Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Track Listings
| 1. I Have Lived |
| 2. I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten - Marc Almond, Sarah Cracknell |
| 3. Bedsitter Images |
| 4. The London Boys |
| 5. Strangers In The Night |
| 6. The Ballad Of The Sad Young Men - Marc Almond, Antony Hegarty |
| 7. Stardom Road |
| 8. Kitsch |
| 9. Backstage (I'm Lonely) - Marc Almond, Jools Holland |
| 10. Dream Lover |
| 11. Happy Heart |
| 12. Redeem Me |
| 13. The Curtain Falls |
Product Description
Review
Staring death in the face and deciding his current outfit wouldn't see him through to eternity, Marc Almond gave a kick of the heels, a flick of the head and cat-walked back to life. A motorbike accident in 2004 was not the way he'd want to be remembered.
Realising mortality and spurred to live life to the full, Almond has used his return to compile a collection of songs which influenced his upbringing. Stardom Road begins its journey circa '59, the year of his birth, through to
his Soft Cell fame.
Quite what Bobby Darin would make of Almond is anyone's guess, but the crooner certainly made an impression on young Marc. ''Dream Lover'' and the album closer ''The Curtain Falls'' show the origins of Marc's showmanship along
with Sinatra's ''Strangers In The Night''. It's a tough act to follow and ultimately proves out of reach, however much he tries to make it his own.
Dusty Springfield's ''I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten'' is a much better attempt. One of the album highlights, it features the sassy Sarah Cracknell of St Etienne and thoroughly deserves its place as the first single lifted. But a change of tact on Shirley Bassey's ''The Ballad Of The Sad Young Men'' worryingly sees Antony & The Johnsons Antony Hegarty outshine his host to deliver the enchanting performance this time around.
To Almond's credit, this is not a collection of obvious covers and helps shed light on the maker of the man. 'I'll explain my life and show you all I am and all I've been', he sings in opening track ''I Have Lived''; also stating,
'When it's time to meet the Father and explains my sins away, I will tell him, yes I'll tell him I have lived'. Two stern fingers up to remorse of indiscretion in case you were wondering.
Clearly the Noughties have not been especially good for Marc Almond. More at home pushing the envelope of the Eighties he's struggled to shock and excite in our ever-more liberal times. Sadly too, the current generation he inspired are now out-kitsching the creator leaving Stardom Road more show tunes than show stopper. --Iain Griffin
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Amazon.co.uk
Stardom Road is the 2007 album from the flamboyant performer best known as the voice behind Soft Cell. The album is a musical journey of cover songs that have influenced Marc through his life and his significant growth as an artist. The album also contains one new song, "Redeem Me (Beauty Will Redeem The World)", which Almond wrote specifically for Stardom Road. This collection features many of the genres that Marc has been associated with over the years, including torch song; the 1950s crooners; the grand orchestral sounds of the 1960s; the 'over the top' pop glam of the 70s and the electro-style of the 80s that made him famous as part of Soft Cell. Stardom Road gives the listener a personal glimpse into Marc Almond's inspirations, aspirations and conclusions. It is a tremendously important album, being his first since his near-fatal motorcycle crash in 2004. The crash proved life changing, as such ordeals often are. Recording this album has formed an important part of the recovery process and represents the turning point as Marc Almond the artist returns to form. The album has been compiled with the help of Tris Penna, who produced many of the tracks with the acclaimed producer Marius de Vries and arranger Mike Smith. It features guest spots from Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons; Jools Holland, with whom Marc has often toured; and Sarah Cracknell from St Etienne.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The thing about Mr. Almond is, that he has no surpassable boundaries. No matter how hard you knock him (down) the boy will will always bounce back up again - screaming "I'm still here !!"
This album, a sublime mixture of old eclectic (Dream Lover, I Close My Eyes, Strangers In The Night, and forceable hidden old gems like classic Bowie - London Boys(my fav!) Kitsch, Bedsitter Images (see what he did there !!?) and Curtain Falls), is simply a prime example of Mr. Almond singing the songs that HE likes the way HE likes to.....and we will love !....just bloody buy it, if you dont believe me !!
This album, a sublime mixture of old eclectic (Dream Lover, I Close My Eyes, Strangers In The Night, and forceable hidden old gems like classic Bowie - London Boys(my fav!) Kitsch, Bedsitter Images (see what he did there !!?) and Curtain Falls), is simply a prime example of Mr. Almond singing the songs that HE likes the way HE likes to.....and we will love !....just bloody buy it, if you dont believe me !!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Marc Almond is on splendid form here, and the songs carefully selected for this mature collection somehow sound as though he was always MEANT to be singing them one day. The instrumental arrangements are suitably lavish and the varied array of songs and styles represented - ranging from the late night piano bar feel of "The Ballad Of Sad Young Men" (a duet with Antony Hegarty), through to Almond's affectionate reinterpretation with Sarah Cracknell of "I Close My Eyes (And Count To Ten)" and the pure out-and-out joy of his cover of the classic "Happy Heart" - make this one of the most enjoyable and satisfying Marc Almond albums to date. Highly recommended.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having seen Marc recently at his Wilton shows and at the Mermaid theatre with the BBC concert orchestra I became familiar with some of the songs on this new and fantastic album!
Since his RTA back in 2004 Marc has done what many of us didnt expect return to recording and touring. Surviving the accident was amazing but to deliver with the quality of STARDOM ROAD is a revelation!
Its difficult to single out any track but if I had to it would be Kitch(just because he totally lets go) reminds me of Traumas, Traumas, Traumas crossed with Macarthur Park. I have never been this excited about one of his albums since the utterly fantastic MOTHER FIST AND HER FIVE DAUGHTERS and justifiably so GO AND BUY IT NOW!
Since his RTA back in 2004 Marc has done what many of us didnt expect return to recording and touring. Surviving the accident was amazing but to deliver with the quality of STARDOM ROAD is a revelation!
Its difficult to single out any track but if I had to it would be Kitch(just because he totally lets go) reminds me of Traumas, Traumas, Traumas crossed with Macarthur Park. I have never been this excited about one of his albums since the utterly fantastic MOTHER FIST AND HER FIVE DAUGHTERS and justifiably so GO AND BUY IT NOW!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Stunning!
A bit late to the party here so please forgive me. I bought this in the Summer and the first I heard it was via my mp3 player on a train from Murcia to Madrid. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2010 by Mr. Gordon Bain
Guilty Secrets?
This excellent album - mainly of covers - takes us through a musical journey in which Almond bares his soul and shows us some of the people who have influenced his music. Read more
Published on 11 April 2008 by Mr. Peter Steward
Marc's Latest Triumph
I can only say that I ADORE this wonderful album and that Marc Almond showcases a masterclass of music here. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2007 by Terry Connell
the whole cd
absolutely fantastic - marc almond at his best - my favourite cd to date.
I just keep buying it for friends as presents!!!!!
I just keep buying it for friends as presents!!!!!
Published on 24 Nov 2007 by Monkey of Hull
one to come back to
on first reflection this album sounds like it ought to be a monstrosity - a camp, gin-totting, eyelash-flapping queen (i hope mr almond will forgive the description) singing cover... Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2007 by Hambletta-Maud
A Romantic stroll through the 60s and 70s
Judging this album in a fair way, both for the listener and for Marc himself, is no easy task. The listener must be given an impartial opinion of the record, but also a realistic... Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2007 by Anonymous
An amazing return to form
Marc has had his detractors over the years, but unlike the buble gum, manufactured rubbish that is so prevelant in pop music today, Marc has always tried to do something different... Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2007 by G. R. Johnston
Buy This CD.......Now!!
This simply is a fantastic album. Fivs stars do not do it justice!
A great range of songs, all perfectly executed. Read more
A great range of songs, all perfectly executed. Read more
Published on 22 July 2007 by A. Redmond
Welcome back Marc.
Welcome back Marc! This is gobsmackinkly fantastic. Ultra vixen Marc takes us all over the top with this combination of high camp hot gay action! Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2007 by Kenny
just knock out
from the first track i have lived to last marc`s voice is just knock out and his covers of happy heart dream lover srangers in the night made them fresh like new songs you have to... Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2007 by Mr. John E. Bratt
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
