Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities

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Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities
Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities cover
Studio album by David Sylvian
Released 1985
Genre Electronic Music, Ambient Music, New Age music
Label Virgin
Producer David Sylvian and Nigel Walker
David Sylvian chronology
Brilliant Trees
(1984)		 Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities
(1985)		 Gone to Earth
(1986)
Alternate cover
Original cassette cover art
Original cassette cover art

Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities is David Sylvian's second solo album, released in 1985. Produced by David Sylvian and Nigel Walker. The album was originally released as a 3 track 12" single and a 5 track cassette under the title Words with the Shaman. The remastered 2003 CD release includes two additional tracks – "The Stigma of Childhood (Kin)", and "A Brief Conversation Ending in Divorce".

[edit] Track listings

CD

  1. "Words with the Shaman Pt.1 Ancient Evening" (David Sylvian, Jon Hassell) – 5:15
  2. "Words with the Shaman Pt.2 Incantation" (Sylvian, Hassell) – 3:29
  3. "Words with the Shaman Pt.3 Awakening (Songs from the Treetops)" (Sylvian, Hassell, Steve Jansen) – 5:18
  4. "Preparations for a Journey" (Sylvian) – 3:40
  5. "The Stigma Of Childhood (Kin)" (Sylvian) – 8:30
  6. "A Brief Conversation Ending In Divorce" (Sylvian) – 3:31
  7. "Steel Cathedrals" (Sylvian, Ryuichi Sakamoto) – 18:58
  • Tracks 1–3 recorded in London 1985, track 4 recorded in Tokyo 1984, track 5 recording undated, track 6 recorded in London 1989, and track 7 recorded in Tokyo and London 1984/1985.

Original track listing Words with the Shaman (12" single)

  1. "Words with the Shaman Pt.1 Ancient Evening" – 5:15
  2. "Words with the Shaman Pt.2 Incantation" – 3:29
  3. "Words with the Shaman Pt.3 Awakening (Songs from the Treetops)" – 5:18

Original track listing Words With the Shaman (Cassette)

  1. "Words with the Shaman Pt.1 Ancient Evening" – 5:15
  2. "Words with the Shaman Pt.2 Incantation" – 3:29
  3. "Words with the Shaman Pt.3 Awakening (Songs from the Treetops)" – 5:18
  4. "Preparations for a Journey" – 3:40
  5. "Steel Cathedrals" – 18:58

[edit] Personnel

Tracks 1–3: (Produced by David Sylvian and Nigel Walker)

Tracks 4–5: (Produced by David Sylvian)

  • Performed by David Sylvian

Track 6: (Produced by David Sylvian and Steve Nye)

  • David Sylvian – Guitars, synthesisers, keyboard programming
  • John Taylor – Piano
  • Stuart Bruce – Computer programming

Track 7: (Produced by David Sylvian)

  • David Sylvian – Keyboards, tapes, digital percussion
  • Ryuichi Sakamoto – Piano, strings
  • Steve Jansen – Percussion
  • Kenny Wheeler – Flugelhorn
  • Robert Fripp – Guitar, Frippertronics
  • Holger Czukay – Dictaphone
  • Masami Tsuchiya – Guitar 'abstractions'