Customer Reviews

Dangerous Acquaintances

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

During her 1980's comeback into the 'upwardly cool of rock circles,' Marianne Faithfull has once again put her life into song with 'Dangerous Acquaintances.' My favorites on this release are 'Intrigue' and 'Truth, Bitter Truth.' Both songs show a deep reflection of her take on relationships and life...as told in a way only Ms. Faithfull can convey. The whole CD is a 'this is what's been going on with me' letter as told by a woman who stands as a testament to strength of character and firmness of purpose. The strength of 'Dangerous Acquaintances' is in the lyrics...although some of the music could have been done differently...but it was the 80's. This is a 'must have' for any serious collector.

I think this is Marianne Faithfull's most accessible and cohesive album from the 80s, a collection of strong songs most of which could have been hits. Sweetheart, Easy In The City, Tenderness and Truth Bitter Truth are examples of the magic between her and Barry Reynolds, while Intrigue (written by Ben Brierly) and For Beautie's Sake (Co-written by Steve Winwood) are eqully compelling. She sings with genuine feeling, the playing is tight and the themes of the songs are valid and universal. I rate this album on a par with her latest, Vagabond Ways, based on the quality of the songs and the heartfelt delivery.

I bought this album by faithful back in 1980 and the cassette is starting to wear out and I been searching for a CD version of the album. If I've been able to keep the cassette for almost 20 years and have listened to it many, many, many times, I think speaks volumes for the quality of the music. I will be the happiest human being once I am able to place a positive order.

In 1981 I bought this album (and still have it. After looking for the CD for many years I found it on Amazon.com. This is a fantastic album. Unfortunatly, I do not think many people have heard it. If I could only have a few CD's, this would be one of them. Thank you for making it available.

I'm not too good at this review business, but I must pass on some thoughts about this album. I bought my copy as an LP from a cutout bin years ago, and I only bought it because I had just seen her on Saturnday Night Live, with that unique voice and beautiful face. Even after 25 years, the album itself still gives me chills. It really is that good.

Faithfull's voice is the center of the album. It is worn, tired, and corroded with a life far too acquainted with the worst life can throw at you and is completely unlike any other female rock voice, ever.
The songs on the album vary in feel and tempo, but all of them resolve into themes of loneliness and lost love. My two favorite songs range from the charming "Easy in the City" with it's wonderful midtempo rock beat and vibe to the final song on the album, the absolutely devastating "Truth Bitter Truth". One line in that song, "Where did it go to, my youth" so matches her voice it stabs me right in the heart whenever I listen to it.

If you can't tell by now, I strongly recommend this album.

(For those who don't know, Faithfull had several hits in the mid-sixties, usually doing covers of Rolling Stone's songs and was Mick Jagger's girlfriend for a while.)

to come straight to the point, if you love the gravelly voice, the bum notes you will love this, marianne at her very best, outstanding.

Marianne Faithfull was the first female rock start I had a crush on..I remember how she was on "Hulllabaloo" & she had on a royal cape. She escaped some tough times & came back with this gem. "Strange One" is such a powerful song about truth & emotions...love it. "For Beauty's Sake"..written with Steve Winwood (what a combo)lays a woman's worth of herself out in the open..the young women of today should hear it. This was hard to come by for awhile..if you like this singer..it's kind of her punk stage. Also pick up her version of "Scarborough Fair."

Really liked this album when it first came out years ago. Lost the original vinyl in a move, been trying to replace it ever since. Looked for it but it was always an expensive import.Patience paid off, this disc still sounds great.

I've not played this in awhile as it is on vinyl, but I remember it quite fondly especially No Eye Communication.

This was the second album produced by Mark Mundy Miller, which when new Marianne regarded Broken English as emotion in the basement, this as being emotionally on the first floor. Marianne in late interviews, while agreed that It was a cheerier album than "Broken English", was quite vocal in her dissatisfaction with the sessions and the finished album and regarded Miller as the perfect producer for Broken English, and the wrong producer for this and I'm kinda mystified why. I wonder what she thinks of it now.

Minus the voice, this is fun 80s pop music, and Marianne sounds exactly where she should be nearly 20 years after singing her first pop hit in 64 with Sweetheart! From start to finish this is an upbeat pop album that I think fans of old and new Marianne can both enjoy.