Cut The World by Antony and the Johnsons, released in August 2012, did remarkably well in the Netherlands for a live album. Although their four studio albums released before this sold well, the work of singer Antony Hegarty and his backing band is most impressive in a concert hall. There his penetrating voice and music full of open nerves really seem to come into its own. That is hard to match in
… a studio. Two years after Cut The World, another poignant live album from the company will be released. Turning was shot eight years earlier (November 2006) and is a collaboration with experimental filmmaker Charles Atlas. He provided the songs with thirteen filmed portraits that can be seen on an enclosed DVD. These art forms may not be for everyone, but the live CD shows that Antony and the Johnsons is one of the most accessible act from the American freak folk scene (Joanna Newsom, Devendra Benhart, CocoRosie). Besides the always interesting vocals of Hegarty and the sparse but effective accompaniment of The Johnsons, Turning is especially special because it contains a number of exclusive songs. (JE)more