Toward the Within

by Dead Can Dance

Overview

A large reason that Dead Can Dance tours and performances were so praised by hardcore fans lay in the band's welcome preference for unknown and otherwise unheard material, rather than simply rehashing expected numbers. Bootlegging of these tracks and performances was understandable and widespread, so involved and passionate was the band's following. Recorded at a Los Angeles performance from the Into the Labyrinth tour, the astounding Toward the Within shows that the band's magic was clearly not simply something created in studio. Both lead performers are simply in excelsis, their vocal abilities hardly diminished by the rigors of the road -- if anything, they sound even more inspired as a result. The range of instruments tackled is testimony to the group's breadth, from the yang ch'in, a Chinese equivalent to hammered dulcimer, to a wide range of drums. As for the songs, only four of the fifteen had been officially released before, including fine takes on "Cantara," "Song of the Sibyl" and "Yulunga (Spirit Dance)." As for the numerous new delights, Perry has a number of solo or near-solo tracks he performs with acoustic guitar. These include the lovely "American Dreaming" and the mystical set-closing "Don't Fade Away," calling to mind Tim Buckley's sense of scope and vision. Gerrard's unquestioned highlight is the combination of "Tristan" and "Sanvean," the latter of which is an awesome, widescreen number that became an undisputed highlight on her solo debut The Mirror Pool. Perhaps the most astonishing numbers are "Rakim," featuring a striking intertwining of Perry and Gerrard's singing, and a version of Sinead O'Connor's "I Am Stretched on Your Grave" that redefines passionate drama. ~ Ned Raggett

Product Details

Release Date:	11/18/2008
Label:	4Ad
UPC:	0652637271225

Tracks

1. Rakim
2. Persian Love Song
3. Desert Song
4. Yulunga (Spirit Dance)
5. Piece for Solo Flute
6. The Wind That Shakes the Barley
7. I Am Stretched on Your Grave
8. I Can See Now
9. American Dreaming
10. Cantara
11. Oman
12. Song of the Sibyl
13. Tristan
14. Sanvean
15. Don't Fade Away

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dead Can Dance   Primary Artist
Robert Perry   Uillean Pipes,Bouzouki,Percussion
Robert C. Perry   Whistle (Instrument),Prp,Bouzouki,Percussion,Uillean Pipes,Whistle (Human)
Brendan Perry   Guitar,Vocals,Voices,Bouzouki,Percussion,Whistle (Human),Guitar (12 String),Whistle (Instrument)
Ronan O Snodaigh   Vocals,Voices,Percussion
Lance Hogan   Guitar,Vocals,Voices,Percussion,Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Electric)
Lisa Gerrard   Vocals,Voices,Yang Chin,Percussion
John Bonnar   Vocals,Voices,Keyboards,Percussion
Andrew Claxton   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Guy Charbonneau   Audio Engineer,Mixing,Engineer
Robert Perry   Composer
Brendan Perry   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Perry   Composer
Charlie Bouis   Assistant Engineer
Dead Can Dance   Arranger,Composer
Lisa Gerrard   Arranger,Composer
Peter Frampton   Composer
Gerrard   Composer
Andrew Claxton   Composer
Sinead O'Connor   Composer
Chris Bigg   Art Direction
Gottfried Von Strassburg   Composer
King & O'Donovan   Composer
Dr Robert Dwyer Joyce   Composer
Tim Vary   Design,Photography
Phil Nicholls   Portraits
Shawn R. Britton   Supervisor,Mastering Supervisor
Darren Woolford   Design,Photography
Robert C. Perry   Composer,Executive Producer