Sibylle Baier Presents - "Colour Green". Don't u Worry, Psych Folk Days Aint Over Yet...& This Is A New Masterpiece.

Colour Green by Sibylle Baier is unusual in its obscurity even as “obscure” albums are concerned. Recent years have seen the awaited and well-deserved reissue of countless gems from the Sixties, particularly that of lesser known Folk singers and songwriters, yet this release has taken “unearthing gems” to a new height. There’s not much to tell about Sibylle Baier—believe me, I searched extensively—other than that she was German, primarily an actress rather than a singer although she contributed her only song at the time to an early Wim Wenders’ movie, and that the beautifully sad songs that constitute Colour Green were never meant for commercial release. How’s that for obscure?

"Tonight"

So this is how the story goes … in 1970 a good friend of hers, concerned with Baier’s frail mood practically dragged her from her house for a roadtrip which would take them from Strasbourg and the Alps. Apparently, this became a sort of an epiphany for Baier, so between 1970 and 1973 she proceeded to write and save—to share with family and friends—this low-fi, melancholy set of reel-to-reel recordings. The first thing that might strike you about these songs is the consistent sadness of their melodies, akin to the mood she had been in at the time, and the tender phrasing of her voice. More than anybody else, this album will remind you of Vashti Bunyan—particularly her debut Just Another Diamond Day. Although the Bunyan’s songs were less imbued by somberness, they share a certain kinship with Baier’s songs, specially in voice tone and their hushed delivery.

"I Lost Something in the Hills"

Speaking of this album’s kinship, and going beyond musical comparisons, you may even think of what Sylvia Plath might have sound like if she chose to sing rather than poetry, which is not to say that Sibylle reaches Sylvia’s lyrical depth. Accompanied only by her guitar, Baier’s introspective songs come to life and communicate deeply with the listener. This particularly stands out in “Tonight,” “Forget About,” the title song—”Colour Green”— and “Give Me A Smile” which is also backed by strings. Still, the important thing is that this album, which had never been released before, presents a singer/songwriter of exquisite sensibility, sharing a very personal batch of songs that—although never intended for “the public” and, perhaps due to that—conjure up an intimate and gorgeous portrait of a woman’s inner life. If you are a friend of brave and intimate Folk, you will not be disappointed. (By futurosity.com)

Orange Twin Page (Label)