Rain Tree Crow

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.

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.

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 (as Phantom Horns)
10. Gary Barnacle – saxes (as Phantom Horns)
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 (As Summertime Ends)" – 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" (2003 reissue bonus track) – 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