Little Black Numbers is the second studio album by Kathryn Williams

Kathryn Williams

Kathryn Williams is an English singer-songwriter.-Background:Williams was born in Liverpool, and now lives in Newcastle upon Tyne after earning an art degree in the city. Williams released her first album, Dog Leap Stairs on her own Caw Records label in 1999 with a budget of £80...

 released by Caw Records in 2000 in the United Kingdom. The phrase "Little Black Numbers" often refers to underwear, but in this case seems to reflect the fact that several of these songs take a dark view at human nature. "We Came Down From the Trees" is a brief history of the human species, depicted as a malign animal. "We Dug a Hole" refers to the psychological place where people hide - a security blanket. Cellist Laura Reid brings a "Nick Drake" feel to the songs. She is also a player on the albums of Maxïmo Park

Maxïmo Park

Maxïmo Park are a British alternative rock band, formed in 2000. They are signed to Warp Records. The band consists of Paul Smith , Duncan Lloyd , Archis Tiku , Lukas Wooller and Tom English...

 and Cradle of Filth

Cradle of Filth

Cradle of Filth are an English extreme metal band, formed in Suffolk in 1991. The band's musical style evolved from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic black metal, and other extreme metal styles, while their lyrical themes and imagery are heavily...

. The sound is more complex than on Williams previous album, closer to classical music than folk.

There is also a song titled "Little Black Numbers" on Williams's next album, Old Low Light.

Track listing

1. "We Dug A Hole" (Kathryn Williams) – 4:26
2. "Soul To Feet" (Kathryn Williams) – 4:07
3. "Stood" (Kathryn Williams) – 3:21
4. "Jasmine Hoop" (Kathryn Williams) – 3:55
5. "Fell Down Fast" (Kathryn Williams) – 5:36
6. "Flicker" (Kathryn Williams) – 3:29
7. "Intermission" (Laura Reid, Kathryn Williams) – 1:33
8. "Tell The Truth As If It Were Lies" (Kathryn Williams) – 4:07
9. "Morning Song" (Kathryn Williams) – 2:33
10. "Toocan" (Kathryn Williams) – 2:24
11. "Each Star We See" (Kathryn Williams, Dan Moscardi) – 4:27
12. "We Came Down From The Trees" (Kathryn Williams) – 3:46

Personnel

• Kathryn Williams - vocals, guitar
• Laura Reid - cello
• Alex Tustin - drums, congas, bongos, tambourine, shaker
• David Scott - classical guitar, vocals
• Jonny Bridgwood - double bass
• Laura Mundy - flute
• Emma Williams - vocals
• Mike Latham - vocals
• Dan Robinson - tablas
• Dan Moscardini - 12 string guitar, Hammond organ, vocals, glockenspiel
• Neil Le Flohic - vocals
• Amy Reid - saxophone
• Dan Robinson - piano