Scott Walker - And Who Shall Go the Ball ? And Who Shall Go the Ball ?

by Anthony Strutt

published: 8 / 10 / 2007

Scott Walker - And Who Shall Go the Ball ? And Who Shall Go the Ball ?

Label: 4AD
Format: CDS

intro

Demanding, but rewarding new largely instrumental mini album and quick follow up to last year's 'The Drift' from Scott Walker

This rapid follow up to last year's ‘The Drift’, Scott Walker’s first album in 11 years is classified as a mini album, but it is only 25 minutes long. Coming in 4 movements rather than songs, it is not easy listening and for most of its 25 minutes is purely instrumental. ‘Movement 1’ has only hints of music, featuring the odd instrument tuning up and has, if you listen really hard, the occasional sound of Scott talking, but it is more of an experimental soundscape. ‘Movement 2,’ is much louder and stranger, very in your face, sounding like a horror film soundtrack to something like ‘Psycho’. ‘Movement 3’ quiet and eerie, a mood piece. It sounds like sad film music and is romantic in a haunting manner. ‘Movement 4’ is the most dramatic. It features harsh sounds and much banging of metal objects with savage stringed instruments clashing all over them. Genius, or off his rocker ? I personally go for genius.

Track Listing:-

1 And Who Shall Go To The Ball? And What Shall Go To The Ball? (Part 1)
2 And Who Shall Go To The Ball? And What Shall Go To The Ball? (Part 2)
3 And Who Shall Go To The Ball? And What Shall Go To The Ball? (Part 3)
4 And Who Shall Go To The Ball? And What Shall Go To The Ball? (Part 4)

Label Links:-

http://www.4ad.com/
https://www.facebook.com/fourad/
https://twitter.com/4AD_Official
https://plus.google.com/explore/4AD

profiles

30 Century Man (2007)

'30 Century Man' is a 90 minute journey into the history of the increasingly experimental and musically challenging Scott Walker. Anthony Strutt finds it stunning, but nevertheless a film which will appeal to hardcore fans of Scott Walker only

live reviews

Barbican, London, 15/11/2008

While he did not appear, 60's legend Scott Walker produced 'Drifting and Tilting', which included performances of his songs from among others Damon Albarn, Gavin Friday and Dot Allison. At its third and final night at the London Barbican Anthony Strutt watches one of the year's stand out events