Masaki Batoh - Helena Espvall and Masaki Batoh

2008 collaboration between Swedish-born multi-instrumentalist Helena Espvall and Japanese legend Masaki Batoh (Ghost). By collaborating with each other, they've made one of the most beautiful recordings either one of them has participated in. The recording session was held in Tokyo over four days in December 2007. For instruments fans, this session might be a treasure. So many strings were used: 6- and 12-string guitar, banjo, cello, hurdy-gurdy, harp, contra bass, chappa Tibetan bells, Kin (Buddhist metallic bowl), timpani, bass marimba, vibraphone, thunder sheet and on and on. Six Swedish traditional tunes were reconstructed, along with Batoh's arrangement of "Death Letter," a classic Son House delta blues song. Additionally, a European medieval tune was addressed in their own arrangement and expressions. "Zeranium," a dreamy folk tune that Batoh wrote for Damon & Naomi (they didn't use it), was re-arranged for this session as well. Drag City.

1) Polska
2) Kristallen Den Fina
3) Uti Var Hage
4) Trollmors Vaggvisa
5) Beneath Halo
6) Bicinium
7) Zeranium
8) Jag Vet en Dejlig Rosa
9) Neko Nemurenai
10) Death Letter
11) Kling Klang
12) Kyklopes