Peter Ulrich's The Painted Caravan: A Collaboration To Be Cherished Now Available

By Author: Joe Mana
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Peter Ulrich, the seminal percussionist of the Dead Can Dance from 1983 until 1995 has just released the latest album from his new band, The Peter Ulrich Collaboration. "The Painted Caravan" was released on Market Square Records on March 11, 2013 and continues Peter Ulrich's journey from his beginnings in the Dead Can Dance, where he first began forming his trademark sound.

Dead Can Dance, in service of which Ulrich supported Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard on drums and percussions from 1983 to 1990, made its mark as a brilliantly innovative band that utilized African polyrhythms, Gaelic folk, Gregorian chants, Middle Eastern mantras and art-rock to spellbinding effect.

Even after his days with Dead Can Dance, however, Ulrich kept his hand in the game, first with the solo album Pathways and Dawns (Projekt) (once described as the album the Beatles might have made had they signed to 4AD instead of Capitol Records) and then with his second solo album Enter the Mysterium (City Canyons). Ulrich also made notable post- Dead Can Dance contributions to This Mortal Coil, and Piano Magic's recent album, Ovations.

However ...
... Ulrich's The Painted Caravan is a work quite unlike any other work that has come before, as is the Ulrich headed collaboration of brilliant musicians and vocalists that put the album together. The album is a unique musical journey, a magical mystery tour of an entirely different kind.

Reflecting international influences that are ancient, modern or immediately contemporary, the album presents to its listener mesmerizing grandeur, solemn beauty, intricate craftsmanship and sonic depth The Painted Caravan is likely to appeal to fans of Richard and Linda Thompson, Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, Smoke Fairies, Faun Fables, Beirut, Luminescent Orchestrii, PJ Harvey's quieter moments and, of course, Dead Can Dance.

Rob Steen of UK's national newspaper, The Independent has described the The Painted Caravan in Music Week as "a smorgasbord of music past, present and future, and a bona fide contender. A collaboration to be cherished," while top UK music magazine, R2 (Greg McAteer), has given the album a four star rating. Online reviewer Simon Smith of Higher Plains Music says "Quite simply 'The Painted Caravan' is utterly phenomenal from start to finish. Peter Ulrich and his collaborators (mainly Trebor Lloyd, Sara Wendt, David Steele and Anne Husick) have pulled out all the stops, said goodbye to any conformity and became trailblazers and pioneers of musical art. Easily a contender for album of the year." Anthony Weightman of AAA Music describes the album as "an unconventional, eclectic mix of songs which captures the spirit of baroque, folk rock, global roots and psychedelia" while The Ringmaster Review calls the album "a resourceful, imaginative, and quite compelling release," and Dave Randall of Get Ready to Rock describes the album as "quite wonderful".

The album is available in stores throughout the United Kingdom and available internationally online.

The newest album from Dead Can Dance percussionist Peter Ulrich, The Painted Caravan weaves a blend of world roots, folk rock and baroque pop into one mesmerizing mix - the must have album of 2013 is here. Visit http://www.marketsquarerecords.co.uk/ for more information.