Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life-changing music., October 23, 2000
This music has affected me like nothing I have heard in years, and I listen to A LOT of music. I can safely say that you've never heard anything like this before, EVER.You'll probably get as far as the first song collected here, "Montague Terrace (In Blue)"(in blue, no less!), where Scott sings in that amazing voice: "We're swallowed in the stomach-room", and you will either automatically hit the "eject" button, or you will forcibly resist that impulse because you literally cannot believe what you are hearing. You'll try to deny it, to laugh it off. You'll swear you could never possibly actually LIKE this stuff, but you'll keep coming back. Scott Walker has you in his grip. Prepare to do internet searches on Scott Walker to learn more about the originator of this unbelievable music. Prepare to invest in all of his first 4 CD's, only to realize that there are now newly re-mastered editions available with restored artwork and 24-bit sound. Prepare to buy the all of these new versions and end up with 2 copies of all of his early albums. Prepare to invest in his more recent works as well (skip Climate of Hunter, and do not listen to Tilt in the dark by yourself). I know all this, because this is exactly what happened to me. And I'm not even mad about it. Imagine a rock-and-roll Sartre with Sinatra's vocal chops and backing band, singing songs about man's inhumanity to man, all played entirely WITHOUT irony. I couldn't believe it either, until I finally accepted what I was hearing. Scott Walker is clearly a genius, but definitely not a happy man, and alienation is his primary theme. If this description does not deter you (and it should deter some of you), I urge you to purchase this collection and fall in love with the pure unbelievable HUMANITY of Scott Walker's art. BTW: Keep Scott Walker to yourself, your friends will never, ever understand. It's that special.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Long Lost Summers, August 18, 2004
Tired of the occasionally great yet essentially derivative Walker Brothers formula, Scott Engel kept his stage name in a solo career which whilst eventually sending him off into obscurity, also all too briefly showed a songwriting talent of startling originality and skill. Backed by immense yet bleak walls of orchestrated sound, Scott's heavenly 'croon' (it is often described so, but deserves much more) pours out melancholic lyrics of genuine genius. Believe me- its the real deal, sometimes too intense to bear.
This compilation takes many highlights from his 4 eponymous LPs, as well as rescuing prize cuts from ''Til the Band Comes In'. The perfect place to start before becoming immersed in Scott-dom, almost all of the best cuts are here (from 'It's Raining Today' and 'War Is Over' to 'The Plague' and 'Montague Terrace...and 'On Your Own Again'...and 'Angels Of Ashes'... in fact, i could spend forever listing the highlights, as there is barely a dud track. Just one problem- where's 'Rosemary' form 'Scott 3'?
An acknowledged influence on acts from Pulp and Radiohead to Julian Cope and The Divine Comedy, Scott Walker made some of the most original and touching music of the 60's. THIS is the place to start.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bergman in Vegas, March 30, 2005
I'll admit Scott Walker is an acquired taste. Here 60's MOR meets the avant-garde. Walker's songs have all the big brass & string production of a vintage Bacharach tune, saddled with lyrics that are closer to Leonard Cohen than Hal David.
Vocally, he comes across like a reluctant Vegas crooner with the heart of Ingmar Bergman sliding off his sleeve. Sinatra or Bobby Darrin with a serious case of literary pretention. If you ever thought The Seventh Seal needed a theme song, you'll find it here. The Plague takes Albert Camus' novel & sets it to a moody dance groove. The results are more winning that you think.
Elsewhere, Walker corners the market on manic-depressive waltzes. Bedsit rainy sundays, carosels & after-hours boulevard ennui are some of Walker's tradmark fare. Among the most effective are Montague Terrace, Copenhagen & It's raining Today.Girls From The Streets takes its cue from Jaques Brel and on Time Operator he comes off like an existential Sinatra.
Most of what Walker's cult status is based on is here. There's always room to quibble, but this is truely a "best of" in my book. Granted, Walker's lyrics can can be a bit too pretentious for their own good. His brand of purple prose isn't for everyone & combined with decidedly dated production values, some songs come off as unintentionally hilarious. Plastic Plalace People being a case in point. But when all is said & done, it's Walker's rich, eerie baritone that lures you in. You could shell out for the poorly packaged Mercury box set, or pick this up. Truth be told, outside of buying Scott's I-IV, this is all you need of his classic years. Though, if you like this, I'd also heartily recommend his album of Jacques Brel covers. All of which may prepare you for the bizarre heights of Climate Of Hunter, Tilt & The Drift. But that's another story.
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by Scott Walker 
