SURVIVE THE GESTURE

Survive the Gesture, Charles Hayward's first solo album, can be seen as a continuation of Camberwell Now; both of the former members make contributions, and one of the songs was originally performed by them. It is very much a solo work, though, that points the way forward to Charles Hayward's future solo albums and performances.

The album consists mostly of short songs built around Hayward's remarkable drums and percussion, with keyboards providing additional textures. At times there is a broad similarity with some of Robert Wyatt's solo work from the 80s, although Charles Hayward has a more aggressive vocal delivery and a more muscular approach to the drums. Where Robert Wyatt circa Old Rottenhat and Dondestan kept things very stripped down, the studio tracks on Survive the Gesture make full use of the possibilities of multitracking and overdubbing, with all manner of percussion and occasionally kazoo and melodica building up a detailed soundscape around the core of drums and keyboards.

Proceedings kick off with Make Believe, a song that sets the tone for much of what is to follow, the lyrics drawing on the everyday language of Southwark to create an oblique social commentary. It's the only track on the first half of the album to feature an additional musician, with tuba adding some depth to the arrangement. Crystal Palace is a live recording that features Charles Hayward drumming live and triggering pre recorded keyboards with a foot pedal (on cassette at this point, although the set up would keep pace with technological updates). This is followed by the only group track on the album, recorded at This Heats' studio a few years previously, with Trefor Goronwy from Camberwell Now plus piano/vocal and accordion from Lew Evans and Lesley Evans. The next track, You and Me, is a collaboration with Trefor Goronwy, and the album closes with three more entirely solo offerings. The final song, Australia, is a moving tribute to a friend who had recently emigrated.

Survive the Gesture is a strong album that sees Charles Hayward finding his own distinctive voice as a solo performer. It's perhaps not as focused as some of Hayward's previous and subsequent albums, but you like This Heat, Camberwell Now or Robert Wyatt's 80s output then there is much to enjoy here.