Being a Chinese from HK, first encounter was Cantonese Boy. Fell in love with Nightporter. Still have Oil on Canvas cassette. Secret of Beehives always on my song list. ❤
I just stumbled on your channel. Thank you. I discovered Japan 42 years ago & their music changed my life. I've followed the careers of all the members & was heartbroken when Mick passed away. Everyone should have some Japan / Sylvian in their music collection ❤️🏴
At 14 years old me Mum went out to buy me my first record player - hi-fi - she gave me a little cash and I went out and bought Oil on Canvas. (She came back with the hi-fi and Michael Jackson's 'Bad' - bless her but she so missed the mark!) I still have an unplayed, mint, vinyl copy of Gone to Earth - have played the CD to death but refuse for some reason, to put a needle to Gone to Earth. My greatest possession and, after my son, the greatest gift this world has rendered to me. Love you David Sylvian. And thanks!
Longtime Japan fan here and have followed David Sylvain for years. I’ve purchased Gone to Earth as gifts for many of my friends as it was my all time favorite release. I still listen to it to date as it’s very calming. Fire in the Forest struck my heart you could tell he was going through a lot. His words are poetry. Enjoyed your video immensely thank you!
Fire in the forest is not from Gone To Earth, whats going on? immensely thank you? The video has a lot of incorrect data! Gone to earth number 9? Anyone who ranks albums like this has a serious musical problem
Gone to Earth at #9? Say it isn't so! Nine Horses deserves more than an honorable mention. This was David returning to the form that we know and love. I saw the Sylvian/Fripp concert in NYC so the Damage live CD holds a special place in my heart. Calling the Japan reunion album Rain Tree Crow was just inexplicable, pretentious and head scratching. It was the kiss of death for the marketing and promotion dept as David took control of the project to the consternation of his band mates. I first bought it as a cassette in Quebec and finally found it on CD 20 years later in NYC. A lost treasure.
Completely agree with you, David’s presence in music is really missed. I keep hoping someday he’ll drop a song out of the blue but I do wonder if he’s done with music. Great list by the way! I’m a big fan of Gone to Earth and Blemish
Great choice. Thanks for sharing. I still play all Japan and Sylvian tracks. And I Still admire their sound and artwork. Shame they stopped as a band, they were on the cusp of global greatness. Not that they weren’t before, even their covers were great too. They were Avant-Garde at the time. And were interesting on whistle test. They were sort of on the fringes, not revered by the gutter music press like many others from their time. I adored the Hammersmith gigs the farewell nights. But was truly sad to see it over. I found Mick Karn mesmerising to watch, such a talent. His memoirs I found quite sad and then his premature death. He was incredibly gifted as an artist too. The band were such a wonderful mix of skills and sound and produced that unique combination of eclectic music. And we’ve since lost the wonderful artist Ryichi Sakamoto. Forbidden colours is a beautiful piece.
Excellent, thanks for this. Beehive is unreal, but, "Gone to earth," takes top spot for me. Utterly magical. Also I'd say my most listened-to album of all time is (though no vocals), "Plight and premonition."
Me personally I really like "Alchemy" and also the Holger Czukay collabortations. But the best is Gone to Earth. I may be biased as I saw the tour live back then and I was blown away by it. In Praise of Shamans tour, to me was his highpoint, one off the best concerts I ever saw. Stuff after that was ok, but not the same.
Love how you express your passion for Japan. Share your love for all things Japan & David Sylvian. ❤ David Sylvian & Japan we’re incredibly underrated, they were way ahead of their time❤
Thank you for this, I couldn't even begin to put a list of favorites together; it would be very hard! You're so lucky to have seen Japan. I saw David perform solo; (and Mick Karn solo). I got into them around 1982, thanks to a good friend. I agree, I love early Japan, of course, but they truly grew as artists in later albums and (as solo artists and in all collaborations). Their music is absolutely gorgeous.
I actually got into Sylvians works since last year... So definitely a long-time fan (yet!). My dad had the Tin Drum LP, played it quite a few times through the years, I always liked it but never "got it". One day somewhere last year I put it on, sat back and finally had a good listen. And suddenly, I got it... Boom, I was hooked. Started the whole deep dive into all of the band members' solo works, including all of Sylvian's albums of course which I really love. After I bought and listened to 'Rain Tree Crow', my ears opened up and a lot of worlds opened up to me as a musician. It sort of completely changed my view on writing and production for my own works. It's truly an incredible masterpiece, easily in my top 10 albums of all time now. I was really glad to see 'Dead Bees On A Cake' so high up the list, I love it to pieces as well. Might even be my personal favourite actually. Every song, like you said, is amazing. Great video, this! Keep up the good work!
It’s funny, if you ask the majority of Japan fans about their favorite album they come up with Tin Drum. But my personal favorite is also GTP. Such an amazing album.
Most beautiful voice lirics music in solar system.. So evokative mistic.. Japan.. 1978.. Sylvian.. Solo.. Today.. Esoteric diamond in music sky.. Andrei tarkovsky in music.. Croatia
I discovered Japan in the early 1980s when studying at the university but what really got me into David’s music was his first solo album, Btilliant Trees. After that I bought each album and I was also lucky to see him live twice. What an underrated artist. Amazing music that I am still listening. Thanks for the video.
I saw the Fripp/Sylvian tour at the Royal Albert Hall. David’s voice was amazing, a brilliant experience. Everything and Nothing is such a good collection, Wetherbox is a prized possession of mine, and Secrets takes me back to my time in Germany when it came out.
The aural flow of most notable artists is defined by their breadth, while that of the test is noted by their debth. Sylvian, like Costello, is aurally and conceptually deep. They stay "entrenched" in their lane and their borders/curbs are high/defined. If it matters, he's the only artist I've ever paid to see; Massey Hall in T.O.!
Twinkle3 album out now .. Sylvian did the cover art work 👌 .. and does spoken word vocals on a few tracks ... released on vinyl in December .. but on Spotify and stuff now .. hope you enjoy it
He is such a brilliant artist. Like you, I've been a fan since the Japan days (Gentlemen Take Polaroids is my favourite Japan album too). He certainly doesn't get the recognition he deserves (Holger Czukay once said "I don't understand the UK. If David was German, he would be considered a national treasure.). There are so many great albums but Secrets From The Beehive, Brilliant Trees, Gone To Earth, Rain Tree Crow, Dead Bees and Snow Borne Sorrow are essential! There are some lovely compilations out there too. Sleepwalkers, A Victim Of Stars 1982-2012 and Camphor (instrumental work) are great places to start for someone looking to get a broad overview of his career before diving into the catalogue.
I first heard Japan in '79 but didn't come across their albums until spring1980, it wasn't love on first listen but by the time 'GTP' came along I was sold.... I managed to see Japan on the 'Son's of Pioneers' tour in Sheffield 1982, it's 40 years later and the 'Oil On Canvas' live video/DVD always takes me right back... Ever since the break up I have taken an interest in all the solo projects, Sylvian in particular... It is easy for me to say that David Sylvian is possibly my favourite solo artist of the last 40 years, not many come close but I really like Lloyd Cole also... The good news is that we have the same #1 Secrets Of The Beehive... There was a time that I thought David was letting me down, I wanted more standard songs like 'Silver Moon' & 'Blackwater' but I believe he did the right thing following his own desires... Well done, nice to see someone else give DS the love he deserves...
Seen David three times at concerts- Secrets of the Beehive tour. A truly great piece. Rain Tree is a class LP. Though his collaborative ambient work w/ Holger Czukay Plight & Premonition and Flux & Mutability are top picks. Concur w/ the other picks. Though as an honourable I'd through his work w/ Virginia Astley too. Another consideration in the mix is The Dolphin Brothers - Catch the Fall. Thanks for the review.
Thank you so much for the video! I started listening to his music not so long ago, but I fell in love immediately! Now I dived even deeper into his albums.
Thanks for doing this, it is great to hear their work appreciated and still relevant. However, Gone to Earth @ #9?? Sorry to disagree but has to be top 3 at least. IMO.
Great video, thanks! If I would do a Sylvian list I would come up with something similar. Agree all the way through. Sylvians music actually open my eyes to music on a deeper level back in the eighties.
I’ve been into Japan and David’s work for a long time. I really appreciate his dedication to his craft and it really shows in the music. Not to mention the musicians he surrounded himself with such as Fripp, Holger Czukay and Sakamoto
I'm so happy about your top two! Glad you like "Darkest Dreaming"! David is a crucial artist... Though I prefer his more poetic/melodic early period than his later minimal soundscapes.
I had heard that they were offered a lot of money to finish Rain Tree Crow if they had released it as a Japan album, but they refused. Not sure if it's true though?
Yes Sir Secrets of the beehive is wonderful. I wore the cassette out. Once you listen to Japan there is no turning back. Ghosts Canton Sons of Pioneers. Still have the Oil on Canvas vinyl. Good day.
Hi Joffy, Your channel has just popped up in my YT feed. I really like Japan and David Sylvian. I wonder if we will ever see another quality album from Mr Sylvian. Raintree Crow is one of my all time favourites of all time. I notice you didn't show the first two Japan albums. They were a little different I guess but still very very good IMO.
David is one of my favourite artists of all time. Interesting top 10. I would have his first three albums in my top 3, but I love them all! He’s still quite active on Twitter but we do miss him! 👍🏼😀
I love David Sylvian and his earlier band Japan. I grew up in the 70s and 80s ( in Canada) and always followed his career and have always wondered whatever happened to him. I know he lives somewhere in the NE of the US, is now in his 60s and seems to have disappeared. I miss the fact that he rarely releases anything and not to hear that baritone....so deep and rich! Anyways, great picks, mate! I love the fact that he's still remembered....Cheers...
He's a bit of a recluse. He still releases the odd album but there is normally a fair gap between albums. He also sometimes releases on his sight photography books or essays . But can be pricey
I got into Japan after they released their first album in 78. I was about 22 or 23 and I used to get stoned and listen to strangers on main street and Television. I know a lot of people like to dis that album, but it has always been my favorite Japan Album. I have all of the Japan albums but that first one will always be my favorite. I'm a guitarist as well so that may have influenced me.
So very rare to find a die hard fan of David. :) Sadly I don't think we will get much more of his musical work to enjoy anymore. He sort of left that road, at least for now.
“Birds Sing for Their Lives” from the Nine Horses “Money For All” EP. It is an incredible piece with a very different vocal by Stina Nordenstam. Such a great atmospheric piece.
Great list, but you never mentioned the album ,The First Day. Incredible album. As for my No.1, there is just so much to choose from. An amazing honest artist.
As you know I already have a few of these - the rest I MUST listen to sometime soon. There's a record fair coming up this weekend, maybe I'll find new additions to my collection.
Totally agree with you. Secrets of the Beehive is Sylvians master piece. Is sad the fact that, after is divorce, is music as changed so much... But Gone to Earth in 9# ?...
One of the conditions of rain tree crow album was that sylvian didn't want it associated with there band Japan, altho as u say it was the members of Japan, 4 me personally nothing will come close 2 Japan, I have never heard anyone trying 2 cover there songs, as 4 me its impossible because as u say sylvian's voice is 1 of a kind, as is micks fretless bass sound, a was 12 when Japan split up, my regret is not being old enuff 2 have seen them live, still is my all time favourite band,
Nice choices, but a few corrections, Richard Barbieri is not on Nine Horses. And there are a ton of David Sylvian live recordings out there, a most of them are bootlegs, but soundboard recorded so they are top quality.
Hmmm. You can listen to them on You tube, without buying, most are on there but you might consider that buying it in a sense... The last tour recorded in Japan is not a bootleg but it was only sold as a DVD in Japan, so listening to it on you tube should be Ok, maybe? Sorry, didn't mean to offend, I didn't see that you corrected yourself in the comments. But, on you tube, got to get used to people correcting you especially when it's someone like David!! We groupies are fanatics Hahaha. @@numajoff
My top would be 1) Nine horses - snow borne sorrow 2) DS & Robert Fripp - Damage (live) 3) Japan - Tin Drum 4) DS - Secret of the beehive 5) DS - Brilliant trees 6) Japan - Quiet life 7) Japan - GTP
I’m a massive fan of Japan and Sylvian but did you know that Oil On Canvas wasn’t entirely live? Much of it was recorded in the studio. Great album though. I have it on vinyl, CD, DVD and used to have the VHS tape.
Blemish , Manafon and Rain tree crow are just mind blowing albums. All his work is but those 3 are so high in my favourite all time albums. David has been working with a German female pianist as I spoke to her earlier this year, but he seems to collaborate with a few people and it doesn’t always get released. It’s a travesty but I believe he has no interest in releasing new music .
Gone to Earth at no. 9? I don't disagree on most of your choices but Gone to Earth is a seminal album from him. I don't compare Japan albums to solo Sylvian works. A different time and a different era. I tend to judge them apart....except Rain Tree Crow.
Why so many errors in information? Nine Horses is Steve but not with Richard but Bernd Friedmann, Secrets of the Beehive is not the 2nd but the 3rd solo album, the number 9 is Gone to Earth, really? Bad choice! Where is Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities? With all these tattoos I think you should make the top 10 albums of some heavy metal group
