'Til the Band Comes In
'Til the Band Comes In | ||||
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rock | ||||
Length | 41:12 | |||
Label | Philips 6308 035 BGO Records (1996 re-issue) Water Records (2008 re-issue) | |||
Producer | John Franz | |||
Scott Walker chronology | ||||
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Singles from 'Til the Band Comes In | ||||
'Til the Band Comes In is the sixth solo studio album by the American singer-songwriter Scott Walker. It was released in December 1970 but failed to chart. Three singles were released from the album. The title track backed with "Jean the Machine" was released in the Netherlands. "Jean the Machine" and "Thanks For Chicago Mr. James" were each released in Japan. No singles were released in the UK. The release is a loose concept album about the inhabitants of a tenement.
Walker wrote the songs for the album quickly while on a working holiday in Greece in September 1970.
The original liner notes were by Walker's then-manager Ady Semel with cover photography by Michael Joseph.
Recording and music
After the critical and commercial failure of Walker's previous album, Walker made several compromises with his manager and record company in an effort to restore his career momentum. The most apparent commercial decision was the singer's return to his stage name having chosen to be credited under his birth name, Scott Engel for the first time on his previous album Scott 4.
The album was split between the opening ten original compositions and five interpretations of middle-of-the-road standards and pop songs. Walker also took the unusual step of sharing his writing credits with his new manager Ady Semel. Walker summarised the collaboration with Semel: "He acts as my censor, vetting all my lyrics and striking out the words likely to harm old ladies".[1] Walker also brought in Esther Ofarim, another singer managed by Semel, as a guest vocalist on "Long About Now".
The album marked the last time Walker would release any original material until The Walker Brothers' album Nite Flights in 1978.
Reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Pitchfork Media | 8.4/10[8] |
At the time of release 'Til the Band Comes In received negative reviews by the majority of critics. Critical reception of the album has warmed considerably since Walker was critically reappraised in the decades following
Dave Thompson writing retrospectively for
Britpop band Pulp implied that the second side of the album was significantly weaker than the first in the lyrics of their 2001 single "Bad Cover Version". Walker produced the song and its parent album We Love Life, although Pulp vocalist Jarvis Cocker states the song was written long before Walker became involved in the project. Cocker also said that he was nervous about singing the line in front of Walker, although states when it came to it Walker either did not notice or did not care.[citation needed]
Track listing
All tracks are written by A. Semel/S. Walker, except where noted
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Prologue" | 1:23 |
2. | "Little Things (That Keep Us Together)" | 2:18 |
3. | "Joe" | 3:42 |
4. | "Thanks for Chicago Mr. James" | 2:18 |
5. | "Long About Now" (Sung by Esther Ofarim) | 2:06 |
6. | "Time Operator" | 3:37 |
7. | "Jean the Machine" | 2:10 |
8. | "Cowbells Shakin'" | 1:06 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
9. | "'Til the Band Comes In" | 3:50 | |
10. | "The War Is Over (Sleepers)" | 3:36 | |
11. | "Stormy" | Jimmie F. Rodgers | 2:26 |
Personnel
- Scott Walker – vocals, main performer
- Esther Ofarim – vocals on "Long About Now"
- John Franz - Producer
- Angela Morley – Musical director (tracks 1 to 10)
- Peter Knight – Musical director (tracks 11 to 15)
- Peter Olliff - Sound Engineer
- Michael Joseph - Cover Photograph
- Ady Semel – original liner notes
- Alan Clayson – reissue liner notes
Release history
Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalogue |
---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | December 1970[9] | Philips | LP | SBL 7913 |
UK | August 12, 1996[9] | BGO Records | CD | 6308 035 |
United States | September 2, 2008 | Water Records | CD | water226 |
External links
References
- ^ ISBN 1-85227-482-4.
- ^ "45cat - Scott Walker - Til The Band Comes In / Jean The Machine - Philips - Netherlands - 6006 107". 45cat. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
- ^ "45cat - Scott Walker - Jean The Machine / Joe - Philips - Japan - SFL-1308". 45cat. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
- ^ "45cat - Scott Walker - Thanks For Chicago Mr. James / The Hills Of Yesterday - Philips - Japan - SFL-1329". 45cat. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
- ISBN 978-1-906002-25-1.
- ^ Minsker, Evan. Scott Walker's First Five Albums To Be Reissued
- ^ a b c Thompson, Dave. Allmusic review
- ^ a b c Plagenhoef, Scott. Pitchfork Media review
- ^ a b "Release: 'Til the Band Comes In – MusicBrainz". Retrieved 2010-08-10.