released September 14, 1989

REVIEWS

"We’re straight into the action with a staggered vamp that continuously rolls up from the left hand to crash against the shores of the right. The voices wail and avail themselves in close harmony but the unflinching ebb and flow is mostly dominated by the piano. Keith proceeds to almost drag the music through a series of styles, from burlesque to blues, as if searching for a foot hold. About three quarters of the way into 'Remember?' he stops to let the singers breath and then rejoins them at just the right wavelength to raise the music to another level entirely. More tranquil this time but with a deeper, more passionate emotion. 'Always!' reaches even greater heights, presenting some really astounding moments; the ensemble acting as one throughout. It opens as an unctuous sustain, supported by a deep tremolo on the piano – overtones are created within, above and around the fundamental notes. The sound grows in intensity until, inevitably, it collapses in on itself giving way to yet more imagery of sirens, sandstorms and primal chants. It ends with a beautiful piece of foolery from the two voices having a quizzical conversation in mock Italian. Great stuff." -- The Wire

Mr. Invisible and the Drunken Sheilas
(supported by Mr. & Mrs. Disgraceful - presented by Honest Spiv Faber and Eric Wetherall with the kind permission of The Sheila Duncan Trio)

Julie Tippett: voice
Maggie Nicols: voice
Keith Tippett: piano

Recorded live by Jost Gebers on June 27th & 28th, 1987, during the concert series Just Music at the FMP-Studio in Berlin.

Mastering by Olaf Rupp.
Mixed and produced by Jost Gebers.

Cover design by Manfred Kussatz.
Photographs by Dagmar Gebers.