Label: Bison – BIS014RT
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Brown
Country: UK
Released: 14 Jun 2024
Genre: Jazz, Rock
Style: Indie, DIY, Folk
Recorded the same year as the legendary Osaka Bridge was released, “Bill Wells Presents” is a document of a life changing tour of Scotland and its Highlands by Bill Wells and his friends Kazumi Nikaido, KAMA AINA, Maher Shalal Hash Baz and Tenniscoats. Brought together via Stephen Pastels’ Geographic Records, “Bill Wells Presents” is a reminder of the life affirming musical relationships that can form with the support of labels and funding bodies who act with open minds and hearts. “Bill Wells Presents” contains a condensed version of the Scottish tour, featuring previously unrecorded music from KAMA AINA, Kazumi Nikaido and new compositions written on the occasion of the Scottish tour by Tori Kudo.
“Kazumi Nikaido was introduced to me by way of Koki Yahata who was working for the Japanese label P-Vine who had released Also In White (Geographic, 2002). When I toured Japan with Maher Shalal Hash Baz in 2004 Nikaido joined for a couple of the dates and also appeared on GOK (Geographic, 2009). When I first heard her he thought that she was a remarkable artist and mesmerising performer. Similarly, I met Takuji (KAMA AINA) while on the same tour; we did some recording together and he also played and recorded as part of the band in Tokyo. I knew about him previously as we were both on Stephen Pastel’s Geographic Records.
That was also how I met and got to know the Kudo family and Tenniscoats. Regarding the music; this record is an attempt to make a condensed version of the full show that was played nightly on the Scottish tour. Everyone played different sets each night, though some were more different than others. However, as far as I know, the CD features the only recording (at Wick) of pieces which Tori wrote for Maher Shalal Hash Baz while on that tour.” - Bill Wells
Tracklist
1. Kazumi Nikaido - Myakuhaku 04:05
2. Kazumi Nikaido - Shopping Blue 03:00
3. Kazumi Nikaido - Kyou Wo Tou 05:26
4. KAMA AINA - White Nails, White Moon 04:41
5. KAMA AINA - In Christ There Is No East or West 08:25
6. KAMA AINA - Theme of the Raft 03:38
7. Tenniscoats - Take Me Home 04:49
8. Tenniscoats - Biababa Bimba 03:36
9. Tenniscoats - Greensleeves 02:56
10. Tenniscoats - Tree or Not to Tree 03:15
11. Tenniscoats - The Ending Theme 03:38
12. Maher Shalal Hash Baz - Miserable Man 01:23
13. Maher Shalal Hash Baz - Indian Lilac 02:42
14. Maher Shalal Hash Baz - Morning Glory 02:29
15. Maher Shalal Hash Baz - Aberdeen 01:05
16. Maher Shalal Hash Baz - Elgin 00:31
17. Maher Shalal Hash Baz - From Loch Lomond to Stornoway 01:55
18. Maher Shalal Hash Baz - Sheep 00:42
19. Maher Shalal Hash Baz - Cold Deck 01:27
20. Maher Shalal Hash Baz - A Lamb 00:42
21. Maher Shalal Hash Baz - A Boogie 03:33
22. Bill Wells and Tori Kudo - Poxy 07:07
23. Bill Wells and Tori Kudo - Time Takes Me So Back 05:37
