Anatomy of a Poet
The concept and theme behind this album was established at a very early stage. The idea was to represent and musically convey the often self-destructive nature of creative artists. Why is it that authors, artists, poets and musicians seem to create their best work out of depression? Colin Wilson, who had been in occassional correspondence with the band, was asked to recite some of his work along with a number of pre-prepared tracks. However, on arriving at Wilson's Cornwall retreat, the author thought it better to recite some of his favourite `Romantic' period poetry, which he felt better suited the music. The resulting tracks are inspired `first-take' recordings which capture the depth and character of this influential author's distinctive voice. Also unique about this album was ITN's decision to record their first (and possibly last) cover version. Scott Walker's `Seventh Seal' was itself influenced by the Ingmar Bergman film and therefore suited the theme of the album. Fellow Scott Walker enthusiast and Sheffield resident, Karl Blake (ex Shockheaded Peters and Lemon Kittens) was invited to do the vocals.

The fire is out, and spent the warmth thereof
This is the end of every song man sings

Click on a track below to hear an extract in MP3,
or preview entire album.

  1. Bombed
  2. Anatomy of a Poet
  3. In Perpetuum
  4. Motive
  5. Hallucinations? (dream world mix)
  6. Blue Lovers
  7. Paper Desert
  8. Byzantium
  9. The Seventh Seal
  10. The Golden Journey
  11. Touched with Fire
corp012 rerelease extra tracks:
  1. Hallucinations? (The Tower III)
  2. November Trees
  3. Hallucinations? (A Sense of Reality)

All titles written & performed by Klive and Nigel Humberstone - ITN
except `The Seventh Seal' written by S. Engel
Female voice: Dolores Marguerite C.
Military snare drum: Q.

Narration: Colin Wilson
Oboe: Jill Crowther
`The Seventh Seal' - vocals: Karl Blake / guitar: Mark Murphy
`Paper Desert' - vocals: Rosie Brown
`In Perpetuum' - lyrics: Dolores Marguarite C. & Klive Humberstone
`Bombed', `Blue Lovers' & `Hallucinations?' - lyrics.html: Dolores Marguerite C.

`Anatomy of a Poet' - text from `Cynara' by Ernest Dowson
`Motive' - text from `The Harlot's House' by Oscar Wilde
`Byzantium' - text from `Byzantium' by W.B. Yeats
`The Golden Journey' - text from `The Golden Journey to Samarkand' by James Elroy Flecker.

Produced by Stephen Harris and ITN
Recorded at AXIS, mixed at FON, Sheffield May/June 1994
Assistant engineer: Pete Stewart
Digitally mastered at Square Centre Studios, Nottingham

Colin Wilson recorded on location, Gorran Haven, Cornwall / December 1993,
- an extended thanks for his hospitality and inspiration -

corp012