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The Big Heat
 
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The Big Heat

Stan Ridgway
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews) | More about this product
Price: $11.98 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s

Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Samples
Song Title Time Price
listen  1. The Big Heat 4:33$0.99 Buy Track
listen  2. Pick It Up (And Put It In Your Pocket) 4:33$0.99 Buy Track
listen  3. Can't Stop The Show 3:46$0.99 Buy Track
listen  4. Pile Driver 4:47$0.99 Buy Track
listen  5. Walkin' Home Alone 4:31$0.99 Buy Track
listen  6. Drive, She Said 4:18$0.99 Buy Track
listen  7. Salesman 5:29$0.99 Buy Track
listen  8. Twisted 3:38$0.99 Buy Track
listen  9. Camouflage 7:17$1.99 Buy Track
listen10. Rio Greyhound (Instrumental) 3:13$0.99 Buy Track
listen11. Stormy Side Of Town 5:02$0.99 Buy Track
listen12. Foggy River 4:32$0.99 Buy Track
listen13. End Of The Line 5:51$0.99 Buy Track
listen14. Nadine 3:26$0.99 Buy Track
listen15. Can't Stop The Show (Live) 3:53$0.99 Buy Track
listen16. Drive, She Said (Live) 4:39$0.99 Buy Track

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Biography

Stan Ridgway is a true original. One of the most unique singer/songwriters in American music, from his early days with L.A.'s Wall Of Voodoo, to his even more intriguing solo career, Ridgway has created an impressive body of work.

“Music is more than just chords and notes to me, it has the ability to make pictures in the mind,” says noir troubadour and sound alchemist Stan Ridgway. “My records are… Read more in Amazon's Stan Ridgway Store

› Visit Amazon's Stan Ridgway Store for 17 albums, photos, discussions, and more.

Frequently Bought Together

The Big Heat + Call of the West + The Index Masters
Price For All Three: $37.94

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  • This item: The Big Heat ~ Stan Ridgway

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Call of the West ~ Wall Of Voodoo

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • The Index Masters ~ Wall Of Voodoo

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Product Details

  • Audio CD (January 26, 1993)
  • Original Release Date: 1986
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Capitol
  • ASIN: B00000DQKI
  • Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #90,133 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

14 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:
 (5)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An intriguingly good listen after all this time...., April 5, 2002
By Mr. R. A. Wells (Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
...I was actually seriously riveted by the opener title track, and what ensued. And this wasn't just nostalgia either.

True, this album has dated fairly badly, with it's over reliance on very "80's" synthesiser sounds, but in truth this stuff should have sounded anachronistic, or amateurish even back in '87. So, what gives? Why is this still a cracking good album in 2002?

Well, you can't match song writing of this calibre in any time. Each track bleeds a wonderfully cynical, observational humour, and it doesn't matter what instruments they are played on, or when, because Stan really knows how to `tell' a song, much like the great Tom Waits or even Randy Newman.

True, `Camouflage' sounds a bit dumb now, but then it was always a bit of a novelty track (a good one, mind - but the CD doesn't contain the William Orbit remix - how far ahead of his time was Stan with that one?! Think Madonna's recent Orbit inspired renaissance? ) and, anyway, it's far from the standout track here.

The really good stuff, is the awesomely atmospheric "film noir" title track, the splendidly cynical "Pick It Up And Put It In Your Pocket", the understated jazz of "Walkin' Home Alone", the superbly tight rock posturing (with great Chandleresque storytelling) of "Just Drive She Said", the still timely sequencer charged "Salesman", and the suitably twisted er, "Twisted".

Lots to enjoy here really. Even the tracks that sounded daft 15 years ago ("Pile Driver") sound like there's a fairly telling truth in there when you strip away the melodrama.

Here's a seemingly forgotten album that truly deserves a second go, and to think this isn't anywhere near Stan's best work either...

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great stuff here, April 12, 2004
By "dornok" (Lancaster, CA United States) - See all my reviews
Short and simple, Stan's "The Big Heat" is great music.

"The Big Heat" is a no brainer obvious reflection on those boring days in Mojave Desert's Barstow when Stan read crime novels. The haunting keyboards and background vocals of the title track are as much a stand out feature of this CD as is the whimsical and calypso-esk "Rio Greyhound." "Camouflage" has a distinct CW McCall ring to it. Dated to be sure, "Camouflage" is a bit out there even for this Vietnam Era troop but it's worth a spin. Listen to the bonus track, "Foggy River," to see the effect listening to Johnny Cash had on Stan.

A true piece of art, "The Big Heat" is a most worthy addition to your new wave era collection.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Stan's best work, April 24, 2000
By A Customer
You can't buy this album anywhere in Canada any more. I ownedit, loved it and played it until it was eaten by a rogue tape deck inthe late '80s. Stan is an amazing story teller. His "road block" on the "Party Ball" album is a wonderful tale about a town that bands together to build a roadblock to be proud of in order to end the cross country reign of terror caused by the "death car". The story ends in shame when they shoot up the wrong car. I began looking for "the big heat" a year ago when a beer commercial featuring a woman changing clothes in the back of a cab reminded me of the wonderful story telling in Stan's "Just drive she said".
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars MIssed it for 20 years
It's different and it's dated, but it's also timeless. I could do without the extra tracks that weren't of the original, but i guess that is what the skip function is for.
Published 1 month ago by K. Hyde

5.0 out of 5 stars Unknown Gem
Stan Ridgway is a true 'unknown legend.' His quirky delivery, luscious melodies, funny and ironic lyrics should be enjoyed on a daily basis. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Jane E. Gavin

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Stan
Wall of Voodoo (WofV) was a fantastic group, and Stan, former singer and mastermind of the group, continues that tradition. Read more
Published on September 12, 2007 by Stanley C. Sargent

4.0 out of 5 stars RIdgeway or Wall of Voodoo
If you like Wall you'll love this album. The songs are fun, catchy, and unique.
Published on July 3, 2007 by Ted E. Blaga

5.0 out of 5 stars stan ridgeway, the big heat
Great old 80's classic LA new wave that rarely gets radio play. Title tune and one called Camoflage, which is especially relevant when our nation is locked in a futile, stagnant... Read more
Published on May 15, 2007 by David Goldstein

4.0 out of 5 stars the big heat stan ridgway
This is a good record for any wov fan, or not. Stans stuff is always interesting with out doubt, and there are certainly musical gems here. Read more
Published on November 9, 2006 by Peter Freitas

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, creatively original, ideas
Some of the song ideas on this CD have been better done in Stan's other work, but none of them are boring. Read more
Published on July 21, 2004 by theinsipiduncles

5.0 out of 5 stars essential for my collection
I first heard this album in 1986 after hearing Mexican Radio on the telly and when we were not able to get the Wall of Voodoo album we ended up with this - i've loved it ever... Read more
Published on March 23, 2000 by T. Tree Walker

5.0 out of 5 stars Original and Irresistable
Truely one of the stand out albums of the time. A great eclectic collection of mood evoking songs. Each cut creates it's own aura. Read more
Published on August 22, 1999 by C. Beiderbecke

5.0 out of 5 stars RIDGEWAY IS STELLER
Stan has always done it, this album puts some of his early solo material to test and it exceeds the standards. Read more
Published on July 18, 1999

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The Big Heat opens new browser window is Stan Ridgway's opens new browser window 5th studio release. Browse Stan Ridgway's Discography opens new browser window and watch Stan Ridgway videos opens new browser window on SoundUnwound.

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67% buy the item featured on this page:
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