This is one of the songs that isn't going on the annual family Christmas CD. Why? Well, it's more than a bit long, I'm told.
It's from the brand-new Kate Bush album, also called 50 Words for Snow. You don't get to use the phrase "brand-new Kate Bush album" very often, and it's actually her second this year, after a reworking of her catalogue (Director's Cut) that was released this spring.
This is most definitely not a Christmas record, but it's great listening for this time of year. It's not about Christmas, but it is about winter, and particularly snow. It has a rich, complex sound, and while it's not something you'll want to play at, say, an office party (although I'd love to imagine the office where it would fit in!) I wonder what it would do for a snowed-in weekend morning.
The title track features Stephen Fry, in the guise of a character of (I think) a Siberian scientist, listing 50 words for snow, with Bush chanting back at him. Once again, it shows that Bush (whose talent for audio manipulation and sampling was many years ahead of her time) is sonically in her own league.
50 Words For Snow - Kate Bush Ft. Stephen Fry from John Vallis on Vimeo.
I like this....nice to hear Kate again...have to go dig out Wuthering Heights,,,,,
Posted by: Wayne | Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 00:27