The veteran American experimental artist and musician returns with an evocative first-person spoken narrative album charting the fateful summer 1937 six-week global flight of the pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart, with orchestral strings from Czech orchestra Filharmonie Brno and gorgeous vocals by Britain’s Anohni. Diary excepts, telegrams and biographies, and even a recording of Earhart’s voice on track 12 soar across the 22 sections, Anderson’s whispering voice is beautifully soothing, lifted up by strings and the occasional roaring engine. Observations of shadows of the plane on the ocean, crossing the Badlands, Brazil, Africa and Thailand are all vivid, with observations about the culture, albeit all very relaxing and tranquil, with standouts including Crossing The Equator, Road to Mandalay, and India And On Down To Australia, both of which featuring the ghostly voice of the Anohni. That fateful disappearance on 2 July over the Pacific remains and mystery, with a darker sounds and clouds gathering for the confused readings as we approach The Wrong Way, Fly Into the Sun, Howland Island and Radio, into Lucky Dime, with the image of the shining plane on the water and the woosh of the waves enveloping it. The eventual tragic drama is understated, rather than violent, but overall it’s a beautiful piece of work, portraying a celestial, ghostly journey. Out on Nonesuch Records.
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