Neil Mason on the Loula Yorke Live Compendium

Live is where the real magic happens. When Loula Yorke is right there, in front of you, the doors to her sound world really open up.

This Limited Edition release features five pieces: the first three recorded at Make Much Wenlock Weird in early November, and the last two recorded at Boundaries Festival in Sunderland later the same month. The same sequences were used in the same order for both shows, but no two performances are ever exactly alike. The pieces have all been given titles, and, to varying degrees, have featured as untitled tracks in her unmissable monthly mixtapes. They are living, breathing, evolving works, each one finding its way to fruition though constant refinement. Sequences woven together in skillful hands to form new patterns every time.

You are here for time in Loula’s company. The sharing of her sound like this, to hear her weaving this utter magic into the air, is an intimate experience. You don’t know what’s coming or where it will go. Loula herself has a rough idea, a starting point, taking to the stage with a series of sequences that have plenty of room for improvisation, for choices to be made.

From the bright unfurling melodies and wide frequencies of The Open Independence Of Her Seas, via the soothing, evolving bass and meandering effervescence of The Magician’s Glass, right though to the final fling of her euphoric four-to-floor closer To Crossing Long Distances some 40-odd minutes later, this is an unique opportunity to hear the music of Loula Yorke finding a life of its own in a live setting. Who knows when these tracks will appear again. One thing is for sure, they won’t ever sound exactly like this.

Neil Mason, Moonbuilding