US composer/arranger/songwriter Van Dyke Parks, most famous for his involvement in The Beach Boy’s Smile and for scoring the orchestral accompaniment to Joanna Newsom’s masterful Ys, is set to play a career retrospective set at London’s Barbican on Saturday 23rd June. Joining Parks onstage will be with Britten Sinfonia, providing full orchestral accompaniment, and guest voices from Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes, and Grizzly Bear’s Daniel Rossen.
The show arrives to accompany the reissue of Parks’ three legendary solo albums, Song Cycle, Discover America and Clang Of The Yankee Reaper. All three are being reissued in June by Bella Union, and the show will find Parks performing music from across his entire career – so expect to hear songs from these three on the evening. Their reissue on Bella Union is telling in itself – in their skilful blending of influences and evocation of a particular view of America, Parks’ early solo records pre-empted and informed the work of many of the label’s current artists.
Tickets are between £15 and £25 and can be bought here. Support on the night comes from Gaby Moreno.
