| Bill Nelson Video |
Stills from:
Bill's New Video Project, written by Jon Wallinger
If you’ve been keeping up with Bill’s diary, you’ll be aware that he’s got a new toy. A snazzy computer, with a video editing program.
The original idea was for Bill to create a video, along with a new piece of music, to put on the Internet at the rate of one-per-month. Then for a small fee, fans could download them, to build their own collection.
This is almost certainly not going to happen. However, I know Bill is keen to let you lot get your hands on these little gems. The most probable way will be a release on video or DVD as a collection, to be bought via mail-order (or something).
The second problem is that Bill still has no recording equipment, so the videos had to be put to existing tracks. But he has chosen some wonderful pieces to put his visual ideas to, tracks from ‘Chance Encounters’, ‘Magnificent Dream People’, ‘Practically Wired’, ‘Weird Critters’, ‘Catalogue Of Obsessions’ and the yet to be released ‘Console’.
The collection Bill gave me consists of the twelve masterpieces he had completed at the time. In the last few weeks, he has done several more, so this may, or may not be the finished collection, for what I am sure will be the first of many video releases.
The set starts off with ‘Hastening The Chariot Of My Heart’s Desire’. A voyage into unknown Japanese territory. Trains on a turbulent race against time, with haunting flashbacks that instill a feeling of déjà vu.
‘Sun At Six Windows’. This beautiful piano piece is perfectly complimented by tranquil images of rippling water pitted by rain, then the stony beauty of garden statues drift away as a river boat takes us on a journey downstream.
‘Spinning Planet’. Moving on to another part of the world, a bizarre cocktail of shots depicting a view of America. We see skyscrapers and city skylines, snippets from television, a goldfish? Line dancers and at last, the briefest glimpse of the man himself, waving into a mirror and also playing guitar at one of his record store shows. Trams, hotel corridors and congested roads (sorry, highways) so many images squeezed into a fabulous four and a half minutes.
‘Aura Hole’. Reminisce at the sight of an old-fashioned steam train, brought bang up to date with the taint of graffiti. Bill’s fascination with time and travel once again becomes apparent. It features Emiko blowing dandelion ‘clocks’, and Bill films himself (at arms length), which makes for an original, yet strange picture.
‘Our Lady Of Apparitions’. A succession of thought provoking images, creating a feeling of secrecy and intrigue. The Virgin Mary, ethnic faces and toys from the 50’s. Where has he taken us now? What time is it now? Only Bill knows the answer.
‘Realm Rider’. This offering features Bill modeling a sparkly cowboy hat, whilst deft camera work traces the curves and runs up the strings of his guitar collection, mesmeric strobing effects - oh, and the cat?
‘Consolamentum’. Water and sailboats, lily pads and ducks, Emiko and snow, squirrels and horses. Tranquil and mood enhancing scenes, colour washed with blue and violet hues…Ahh!
‘A Promise Of Perfume’. More visions of charm and elegance, an ants-eye view of meadows and poppies, as gliding planes transpire to street lamps.
‘Calling Heaven’. Gothic ceilings lead you in a candlelit journey to reveal snowstorms and clouds. Revelations from oceans and Buddhist temples all contribute, to provide this hypnotic experience.
‘No Bee In His Bonnet’. A sombre sounding start combines clean geometric objects with the fluidity of flying birds and a walking Emiko. Then the mood changes and we find Bill donning clown and rabbit masks, it seems the real becomes quite surreal and makes for an eerie ending.
‘Wonderful Weather In Woodgates Lane’. Negative polarisation dominates this most beautiful piano piece. I think the feel of these videos peaks here. The artistic interpretation of the beauty all around us and in everyday objects are captured then displayed. Most of us live our lives oblivious to this beauty, not Bill. Thankfully he’s chosen to share it with us.
‘Painted Boats On Still Waters’. Not sure if this one will ever be released, there are a couple of glitches on the soundtrack that Bill’s not happy with. Personally, I don’t think it spoils things too much. This video is exactly what the title suggests, only the boats have been painted by Bill (and his trusty computer). A solitary glove floating on the water seems to be symbolic of hidden dangers lurking below. So this charming video brings us to the end of a collection you should all be keen to get your hands on.
Looking at the whole picture, these videos help us understand Bill’s inner soul, his dreams and visions. Because of this, they all seem to have a similar feel to them. The colour rendering is prolific throughout, and sometimes the same images crop up in different videos, this is due to Bill using any footage he could find to get to grips with the editing programme. That’s right, the early ones were just practice videos, but luckily for us, Bill has realised they are too good to be missed.
All I would ask of Bill now, and he knows this because we’ve discussed it, is that we see more of the creator in future videos. So come on Bill, I know you’re a shy man, but how can we grin at your latest choice of glasses if we don’t get to see them?
Hopefully on the cards will be a staged video, complete with storyline and miming muso’s. Even though this sounds more like a conventional ‘pop’ video, I’m sure it won’t look like one after Bill’s finished.
Hope you all get to check this lot out soon!
Finally, just like to thank Tania for her invaluable assistance and opinion during this preview, and of course to Bill for letting me write about them, Hopefully he may trust me with writing a few words for you in the future.
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