Trawling

Not sure how to categorise the cd I Trawl The MEGAHERTZ ( the capitals are used on the cd ) by Paddy McAloon. McAloon was the main man in the band Prefab Sprout. During a prolonged spell of ill health, he was unable to work and spent time recording various pieces of found sound from late night phone ins and citizens band radio. An insight into a strange, melancholy world. His artists instinct then took over and the found sounds and conversations were refined into the lengthy title track, spoken by an American actress weaving an intriguing and involving tale. The musical backdrop is built over a repeating refrain, mainly played by a small string ensemble but also appearing as whistling and on trumpet / flugelhorn with slowly evolving developments. There is another shorter track containing some genuine pre-recorded phone in soundbites which is equally affecting, especially the male voice intoning "I'm 49, divorced". The remaining tracks are instrumental, utilising the string players and the jazz colours of Rick Standley, Gerard Presencer and Julian Arguelles on trumpet, clarinet and keyboards. They are minimalist in feel and suggest that McAloon had been listening to people such as Philip Glass and Michael Nyman. I checked up on the net to see what McAloon's current activities were, since this cd dates from 2003. According to Wikipedia ( so treat with care ) it seems that he has had further debilitating health problems which only adds to the poignant feel of much of this record.