The story behind this album is an inspiring and strangely compelling one. Sibylle Baier was an aspiring folk singer in the early 1970's. While she had been a musician for most of her life, she was only inspired to write music when she took a trip through the Swiss Alps en route to Genoa, Italy. The result was this album, which she committed to tape and then pushed to the back of her mind, focusing on raising a family instead.
Fast forward thirty years. Sibylle has long since moved to the US to raise her children. One of said children, her son Robby, made CD copies of the recording and gave them to friends and family. Of course, the story of this album's release wouldn't be possible without a generous benefactor, none other than Dinosaur Jr. singer and guitarist J Mascis. One of Robby's CDs managed to make its way into J's hands, and J sent it along to Orange Twin Records, home of Jeff Mangum's post-Neutral Milk Hotel projects, and they released it in 2006. A beautiful story for a beautiful album.
As for the actual music, it sounds pretty much exactly like I described: melancholy, lo-fi folk from before lo-fi was a term. It could've been recorded today and no one really would've batted an eyelash. If you're a Nick Drake fan, you're pretty much obligated to pick this up. Try to buy it if you can.
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By the way (semi-hijack here), Sibylle's reason for making music is totally justified. The Swiss Alps might just be the most beautiful place on the planet, and they're most certainly the most beautiful mountain range. I was there last summer, and they're absolutely breathtaking. Any picture you see of them only cheapens their beauty, you really have to see them for yourself, especially at twilight by a lake high in the mountains. The cool mountain air, the dim lights of a town not far away... everything's just breathtaking. Here's a few photo highlights of my trip for your viewing pleasure anyway (click for larger versions):
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