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Track Listings
| 1. Lately |
| 2. Here Before |
| 3. Wayward |
| 4. Hidden |
| 5. Against The Sky |
| 6. Turning Backs |
| 7. If I Were |
| 8. Same But Different |
| 9. Brother |
| 10. Feet Of Clay |
| 11. Wayward Hum |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
For an artist’s second album to appear 35 years on from their debut suggests an unprecedented case of writer’s block, but Vashti Bunyan can at least point to mitigating circumstances. An acolyte of Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham, Bunyan recorded one of British folk’s great lost works, 1970’s Just Another Diamond Day. That record’s re-release and subsequent glowing reappraisal has led to a new generation of celebrity fans--Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, Four Tet--and with Lookaftering, a new suite of songs as beautiful as anything that came before.
Bunyan’s voice is high, stately and choiral, somewhat akin to Nico, had she been born not in Cologne, but some verdant English meadow. Accordingly, it’s the perfect vehicle for these dainty, pastoral sing-songs. A number of musicians guest here: Devendra Banhart plays steel acoustic guitar on "Wayward", while Joanna Newsom contributes restrained but elegant harp to "If I Were" and "Against The Sky". But their performances are restrained and supportive, never threatening to overwhelm Bunyan’s florid, fragile nursery rhymes. A quietly terrific return; consider this a case of writer’s block shaken.-Louis Pattison
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a quite wonderful record. In many ways it's similar in sound to Vashti's only previous release, 'Just Another Diamond Day', but while JADD had an air of hippy idealism to it, the mood on Lookaftering is altogether more melancholy, an older and wiser sister. This, however, doesn't stop it from being one of the most lovely records you will ever hear. It has a totally natural, pastoral sound, and Vashti's half-whispered vocals are captivating and heartbreaking, making the album a mood-piece of astounding beauty.
It's impossible to name a favourite track on Lookaftering, but if you were ever to record the sound of being in love, 'If I Were' comes close, with a marvellous contribution from Joanna Newsom. Also, Robert Kirby's string arrangement lends a real presence to 'Same But Different'. That said, every single track is a real gem.
If you're looking for gentle, bittersweet, moving, beautiful music then I cannot recommend this record enough. It's good to have you back, Vashti.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
You either get Vashti Bunyan or you don't. Her backstory is well known and it's this fragile reemergence into the mainstream that is chronicled on 'Lookaftering'. VB's music is that rare thing, a complete world unto itself, but totally accessible, exquisitely beautiful, delicate, gentle and hugely melodic. Every song haunts the memory and is supported by perfect arrangements featuring a stellar cast of new folk / alt folk musicians (Joanna Newsom, Adem, Devendra Banhart etc.) Each setting is a spare, sparkling web of nylon string guitar, harp, glockenspiel and oboe with Bunyan's cobweb light vocals drifting on top.
Most importantly, these are songs about yearning, life, parenthood, loss, friendship and love. Indispensable.
Most importantly, these are songs about yearning, life, parenthood, loss, friendship and love. Indispensable.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I recently bought a copy of "Just another diamond day" by Vashti Bunyan and was very impressed by the quality of songs and so I gave it five stars. This prompted me to buy "Lookaftering". I thought the passage of years may have blunted Vashti's sensibilities as it has with many people in this world, but I was pleased to find that the songs and emotions expressed in this album are deeper and more heartfelt than on her first one, which made me feel like giving six stars if I were able. Once again the songs have a delicate beauty complimented by Vashti's tender voice. Some reviewers have criticised her voice, but I feel that it is perfect for the songs that she sings-no other voice would do and the whole atmosphere of the album is of an almost melancholy beauty that is unique in modern popular music. It was captured in that period of the late 60's to early 70's by such singers as Nick Drake, Bridget St John, John Martyn, Sandy Denny, Judy Collins and Carol King to name just a few, but now the emphasis is on less romantic introverted music but more up-front compositions reflecting shallow emotions and coarser thoughts. This album is certainly a treasure and an oasis in the desert of modern day creativity. Also a little glimpse of a golden age that would pass if not for souls like Vashti Bunyan.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Give it a go!
I loved 'Just Another diamond Day' and despite one or two negative reviews on these pages about 'Lookaftering' I decided to give this album a go. I was not disappointed. Read more
Published 23 months ago by CJC
Music is like art
Fortunately, we are all different when it comes to what music we like and what art we appreciate. This lady has the most fantastic voice (in my opinion!). Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2008 by Chris Powell
Age overtakes youthful natural talent
Having enjoyed the undoubted quality of Vashti Bunyan's 1960s recordings, I responded to the many high ratings of this 2005 album and purchased it. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2008 by John
Over rated
I bought this after purchasing her first album Just Another Diamond Day which i liked. However, this is a real disapointment although Bunyan is unique and you wont find anybodyelse... Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2008 by hickman
vashti"s comeback!
when i bought vashti"s first album,it blew me away,it took me to another softer,and gentle place. Thirtysix years later and she"s still got it! Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2007 by spanky
Disappointing
The music itself is listenable to, but Vashti does tend to witter weakly in and out of time/tune. I realise this is her distinct style, however - the album does come across like a... Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2007 by Dr Manic
just AWFUL (one star too many)
I like singer-songwriters, love folk music, appreciate meaningful lyrics and adore a good tune. I can do quirky, different, even cooky. Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2006 by Hc Williams
Passionless, vapid and maybe excellent, too
This is one of those CDs which is full of pretentiousness and totally passionless. Yet despite that, it is also a real gem. Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2006 by Mr. K. Hubbard
this is an excellent album
There's no need to go through all the biographical detail about Vashti - other people have done that well enough below. Read more
Published on 11 July 2006 by Mike J. Wheeler
A really beautiful record.
I'm not going to dwell too much on the back-story and biography - too many people have littered their reviews with snippets culled from Vashti's website - and I'm... Read more
Published on 18 Nov 2005 by Jonathan James Romley
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