Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Startling, unique debut from artsy south coast duo., 3 Jan 2002
By A Customer
Shellyan Orphan released this small masterpiece in 1987 and although they made two further albums, they never quite recaptured the magic displayed on 'Helleborine'. It's a bit mad, actually. A bit morbid, too. Lyrics about dead poets, courtesans, graves and slaves are lifted into an almost supernatural beauty by incredibly dense, shimmering orchestral arrangements, superb, lush melodies and the wonderful (and not a little sexy) vocals of Caroline Crawley (ably assisted by partner Jemaur Tayle). Part of its charm lies in the impossibility of classifying what sort of music it is - psychedelic folk? ultra-arty pop? - and you'll need several listens before it gets to you. But it'll be worth it. If you're looking for music that stands outside the norm, wrapped up in its own wonderfulness, then Shellyan Orphan are well worth the effort. Its hard to believe that 'Helleborine' is almost fifteen years old now. It's still as fresh as a daisy. Buy it and swoon.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
...I don't normally do this kind of thing but..., 2 Mar 2003
...this record changed my life. I first saw Shelleyan Orphan play at Chelsea Art College then The Players Theatre off the Strand, London in 1987. At both gigs they had an artist on stage with them, creating original works to their music. This may give you some insight into what Shelleyan are all about but don't be put off by thinking that they are pretentious, as if!! Their music was true magic - 'Southern Bess', 'Jeremiah', 'Anatomy of Love'. The missing gem is the b side of the 12" version of Anatomy when it was released as a single. "Theme" contains beautifully plucked strings to the sound of 'Catweazal' Geoffrey Bayldon narrating prose - really beautiful, haunting, ethereal. Caroline's voice is heavenly, as is Jemaur Tayle's. Caroline later went on to guest on This Mortal Coil's third outing, 'Blood'. Lush orchestral, folk, chamber music made for the late twentieth century - something like that! Buy it, love it and treasure it.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic Classical Pop Album, 23 Nov 2002
I happened across this duo on an early episode of Jools Holland's old show "The Tube". Amongst all the drab rock acts, they stood out by playing a luscious kind of baroque chamber pop sound, with strings, oboes, clarinets, and harmonies. Caroline Crawley's breathy, innocent and naive sounding vocal delivery is quite mesmerizing in parts. Unless you read the lyrics though, you won't have a clue as to what they're singing about - kind of obscure references to greek classics, gothic imagery and all. Even the band's name has links with the poet Shelley, Mary Shelley and even Frankenstein!! Standout tracks are 'Anatomy of Love', 'Epitaph, Ivy & Woe', 'Cavalry of Cloud'.
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