The Last Temptation of Chris

Chris Difford | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: AIRLINE RECORDS
• ASIN: B00175G6JG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,051 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

CHRIS DIFFORD is a man of many parts, and all of them are working. In 2008, one of England s great pop lyricists of the past 30 years is ready for the solo spotlight again. The Last Temptation Of Chris is an early contender for album title of the year, but much more than that, it's an outstanding showcase for a songwriting talent reaching new levels of maturity. The Last Temptation Of Chris is Difford's follow-up to his widely admired solo debut of late 2002, I Didn't Get Where I Am. It expands on that record s delightfully intimate writing style, this time in the company of another master craftsman, Boo Hewerdine, who co-wrote and produced the album. The Ivor Novello Award-winning Difford continues to run his own songwriting workshops and pass on the benefit of his weighty experience as a dyed-in-the-wool songman. Now, Chris rises to the fresh challenge of a new solo record, to be backed by extensive tour dates with Hewerdine, the man behind such enduring songs as the Bible s Graceland and Honey Be Good and his own Patience Of Angels, covered by Eddi Reader. And Difford is justifiably proud of the way it turned out. It s an extension of the first album, which I did with Francis Dunnery, he says. The idea was to carry on where I left off. Thankfully I met Boo and he guided me, he writes such beautiful melodies. He used to come to my house every day with a different batch of melodies, and before we knew where we were, we had an album. It s lovely to create something as intimate and warm as this with someone like Boo.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too Much of a Pleasant Thing, July 29, 2009

By 

Timothy P. Young (Rawlins, WY, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Temptation of Chris (Audio CD)

Chris Difford has been responsible for co-creating some of the finest pop of the last 30 years. Squeeze is/was a great band that brought us great songs ranging from proto-synth-pop ("Take Me I'm Yours") to pure pop ("Pulling Mussels from the Shell") to the R&B-inflected songs that still get played ("Tempted", "Black Coffee In Bed"). Difford was often the lyricist for the more poignant songs in the Squeeze catalog, creating character sketches and first-person narratives to craft great songs. Not for nothing were he and Squeeze partner Glenn Tillbrook compared to Lennon and McCartney.

Difford's 2008 release, 'The Last Temptation of Chris,' has several shining examples of great songcraft. The opener "Come On Down" serves as a companion piece to Squeeze's great "Up the Junction," "Julian and Sandy" explores a tale of two gay fashionistas in 60s London, and the catchy single "Fat as a Fiddle," which bemoans the aging process in humorous fashion, could easily sit next to Randy Newman's "I'm Dead (But I Don't Know It).

Musically, it ranges from pure pop to music hall to tuneful balladry. Tillbrook's vocals are clean and emotive throughout, and the supporting musicians whip up a very English stew that give Tillbrook a fine base to sing over.

However, the length of the album (13 songs) is a problem. The smooth production, the clean melodies and vocals, and the lack of tempo variety (it's mostly either ballad or mid-tempo) lends a certain sameness to the sound of the album. There are exceptions here and there, of course, but it just seems to go on a song or two too long. Which ones would I cut? I have no idea. The level of songcraft is so high in the Difford home that there's not a bad cut on the album...there's just not enough variance to keep me consistently interested for 13 songs. Give me 10 songs and there's a much tighter album that I could have given a higher rating to.

It's pleasant, and I like it quite a bit. I wanted to love it. In the end, it's just too much of a pleasant thing.

3.5 Stars.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally!, July 11, 2009

By 

Lanzarishi "lanzarishi" (NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Last Temptation of Chris (Audio CD)

Finally, He has done what I hoped he would since Squeeze really stopped being their priority. Chris Difford has made what I have been waiting a long time for. A totally excellent solo album with all his charm, humor and amazing lyrics as one would expect from him. His voice is superb, the song writing/production top shelf and his personality comes shining through on every song. There is not a weak song. I put it up there with ECs Spike, Glenn's first solo or anything else that you just know is excellent music. Mostly though it is the honesty and hooks that always grab me and this has got many. You will not be disappointed if you are a real Squeeze fan. It is impossible. Thank you Chris. Now I really can put Squeeze behind me. Yes!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Difford Delivers, September 26, 2008

By 

Curt Collins (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Temptation of Chris (Audio CD)

Fans of Difford's work with Squeeze will not be disappointed with this release. If you like Squeeze songs like "His House Her Home" or "Slaughtered, Gutted & Heartbroken" you will enjoy this collection. A few of the tracks tend to sound similar, hence the reason for 4 stars and not five. Still, cuts from the cd like "Fat As a Fiddle" and "Come on Down" offer proof that this half of the famous Difford/Tilbrook Squeeze team is quite cabable on his own.