Rain Tree Crow


Rain Tree Crow is the sole album released by English band Rain Tree Crow, a reunion project by the members of the new wave band Japan. Recorded in 1989 and 1990 and released in April 1991, it was the first time that members David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri had collaborated as a four-piece since 1982.
The album peaked at number 24 on the UK Albums Chart.

Background and content

Trouser Press wrote: "the album doesn't sound drastically different from any of their previous work together, but successfully revives Japan's late-period neo-tribal rhythms and vaguely Asian feel."
The name Rain Tree Crow was chosen to mark a break from Japan's past, with the intention of creating a new long-term project. As the music turned out to be less commercial than originally envisaged, all members of the band aside from Sylvian became amenable to the idea of retaining the Japan moniker, in order to gain maximum exposure. However, Sylvian’s opinion prevailed and the RTC name stuck.

Release and reception

"Blackwater" was released as the album's only single and reached number 62 in the UK Singles Chart in March 1991. The album reached number 24 in the UK Albums Chart.
The album was remastered and reissued on CD in 2003. B-side track from the "Blackwater" single, "I Drink To Forget", was included on this, but omitted on the later vinyl debut edition of March 2019.

Track listing

  1. "Big Wheels in Shanty Town" – 7:08
  2. * David Sylvian – vocal, electric guitar, hammond organ, electric piano, shortwave radio, horn arrangement
  3. * Bill Nelson – additional guitar
  4. * Mick Karn – bass, brass, horn arrangement
  5. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer
  6. * Djene Doumbouya – vocal
  7. * Djanka Djabate – vocal
  8. * Steve Jansen – drums, percussion, hammond organ
  9. * Johnny Thirkell – trumpet/flugelhorn
  10. * Gary Barnacle – saxes
  11. "Every Colour You Are" – 4:46
  12. * David Sylvian – vocal, electric guitar, electric piano, shortwave radio, treatments
  13. * Phil Palmer – slide guitar
  14. * Mick Karn – bass, saxophone
  15. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer
  16. * Steve Jansen – drums, percussion
  17. "Rain Tree Crow" – 2:04
  18. * David Sylvian – vocal, percussion
  19. * Mick Karn – pipes
  20. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer
  21. * Steve Jansen – percussion
  22. "Red Earth " – 3:38
  23. * David Sylvian – slide guitar, keyboards, Indian drum
  24. * Phil Palmer – acoustic guitar
  25. * Michael Brook – bass conga
  26. * Mick Karn – bass, tabla
  27. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer
  28. * Brian Gascoigne – orchestration
  29. * Steve Jansen – ceramic drums, percussion
  30. "Pocket Full of Change" – 6:08
  31. * David Sylvian – vocal, electric guitar, organ
  32. * Michael Brook – guitar treatments
  33. * Mick Karn – bass, brass
  34. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer
  35. * Steve Jansen – drums, percussion, organ
  36. "Boat's for Burning" – 0:45
  37. * David Sylvian – vocal, electric guitar
  38. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer
  39. * Steve Jansen – tambourine
  40. "New Moon at Red Deer Wallow" – 5:12
  41. * David Sylvian – electric guitar, bass
  42. * Mick Karn – bass clarinet
  43. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer
  44. * Steve Jansen – Moroccan clay drum, fan drums
  45. "Blackwater" – 4:19
  46. * David Sylvian – vocal, electric guitar, keyboards
  47. * Bill Nelson – electric guitar
  48. * Mick Karn – bass
  49. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer
  50. * Steve Jansen – drums, percussion
  51. "A Reassuringly Dull Sunday" – 1:22
  52. * David Sylvian – organ, keyboards, percussion
  53. * Michael Brook – percussion
  54. * Mick Karn – bass clarinet, percussion
  55. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer, piano
  56. * Steve Jansen – marimba, percussion
  57. "Blackcrow Hits Shoe Shine City" – 5:14
  58. * David Sylvian – vocal, electric guitar, organ, electric piano, keyboards, treatments
  59. * Mick Karn – bass, saxophone
  60. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer
  61. * Steve Jansen – drums, percussion
  62. * Bill Nelson – blue guitar
  63. * Michael Brook – infinite guitar
  64. "Scratchings on the Bible Belt" – 2:46
  65. * David Sylvian – electric guitar, banjo, marimba, harmonium
  66. * Michael Brook – treatments
  67. * Mick Karn – bass clarinet
  68. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer, water wheel
  69. * Steve Jansen – piano, marimba, percussion
  70. "Cries and Whispers" – 2:31
  71. * David Sylvian – vocal, electric guitar, treatments
  72. * Mick Karn – bass
  73. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizer
  74. * Steve Jansen – percussion
  75. "I Drink to Forget" – 1:46
  76. * David Sylvian – piano, keyboards, percussion
  77. * Mick Karn – wine glasses
  78. * Richard Barbieri – synthesizers
  79. * Steve Jansen – wine glasses, percussion

    Additional personnel