Marc Almond & Micheal Cashmore — Gabriel & the Lunatic Lover

Here Marc Almond and Michael Cashmore bring to atmospheric and often tuneful life two poems by Count Eric Stenbock- an 18th century poet and writer of macabre & fantastic fiction who was once called 'drunkard, poet, pervert, most charming of men'- through he did'nt half write beautiful prose.

The first track is based around Stenbock poem The Lunatic lover which was original published in 1883, the text it’s self seems to detail a homo erotic encounter and longing that’s tied up in biblically, necrophilia & cannibalistic leanings. To which Almound brings a great feeling of sadness and loss to as Cashmore weaves underneath a tuneful mix of crystalline acoustic guitars, piano and string swooned balladering that rises to some beautiful epic moments. Next is Gabriel which is based around Stenbock poem from 1893 and seems to be about longing for an understanding and gentle lover or a sickly and dieing lover, again Almond gives wonderfully felt and dramatic performances. With cashmore giving a more melancholy and sombre backing of often striped acoustic guitar pickings with some nice string risers here and there and felt piano melodies.

An interesting and beautiful release that wonderful brings to life two of Stenbock poems  with the only downside been it’s over much too quick at just 10 minutes for the two tracks. It’s a pity the pair couldn’t have chosen some more Stenbock poems or for that matter another poets work, but maybe that would a ruined the fleeting beauty and longing on display here.