Too sheltered long under Sybil’s Leaves
A sore verily one
We soldier on through the current here
With calm bearing song
When is emotion knots and tyrannies?
In columns it rows
Toward the land where the scarless steer
In blossoms of the tongue
Whisper of your secret exalted
Covetous one
Back in the shadow of a cross
Much clearer to the father once appeared
In pitch black relief
The frosted fruits of a jubilee
Dappled by his feet
Whisper of your secret exalted
Covetous one
Back in the shadow of a rose
Safe and sound from anyone around
Safe and sound from anybody’s crown
Row in the rough
When it’s all over
Row in the rough
Row this song over
about
DOS returns from his recently acclaimed post-classical music opus, Rosarium with an addendum of chamber pop magic, Sybil’s Leaves; a title inspired by the Gerard Manley Hopkins’ apocalyptic sonnet, Spelt From Sybil’s Leaves.
Alongside his many other preoccupations; which include bringing Charles Bullen’s post This Heat project Lifetones to the stage for the first time after 40 years, contributing arrangements to Brigid Mae Power’s new album ‘Dream From The Deep Well’, producing and directing Tim Burgess’ recent prog-inflected albums for Bella Union, making a meta doo-wop record with Richard Youngs and composing orchestral miniatures for the the KPM and Sonoton music libraries; O’Sullivan’s focus more than ever has been the ever-widening aperture of his compositional vision.
O’Sullivan expressed his thoughts about Sybil’s Leaves…
This song was written shortly after Rosarium was recorded and could be thought of as an addendum to the album. It was the first piece of music I write on my Mickleburgh spinet. I noticed this piano really opens up in G major which a teacher once told me was the most assertive of scales. The title was inspired by the Gerard Manley Hopkins’ apocalyptic sonnet, Spelt From Sybil’s Leaves.
The song is about the song itself, which often acts as a vehicle for some otherwise unforeseen event in one’s life. A song can be an oracle, a crystal ball, a rune to be cast. The shape and meaning of the song are initially obscure which makes the pursuit of its significance irresistible. However, in retrospect, I see that Sybil’s Leaves concerns the very nature of prophecy itself. Prophecy when determined by another and when expectation and duty preside over the soul’s thirst for communion and fulfilment.
The string arrangement on this song was written by Timba Harris who I met one fateful night at Café Oto while treading the boards with our mutual friend Toby Driver. Timba is a great soul and has worked with John Zorn, Eyvind Kang, Secret Chiefs 3 and many other artists I greatly admire. Much the same as Rosarium, this song was engineered by Thighpaulsandra (of Coil, Spiritualized, etc) who also contributed a synthetic garden with his modular system during the dying embers of the song. My partner, Rose Keeler-Schaffeler joins me with her voice. We were then anticipating the arrival of our son, Percy.
credits
released October 9, 2023
Daniel O’Sullivan: Voice, Piano, Bass, Drums & Percussion
Rose Keeler Schaffeler: Voice
Timba Harris: String arrangement
Thighpaulsandra: Modular Synthesizers
Library music never sounded so good. At moments it recedes into the background with Alice Coltrane-worthy drone; then at other moments I go into the background when synth drift reminiscent of SoiSong or Chris Carter pop up. Excellent accompaniment to help enliven an otherwise deadening workday... Eric K
So the first 2 songs here were "leftovers" that didn't make it into the Ceasar masterpiece of theirs...what shall I say, this band is pure gold, and their pop version manifesting as of recently only grows their legacy and legend to new heights. spiros_metsouggis