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Track Listings
| 1. The Devil & Midnight (ft Yolanda Quartey) | |||
| 2. Reflection 1 | |||
| 3. Confessions From The Womb (ft Tina Grace & Jon Bilbrough) | |||
| 4. Reflection 2 | |||
| 5. Say You Will (ft Nicki Wells & Jon Bilbrough) | |||
| 6. Reflection 3 | |||
| 7. I m Done (ft Hannah Peel) | |||
| 8. Kite (ft Nicki Wells) | |||
| 9. Reflection 4 | |||
| 10. Projector (ft Tina Grace & Jon Bilbrough) | |||
| 11. Reflection 5 | |||
| 12. Daydream | |||
| 13. I m Done (ft Hannah Peel) | |||
| 14. So Long (ft Yolanda Quartey & Rajrang) | |||
| 15. Kite (ft Nicki Wells) | |||
| 16. Laugh (ft Eska) | |||
| 17. Reflection 4 | |||
| 18. Taste the Air (ft Natty) | |||
| 19. Projector (ft Tina Grace & Jon Bilbrough) | |||
| 20. Reflection 5 | |||
See all 26 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
CD Description
A Mercury, Ivor, Mobo and Olivier nominated songwriter and composer, Nitin Sawhney releases his ninth studio album, Last Days Of Meaning . It is an eclectic and ambitious record (featuring the legendary John Hurt) which Sawhney launched with an acclaimed sold-out headline show at London s Royal Albert Hall in May. He returned in July to headline the RAH in July, spearheading the Human Planet at the BBC Proms, for which he has just been nominated for a Bafta.
It was during sessions for Human Planet - the hugely successful, award-winning BBC series, entirely scored by Nitin - that Sawhney struck up a friendship with John Hurt, the narrator of the flagship programme itself. Conceived by Sawhney as a script before it became an album, and written and recorded in just five months, Last Days Of Meaning traces the character of Donald Meaning (played by Hurt), an embittered old Dickensian man, fearful of immigrants, terrorists and the outside world. He sits in a room raging against childhood memories, society, himself and a small tape recorder sent to him by his ex-wife (the cassette-recorder contains the songs of the album).
Now on his ninth studio album, Nitin s subsequent output has been astonishing. He is, for instance, the only artist ever to play both the BBC Proms and the BBC Electric Proms, gracing London s Royal Albert Hall and Camden s Roundhouse respectively. Few can also claim to have earned the likes of two Ivor nominations, a Mobo, a Mercury and a BBC Radio 3 Award in tandem.
Having collaborated with and written for the likes of Sting, Brian Eno, Ellie Goulding, Taio Cruz and Nelson Mandela, his credits across the worlds of theatre and dance are equally extensive (two Sadler s Wells projects are currently in the pipeline).
The Last Days Of Meaning also features seven bonus tracks featuring remixes of album tracks.
It was during sessions for Human Planet - the hugely successful, award-winning BBC series, entirely scored by Nitin - that Sawhney struck up a friendship with John Hurt, the narrator of the flagship programme itself. Conceived by Sawhney as a script before it became an album, and written and recorded in just five months, Last Days Of Meaning traces the character of Donald Meaning (played by Hurt), an embittered old Dickensian man, fearful of immigrants, terrorists and the outside world. He sits in a room raging against childhood memories, society, himself and a small tape recorder sent to him by his ex-wife (the cassette-recorder contains the songs of the album).
Now on his ninth studio album, Nitin s subsequent output has been astonishing. He is, for instance, the only artist ever to play both the BBC Proms and the BBC Electric Proms, gracing London s Royal Albert Hall and Camden s Roundhouse respectively. Few can also claim to have earned the likes of two Ivor nominations, a Mobo, a Mercury and a BBC Radio 3 Award in tandem.
Having collaborated with and written for the likes of Sting, Brian Eno, Ellie Goulding, Taio Cruz and Nelson Mandela, his credits across the worlds of theatre and dance are equally extensive (two Sadler s Wells projects are currently in the pipeline).
The Last Days Of Meaning also features seven bonus tracks featuring remixes of album tracks.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Nitin Sawhney is a golden god. Seriously. Currently celebrating twenty years as a recording artist, his ninth studio album certainly makes no exception.
"Last Days Of Meaning" is a fabulous nineteen-track album that takes the listener on an eclectic journey both around the world and in and out of people's lives.
In typical Nitin style, the record is not just a compilation of great music, but also a thought-provoking social commentary.
The album is interspersed with the various "reflections" of an embittered old man, (played be legendry actor John Hurt,) who is fearful of our modern world.
The album opens with "The Devil and Midnight", a fabulous soul track that sounds just like classic motown, before "Confessions From The Womb" floats into our ears with its beautifully dreamy layered vocals.
"Say You Will" is a lovely, hazy Indian number that is reminiscent, at times, of Sigur Ros.
"Projector" later gives us pretty harmonies and samples galore - both vocal and various projector sounds.
After a spot of Nepalese-sounding joy and then Indian trip-hop, we're given the pleasure of "So Long", which features a funky beat and a fabulous mix of Indian instruments, banjo, pop and gospel vocals.
These contrasting genres and musical aspects shouldn't work, but of course, Nitin makes it do so, and very well.
As we reach the last few tracks, "Taste The Air" is reminiscent of a film soundtrack.
(Nothing new for Nitin, who has already scored around fifteen films.) It is upbeat and fun, with choral, tube delayed vocals and once more, a curiously fantastic mix of musical styles - this time bringing reggae and violin to the indie-pop track.
"The Human Planet" composer has produced yet another fabulous album. F. Dunn
Philtre
Human
Prophesy
"Last Days Of Meaning" is a fabulous nineteen-track album that takes the listener on an eclectic journey both around the world and in and out of people's lives.
In typical Nitin style, the record is not just a compilation of great music, but also a thought-provoking social commentary.
The album is interspersed with the various "reflections" of an embittered old man, (played be legendry actor John Hurt,) who is fearful of our modern world.
The album opens with "The Devil and Midnight", a fabulous soul track that sounds just like classic motown, before "Confessions From The Womb" floats into our ears with its beautifully dreamy layered vocals.
"Say You Will" is a lovely, hazy Indian number that is reminiscent, at times, of Sigur Ros.
"Projector" later gives us pretty harmonies and samples galore - both vocal and various projector sounds.
After a spot of Nepalese-sounding joy and then Indian trip-hop, we're given the pleasure of "So Long", which features a funky beat and a fabulous mix of Indian instruments, banjo, pop and gospel vocals.
These contrasting genres and musical aspects shouldn't work, but of course, Nitin makes it do so, and very well.
As we reach the last few tracks, "Taste The Air" is reminiscent of a film soundtrack.
(Nothing new for Nitin, who has already scored around fifteen films.) It is upbeat and fun, with choral, tube delayed vocals and once more, a curiously fantastic mix of musical styles - this time bringing reggae and violin to the indie-pop track.
"The Human Planet" composer has produced yet another fabulous album. F. Dunn
Philtre
Human
Prophesy
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I got this in the early release where you paid up front and got the ablum in progressive sections.
So I enjoyed the emerging story of the bitter old man as he ranted and then finally, opens the door to the outside world.
I've been listening to this for a while now, and as ever I have my favourite tracks, but others that I keep on finding more bits in that I like.
So if you do get this, it's an album of songs that are also a story, so take the time, at some point to listen (OK maybe not in one go, but I've done that several times) to the whole album as a single entitity, from start to finish.
So I enjoyed the emerging story of the bitter old man as he ranted and then finally, opens the door to the outside world.
I've been listening to this for a while now, and as ever I have my favourite tracks, but others that I keep on finding more bits in that I like.
So if you do get this, it's an album of songs that are also a story, so take the time, at some point to listen (OK maybe not in one go, but I've done that several times) to the whole album as a single entitity, from start to finish.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
I have been a fan of Nitin Sawhney's since I saw him at the Royal Festival Hall at the bottom of the bill in a concert for Amnesty International in the early 90's. I have bought every one of his albums since, in the week of their release, and have seen him in concert on numerous occasions, including experiencing some great performances at the Royal Albert Hall.
Having listened to this new album quite a few times, I am so disappointed. I really wanted to like this album, but it just doesn't work. The music is good, with 'Kite' and 'Taste the Air' in particular standing out. Problem is, there's not nearly enough of it! Too many of the tracks finish just before or just as they get going - I have always thought that one of Nitin's many strengths has been the way that he builds up tracks gradually, enticing you into them until you are fully enveloped in the arrangements and innovation whilst being awestruck at the quality of writing, musicianship and vocals.
Just under half the tracks on this album are monologues and this is where the problem, for me, lies. John Hurt plays the part of an embittered old man living in a draughty house whose outlook on life lightens with each track he hears. Unfortunately he sounds as if he is going just going through the motions - maybe that's because I think these monologues are clumsily written (think 'earnest but not very imaginative school student' standard). They detract from the music rather than enhance it, thus interrupting the flow. I must admit I find them increasingly irritating the more I listen to them!
I like the way that Nitin has explained the context of his releases in his sleeve notes and feel that he should have stuck to that formula rather than trying to tell a story within the album itself. Like most concept albums it tries to do too much and ends up delivering very little. Even the cover is poorly constructed & designed!
So overall, this is Nitin's first sub-standard album in his 9 album releases so far, so not bad going by any means! In my opinion, the best thing to do is to delete/not buy the John Hurt tracks and let the music speak for itself!
Having listened to this new album quite a few times, I am so disappointed. I really wanted to like this album, but it just doesn't work. The music is good, with 'Kite' and 'Taste the Air' in particular standing out. Problem is, there's not nearly enough of it! Too many of the tracks finish just before or just as they get going - I have always thought that one of Nitin's many strengths has been the way that he builds up tracks gradually, enticing you into them until you are fully enveloped in the arrangements and innovation whilst being awestruck at the quality of writing, musicianship and vocals.
Just under half the tracks on this album are monologues and this is where the problem, for me, lies. John Hurt plays the part of an embittered old man living in a draughty house whose outlook on life lightens with each track he hears. Unfortunately he sounds as if he is going just going through the motions - maybe that's because I think these monologues are clumsily written (think 'earnest but not very imaginative school student' standard). They detract from the music rather than enhance it, thus interrupting the flow. I must admit I find them increasingly irritating the more I listen to them!
I like the way that Nitin has explained the context of his releases in his sleeve notes and feel that he should have stuck to that formula rather than trying to tell a story within the album itself. Like most concept albums it tries to do too much and ends up delivering very little. Even the cover is poorly constructed & designed!
So overall, this is Nitin's first sub-standard album in his 9 album releases so far, so not bad going by any means! In my opinion, the best thing to do is to delete/not buy the John Hurt tracks and let the music speak for itself!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good Disc
I don't understand why people give this 1 or 2 stars. Great disc, just listen and make your own opinion.
Published 1 month ago by I. P. Mapstone
Some beautiful songs, misconceived concept
Firstly let's agree that the putting spoken tracks on a music album is a bad idea, especially if spoken by an embittered old man. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Pat McCarthy
What an album!
Recently saw Nitin Sawhney play at the Union Chapel where he profiled tracks from his new album. The concert was fantastic which prompted me to buy the album. Read more
Published 6 months ago by gillyman
Disappointment Again
Once upon Sawhney could do no wrong. Now sadly he seems unable to do any right. This is pretentious semi drama, dressed up to appear serious by the use of John Hurt. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Johnny Benedetto
Truly Wonderful
I heard Nitin Sawhney live on BBC2 and liked his sound. The album surpassed all of my expectations and was mesmerising.
Published 7 months ago by Margaret R. Davis
Unfortunately, this just doesn't work.
I have been a fan of Nitin Sawhney's since I saw him at the Royal Festival Hall at the bottom of the bill in a concert for Amnesty International in the early 90's. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Westo
In the presence of genius.
It is almost impossible to overstate how talented Nitin Sawhney is, and it is almost impossible to exaggerate the sheer brilliance of this, his ninth album. Read more
Published 8 months ago by David Pearce
A good album
While Nitin Sawhney's creative brilliance arguably peaked with Beyond Skin, this is still a very listenable album. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Paul Haines
Cheap Street Jazz
Nitin Sawhney moved from Etno to Street Jazz and made it very cheap. This is the second albom when they mix the different styles - and it was a very bad idea ! Read more
Published 9 months ago by baram
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