Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities

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Alchemy - An Index of Possibilities
Alchemy- An Index of Possibilities.jpg
Studio album by David Sylvian
Released 14 December 1985 (UK)
Genre Electronic, ambient, world music
Length 36:41
Label Virgin
Producer David Sylvian and Nigel Walker
David Sylvian chronology
Brilliant Trees
(1984)Brilliant Trees1984
Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities
(1985)
Gone to Earth
(1986)Gone to Earth1986
Alternative cover
Original cassette cover art
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 3.5/5 stars[1]

Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities is David Sylvian's second solo album, released in 1985 on cassette only and produced by Sylvian and Nigel Walker. It was reissued in its original form on CD in Japan in 1991.

History

The opening suite "Words with the Shaman" was simultaneously issued as a 12" single, while "Steel Cathedrals" was used in a short film by Sylvian and Yasayuki Yamaguchi, shot in Tokyo, Japan, and released on VHS. The soundtrack features the voice of Jean Cocteau.

In 2003, the album was remastered and included two additional songs: "The Stigma of Childhood (Kin)", originally recorded for the theatre play Kin; and "A Brief Conversation Ending in Divorce". Both songs were originally released on the EP Pop Song.

Track listing

All compositions by David Sylvian and Jon Hassell except where noted.

UK Cassette/Japanese CD

Side A

"Words with the Shaman"

  1. "Pt.1 Ancient Evening" – 5:11
  2. "Pt.2 Incantation" – 3:30
  3. "Pt.3 Awakening – Songs from the Treetops" (Sylvian/Hassell/Steve Jansen) – 5:21
  1. "Preparations for a Journey" (Sylvian) – 3:40
Side B
  1. "Steel Cathedrals" (Sylvian/Ryuichi Sakamoto) – 18:55

Remastered UK CD

"Words with the Shaman"

  1. "Pt.1 Ancient Evening" – 5:11
  2. "Pt.2 Incantation" – 3:30
  3. "Pt.3 Awakening – Songs from the Treetops" (Sylvian/Hassell/Steve Jansen) – 5:21
  1. "Preparations for a Journey" (Sylvian) – 3:40
  2. "The Stigma Of Childhood (Kin)" (Sylvian) – 8:30
  3. "A Brief Conversation Ending In Divorce" (Sylvian) – 3:30
  4. "Steel Cathedrals" (Sylvian/Ryuichi Sakamoto) – 18:55

Personnel

"Words with the Shaman": (Produced by David Sylvian and Nigel Walker)

"Preparations.." and "The Stigma....": (Produced by David Sylvian)

  • Performed by David Sylvian

"A Brief Conversation...": (Produced by David Sylvian and Steve Nye)

  • David Sylvian – Guitars, synthesisers, keyboard programming
  • John Taylor – Piano
  • Stuart Bruce – Computer programming

"Steel Cathedrals": (Produced by David Sylvian)

References

  1. Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities at AllMusic. Retrieved 12 May 2012.

External links