| Good Music For Good People |
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Stephen Duffy (Feat. Nigel Kennedy) - Music In Colour |
"UK Reissue of Stephen Duffy`s 1993 collaboration with Nigel Kennedy. Added to the original album are demos of `It Sparkles` & `Hotel End Hotel`, and the video for `Natalie`. "5 stars... a sublime collection of shimmeringly melodic pop songs adorned with all kinds of extra layers and resonances by crackpot fiddler Nigel Kennedy. Something in the simplicity and clarity of Duffy`s songs must have sparked Kennedy`s imagination: his playing is remarkable for its variety of tones and sureness of touch, from screeching electric wah-wah passages, ambient shivers and jagged scraping noises to mock-ragas and straight-up classical cadenzas."- The Guardian. "3 stars.. third solo album, and his first solo outing following the demise of the Lilac Time, and as usual he managed to keep the listening audience guessing, and listening. Working with classical violinist Nigel Kennedy, Duffy attempted to marry classical music with straight-ahead pop songs (Duffy returned the favor, contributing to Kennedy`s CD Kafka).. Of the nine Duffy tracks, most are quite good, but never seem to reach the heights of his previous releases, either as a solo artist or as part of the Lilac Time; however, that is not to say there are not moments of sheer brilliance. The title track, "Music In Colors," is wonderful, and the added violin from Kennedy sounds truly inspiring and beautiful. When used to augment the sound and complete the sound picture, his violin does add quite a bit to the music. Other wonderful moments include the pop-driven "Natalie," with an instantly accessible tune, and the almost eerie "Charlotte`s Conversation." Again, in these instances, Kennedy`s playing is essential to the overall sound. Perhaps more songs from Duffy and no solo performances from Kennedy would have saved the final outcome. This CD is a perfect example of an album where the programming button on the CD player comes in very handy. Program the songs and leave out the "Transitoires," from Kennedy and you`re treated to a much more pleasant listening experience. In fact, this would have been much better as an EP. To his credit, Stephen Duffy made a very valid attempt at creating a new sound. What he did do is once again redefine himself in the world of popular music, and proved to his listeners that he was not content to settle into one sound and milk it. Also worth note is the incredib"-AMG.
 Listen - mp3
Listen - mp3
Listen - mp3 |
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