Bill Nelson – My Secret Studio – Vol. 1

15th February 2017 0 By Jon Deaux

Originally released back in 1995 this limited edition 4 disc box set contains music that Bill Nelson recorded during 1988 & 1992. This is, in my humble opinion, some of Bills best work EVER.

There are in total 4 very different albums in this set. For instance, Disc 1 – Buddha Head includes a real mix of goth-infused, David Bowiesque brilliance. [su_youtubeurl=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15pPJy8Su8Y&index=1&list=PLLqSiyDwUx1qKVugNT5c5nEHc2yB_JrSl”][/su_youtube]

The 2nd disc, Electricity Made Us Angels is a little more guitar orientated mixed with some great electronica. This album shows what a competent guitarist, he is. Featuring indie tuneage that is incredibly reminiscent of Gary Numan material. It’s no wonder that Gary wanted to work with Bill but sadly the project never came to fruition.

Deep Dream Decoder is the penultimate album. With it’s new romantic, Human League tones & David Byrne of Talking Heads, style vocal. This is my favourite album in the box. I’ll be honest I don’t know why I like it, it’s just one of those records that gets under your skin & you find yourself listening to it for days on end.

The final album, Juke Box For Jet Boy is the most eclectic album, from rock moments (Opener She’s So Extreme) through to Asian (Sail Away) & dub dance (Turn Me Over). Bill has used this album like a painter uses his canvas. Playing with 3-dimensional space ala Paul Cézanne before going all, Jackson Pollock.

All 4 albums were recorded when Bills life was going through (what he describes) were “severe changes…both emotional and financial.” & it shows. These are rough & ready recordings & made during a really prolific writing & recording process. There is no need to put these through multiple overdubs, mixing & basic production polishing. The music in this box is perfect the way that it is & 4 hours of magic.

To classify Bill Nelson as “ahead of his time” or even “a musical genius” is contrived & totally cliche. Yes, he’s both of those but there’s so much more. Bill is just one hell of a musician who sees the world in a slightly skewed way & creates marvellous musical soundscapes.