Wim: No-Man is a duo formed by singer Tim Bowness and multi-instrumentalist Steven Wilson. The latter we know of course mainly as leader of the most successful progressive rock band of recent years, Porcupine Tree. But long before he started making music with that band, he was already working with Bowness to express his musical ideas. Musically speaking No-Man is completely different from Porcupine Tree. No-Man's music leans towards avant-garde, alternative pop and ambient lounge to name but a few qualifications. In 2008 the last studio album from No-Man appeared, the highly praised ‘Schoolyard Ghosts’ (see my list with favourite albums of 2008). One of the songs from that album – ‘Mixtaped'- now is the title of this superb double DVD (with an extra CD).
DVD one plays us the gig the band played on August 29, 2008 in the Bush Hall in London. A beautiful hall and very suitable as a location for a performance by No-Man. The listener is taken on a musical journey with fourteen tracks that show us different times and different styles. The fact that these guys do not play live frequently is particularly apparent in the somewhat awkward presentation. The introvert Bowness moves a little shyly on stage, but luckily that does not affect his singing performance seen as his voice is beautifully warm and clear. His voice more than once resembles Scott Walker and David Sylvian; singers with warm, dark voices with a natural sense of ambience and space. Furthermore the listener can enjoy beautiful violin parts by Steve Bingham (with a guest appearance of ex band member Ben Coleman), Andrew Brooker goes crazy on his electronic drums and Michael Bearpark plays beautiful, subtle guitar parts. Wilson himself is responsible for the feedback fiddling and the more heavy guitars, though heavy is not really the right word in a No-Man context. The camera work is peaceful, the transitions in camera positions are conducted very smoothly and natural which makes the images fit perfectly with the soothing music. The sound is - and let's face it, did we not expect that with Wilson in the line up? - excellent: particularly people with a good hifi set will enjoy the great sound of this product.
DVD two is also more than worth it. This disc starts with ‘Returning’, a 85 minute documentary that covers the entire career of No-Man. Through interviews with (former) band members and so on, old live recordings, pictures, etc. we get a clear picture about the ins and outs of the band. Interesting are the stories about working with musicians like Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Mick Karn and Steve Jansen (ex Japan), Richard Barbieri (ex Japan, now Porcupine Tree), Chris Maitland (ex Porcupine Tree) and Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance). All in all a very nice and informative documentary.
Further on this DVD are five tracks from the 90s. Finally, the 'No-Man Chronology’ gives you a complete history of the band, every gig, record release and significant event in the band’s lifetime is listed here, accompanied by relevant photographs. As mentioned earlier, not only do you get two DVDs, there is also a CD included with six live tracks from the aforementioned concert. You get real value for your money. I would recommend everybody who is open to music, to check this DVD: both in image and sound an excellent example of how a DVD can be presented.
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