Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: 3
Company: Smash
Catalog: SRS-67121
Year: 1969
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: gatefold sleeve; 2 small cut out holes
Available: 1
Price: $30.00
Okay, I'll readily admit that the hype surrounding Scott Walker totally escapes me. Admittedly, he has an attractive voice (his baritone is instantly recognizable), but to our ears he's at the extreme end of the irritating scale..
Unfortunately, 1969's cleverly titled "3" doesn't do anything to change our opinion. Unlike his first two solo albums, this one attempts to spotlight Walker's songwriting skills - he penned 10 of the 13 tracks. Produced by Wally Scott, the album is certainly a deeply personal effort, but be forewarned that the results are neither pop, nor rock. Material such as "It's Raining Today", "Copenhagen" and "Sons of" is highly orchestrated MOR that has more in common with cabaret or 50s crooners, than Walker's rock roots. At least to our ears, the only tracks that really stand out are the martial sounding "We Came Through" and Tony Macauley's "Lights of Cincinnati" (which actually sports something close to a melody). What makes the set really weird are Walker's lyrics. Fighting your way through the syrupy orchestration and sidestepping sappy crap such as Jacques Brel's "If You Go Away", reveals Walker's fascination with society's fringe population. Tracks such as "Big Louise" (are we dreaming, or is he singing about a whore?) and "Two Ragged Soldiers" recall Tom Waits (overlooking the string arrangements and the fact Walker's voice is stronger). One friggin' weird LP !!! This thing somehow managed to provide Walker with a top-10 hit in the UK, though it did squat in the States.
"3" track listing
(side 1)
1.) It's Raining Today (Scott Engel) - 4:00
2.) Copenhagen (Scott Engel) - 2:21
3.) Rosemary (Scott Engel) - 3:22
4.) Big Louise (Scott Engel) - 3:08
5.) We Came Through (Scott Engel) - 1:58
6.) Butterfly (Scott Engel) - 1:39
7.) Two Ragged Soldiers (Scott Engel) - 2:04
(side 2)
1.) Lights of Cincinnati (Tony Macaulay - S. Stephens) - 3:19
2.) Winter Nights (Scott Engel) - 1:45
3.) Two Weeks (Scott Engel) - 2:48
4.) Sons of (G. Jounnest - Jacques Brel - Mort Shuman - E. Blau) - 3:46
5.) Funeral Tango (G. Jounnest - Jacques Brel - Mort Shuman - E. Blau) - 2:53
6.) If You Go Away (Jacque Brel - Rob McKuen) - 4:56