album oi collaborations between songwriters and poets. for which Bunyan has worked with (ilasgow writer Rodge (ilass. (‘ome summer. an album of her rare early singles and demos should appear. Then there's a new album to write.
'lt's just been the most extraordinary year.‘ Bunyan says of zoos. “All these things happening that l would neyer have dreamed ot'.’
Here’s to her 2007.
Vashti Bunyan, Vetiver, Adem and Juana Molina appear as part of the Zero Degrees of Separation Tour at ABC, Glasgow, Tue 16 Jan.
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TH BT RK, POP, JAZ & FOLK
Celtic Connections With Capercaillie's Donald Shaw now at the helm, the remit to unsubtly twist the very definition of what is ‘celtic' is as important ever. Kicking oft this issue with the likes of Robyn Hitchcock (with REM‘s Mike Buck in tow). Mary Chapin Carpenter and the massive opening concert, Hands Across the Water. featuring banjo star Alison Brown (pictured). Americana specialists Beth Neilson Champan and Jim Lauderdale, Altan, Flook and Capercailie. A typically varied bill of new faces. renowned crowd pleasers and new collaborations. For more see preview, page 62. listings page 72 and next issue for even more coverage. Various venues. Glasgow, Wed 7 7 Jan—Sun 4 Feb. (Folk)
Zero Degrees of Separation See preview. left for Vashti Bunyan et at. ABC. Glasgow; Tue 76 Jan (Rock & Pop)
Joanna Newsom More than just this winsome filly and her harp. the beet of the Northern Sinionia, giving her gentle tunes some truly spectral backing. See preview. page 62. City Hal/s. Glasgow, Sun 74 Jan. (Rock & Pop)
Gay Against You, The Elegies and Frightened Rabbit. A trio of bands specialising in their own distinctive brands of rambunctiousness. from national grid sapping electro riots to messy acoustic looped weirdness. Nice 'n ’S/eazy, Glasgow, Thu 77 Jan.
(Rock 8 Pop)
Cathie Rae and Angela Jackson A fine paring of jazz singers. each with their own distinctive style backed by a trio of local players. Jazz Bar. Edinburgh, Thu 77 Jan. (JaZZ)
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