Easy Come, Easy Go

Marianne Faithfull

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 17, 2009)
• Original Release Date: November 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B001QVMJUQ
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,599 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Down From Dover

2. Hold On Hold On

3. Solitude

4. Crane Wife

5. Easy Come Easy Go

6. Children Of Stone

7. Many Worlds

8. In Germany Before The War

9. Ooh Baby

10. The Phoenix

11. Dear God Please Help Me

12. Sing Me Back Home

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Marianne Faithfull's long and distinguished career has seen her emerge as one of the most original female singersongwriters this country has produced; Utterly unsentimental yet somehow affectionate, Marianne possesses that rare ability to transform any lyric into something compelling and utterly personal; and not just on her own songs, for she has become a master of the art of finding herself in the words and music of others. Marianne Faithfull's story, has of course, been well documented, not least in her entertaining and insightful autobiography FAITHFULL (1994). Born in Hampstead in December 1946 Faithfull's career as the crown princess of swinging London was launched with As Tears Go By; the first song ever written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, five albums followed whilst Marianne also embarked on a parallel career as an actress, both on film in GIRL ON A MOTORCYCLE (1968) and on stage in Chekhov's THREE SISTERS (1967) and HAMLET (1969) By the end of the Sixties personal problems halted Marianne's career and her drug addiction took over. Faithfull emerged tentatively in the mid-Seventies with a country album called DREAMIN' MY DREAMS (1976) but it was her furious re-surfacing on BROKEN ENGLISH in 1979 that definitively brought her back. Further new wave explorations followed with DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCES (1981) and A CHILD'S ADVENTURE (1983). But despite her new creative vigour, Marianne was not entirely free of the chemicals that had ravaged her in the sixties. Displaying a sadness tempered by optimism, and a despair rescued by humour Marianne returned, finally clean with a collection of classic pop, blues and art songs on the critically lauded STRANGE WEATHER (1987). A live retrospective followed on BLAZING AWAY (CD&VHS 1990), which ably displayed why Faithfull has become one of the most sought after concert artists of the last 30 years.

New directions were taken on A SECRET LIFE (1995) co-written with the Italian composer Angelo Badalementi, and in her exploration of the music of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht; Beginning in 1991 with her performance in the Threepenny Opera, at the Gate Theatre in Dublin and continuing with 20TH CENTURY BLUES (1996). This journey concluded with her important recording of the opera THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS (1998). Marianne returned to her mainstream musical career with the release of one of her most admired albums, VAGABOND WAYS in 1999. The millennium ushered in a period of renewed creative vigour that saw Marianne return to her acting career in INTIMACY (2001), MARIE ANTOINETTE (2006), and her acclaimed starring role in IRINA PALM (2006) for which she was nominated at the EFA for best actress. Two acclaimed albums followed based around collaborations with other artists that put her firmly back in the rock idiom KISSIN TIME (2002) with Billy Corgan, Beck, Pulp and Blur and more successfully with PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Damon Albarn and Jon Brion on BEFORE THE POISON (2004). Marianne also returned to the stage in THE BLACK RIDER (2004), a Faustian musical written by old friends Tom Waits and the late William Burroughs. Health scares put Marianne out of action for much of 2005 and 2006 but in 2007 Marianne toured the world and released a second volume of memoirs detailing a more personal side of her life called MEMORIES DREAMS AND REFLECTIONS (2007).

A recent trip to the BBC archives showed that almost all Marianne's live broadcasts from the sixties had survived. In a return to the label that made her name, Decca classics will be releasing the 20 track collection MARIANNE FAITHFULL LIVE AT THE BBC in the summer of 2008. The collection includes all her early hits and many less well known recordings. Marianne is backed throughout by the Mike Leander Orchestra with guitarist Jon Mark and delivers strong confident performances that in several cases go beyond the interpretations she put down on record. Marianne's new album EASY COME, EASY GO will be released at the end of 2008. Recorded over a two week period at the historic Sear Sound studios in New York, All the songs have been chosen by Marianne and Hal. The album includes interpretations of songs from such varied artists as Billie Holiday's `Solitude', Merle Haggard's `Sing Me Back Home', Bessie Smith's `Easy Come Easy Go Blues' (the title track), Morrissey `Dear God Please Help Me' and Dolly Parton `Down From Dover'. Using a brass band and string section, the band also reunites Marianne with Marc Ribot, and Barry Reynolds. Both Marianne and Hal feel the album is one of their best to date. Marianne will also be doing some special readings throughout 2008 of Shakespeare's love sonnets, accompanied by a cello. While the defining statements of many artists are made during their early years, Marianne Faithfull continues to develop her own voice: She sets herself aside from her contemporaries in her continuing quest to explore new creative areas in a career that has always been a positive process of self-assertion.

Product Description

Easy Come, Easy Go is the 22nd album from Marianne Faithfull and was recorded in December 2007 in NYC at the famous Sear Sound recording studio. Easy Come, Easy Go is the third album of Marianne s to be produced by Hal Willner (the others being Strange Weather and Blazing away). Marianne and Hal have been close friends since they've met, back in 1982, and have worked together on many many different projects over the years, (most recently on three songs from Marianne s acclaimed last album "Before the Poison") but Easy Come, Easy Go is their first complete studio album since Strange Weather, more than 20 years ago. Like that earlier album, Easy Come Easy Go is a collection of songs written by others and interpreted by Marianne. When Strange Weather was released in 1987, it was quickly hailed as one of Marianne s finest recordings, so this time around the challenge was really high: Marianne and Hal had to make an album that was at least as good. Both artists have risen to the challenge beautifully: they achieve a timeless recording, a masterpiece. All the songs have been chosen by Marianne and Hal, and range from Billie Holiday s "Solitude" to The Crane Wife"
by current band The Decemberists. Other tracks are "Sing Me Back Home" by Merle Haggard, "Children of Stone" by Espers, the title track " Easy Come, Easy Go Blues" by Bessie Smith, Morrissey s "Dear God Please Help Me", Dolly Parton s "Down from Dover " and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club s "Salvation". Easy Come, Easy Go also includes some interesting guest vocalists; Keith Richards appears on the aforementioned "Sing Me Back Home" Antony Hegarty on "Ooh Baby Baby" and Jarvis Cocker on Sondheim s "Somewhere". Other guest appearances on the album come from Rufus Wainwright who contributes vocals to the powerful "Children of stone ' while his aunt and mother Kate and Anna McGarrigle enchant on the "The Flandycke shore". Warren Ellis plays his magic violin on 3 songs, and Nick Cave lends some vocals to "The Crane Wife". Sean Lennon and Teddy Thompson play guitar on a couple of the tracks, and Cat Power harmonizes on "Hold On, Hold On". The album was recorded live ithe oldest recording studio in Manhattan the famous Sear Sound. The arrangements are by Cohen Bernstein and Weinberg Goldstein and were done specifically for Marianne. The String and Horn sections were led by L. Picket, and the band includes Marc Ribot, Greg Cohen, Rob Burger, Barry Reynolds and Jim White. Very few takes were needed in fact some of the songs were done in a single take (London sound engineers in the 60s use to call her Marianne one take Faithfull ). Infact there are very few overdubs on this recording.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Queen Marianne, March 17, 2009

By	Mike B. - See all my reviews

Marianne Faithfull's new CD "Easy Come Easy Go" is a winning combination of her two most-praised albums. It offers some rock that could belong on her 1979 classic "Broken English" (though it's less synthy and more organic) - but more often sounds like her slower, low-key 1987 release "Strange Weather".

"Strange Weather" was produced by Hal Willner, and he does the same here. He plays the same role as Rick Rubin did with later-period Johnny Cash. Willner pitches hundreds of songs to her, then together they narrow it down. He hires master musicians and arrangers and does all the prep work up front, then they enter the studio and knock it out (this was recorded in 10 days). Willner gets the best out of Marianne, and I'd say this is her best album ever. Yep, it's a masterpiece. They chose great songs, and she nails every track.

The record features numerous guest stars, but they are all very much in a background capacity. If you're considering buying this because you're a fan of, say, Keith Richards or Nick Cave - be advised that they are functioning strictly as supporting players, and are very subtle and subdued. Same goes for the other guest vocalists. All are careful not to overshadow Marianne.

The only guest that's spotlighted front and center is Antony Hegarty of the band Antony and The Johnsons. My first reaction to their duet on Smokey Robinson's "Ooh Baby Baby" was "What have they done"? By the third listen it became my favorite track. They radically re-invent the song, and Hegarty sings more of it than Faithfull. He's quite in demand these days - check out his "Candy Says" on Lou Reed's "live" DVD "Berlin".

"Easy Come Easy Go" has been issued worldwide on different labels in different configurations. Some versions feature an additional six tracks. Personally, I think Decca made a mistake by not releasing this in the U.S. as a 2-disc set. My import copy on the Naive label is 2 discs, with a roughly 30 minute bonus DVD that shows some of the recording process. This American release is one disc, and contains only 12 of the 18 tracks. The 6 missing tracks are "Salvation", "Black Coffee", "Kimbie", "Many A Mile", "Somewhere", and "Flandyke Shore".

Look for the subtitle on the CD cover. My import says "18 Songs For Music Lovers". This American version is subtitled "12 Songs For Music Lovers", and at least one import says "10 Songs For Music Lovers" (and is additionally missing "The Phoenix" and "Dear God Please Help Me"). It's a mess, and should've been uniformly released around the world. The extra tracks are excellent and well worth having.

To further confuse matters, there's an import that's just the 2 discs of 18 songs, and another import that's 2 discs and comes with the bonus DVD. The DVD isn't that good (by the way, it plays just fine on my standard-issue DVD player). It's all close-ups of Marianne's face as she briefly talks about how half a dozen of the songs came together. Then more close-ups as she sings a verse or two of the song being discussed. There's no footage of her famous guests. Mostly you're looking at a series of still photographs of the sessions without knowing who or what you're seeing, while she and Willner describe songs and techniques in voiceover.

My feeling is this: if you want to save some money and still hear a great record - then buy this Decca release. If you're feeling flush, or are a dedicated fan - you'll want to seek out a 2-disc copy.

From lilting-voiced Swinging London "it girl" in the 60's, to whiskey-voiced diva from the late 70's up till today - Marianne Faithfull has become an international treasure. She comports herself like a Queen, and her many fans (and fellow singers) are happy to be her "subjects". As Willner says: "She's our Dietrich - our Piaf". I couldn't agree more.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ten vintage gems for music lovers., January 17, 2009

By	Hal Charles - See all my reviews

Marianne Faithfull has been a recording artist for four decades, since being discovered by Rolling Stones' manager Andrew Loog Oldham.
"Easy come easy go is her 22nd album, a collection of covers and songs written by others.
If you know M.F.' s work you are in for a treat not because you are about to hear another "Broken English", "Strange Weather" or "Before The Poison" (her three most acclaimed albums) but because you are about to be set on a sonic adventure that still carries Marianne's brand.
There are hooks, there are twists and they are grounded by her voice which is like a haunting, raspy wail that sustains the record.
The production is simple, unadorned, perfect for the songs. The arrangements are sparse, but extremely subtle and well conceived. Hardly ever do you hear an album where you feel like every note and drum beat has been placed exactly where it needs to go, with nothing extra and nothing left out.
All the songs have been chosen by Marianne and her long time friend and producer Hal Willner, according to her sensibilities and affinities, both musically and emotionally, and range from Billie Holiday's "Solitude" to "The Crane Wife 3" by current band The Decemberists.
Other tracks are "Sing Me Back Home" by Merle Haggard, "Children of Stone" by Espers, the title track "Easy Come, Easy Go Blues" by Bessie Smith, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles "Ooh Baby Baby" and Dolly Parton's "Down from Dover".
They all hint at an evolution of an artist who is looking outside the comfort zone and pushes beyond the boundaries.
As usual, Marianne's interpretations are darkly poetic, her singing just cutting to the marrow of the stories she tells. The theme running through most of these songs is loneliness and isolation, and folk instrumentation gives the songs a jazzy/folksy feel.
She is supported by a bunch of superb guest stars: Keith Richards appears on the aforementioned "Sing Me Back Home" and Antony Hegarty on "Ooh Baby Baby". Another guest appearance on the album comes from Rufus Wainwright who contributes vocals to the powerful "Children of Stone".
There's plenty of great guitar playng by free jazz virtuoso Marc Ribot, Warren Ellis plays his magic violin on three songs, and Nick Cave lends some vocals to "The Crane Wife 3". Sean Lennon and Teddy Thompson play guitar on a couple of the tracks, and Chan Marshall of Cat Power harmonizes on "Hold On, Hold On".
Those who seek a more pop-y, light-hearted, immediately consumable affair should pass on this album, for that is not its aim. However those who enjoy a little puzzle, a little intimacy, a little allegory and critical listen will find that this album reveals itself beautifully.
It hints at the joy of evolution and, like Marianne herself suggests, it's not a somber, gloomy record, but a record that revels in the dark. And invites you to enjoy the dark with it.
For those who are willing to work with the album and give it a critical listening, the album offers rewards especially on songs like "Solitude", "In Germany, Before the War", " Easy Come, Easy Go", "Oh Oh Baby" and "Sing Me Back Home"
It's clear, especially on repeated listenings, that this is a great album: original,emotional and full of gravity,
It is one of the most sensitive and spontaneous-sounding of Faithfull's recordings, with a disciplined but freewheeling sense of adventurous interaction that is sometimes missing on her more carefully structured earlier projects.
Warmly recommended.
Broken English
Strange Weather
20th Century Blues
Before the Poison
Release the Stars
Jukebox
A Piece of What You Need
The Crying Light

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars for music lovers you got that right!!, April 10, 2009

By	Joseph E. Imparato - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

WHEN I FIRST HEARD THIS CD I WAS NOT TO SURE ABOUT IT,, BUT IM FOR SURE THAT IT IS HER BEST CD TO DATE, WITH ALL THE GREAT ARTIST BEHIND HER WOW,KEEP IT UP MARIANNE,YOUR GETTING BETTER LIKE A GREAT WINE CIAO BELLA