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MARVIN B NAYLOR |
Marvin B Naylor is a musician based in Winchester, Hampshire. Marvin writes his own music mostly using 12 string and acoustic guitar and self released his own album Monsters and Mad Things in 2004. The album ranges from rock to pyschadelic with hints of folk poking in places. Marvin sings and plays all instruments on the album. Introduction written by Marvin As for myself, I was born in England, but spent my childhood in Canada. I finally managed to escape upon turning 21 and was in a group signed to Polydor in the late 1980s (3 singles then dropped). However, I gained some valuable studio knowledge and writing/arrangement experience during that time.(I like to think so, anyway). Even then, I was using the 12 string guitar (mainly electric)as a lead instrument, but had yet to develop the picking technique. Official Website |
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"I'm really quite stuck as to where to place this intriguing work; Marvin B Naylor's 'The Last Flight Of Billy Balloon' is a dynamic coming together of sound and style that's almost impossible to pigeonhole. Marvin B. Naylor - "The Last Flight of Billy Balloon" "Marvin B. Naylor is not an artist of this time. He's not Stones/Oasis/Libertines rehash either, rather his musical references find him sounding like he's from the 1950s and the 1200s, the orchestral soundtrack to a Disney animation and a Super Furry Animals support act. What holds it all together though is the underpining of radio-friendly proggy folk, drawing from Syd Barrett often and Brian Wilson less so. "Little Piece Of Magic" is overrun with quirky characters and places, Naylor's voice switching between a quaver, a warble and a baritone.
There's plenty of Scott Walker style sumptuous richness, too, that has been revitalised by The Last Shadow Puppets, Richard Hawley and Bernard Butler's work on Duffy's album. And, like all of the artists mentioned thus far, Naylor's music is light and dark. "Dulcibella Play!" and the rustic drone of "Little Creatures" posses a certain childishness, but "Out Of My Mind", with it's Middle Ages melodies for the middle aged, is a baleful love song... While there are some genuine odd moments on "The Last Flight Of Billy Balloon" (the FX-driven "Beautiful Balloon" which risks turning into a new rave Christmas song at any moment), Naylor's vocal range impresses and the production surprises even more so, it still sounds something traditional, like a fete. "White Lady" and (it should be an advert for cider aimed at grown-ups) "Portrait Of A Woman" are born of the Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin (On their folk songs) that have been absorbed into the musical establishment, not the wild and mad young men that excited people initially. That's not to say that "The last Flight..." is completely stable, mind. It's a quaint and singular ride. Review in Die, Shellsuit, Die! by Stephen Eddie. The opening song, 'Little Piece Of Magic' is a five minute mini-epic, and shows Naylor at his best. There is a good sense of dynamics, strange lyrics and interesting instrumental passages that appear where you wouldn't expect them. There are many pleasant instrumental passages, particularly the acoustic guitars and keyboards (Marvin plays everything) resulting in some delicate soft pop, such as 'Alice And Marianne' and the folky 'Portrait Of A Woman' which reminds me, instrumentally and vocally of a young Cat Stevens... Shindig review by Phil Suggit Dulcibella Play! has tons of personality. The 12 string guitar is picked, creating a counterpoint to Marvins' vocal. Strings and slide guitar are mixed in to add flavour and there's even a banjo section. At it's peak, this song feels like The Beatles, circa 'Day In The Life'.Marvin has got plenty going on in this record, certainly enough to deserve his recent radio air-play. This is an excellantly eccentric single. The Mag review
I've been on a bit of a journey with this particular album...it was only on play nine that the album really fell into place for me, so much so that I now really like this album. It's got a real warmth and gentleness to it, at times folky at others it has a lo-fi pop feel to it which I know sort of contradicts itself a little as a description, but you'd have to listen to get what I mean... The Beat Surrender review ... the guy's a whiz at acoustic guitar. Most of the production work was done on a 12-string guitar with Mr. Naylor playing other instruments (cello, violin, banjo) as required...As I'm a little quirky and offbeat even on a good day, I was inclined to like this release as soon as I saw the title. My first impression on listening to the music was that "Balloon" was one of those concept albums so popular in the late 60's and 70's when being just good ol' rock and roll wasn't enough.There is a quintessential British feel to this release; at the risk of putting words into the mouth of Mr. Naylor, this feels like a throwback to those experimental times. The songs give an impression of what you'd get from Monty Python if those guys had worked harder at their lyrics…and their melodies…and their singing. At the same time, I felt as though I was listening to Pink Floyd's stuff because I didn't always know where the songs were going, but the trip was enjoyable. There's a taste of the old time Folk Rock and a little Psychedelia. This is one of those CDs where, every time you listen, you hear something that wasn't there before. There's kind of an ethereal feel to the music, befitting the lightness of the title. As I've indicated, Mr. Naylor is a superior sort of guitarist and he creates an interesting audioscape with his instrument and his voice. His voice (I know I harp on about singing) is a very flexible instrument and he does a good job of emoting through a combination of tone and phrasing. Review in BullFrogMusic.com By Jeremiah Sutherland
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Distribution Retail: Code 7 (UK)
Distribution Digital: Plastic Head Media ( World-Wide)
HTT Music Promotions
2008