Thank You Merciless Onlookers / Helen and Gavin – Blue Thirty-one

Blue Tapes

Blue Tapes‘ head honcho has thumbed his nose at what others may deem suitable for release and has chosen two highlights of his own personal canon to delight the listeners, and lure them remorselessly into the happy family of the label. A lovely and striking package on C45, the cassette is divided between two quite different sets, whose common ground is the sleepy warmth of a harmonium.

The first side comes from the Thank You Merciless Onlookers show at Café Oto in London in 2018, part of a Blue Tapes showcase, and it moves like a series of slow musical Tai Chi forms, ancient and timeless, with the drone of the harmonium a constant bed upon which other elements are layered until the energy is consumed and the next form beckons.

In the opening segment, the drone seems endless, a constant baseline upon which a second tone, when it arrives, beams like sunshine over the heads of the congregated. It feels like a main course, rich and lugubrious, after the entrée, a hand on the shoulder, steadying and soporific.

The introduction of glockenspiel is an awakening, the tone sweet, hanging in the air, shimmering as the background wash gently changes form. Church organ vibes rise to the rafters with a sense of adoration. It is always meditative, yet the moods change constantly with the piano droplets and a scurry of strings that mark the run-in to the conclusion. It takes an eastern diversion here, but without you really realising it; and becomes less elemental and a little more human, if a tad sparer. And as it becomes sparer still and the cassette winds down, you can almost sense the anticipation in the room, waiting for the next slender tone.

Side two is a whole other matter and is quite the most charming thing. Recording his girlfriend’s mum and her friend regaling a chosen few with scant traditional carols and chanting over a harmonium backing might sound a step too far in doing what the hell they like — but it is adorable and makes one wish that they could have been there. The laughter and chat at the beginning is inclusive and sets the scene for their warm, echoing voices, with half-heard words and sleepy lullaby sensations.

Gavin‘s voice drifts in the basement of the mix as Helen‘s voice takes the lead, strong yet inclusive. It feels warm and cosy, and the idea of curling up in front of the fire as the songs unfold is terribly appealing. A mish-mash of bells, hesitant and a little discordant accompany the waves of vocals; the recording giving the sense of ebbing and flowing — but when Helen hits some unexpected high notes, they and you are filled with joy.

The feeling of intimacy is embracing and on the second section, which is quieter and more meditative, you realise that here Gavin’s voice is the key. His gentle, monotonous resonance somehow links the humanity of Helen’s voice with the harmonium’s more elemental sound. As things progress, the sparseness of the pieces highlight the warm air moving through the room, the fire drawing the gathered together, the festive season further entwining them.

Although this is a personal affair for Blue Tapes, the folk inflections allied to the church-like elements mean this could be played by anybody anywhere to enable the drawing together at the festive season. Grab yourself a copy and watch the magic unfold next Christmas.

-Mr Olivetti-