Say It Ain't So [Import]

Murray Head | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 22, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Island UK
• ASIN: B000007ZF8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,826 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Say It Ain't So

2. Boy On The Bridge

3. Boats Away

4. When I'm Yours

5. Rocking My Dreamboat

6. She's Such A Drag

7. Never Even Thought

8. Silence Is A Strong Reply

9. Don't Forget Him Now

10. You're So Tasty

Editorial Reviews

1976 second solo album from the man who played Judas Iscariot in the original British production of "Jesus Christ Superstar".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A taste of what could have been the big time for Murray Head, July 10, 2000

By 

Roger Williams (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Say It Ain't So (Audio CD)

This album was Murray Head's biggest, and best shot at stardom. Sadly, it didn't make as much of a splash as he'd likely hoped, and subsequent albums were more popular in the Francophonic world than in Britain or the U.S.A.

"Say It Ain't So" is still a very strong record, with strong ballads and a uniquely 1975 rock sensibility, notably the David Gilmour-esque guitar playing on "Boy on the Bridge".

The centerpiece of the album is the title track, "Say It Ain't So Joe", as haunting a ballad as ever appeared in the 1970's, featuring Murray's alternatingly smooth, raspy, and finally agonized voice in a quietly escalating song about Josef Stalin.

Other strong tracks are the steel drum tinged "Boats Away", "Boy on the Bridge", "When I'm Yours", and "Never Even Thought". One track keeps this from being a five star record, the bizarre dixieland trombone filled "Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat". It breaks the continuity of the (otherwise almost early Peter Gabriel like) record, and just isn't a very good song. Luckily for Murray's reputation, it's a cover song.

The liner notes state that most of the songs were written for a musical called "Atlantis". The musical appears to have sunk into the ocean, but "Say It Ain't So" remains. Murray Head had one of the best voices in rock. It's sad that inept management kept him from having the standout career he deserves.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars like you've never heard him before, February 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Say It Ain't So (Audio CD)

murray head is my all-time favorite singer. i loved his vocals in jesus christ superstar and chess. of course i was thrilled to find he released a solo album. i was somewhat surprised by the smoothness and quietness of the vocals on this outing. he rarely wails as he does on superstar, and the rough edges that make his voice so appealing have been smoothed out by overdubbing and the like. in fact, he sings in falsetto for much of the album. however, it is still murray head, and i was certainly pleased with the quality of the songs themselves. i didn't know the guy could write like that! the title track is worth the price of the cd alone. haunting and powerful, it stirs me like only a few songs can, and the vocals on this track are perfect. needless to say, this album may surprise some listeners who are familiar with murray's theatrical work, but it will no doubt be a pleasant surprise!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Impressive Follow Up To "Nigel Lived", March 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Say It Ain't So (Audio CD)

According to the liner notes, this album was the soundtrack for a musical called "Atlantis," which to my knowledge has never been produced for the stage. While lyrics are included, you can only guess what plot Murray had in mind when he was writing this album.

Acoustic numbers dominate (including the famous title track), along with the plaintive, "When I'm Yours," "Never Even Thought," and the hopeful anthem, "Boats Away." Electric guitar fans can enjoy "Boy On The Bridge," "Don't Forget Him Now," and the over-the-top sensuality of the duet "You're So Tasty" with Vicky Brown. SIAS breaks out of its dreamy, swooning feel with the scorchingly gay, "She's Such A Drag," a song that must have literally been a scream to record.

All songs written by Murray with the exceptions of "Silence Is A Strong Reply," co-written with Bob Weston, and "Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat." The Rene, Scott, Rene standard gets a 1970's updating with Murray crooning his way through most of it, before a sassy trombone/clarinet/trumpet trio join in for a dixieland finish. Produced by Paul Samwell-Smith, who also worked with Murray on the album "Voices."