Brian Eno is MORE DARK THAN SHARK

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The Guardian APRIL 7, 2001 - by John Aizlewood

BRIAN ENO AND J. PETER SCHWALM: DRAWN FROM LIFE

These are busy times for Brian Eno, on one hand settling commercial scores with production duties for U2 and James, on the other hooking up with yet another musical partner to hitch a ride further into the ambient hinterland. J. Peter Schwalm is a conservatory-trained German percussionist, but there is little percussion (and even that is played by Heiko Himmighoffen) on this gentle, sometimes sterile album. Eno prefers to utilise Schwalm's talents as a co-composer and mixer. The pair bring a serenity to Nell Catchpole's vigorous strings on Persis and subtly leaven Laurie Anderson's booming voice on Like Pictures Part #2, while children's voices bring welcome humanity to Bloom. Towards the end, some childish jiggerypokery involving two lengthy silences rather undermines the pair's thoughtful approach, but for the most part Drawn From Life is beguiling.