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Amazon.co.uk Review
If Scott Walker's first solo album, 1967's Scott, had been about wilfully laying waste to the pretty-boy pop star image he had established with The Walker Brothers, Scott 2 found him relaxing into the role somewhat, and is probably the better record for it. The basic modus operandi remained the same--epic, string-drenched ballads, written by a combination of Walker and his heroes Jacques Brel and Tim Hardin--but a more playful spirit was directing matters. The difference is reflected in the choice of Brel songs alone. On Scott, Walker had picked such grim room clearers as "Mathilde" and "My Death". Here, he kicks off with an exuberant romp through "Jackie", Brel's sketch of a cheerfully dissolute rock & roll wastrel (Marc Almond released a barely distinguishable version a couple of decades later). Later, he camps up Brel's hilarious military reminiscence "Next", and contributes a composition of his own called "The Amorous Humphrey Plugg"--it seems reasonable to suspect that Walker had been listening to a fair bit of Anthony Newley around this time. All this blithe good cheer can be taken so far, of course--the original sleeve notes, credited to "His friend Jonathan King", suggest that Walker could have been more cautious about the company he was keeping. --Andrew Mueller
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
On 'Scott 2', the artist visits his past, present and future. 'Jackie' opens the album in the present, his fixation with Brel's songs. This is my favourite of his Brel covers, a track that gallops through a maelstrom of biting witticisms. This is followed by his Walker Brothers past, the commercial ballad, 'Best Of Both Worlds'. The future is represented by his own material, notably the epic 'Plastic Palace People', which incorporates both his smooth and cryptic sides. It's one of his best songs outside the brilliant 'Scott 4'.
He has three other self-penned songs on this album and they vary in quality. 'The Amorous Humphrey Plugg' is more mundane than the title suggests and suffers from an overdone slow vibrato. Both 'The Girls From The Streets' and 'The Bridge' are, however, quite impressive.
Walker's choice of outside material is, on the whole, inspired. Tim Hardin's 'Black Sheep Boy' has a striking, country rock beat and helps to break up the more intense material. Brel's 'Next' is impossible to ignore, but won't appeal to everyone. Even so, 'Scott 2', with its customary sumptuous orchestral arrangements is a classy album.
He has three other self-penned songs on this album and they vary in quality. 'The Amorous Humphrey Plugg' is more mundane than the title suggests and suffers from an overdone slow vibrato. Both 'The Girls From The Streets' and 'The Bridge' are, however, quite impressive.
Walker's choice of outside material is, on the whole, inspired. Tim Hardin's 'Black Sheep Boy' has a striking, country rock beat and helps to break up the more intense material. Brel's 'Next' is impossible to ignore, but won't appeal to everyone. Even so, 'Scott 2', with its customary sumptuous orchestral arrangements is a classy album.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a must have album for anyone familiar with Scott`s work and especially his early solo albums , post Walker Bros from the late `60`s.
Scott 2 contains some of his Jaques Brell interpretations as well as classics such as Black Sheep Boy, Jackie, The Amorous Humphry Plugg and Plastic Palace People.
A beautiful reminder of his great talent and also of his amazing voice.....Also great orchestral arrangements from Wally Stott.
Scott 2 contains some of his Jaques Brell interpretations as well as classics such as Black Sheep Boy, Jackie, The Amorous Humphry Plugg and Plastic Palace People.
A beautiful reminder of his great talent and also of his amazing voice.....Also great orchestral arrangements from Wally Stott.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I consider myself a huge Scott Walker fan, and this is my favourite album.
To be honest I don't care much for his later work, such as 'Tilt' or 'The Drift',
though for me Scott - Scott 4 are all outstanding recordings of a truly gifted
singer/songwriter. 'The Amorous Humphrey Plug'. Who else could write a song with
that title, never mind the quality or 'other-worldliness' of the song itself
I ask you dear readers? We have sweeping strings and brass arrangements galore!!
Scott goes from having a tiring day to escaping on the roller-skate subway and up
into the clouds, meeting nine angels along the way. And all of this while donning
a new suit. Such dream-like imagery. 'Plastic Palace People' is equally dream-like,
evoking memories of Channing Way - a place Scott Walker used to know I believe?
As with the earlier album 'Scott', his fascination with the songs of Jacques Brel
continues to great effect here. 'Jackie' is a real stomper, with dark romantic lyrics
thrown around effortlessly! Tim Hardin's 'Black Sheep Boy' is another stand out track,
with country-tinged acoustic guitar and tambourine providing sound, jangly backing for
some really wonderful vocals. I think Scott Walker's unique, golden voice is at it's most
impressive on Scott 2, despite what some other critics think.....
To be honest I don't care much for his later work, such as 'Tilt' or 'The Drift',
though for me Scott - Scott 4 are all outstanding recordings of a truly gifted
singer/songwriter. 'The Amorous Humphrey Plug'. Who else could write a song with
that title, never mind the quality or 'other-worldliness' of the song itself
I ask you dear readers? We have sweeping strings and brass arrangements galore!!
Scott goes from having a tiring day to escaping on the roller-skate subway and up
into the clouds, meeting nine angels along the way. And all of this while donning
a new suit. Such dream-like imagery. 'Plastic Palace People' is equally dream-like,
evoking memories of Channing Way - a place Scott Walker used to know I believe?
As with the earlier album 'Scott', his fascination with the songs of Jacques Brel
continues to great effect here. 'Jackie' is a real stomper, with dark romantic lyrics
thrown around effortlessly! Tim Hardin's 'Black Sheep Boy' is another stand out track,
with country-tinged acoustic guitar and tambourine providing sound, jangly backing for
some really wonderful vocals. I think Scott Walker's unique, golden voice is at it's most
impressive on Scott 2, despite what some other critics think.....
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
All the Scott Walkers
This collection for me showcases the many sides of the character of the man and hence his staggering versatility: the serious introspective (Windows of the World) , the classical... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Singstress
Scott 2
I cannot fault Scott Walkers albumsScott 2although his later albums are more challengeing to get into but his first 4 are classics.
Published on 11 Jun 2009 by D. Branch
The Voice
This album follows the format of the much superior "Scott" with a mixture of his own compositions, those of Jacques Brel and sundry others. So why doesn't it match up? Read more
Published on 21 July 2002 by J. Skade
Not the best, but still very good.
This is Scott Walker's second album, which established him as one of England's finest pop stars. It was No. 1 in the UK at the time (his only No. Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2000
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