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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Having sung the title role on the original 1976 album of Evita, Julie Covington declined the part in the stage production and instead recorded the marvellous Julie Covington... Plus, now available for the first time on CD. One of popular music's best-kept secrets, the original album was produced by Joe Boyd--legendary for his work with Fairport Convention, REM and the Incredible String Band; arranged by Robert Kirby, who had worked closely with Nick Drake; and featured contributions from Richard Thompson, Steve Winwood and John Cale. Covington proves herself an inimitably English interpretive singer--and her choice of material is immaculate, from Thompson's "I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight", through John Lennon's "How", to Kate Bush's "The Kick Inside". This belated re-release also includes the bonus track "Only Women Bleed", Covington's 1977 hit--written, rather incongruously, by Alice Cooper. Back in 1978, Julie Covington... Plus was an unjustly neglected gem, and its availability now is a genuine cause for celebration. --Patrick Humphries
CD Description
If Julie Covington has suffered from any one thing throughout her distinguished career, it is the fact that she has never been an artist you can pigeonhole. And people do like to pigeonhole. No-one who has seen her work as a formidable and vibrant stage and television actress would argue is she was considered to this category, and this category alone. Ok, so file her under Actress , then. Great actress - no question. BUT Julie's a great singer too! An interpreter of words, a woman with the ability to inject fresh and unexpected nuances into often well known lyrics. This album was originally released on Virgin Records in 1978 and produced by Joe Boyd and John Wood. It boasted a stellar line up including Richard Thompson, Neil Larson, Willie Weeks, Andy Newmark plus Steve Winwood, John Cale, Ray Cooper, John Kirkpatrick, Trevor Lucas, Simon Nicol, Chris Spedding Andy Fairweather-Low and Russ Titelman. This re-issue classic has been enhanced with two bonus tracks from 1977 including 'Only Women Bleed' which was a Top 20 hit and it's B-side. She had already had a gigantic world wide hit with 'Don t Cry For Me Argentina' from Evita, a version that has never been bettered. This album is a remarkable testament to Julie's special vocal talents. Her wonderfully pure and emotive voice, an interpretive skill and a musical line up to die for, all combine to make this a really special event!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It is inexplicable to my mind why a vocal talent of this kind has been overlooked in recent decades, especially as Julie Covington was so popular in the Seventies.I only encountered her work by accident, some while ago, through a friend who is a fan. Thus, the re-release of Covington's recordings on CD has come as a great pleasure. When my homemade cassette tape of her LPs wore out I was disconsolate, but I went on singing the lyrics in my head! She is up there with Sandy Denny as an interpreter par excellence, whose clarity of enunciation and range of emotion is unique. She can evoke wistfulness, pathos and a kind of gutsy, ballsy energy unmatched by any artist I can think of. There are some gems on this compilation, many of which display Covington's talent at interpreting material by, in particular, denizens of the folk scene such as Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny. A personal favourite, for its sense of expectation and weekend round the corner optimism, is 'Bright Lights', a real 'Friday night' song...Again, her version of Sandy Denny's 'By the time it gets dark' is a poignant reminder of that artist's tragic death at 31. Nor, like Maddy Prior of Steeleye Span,does Covington fight shy of tacking Brecht-her version of 'Barbara's Song' is a gentler, more reflective performance than the former's 'Black Freighter', but has the same bitter, underlying edge. 'The Kick Inside', by Kate Bush, is made less stagey and more incisive. The track 'Only Women Bleed' is a sad but ironic comment on the female condition. This CD is marvellous for a whole set of reasons-anyone into Seventies nostalgia has much pleasure ahead of them-this is undoubtedly 'mood' music for an era. If you are an admirer of folk of this period, there is also a lot to enjoy. Similarly, there is mainstream 'cover' material such as Lennon's 'How' or Winwood's 'Let Me Make Something in Your Life'. This is a set which oozes the joy, regret and ambivalence of romance. You could fall in love to this CD-and with it, as well!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Julie will always be known as the original voice of Evita and the short haired belter in TV's Rock Follies. While these 1976/77 roles were impressive and successful, this 1978 solo album showcases her real gift - an amazing vocal talent. Crystal clear, strong yet tender, Julie's voice effortlessly carries off a range of material here including a sparkling version of Richard & Linda Thomson's 'I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight', a surprisingly warm, folky take on Kate Bush's 'The Kick Inside' and her typically dramatic hit single cover of Alice Cooper's 'Only Women Bleed'.
This album was one of her few endeavours at the time that didn't get the acclaim it deserved and so this CD release is a welcome, must have for anyone who loves good songs well sung & a great collection by an often overlooked performer from the 70's.
This album was one of her few endeavours at the time that didn't get the acclaim it deserved and so this CD release is a welcome, must have for anyone who loves good songs well sung & a great collection by an often overlooked performer from the 70's.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
At last this album from 1978 gets a re-release with 2 bonus tracks including the brilliant single "Only Women Bleed". Its all covers featuring the talents of Richard Thompson and Andy Fairweather-Low,Steve Winwood & John Cale on the tracks.
The cover of Kate Bush's "The Kick Inside" is mesmerising and John Lennon's " How" beautiful. A lovely listen from one of Britain's great female vocalists it demands your attention at the bargain price.
The cover of Kate Bush's "The Kick Inside" is mesmerising and John Lennon's " How" beautiful. A lovely listen from one of Britain's great female vocalists it demands your attention at the bargain price.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
My new old favourite
I bought this as I used to love Julie Covington's voice back in the seventies. I wasn't sure what to expect but it quickly became my new favourite for the car. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Zan
NOT JILL - HER SON ACTUALLY (we share an account!)
Julie Covington is the UK's Jennifer Warnes. That, coming from me is praise itself. This CD is full of wonderful gems from the lady I remember from being with Brian Cant etc on... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Clive WILLIAMS
safe,but dull,dull dull.
After her sucess in the rock follies you would have thought she would go on to greater things, she may have done a bit with "dont cry for me argentina" but the legion of Roxy Music... Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2009 by Mr. A. Williams
The real Evita
She was the first, the best and for me, the only Evita. This CD just helps prove what a beautiful voice this lady has!
Published on 15 Sep 2009 by OKAPI 5
Boring
Not the Julie Covington I remember from The Rock Follies or Evita or even War of The Worlds. She was just great!! Boring album and all the songs sound the same. Read more
Published on 16 Aug 2009 by Rick Carnes
I wish she'd record more.
Her voice is awesome. I first heard her singing on the original "Evita" concept album(1976). I then bought "The War of the Worlds"(1978) album because she was on that. Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2009 by P. Denning
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