The Language of Life | 
| Artist: Everything But The Girl
Label: Atlantic / Wea
Category: Music
List Price: $9.98
Buy Used: $1.74
You Save: $8.24 (83%)
New (12) Used (43) Collectible (3) from $1.74
Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 16780
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 82057
UPC: 075678205729
EAN: 0075678205729
ASIN: B000002IP5
Release Date: February 8, 1990
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
| |
| Tracks:
| • | Driving | | • | Get Back Together | | • | Meet Me in the Morning | | • | Me and Bobby D | | • | The Language of Life | | • | Take Me - Everything But the Girl, Womack, Cecil | | • | Imagining America | | • | Letting Love Go | | • | My Baby Don't Love Me | | • | The Road |
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
By the time of The Language of Life, Everything but the Girl had reached a point in their career where they could get accomplished jazz musicians Joe Sample, Michael Brecker, and Stan Getz to play on their album and not have it perceived as an affectation: the duo had already made five albums that showcased Ben Watt's ability to write a classic melody and Tracey Thorn's silky vocals. In working with producer Tommy Lipuma, they made an album of superficially perfect love songs--beautiful tunes all, but overproduced to the point where the feelings behind them are only rarely glimpsed. There are some great songs, though--"The Road," "Driving," "Me and Bobby D," "Imagining America" are some of the best in EBTG's distinguished catalog--and they manage to make Language a worthy album despite the shortcomings. Check out EBTG's Acoustic for more nuanced versions of "Driving" and "Me and Bobby D." --Randy Silver
Album Details
Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
Electric Rose (The Chemistry of Watt & Thorn) April 15, 2005
Mars Velvet (Green Tree, Blue Earth...Deep Space)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
LANGUAGE is arguably one of the best albums ever made that blends perfect pop with jazz sensibilites. Moody, but also provocative. Stunning vocal performance by Tracy Thorn and the jazz stylings of Ben Watt. There are even a few duets that showcase their sympatico.
This album stands at the crossroads of their career and would be next to the last before they shifted their musical focus to electronica. Here are my favorite tracks.... hope they will be yours.
"Driving" starts with the gentle "ha ha ha" (inspired by Laurie Anderson's "O Superman"...?) and thus begins the album with keyboard and sax meeting together beautifully. Tracy's emotional words and velvet voice melt in the ear.
"Get Back" picks up the beat with Ben getting more vocals this time...almost a duet. A perfect example of their chemistry coming thru the music.
"Meet me in the morning" has Tracy beconing an invitation for an illicit rendevouz. "I haven't come to break your home...
I haven't come to harm your children, I've come to be your love". Beautiful.
"Me and Bobby D" is a sorta lively catalog of ex-lovers. The happy beat and catchy hook masks the portrait of abusive and neglected relationships.
"Language of Life" features a piano, Tracy's smooth notes, and Ben following her lead...gorgeous! A perfect centerpiece for this album.
"Take me" a great standard. Originally a hit for the Isley Brothers. Here sung heartfully by Tracy Thorn.
"Imagining America" another "duetish" song about lovers parted by an ocean during wartime. Great string and sax arrangment! This song has a driven quality, almost urgent as Ben speaks the words Tracy will then sing. Original vocal delivery.
"The Road" is sung solo by Ben Watt. A trait that happens on most of their albums. Ben ussually delivers a heartfelt and very introspective performance... this is no exception. A perfect song to end the journey.
If your CD collection contains artists like Basia, Swing Out Sister, Julia Fordham, or even Norah Jones... then Ben and Tracy will fit nicely along side them. Enjoy!
Great rainy day songs September 6, 1999
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
OK, maybe it's not the perfect CD that 5 stars suggests, but it's close. A few years ago, a good friend of mine loaned me her copy of this CD. She said she had been in Seattle on vacation, and ended up listening to it all week. I had never heard of EBTG, but gave it a try. What a great CD! The other reviewers are right -- it's intelligently written light jazz/pop, with enough musical hooks to keep you coming back. The AllMusic Guide gives this CD the lowest rating of any CD from EBTG, and if that's the case, the others must be superb. However, this one will be with me for a while. Don't buy the forgetful "Jazz for a Rainy Day" or other such compilation CDs -- buy this one instead. You won't be disappointed.
Everything they say is true August 15, 2003
Chris (formerly of Etton, nr Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
One of the best of EBTG's works. Just the thing to have on when walking down a London street at twilight. Buy it!
Everything But The Girl May 25, 2000
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is my favorite CD of all time, and also EBTG's best to date. This is one that I have listened to over and over again for many years, and never grow tired of it.
Pop at it's Best. August 21, 1999
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is one of those alblums that you never get tired of. I listen to all kinds of music from speed metal to classical and this album is one of those that you'll always want to have around. You start by liking one or two tracks and before you know it, you're listening to the album from start to finish. Light un-filling POP with a little melancholy thrown in for good measure. Excellent work!
|
|
|
