Customer Reviews

Beggar on a Beach of Gold

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A trend that emerged in the mid 1980s was the emergence of the Supergroup. Mike + The Mechanics was one such supergroup that was formed as a side project by Genesis Guitar and Bass player Mike Rutherford and would feature vocalists Paul Carrack (formerly of Squeeze) and Paul Young (formerly of Sad Cafe). This side project would lead to commercial and critical success. Their first album, the self-titled album "Mike + The Mechanics" would have some commercial success - including three Top 40 hits. Their second album "Living Years" produced a #1 song and Record of the Year candidate in the title track - as well as commercial success. In 1991 Mike + The Mechanics would release their third album, "Word of Mouth". While this album still lived up to the quality of the previous albums, the band would run into the problem that many artists have when they try for that third consecutive commercially successful album - they strike out. Unfortunately for their 4th release, 1995's "Beggar on a Beach of Gold", it too did not do well commercially. Like "Word of Mouth", this album would still have the high musical standards Mike + The Mechanics fans have become accustomed to, but this album will incorporate some different styles not seen by the band (i.e. Progressive Elements, Motown)

This is the first album where there is a lineup change in the band. The big change is that keyboardist Adrian Lee is demoted to studio musician status. The other original members Rutherford, Carrack, Young, and drummer Peter Van Hooke remain. As he has on the previous three albums, Christopher Neil returns as producer. The high quality of songwriting continues with Neil, B.A. Robertson and Paul Carrack (who started making songwriting contributions on "Word of Mouth") teaming up with Rutherford (who writes all of the original material). Another big change is the band does two "cover" songs: Smokey Robinson's "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and Stevie Wonder's "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Last Forever)". Robinson's song introduces a new side to the band - a Motown influence.

As for the lead vocals, the rule of thumb for the first three albums was that Carrack delivered the intense vocals while Young focused on the passionate vocals. The interesting thing on that album is that I see more "melding" of the styles of Carrack and Young. In addition to their voices have some similarities in style, there are cases where they team up for duets.

Here is a review of the tracks:

"A Beggar on the Beach of Gold": This song has a bit of the classic Mechanics feel - especially the keyboard work and the passionate vocals of Young. This song kind of reminds me of Mike + The Mechanics version of the "Rich Man, Poor Man" story.

"Another Cup of Coffee": Another classic Mechanics feel - especially the keyboard. Carrack sings lead vocals in the narrative about a "good housewife". I believe Young also contributes some background vocals.

"You Really Got a Hold On Me": Carrack and Young perform this as a duet - and they should more of this. It's a terrific cover of the Robinson tune as the Mechanics incorporate some Motown-style elements into this song.

"Mea Culpa": This song almost has a similar Rhythm to Genesis' "I Can't Dance" when it starts - definitely a different feel than the "Classic Mechanics feel". Young does great on vocals.

"Over My Shoulder": Outstanding track - this song has almost an acoustic guitar feel to it. Carrack delivers some terrific vocals from start to finish. The songwriting is outstanding as this song explores looking back at a failed relationship.

"Someone Always Hates Someone": This song almost has a the feel of early 1980s Genesis (i.e. the "Genesis" album) and even incorporates some progressive rock elements. The song deals with the impacts of hatred.

"The Ghost of Sex and You": Not a bad track. The melodies on this track also have a feel of early 1980s Genesis. This is the longest track on the album and sometimes I do grow a bit tired of this track.

"Web of Lies": This song once again shows the Classic Mechanics feel. Great vocals by Carrack and there are some good guitar rifts by Rutherford on this song.

"Plain and Simple": Great song. There is more great guitar work by Rutherford. Young delivers terrific passionate vocals. This song features an interesting incorporation of "news clips" in the middle of a song that discusses someone wanting a "simple life". The melodies during those news clips show a slight progressive feel.

"Something to Believe In": While Young has the lead vocals, Carrack joins in making for a terrific duet. This is another example of how these two vocalists work brilliantly together. There's more great guitar work by Rutherford.

"A House of Many Rooms": This song almost has a slight R&B feel to start. This song also grew a little tired on me as I listened.

"I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Last Forever)": This is the Stevie Wonder cover and this has more of a Rock sound to compliment the soulful vocals of Carrack.

"Going Going....Home": The harmonies on this song compliment the lead vocals of Young perfectly. This is another outstanding track from a songwriting perspective as it deals with someone who has left his family behind, but realizes he can't run away from his problems and yearns to go home.

The liner notes include the lyrics for all of the songs as well as the songwriting and production credits. Overall, this is a very good album - and with better promotion, this album could have also been a commercially successful album. While Mike + The Mechanics stuck to a formula for the first 3 albums, I like how they switch gears for album four. This certainly will appeal to the core Mechanics fans, but this certainly some great music for anyone to check out.

"Beggar on a Beach of Gold" is really a very good album, marred only by a couple of misses in the cover of "You Really Got a Hold on Me" and the lame title song. Other than that, though, what a nice collection. "Mea Culpa" is a great song, haunting and melodically beautiful. "Another Cup of Coffee" explores lost relationships in a very unique way, and utilizes the percolating effect of a coffee pot quite nicely. "The Ghost of Sex and You" again offer a haunting look at lust/love relations. The remake of "I Believe" is done nicely, too. The two Pauls (Carrack and Young) are excellent vocalists. In essence, I think some people thought Phil Collins was the heart of Genesis. While Phil was certainly good, Mike Rutherford's influence was overlooked and under-appreciated. I hope we can get some more albums from Mike, now that Phil has left Genesis for good.

I'm not usually fond of songs that contain whistling, but "Over my shoulder" is just a wonderful, gorgeous song! In fact, the entire album is great. The title song is a plea (of sorts) to take a good look around and see just exactly what you DO have going for you.But I must admit I bought the album on the strength of one song, the beautiful and haunting "Something to believe in". Not trying to be sappy, I can't help feeling the song is telling us that no matter how bad things seem, or how bleak the world can be, having one person who loves you, and is loved by you, can provide shelter and calm, and help maintain sanity. Mike and the Mechanics (if they still exist) will probably never make another album as good as this, nor a song as wonderful as "Something to believe in".

I first heard cuts from this album while on a European vacation when the CD first came out. Very suprised it is relatively unknown in the US (no radio airplay). Could very well be Mike and The Mechanics finest release. It is probably my very favorite Mechanics CD.

A very complete and rewarding pop album with hints of pomp and progressive,this endeavor demonstrated once again Mike Rutherford's exceptional musical skills and his abilities of choosing outstanding vocalists and top-notch side musicians.A winner!

Mike + The Mechnaics are one of my favorite all time bands. This album is a good example why. Although "A Beggar On A Beach Of Gold" and "You've Really Got A Hold Of Me" are lame songs, the rest of the album is AWESOME! "Another Cup Of Coffee", "Web Of Lies", "Plain & Simple", "Mea Culpa", and "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)" and the best tracks!

Although Mike Rutherford does a great job with the musical arrangements and the very creative lyrics, the voalists is what makes this album superb. Paul Carrack and Paul Young do an excellent job. They are able to bring out the lyrics in a way they were meant to be sang. With Paul Carrack's and Paul Young's vocals, there is nothing that can not be done vocally. Unfortunately, I had to cut a star do to the remake of "You Really Got a Hold on Me", not that it is a bad song, but Mike Rutherford and company are so good at writing their own lyrics why make a remake? GRADE: A-

if you love Genesis, drum machines, great ambient and rithm guitars and keyboards, good perfomances all and more in just songs and ballads, if you are in love, if you like good music less complicated to hear but with the taste of A BIG in music like Mike Rutherford is With great perfomances of Paul Carrack Paul Young,and the rest of the band and will To learn how to make good songs and arrangements this is the record you must to buy, unfortunately i have a cassette record of it because in Argentina this CD never appears, South america miss it. i'm a Genesis Fan and drummer since 1976 and this record never dissapoint me, and every friend who heard it want it, sorry about my english

1995's "Beggar On A Beach Of Gold" was meant to be Mike + The Mechanics' "comeback" album, and while it didn't sell much better than it's predecessor, "Word Of Mouth," this is arguably the best album from Mike Rutherford's band away from Genesis. The songs are fantastic, the production is crisp & polished like a brand new car, and the lead vocals by Paul Carrack and Paul Young (of Sad Cafe) are wonderful. Song for song, "Beggar" is brilliant pop-rock: the joyful title track, the driving acoustic pop-rock of "Another Cup Of Coffee" and "Over My Shoulder," the glorious atmospheres of "Mea Culpa," "The Ghost Of Sex And You," and "A House Of Many Rooms," the lovely "Something To Believe In," and the powerful "Someone Always Hates Someone," a song that's *very* relevant with the state of the world today. And for the cherry on top, there's two excellent cover songs of Smokey Robinson's "You've Really Got A Hold On Me," and Stevie Wonder's "I Believe." It's pretty obvious that Mike, Paul & Paul had a great time making this album, as the joy of the music comes through on every track. "Beggar On A Beach Of Gold" is a fantastic Mechanics album, and quite possibly the finest "solo" album Mike Rutherford has ever made. A winner through and through!

I always have high expectations when I hear anything from Mike Rutherford. His work with Genesis and early solo work have set the bar so high that anything less then great is a failure. So be it with this release with a few "not bad" songs, a couple of covers and basically a very forgetable CD without any great tunes jumping at you like the other Mike and the Mechanics albums.