Introduction Collaborative project between SW and Israeli musician and songwriter Aviv Geffen. In November 2000 Porcupine Tree visited Israel for the first time with the help of Aviv Geffen, a hugely popular artist in Israel. They played three concerts and Aviv came on stage to sing Russia on Ice and Feel So Low with the band. Subsequently Aviv and Steven became good friends, resulting in them collaborating on the musical project Blackfield. The resulting album was recorded over the next 3 years, and was issued by Helicon/Universal in February 2004, but later picked up for worldwide release by Snapper Music in August 2004. A number of singles have also been issued, two of which reached number one in Israel. Two years back and forth on the London-Tel-Aviv flight path, a mutual artistic curiosity, and a close friendship are the components that gave birth to Aviv and Steven's Blackfield project. Aviv Geffen, a highly successful solo artist and outspoken (not to mention controversial) peace campaigner, with a string of gold albums in his own country, discovered the music of Steven's band Porcupine Tree in the mid 90's and followed their career development. In 2000 he invited the band to perform some concerts in Israel and met with Steven in London to discuss the idea. Something clicked and before long they had already collaborated on the very first Blackfield song. In 2001 the two met in a studio in Tel Aviv with the intention of recording a one-off EP. So pleased were they and the record company with the results however, that the EP originally scheduled for release in 2001 was cancelled and the decision was made to continue writing and recording with the aim of completing a full length LP. Over the next 18 months the pair fitted in Blackfield writing and recording sessions whenever they could between their other commitments and finally in October 2003 the album was complete. The collaborative songs alongside songs written by each separately brought a unique meeting of cultures, which resulted in a sophisticated, melodic and melancholic rock album. The 10 track album was first issued by Helicon/Universal in Israel in February 2004 and spawned two huge hit singles in "Hello" and "Pain". The success of the album meant that the next step to making Blackfield a live band could be taken, and in February a 5 piece band version of Blackfield made their debut by performing on several prime time Israeli TV shows. In the meantime an international release for the album was arranged through Snapper Music in the UK, and the album was issued in August to phenomenal reviews in Europe and America, many hailing it as a masterpiece and an instant classic. Aviv and Steven undertook a major promotional campaign and the live band played two special concerts to launch the album, one each in their two home towns of Tel Aviv and London. The Blackfield album looks set to be one of the most important releases of 2004.
CD: IL Helicon Ltd. – HL8199 UK Snapper Music – SDPCD199 (Released June 2006)
Players: Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen The Illusion Quartet – Strings conducted by Daniel Salomon (on 1, 5, 7 and 10) Gavin Harrison – Drums (on 1 and 6), Chris Maitland – Drums (on 2, 9 and 10), Jeremy Kaplan – Drums (on 3 and 7) Music on "Scars" performed by "The Mistakes"
Tracks: 1. Open Mind 2. Blackfield 3. Glow 4. Scars 5. Lullaby 6. Pain 7. Summer 8. Cloudy Now 9. The Hole In Me 10. Hello
3:49 4:06 4:00 3:57 3:29 3:47 4:12 3:34 2:47 3:09
Credits: All songs written by Aviv Geffen & Steven Wilson except "Blackfield" and
"Lullaby" by Steven Wilson, "Pain" and "The Hole In Me" by Aviv Geffen. All songs produced and performed by Blackfield: Aviv Geffen and Steven Wilson Except music on "Scars" performed by "The Mistakes". Recorded at various times between 2001-2003. Studios: ZaZa – Tel Aviv, Israel; Hamon – Tel Aviv, Israel; New Rising – Colchester, UK; No Man's Land – Hemel Hempstead, UK. Final mixes by Steven Wilson at No Man's Land, UK, September 2003. Technical Assistance: Shlomi Keynan, Barak Gabison, Eyal Dafna. Mastering: Abbey Road by Chris Blair Executive Producer: Tami Szatmary Production Manager: Riki Goldshtein Promotion: Inbal Chen, Hagit Yaari Photography: Lasse Hoile Photograph of Blackfield in the inner inlay by Ofir Kedmi Designer: Ran Barlev
Steven Wilson – The Complete Discography (8th Edition – March 2009)
Blackfield (Double Vinyl) June 2004 Limited to 1,000 copies, this vinyl edition comes with a bonus 12 inch single, gatefold sleeve and poster.
CD: US Gates of Dawn – GOD008
Players: Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen The Illusion Quartet – Strings conducted by Daniel Salomon (on A1, A5, B2, B5) Gavin Harrison – Drums (on A1; B1 & C1), Chris Maitland – Drums (on A2, B4 & B5), Jeremy Kaplan – Drums (on A3 & B2) Music on "Scars" performed by "The Mistakes"
Tracks: Side A: 1. Open Mind 2. Blackfield 3. Glow 4. Scars 5. Lullaby Side B: 1. Pain 2. Summer 3. Cloudy Now 4. The Hole In Me 5. Hello Side C: 1. Perfect World Side D: 1. Feel So Low
3:49 4:06 4:00 3:57 3:29
3:47 4:12 3:34 2:47 3:09
3:50
3:42
Credits: All songs written by Aviv Geffen & Steven Wilson except "Blackfield", "Lullaby" and "Feel So Low" by Steven Wilson, "Pain" and "The Hole In Me" by Aviv Geffen. All songs produced and performed by Blackfield: Aviv Geffen and Steven Wilson Except music on "Scars" performed by "The Mistakes". Recorded at various times between 2001-2003. Studios: ZaZa – Tel Aviv, Israel; Hamon – Tel Aviv, Israel; New Rising – Colchester, UK; No Man's Land – Hemel Hempstead, UK. Final mixes by Steven Wilson at No Man's Land, UK, September 2003. Technical Assistance: Shlomi Keynan, Barak Gabison, Eyal Dafna. Mastering: Abbey Road by Chris Blair Executive Producer for LP edition: Michael Piper Photography and LP design by Lasse Hoile Photograph of Blackfield in the inner inlay by Ofir Kedmi
Note: "Feel So Low" is a version of the Porcupine Tree song, sung half in Hebrew by Aviv and half in English by SW.
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The Complete SW Discography ▪ Blackfield
Blackfield (International Edition) August 2004 The international edition comes in a fold out digipack with three extra tracks and the video for "Blackfield" (on bonus CD on the UK edition).
CD: UK K-Scope/Snapper – SMASCD880 US Koch Entertainment – KOC-CD-9685 (released February 2005 on one CD)
Players: Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen The Illusion Quartet – Strings conducted by Daniel Salomon (on 1, 5, 7 and 10) Gavin Harrison – Drums (on 1, 6 and CD2 Track1), Chris Maitland – Drums (on 2, 9 and 10), Jeremy Kaplan – Drums (on 3 and 7) Music on "Scars" performed by "The Mistakes" Live band on Cloudy Now: SW & Aviv Geffen – Vocals/Guitars, Daniel Salomon – Keyboards, Seffy Efrati – Bass, Chris Maitland – Drums/Backing Vocals
Tracks: CD1: 1. Open Mind 2. Blackfield 3. Glow 4. Scars 5. Lullaby 6. Pain 7. Summer 8. Cloudy Now 9. The Hole In Me 10. Hello CD2: 1. Perfect World 2. Where Is My Love? 3. Cloudy Now (Live) Enhanced track: Blackfield (video directed by Lasse Hoile)
3:49 4:06 4:00 3:57 3:29 3:47 4:12 3:34 2:47 3:09
3:53 3:02 3:44
Credits: All songs written by Aviv Geffen & Steven Wilson except "Blackfield" and "Lullaby" by Steven Wilson, "Pain", "The Hole In Me" and "Where Is My Love" by Aviv Geffen. All songs produced and performed by Blackfield: Aviv Geffen and Steven Wilson Except music on "Scars" performed by "The Mistakes". Recorded at various times between 2001-2003. Studios: ZaZa – Tel Aviv, Israel; Hamon – Tel Aviv, Israel; New Rising – Colchester, UK; No Man's Land – Hemel Hempstead, UK. Final mixes by Steven Wilson at No Man's Land, UK, September 2003. Technical Assistance: Shlomi Keynan, Barak Gabison, Eyal Dafna. Mastering: Abbey Road by Chris Blair Executive Producer: Tami Szatmary Production Manager: Riki Goldshtein Promotion: Inbal Chen, Hagit Yaari Photography: Lasse Hoile Photograph of Blackfield in the inner inlay by Ofir Kedmi Designer: Ran Barlev
Note (taken from the official Blackfield website): The whole US edition album master was created with standard 2 second pauses between tracks, so instead of the carefully designed links the preceding song cuts off, followed by the 2 second pause, followed by the next song starting abruptly.
Steven Wilson – The Complete Discography (8th Edition – March 2009)
Blackfield II February 2007 Vinyl edition was limited to 1000 copies.
CD: UK Snapper Music– SMASCD900 IL Helicon Ltd. – HL8276 US Atlantic / We Put Out Records – 100360 (released March 2007)
Vinyl: US Gates of Dawn – GOD 012
Players: Aviv Geffen – Keyboards, additional Guitars, Vocals (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) Steven Wilson – Guitars, additional Keyboards, Vocals (3, 6, 9, 10) Daniel Salomon – Piano Seffy Efrati – Bass Guitar Tomer Z – Drums, Percussion Ofer Meiri – Additional Keyboards and Pprogramming on "1,000 People" Harel Ben-Ami – Electric and Acoustic Guitar on "1,000 People" Itmar Leshem – French Horn on "1,000 People" Richard Barbieri – Electric Piano and Stylophone on "Christenings" Gavin Harrison – Drums on "Christenings" Daniella Pick – Backing Vocals on "Epidemic" Eran Mitelman – Electric Piano on "My Gift Of Silence
Tracks: 1. Once 2. 1, 000 People 3. Miss U 4. Christenings 5. This Killer 6. Epidemic 7. My Gift Of Silence 8. Some Day 9. Where Is My Love? 10. End Of The World
4:03 3:54 4:13 4:37 4:06 4:59 4:05 4:22 2:59 5:13
Credits: Produced and mixed by Steven Wilson in Tel Aviv and London Feb-June 2006.
Recording Engineer: Reuven Schapira String arrangements by Aviv Geffen, performed by The Downtown Session Orchestra, under the direction of Daniel Salomon. 1, 4, 7 music and lyrics by Steven Wilson, published by Hands Off It's Mine Publishing. 3, 5, 8, 9, 10 music and lyrics by Aviv Geffen published by copyright control, except 9 published by Helicon Songs. 2, 6 music by Aviv Geffen, lyrics by Aviv Geffen / Steven Wilson, published by Helicon Songs / Hands Off It's Mine Publishing. Production Manager – Ori Avni Blackfield and SW management by Andy Leff for Acme Music. Aviv Geffen management by Meir Kotler. Artwork, photography and design by Carl Glover for Aleph. Band photography by Robin.
The Complete SW Discography ▪ Blackfield ▪ Promotional Releases
Promotional Releases
Hello 2001 This was a one track CD single pressed up by Helicon, Israel in 2001. This was a proper CD single with full artwork, but it was never issued because the decision was made to cancel the planned 6 track mini EP album and work on a full album. But there are around 50 copies printed.
CD: IL Helicon Ltd. – CSDJ283
Players: Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen, Chris Maitland – Drums
Tracks: 1. Hello
3:07
Credits: Lyrics by Aviv Geffen and Steven Wilson/Music by Aviv Geffen Produced and performed by Blackfield (Aviv Geffen & Steven Wilson) Winter 2001. Drums by Chris Maitland courtesy of Porcupine Tree. Recorded at New Rising Studio, Colchester, England and mixed at No Man's Land, England. Pre-production at Hook Studio, Tel-Aviv. Technical Assistance: Mark Daghorn, Eyal Dafna Mastered at the Town house, London by Geoff Pesche Photography: Hanna Sahar/Cover Design: Ran Barlev
Note: This is a different version to the eventually released 2003 one. There are no strings overdubbed and the mix is different.
Blackfield May 2003 Promotional pressing of 10 tracks from the work in progress Blackfield album, limited to 10 copies.
Vinyl:
UK Headphone Dust – BFLP7
Players: Steven Wilson Aviv Geffen
Tracks: ????
Steven Wilson – The Complete Discography (8th Edition – March 2009)
Credits: Produced and performed by Blackfield: Aviv Geffen and Steven Wilson
Published by Helicon Songs Ltd. Strings performed by the Illusion quartet conducted by Daniel Salomon Studios: New Rising – Colchester, UK; No Man's Land Hemel Hempstead 2003. Final mixes by Steven Wilson at No Man's Land, UK, September 2003. Technical Assistance: Shlomi Keynan, Barak Gabison, Eyal Dafna. Mastering: Abbey Road by Chris Blair Photography: Lasse Hoile Designer: Ran Barlev Video directed by Lasse Hoile.
Pain January 2004
CD: IL Helicon Ltd. – CSDJ392
Players: Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen, Gavin Harrison – Drums
Tracks: 1. Pain (album version)
3:47
Credits: Lyrics & Music – Aviv Geffen Produced and performed by Blackfield: Aviv Geffen and Steven Wilson Published by Helicon Songs Ltd. Recorded at various times between 2001-2003. New Rising – Colchester, UK; No Man's Land Hemel Hempstead. Final mixes by Steven Wilson at No Man's Land, UK, September 2003. Technical assistance: Shlomi Keynan, Barak Gabison, Eyal Dafna. Mastering: Abbey Road by Chris Blair Photography: Lasse Hoile
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The Complete SW Discography ▪ Blackfield ▪ Promotional Releases
Blackfield March 2004
CD: IL Helicon Ltd. – CSDJ404
Players: Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen, Chris Maitland – Drums
Tracks: 1. Blackfield (album version)
4:06
Credits: Lyrics & Music – Steven Wilson Produced and performed by Blackfield: Aviv Geffen and Steven Wilson Published by Helicon Songs Ltd. Recorded at various times between 2001-2003. New Rising – Colchester, UK; No Man's Land Hemel Hempstead. Final mixes by Steven Wilson at No Man's Land, UK, September 2003. Technical assistance: Shlomi Keynan, Barak Gabison, Eyal Dafna. Mastering: Abbey Road by Chris Blair Photography: Lasse Hoile
Cloudy Now May 2004
CD: IL Helicon Ltd. – CSDJ409
Players: Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen
Tracks: 1. Cloudy Now (album version)
3:34
Credits: Lyrics – Aviv Geffen & Steven Wilson, Music – Aviv Geffen Produced and performed by Blackfield: Aviv Geffen and Steven Wilson Published by Helicon Songs Ltd. Recorded at various times between 2001-2003. Studio: No Man's Land Hemel Hempstead. Final mixes by Steven Wilson at No Man's Land, UK, September 2003. Technical assistance: Shlomi Keynan, Barak Gabison, Eyal Dafna. Mastering: Abbey Road by Chris Blair Photography: Lasse Hoile
Players: Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen, Chris Maitland – Drums
Tracks: 1. Blackfield (edit)
3:41
Credits: Lyrics & Music – Steven Wilson Produced and performed by Blackfield: Aviv Geffen and Steven Wilson Published by Helicon Songs Ltd. Recorded at various times between 2001-2003. New Rising – Colchester, UK; No Man's Land Hemel Hempstead. Final mixes by Steven Wilson at No Man's Land, UK, September 2003. Technical assistance: Shlomi Keynan, Barak Gabison, Eyal Dafna. Mastering: Abbey Road by Chris Blair Photography: Lasse Hoile
Blackfield (10 Track CD–R Promo)
June 2004 This promo is only a CD-R.
CD:
UK K-Scope/Snapper – no catalogue number
Tracks: Same as regular release
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The Complete SW Discography ▪ Blackfield ▪ Promotional Releases
Blackfield (10 Track Promo)
June 2004
CD:
UK K-Scope/Snapper – SMACD880P
Tracks: Same as regular release
4 Track Sampler June 2004
CD: UK K-Scope/Snapper – no catalogue number
Tracks: 1. Blackfield 2. Scars 3. Pain 4. Hello
4:06 3:57 3:47 3:09
Blackfield (US Promo) 2005
CD: US KOCH Records – KOC-DS-9685
Players: Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen, Chris Maitland – Drums
Tracks: 1. Blackfield (edit)
3:41
Steven Wilson – The Complete Discography (8th Edition – March 2009)
Hello November 2003 The video for "Hello" was directed and filmed by Lasse Hoile in London and Copenhagen in October 2003. It appears on the promo CD Single of "Hello" (Helicon Ltd. – CSDJ283) and is also still available via Lasse Hoile's website in Quicktime format.
3:11
Blackfield June 2004 The video for "Blackfield" was directed and filmed by Lasse Hoile in the UK to promote the international version of their "Blackfield" album through Snapper Music. The video appears on the "Blackfield (International Edition)" album and is also still available via Lasse Hoile's website in Quicktime format.
3:27
Pain October 2004 Director Lasse Hoile has edited footage from Blackfield's live performance filmed at Blackfield's performance at the Astoria, London on September 10th, 2004. The video is also still available via the Blackfield website in Quicktime format.
3:53
Blackfield – Music Video 2004 Rare promo Video CD-R with a video clip of the song "Blackfield".
Live in New York City October 2007 Filmed at the Bowery Ballroom in New York on March 2007, the DVD includes the full performance of 18 songs. The audio is in stereo and 5.1 surround sound. Also includes the promo videos for the three singles from the debut album.
DVD: UK Snapper Music – SMADVD055
Players: Steven Wilson / Vocals, Electric Guitar Aviv Geffen – Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Keyboards Eran Mitelman – Keyboards Seffy Efrati – Bass Guitar Tomer Z – Drums
Tracks: 1. Once 2. Miss U 3. Blackfield 4. Christenings 5. The Hole In Me 6. 1,000 People 7. Pain 8. Glow 9. Thank You 10. Epidemic 11. Someday 12. Open Mind 13. My Gift Of Silence 14. Where Is My Love? 15. End Of The World 16. Hello 17. Once (Encore) 18. Cloudy Now Bonus Material Promo Videos for Hello, Pain, and Blackfield, directed by Lasse Hoile
Recorded At The Bowery Ballroom, NYC on 16th March 2007 Recording Engineer: Nir Z Audio mixed by Steven Wilson at No Man's Land Edited by Lasse Hoile Filmed by Studio M DVD authoring by Opus Productions Front of House Sound – Ian Bond Stage Technician – Ori Avni Tour Management – Adrian Holmes Graphic Design and New York photograph by Carl Glover for Aleph All Blackfield photos by Shahar Azran / POLARIS
Credits:
The Complete SW Discography ▪ Blackfield ▪ Internet Releases/Download Store
Steven Wilson – The Complete Discography (8th Edition – March 2009)
The Art Of Sysyphus Volume 27 August 2004 CD: DE Sysyphus Records – T.A.O.S. 27 CD issued with the German Rock magazine "Eclipsed" (Nr. 65, 09/2004), contains the track "Hello" (3:03).
Out There – The Future Of Prog Rock September 2004 CD: UK Future Publishing – ROC71/10/04 Sampler CD issued with the British Classic Rock magazine (No. 71, 10/2004), contains in addition to Blackfield's "Open Mind" (3:49) the tracks "Sever" from Porcupine Tree and "Hope Leaves" from Opeth.
Burn! 6 2004 CD: IT Classix! – 2789-BURN6-19698 Sampler CD that contains in addition to Blackfield's "Open Mind" (3:50) the track "Happiness" (5:20) from the Paatos album "Kallocain".
The Weekly Express Video (Feb 05/Week Two) February 2005 DVD: US Promo Only – no catalogue number Promo DVD from Promo Only, a promotional service for professional disc jockeys, radio stations or music industry professionals. This DVD is from their "Express Video" series and contains the video for "Blackfield" (3:57).
The Complete SW Discography ▪ Blackfield ▪Various Artists
Koch Records Februaray 2005 New Release Sampler March 2005 CD: US Koch Records – KOCFEB Sampler from Koch Records with various artists from the label. The CD contains the album version of "Blackfield" (4:06).
Porcupine Tree Sampler 2005 March 2005 CD: UK Transmission – 3.1 A low priced 77 minute sampler of solo/collaboration projects by the members of Porcupine Tree that was originally sold during the PT tour 2005. It contains, among others, the Blackfield track "Hello" (3:06).
Independants (CE) '05 2005 DVD/CD: US Sonopress – SXSW 2005 DualDisc that contains a various artists sampler on the CD Player side and music videos and the entire album in PCM stereo on the DVD side. Blackfield is not on the regular audio album, but the video clip for "Blackfield" (3:27) is on the DVD side.
Le Sampler Rock Hard No 62 February 2007 CD: FR Rock Hard – RHGME062 Sampler CD issued with the French "Rock Hard" magazine (No 62). It contains the Blackfield track "Once" (?:??).
The Art Of Sysyphus Volume 39 February 2007 CD: DE Sysyphus Records – T.A.O.S. 39 CD issued with the German Rock magazine "Eclipsed" (Nr. 89, 02/2007), contains the Blackfield track "End Of The World" (4:59).
Steven Wilson – The Complete Discography (8th Edition – March 2009)
British Music At Midem Sampler 2007 2007 CD: UK Bristish Phonographic Industry Ltd. – no catalogue number Promo CD sampler of the Bristish Phonographic Industry Ltd. Issued for Midem 2007 (Midem is an annual music trade show), contains the Blackfield track "Once" (4:59).
The Complete SW Discography ▪ Blackfield ▪ Counterfeits/Pirates/Fakes
Steven Wilson – The Complete Discography (8th Edition – March 2009)
Open Mind Coloured 6" flexi disc from Budkon (#6936) with an excerpt of "Open Mind" (2:09). Note that "Porcupine Tree" is printed on the front cover instead of "Blackfield".
Blackfield Identifiable by the words "plus 4 HIDDEN BONUS TRACKS" on the CD label and a complete black background on the CD spine.
Blackfield II The artwork is not so easy to differentiate, but the print quality on the CD label is pretty poor (diffuse, wrong colouring). On the front cover the "Blackfield" lettering use also a different colouring, it's more like a brown yellow, where the original uses more a sandy yellow colouring.
Live In New York City (DVD) Easy identifiable by the fact that the counterfeit comes in a small CD-size cover while the original release is packed in a book-sized DVD digipack with a high quality cardboard sleeve. On the DVD label of the counterfeit the Kscope label is missing between the catalog number (SMADVD055) and the DVD Video logo, also the colouring is different (with a kind of a blue cast instead of black & white).
