Navigating by the stars: 20th birthday

[Guillaume]

For me, nothing can beat the impact of "Home" flowing into "Changing of the Light" with that single, suspended harmonica note. Brings a lump to my throat every time, because I'm a big softie...

the link from "Home" to "Changing of the light" is great, isn't it?
Same for "Blue ship" flowing to "Ocean rising", with sounds of water ocean in between the songs...wow!

[Stoney]

It's a really well put together piece of work for sure. I was watchin a documentary on Shackleton on Sunday and there was a bit where the main people in the thing went to Shackleton's grave and I was suddenly given the vision described in the song perfectly....... Fascinating stuff and a very determined and brave man without a doubt.

[Shush]

I expect its been discussed here before, but I prefer the original version of Ocean Rising on NBTS as opposed to the added to version on TIAGD. Anyone else agree, or disagree ?

[dilla]

I expect its been discussed here before, but I prefer the original version of Ocean Rising on NBTS as opposed to the added to version on TIAGD. Anyone else agree, or disagree ?

For me the TIAGD version is the stronger.IMHO The instrumental part at the end perfectly suggests a huge storm.A wonderful example of something music can do that words can't.Brilliant.

[Johnz]

I expect its been discussed here before, but I prefer the original version of Ocean Rising on NBTS as opposed to the added to version on TIAGD. Anyone else agree, or disagree ?

For me the TIAGD version is the stronger.IMHO The instrumental part at the end perfectly suggests a huge storm.A wonderful example of something music can do that words can't.Brilliant.

Gotta agree with Shush. I find the original version much more powerful and driven which is interesting as presumably the TIAGD version is meant to be more 'rocky'. I've always thought it was out of place on TIAGD.

[Fatalist]

Gave this a re-spin in the car last week on the back of this threated, and realised I wasn't in the mood cos the full band tour was imminent (for me with some dates to go to this week). When I am in the mood nothing tops this album. So atmospheric and deep, so much depth and resonance

[Greboicus]

I prefer the Navigating version of Ocean Rising as well. Although when the TIAGD one was released I thought I preferred that but over the last few years I have gone back to the original as it seems slightly more menacing. Also it didn't quite sit right in TIAGD for me, it almost needed to be an epilogue or bonus track after the rest of the album.

We got married outside a lighthouse in the NW Highlands and this was the first album on at our reception.

[Toronto Popular Front]

I expect its been discussed here before, but I prefer the original version of Ocean Rising on NBTS as opposed to the added to version on TIAGD. Anyone else agree, or disagree ?

quite agree, to me it just seemed like an album filler on TIAGD & not that vastly different

[Simon73]

Hi
I bought Navigating by the Stars after the Justin and Michael s gig in Milan, Italy in 2003. I remember I bought it from Joolz who was there at the merchandise. She told me that it was....... I can t remember the adjective she used but anyway fantastic. She was so much right. Every song of this album is stunning and my daughter Maya was born on the 24th december 2012 with Navigating by the Starts playing again and again..........................
I remember I wrote a post about it last year.
Simon

[Guillaume]

When I am in the mood nothing tops this album. So atmospheric and deep, so much depth and resonance

I agree.
The best way to experience NBTS is IMO to listen to it on headphones, at night, when you're relaxed, in your bed...it's just an incredible, transcending  journey.

[rick a.]

Another "grew on me" classic! I'll admit to being put off a bit by Justin's "whispering" vocals first time around.Now I play it alot and include a number of songs whenever I put together NMA compilations for my "hopefully soon to be fans" friends. It's a great album to introduce "people who are into mellower music" to the band. I can picture Justin sitting on that ship crossing the Atlantic working out these tunes on his guitar.

[Guillaume]

Enjoy this fine review of "Navigating by the stairs" on this music blog:

http://makeyourowntaste.com/2013/01/13/justin-sullivan-navigating-by-the-stars-2003-intense-pastoral-beauty/

Sullivan on Navigating by the Stars has produced a work on a par with Nick Drake’s Five Leaves Left,  Sandy Denny’s The North Star Grassman and the Ravens, Richard and Linda Thompson’s Pour Down Like Silver and Martyn’s Solid Air — a distinctly British folk singer-songwriter vision that offers melancholy and sorrow but also the seeds of hope and renewal through communion with our natural environment of land and water.

I like this comment under the review:


Unlike most people who have this album, I had never heard Justin Sullivan or New Model Army when I got this. I saw it somewhere, liked the song names and was intrigued because the title ‘Navigating By The Stars’ was a line from one of my own songs.

So circa 2008 I bought the CD not knowing what to expect and was immediately blown away. A fantastically cohesive, moody album with tons of artistry & depth. I have about 3,000 cds, maybe 500 cassettes, and around 200 LPs; with all of that, I’d still easily place this in my top 10 favorites.

[Shush]

Oh that was a well written review. No doubt, the writer really liked the album, no question. The references make me want to explore folk music more than I have done.

thanks for the link Guillaume 

[MARKXE]

Good review.
My favourite track on it has to be Green. Especially from the 3.44 minute mark just close your eyes and drift away.
A haunting tune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjam-T_H9_U

[Amandistan]

I first listened to it probably in 2010 but i had also discovered NMA late (about late 2007 or early 2008). I probably listened to it ten times a day for the first week. Then I listened it to go to sleep with each night. I actually think it's better then some of the NMA albums such as "No Rest"  but really not comparable. It's not a rock album and that's a good thing.

I like "Home" and "sentry" the best at the moment but my favorite tracks change very often.