Seven years after its debut album, Henry Fool, the band has very nearly completed its follow-up, Album Number Two.
Over five hours worth of material has been written since the debut release, which encompasses structured studio instrumentals, live improvisations and more conventional song-orientated compositions.
Once more, the band's sound takes in aspects of contemporary Post Rock, 1970s Progressive Rock, ECM Jazz and influences from the Canterbury Scene bands.
Album Number Two will be a double CD comprising the best of this material.
Featuring all the members who performed on the debut release, except Fudge Smith, the album will also include appearances from drummers Andy Booker (No-Man), Huxflux Nettermalm ( Paatos) and Diego Mancini.
Release date and label have yet to be decided on.
I met Tim again at the Judy Dyble gig (100 Club) on 27 Aug. Tim's a bloody nice chap and and approached me (wearing my Naim BBQ Polo shirt) and asked if I wanted to speak to Stephen Bennett. Yup! Stephen has now returned from Sweden and will be setting up house in Norwich. All of the double CD's worth of material is on a computer, in a box, in a temporary flat. Stephen mentioned that the man Wilson would probably be able to mix everything in a week, but he's busy of course. In any event it's hoped the new album will be out this year and the band will tour this quarter. Oh and Stephen is a bloody nice chap also.
Hopefully this has answered a few questions for Gary Shaw (I told Stephen who you are
)
Denis
Posted on: 02 September 2009 by Nick Lees
1. I believe in the pixies at the bottom of my garden
2. That album has been on Stephen's computer waiting for him to mix it so long that it started out as an Atari 400
3. If Stephen is finally releasing it, better call Donald Sutherland because it merely confirms he's a pod person.
4. I'll buy it.
Posted on: 02 September 2009 by Nick Lees
P.S. Huxflux, eh? Good.
P.P.S. The 'tron better be real :-)
Posted on: 02 September 2009 by Nick Lees
P.P.P.S. Just realised that news is almost a year old. Bennett - finger out NOW!
Posted on: 02 September 2009 by seagull
Gary,
Chill, it's only been 7 years, they're not yet at Blue Nile release rates.
Just hope he's backed it up!
Posted on: 03 September 2009 by Stephen Bennett
*Gulp* the pressure!
A few points.
1) DenisA is also a bloody nice chap.
2) Pixies do exist. I have several of their albums.
3) I have moved it to an Intel Mac from the VAX.
4) Donald Sutherland is mixing it.
5) If Steven W had mixed it, it would have been out in 2007.
6) Huxflux is indeed real
7) I have about 600 backups. I have no idea where they are.
8) We may re-record the whole thing onto analog on a wet wednesday.
Regards
Stephen
Posted on: 03 September 2009 by seagull
Hope you didn't find compatibility problems between the VAX and Mac file formats.
An all analogue recording, pressed on lovely thick black vinyl, packaged to ToneFloat's normal standards would be good. There are plenty of wet Wednesdays ahead.
If Donald Sutherland isn't available for mixing, may I recommend Ken Wood?
Not adding to the pressure, but here is what you said before...
quote:
...
As for henry fool, things are progressing somewhat slowly because of Tims NoMan commitments, some family stuff from me and the fact I had to write another book! There's also been the distraction of working on some Hugh Hopper material.
However, We're still hopeful for a summer release - and a 2 CD set. Most of the 'songs' are done and we're in the studio again as a band in April. If we can persuade Steven to mix the bugger it'll be even quicker!
...
Regards
Stephen
Posted Wed 19 March 2003!Posted on: 03 September 2009 by seagull
Well, Van Der Graaf reunited before they started popping their clogs...
