Having finished his work on an installation for Tokyo's P3 gallery, Sylvian decided to set out on a short and, being the only performer, a very intimate tour across Japan and Europe. Wishing to convert the upper floor of his house into a studio as well as obtain funds to finish his forthcoming release, the Slowfire tour turned out to be the right move. For his audience this was a unique occasion to experience a wide selection of his work in stripped-down, nearly acoustic renditions. The relationship with Ingrid appeared to be a huge catalyst for him which, despite initial difficulties, made him finally regain his self-confidence and allowed Sylvian to free himself from the illusion of having to rely on other artists as it was the case in the late 80s. "Dead Bees On A Cake" - this first entirely own album since "Secrets Of The Beehive" saw the light of day in March 99.

The album may be summed up as a synthesis of a truly vital transformation in David's life. The album speaking of love, devotion, finding his own spiritual path rooted in Buddhism. Deeply autobiographical nature of "Dead Bees..." is clearly revealed by the album's mellow opener - "I Surrender". Along with "Dobro#1", this time making references to undoubtedly darker undertones still resounding deep inside Sylvian's heart, they both introduce the listener to a world of retrospection in the most beautiful, serene manner of a late winter evening. It is also the source of some of the greatest songs Sylvian has ever recorded. It would be extremely hard to remain indifferent to a ballad so exceptional as "Thalhiem" (touching the subject of two people's paths suddenly entwined). It would be hard not to appreciate the intimate nature of gems like "Alphabet Angel" or "The Shining Of Things", just as it would be difficult not to totally lose yourself in David and Ingrid's vocal harmonies of "Cafe Europa". Here and there, the album picks up its pace, which quite rightly brings in a necessary element of contrast, but on the downside, it is a stab at the album's integrity. It happens, however, only on two occasions with "Godman" and "Pollen Path" and allows us to return quickly to more peaceful regions. "Praise" - quite unusual recording of a traditional religious song performed by Shree Maa (Sylvian's spiritual guide) and accompanied only by his guitar's recognisable tones, constitutes a prelude to David's possibly the most beautiful piece ever. Somewhere among the happiness that he finally found, there flickered an astonishingly prophetic single spark of insecurity and fear that the happiness might as easily abandon him. I don't ever want to be alone with all my darkest dreaming. The words are accompanied by music so transfixing, so devastatingly beautiful and moving that opening our hearts we instantly and involuntarily close our eyes...





"Dead Bees On A Cake" was preceded with the release of two singles which, apart from the edited version of "I Surrender", comprised four unpublished pieces co-recorded with Ingrid. They are certainly worth getting your hands on, specifically because of relaxed and cheerful "Whose Trip Is This?", haunting "Les Fleurs Du Mal", or a song not dissimilar to "Darkest Dreaming" - "Remembering Julia".



The autumn of 1999 brought another promotional single which, along with three different versions of "Godman" (and previously unknown "Shadowland") included a short film made by David and Ingrid in the winter of 1998. At nearly fourteen minutes, the picture focuses on Sylvian's private and professional life.

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