Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard

Robert Wyatt

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 5, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1975
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Thirsty Ear
• ASIN: B000006AXR
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #344,659 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Robert Wyatt's voice is as distinctive and subtle an instrument as Tom Waits's or Bessie Smith's. He stretches his vocal chords through alien alto registers with grace, into notes few male singers are comfortable with past puberty. It's not stretching things to compare his work on Ruth to that of the greatest jazz-influenced singers. Wyatt knows how to throw a band together, too, choosing musicians who'll do their respective things complementarily, subtly. If you have trouble with the jazz comparison, dig his group's take on Charlie Haden's "Song for Che." This disc brims with woozy, lush underwater-sounding, underground pop, augmented by chaps like Fred Frith and Brian Eno. It's clever, playful music, ahead of its time because it's timeless and filled with a profound, infectious, children's book-type humor. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description
2008 digitally remastered edition of this original 1974 album from the beloved British singer/songwriter and former member of Soft Machine. Wyatt's releases come from one of the most distinguished, visionary, influential and singular catalogs in contemporary music. Wyatt's second album, released in 1975, features Brian Eno and Fred Frith and, for the first time, sees his love of classic covers coming to the fore amongst some stunning original, more Jazz-orientated material. 10 tracks. Domino. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sadly underrated, September 16, 2002

By	Gary Gomes (New Bedford, MA) - See all my reviews

After Rock Bottom, Wyatt followed up with this less well-balanced, but more eclectic follow-up. The caliber of songqriting is extraordinary, and the line-up (Gary Windo, Mongezi Fesa, Fred Frith, Brian Eno, the amazing Laurie Allen) reads like a who's who of the avant garde of the time. I alway enjoyed this somewhat more than "Rock Bottom" because its attitude was more fun. Wyatt had seemed to come to grips with his paralysis and was realizing more of what he could do by the time this album came out.

It has the same dreamy, shimmering atmosphere as "Rock Bottom" but is no less brilliant. This was one of the few times that I have heard jazz, avant garde, and pop sensibilities blended so seamlessly. A great work!

Gary Gomes

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Robert Wyatt is the one who started it all!, October 5, 2002

By	Carl Johnson "budbear_5000" (Detroit, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Not too much to say. In my mind, this is the best recording Robert ever did. There are tunes that are lighter than the songs on Rock Bottom, though this album is not as conceptually well thoughht out. The center peice is Solar Flares, which features some excellent guitar space work. It is this song that I feel is the best thing Robert has ever done. Astounding!
You wouldn't have had much of your european progressive rock in the seventies if it were not for this man and his legacy. He still influences your on-the-edge players today! Almost perfect, eclectic spin!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a classic record - timeless and inspiring., May 23, 1999

By A Customer

i've been listening to this record for over ten years - and i am always impressed and inspired by it. nothing on earth sounds quite like this record but then again nothing on earth really sounds like Robert Wyatt for that matter. accessible yet slightly avante garde - musicians should listen and learn.