Gerry Rafferty City To City CD

Originally released on United Artists.
Personnel: Gerry Rafferty (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards, background vocals); Hugh Murphy (vocals, guitar, electric guitar, tabla, tambourine); Graham Preskett (vocals, mandolin, violin, fiddle, keyboards); Gary Taylor (vocals, keyboards, Moog synthesizer, background vocals); John McBurnie, Vivienne McAuliffe, Rab Noakes, Roger Brown , Barbara Dickson (vocals, background vocals); Nigel Jenkins, Hugh Burns, Jerry Donahue (guitar, electric guitar); Andy Fairweather Low (guitar); Micky Moody (acoustic guitar); Brian Cole (steel guitar, dobro); B.J. Cole (steel guitar); Paul Jones (harmonica); Willy Ray (accordion); Raphael Ravenscroft (saxophone, alto saxophone); Tommy Eyre (piano, grand piano, electric piano, organ, keyboards, Moog synthesizer); Glen LeFleur (drums, tambourine, percussion); Henry Spinetti (drums); Vivian McAuliff, Vivian McAulipe, Joanna Carlin (background vocals).
Recording information: Berwick Street Studios; Chipping Norton Studios; Marquee Studios, London, England.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Vivian McAuliff; Nigel Jenkins; Micky Moody.
Arranger: Tommy Eyre.
Gerry Rafferty is a huge talent, but a reluctant star. Management struggles and sundry other hindrances limited his output, but couldn't avert the Scot from releasing two legendary singles -- the Tarantino-ized "Stuck in the Middle With You" and the unforgettable "Baker Street," the latter included on this record. Just a glimpse of John Patrick Byrne's cool cover art lets the listener know City to City houses Rafferty's day in the sun as he conquers the world one metropolis at a time, his guitar and amp in tow. Setting out in his apocalyptic "Ark," each song radiates the confidence of a master craftsman cruising in his prime, constructing brilliant pop confections with top-flight support while awaiting the crunch of civilization. The dreamy reality check "Baker Street" rightfully remains one of the greatest cuts in pop history. Forever-lost B-side "Big Change in Weather" further demonstrates Rafferty was on a rare roll. Domestic valentine "Right Down the Line" snugly followed to the height of the charts, and third release, "Home and Dry," while not of an immortal status, stands as a quality song. He even stomps out a smooth hoedown on the title track. Rafferty's turns of phrase and tight composition skills create a fresh sound and perspective all his own. Any diverse style (and he attempts many) filters through his unique mindset, resulting in a classic platter buoyed by many moments of sheer genius. "Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters." ~ Doug Stone
Often mistaken with Night Owl, as they both had similar subject matter and beautiful Patrick Byrne covers, the main difference is that this is the one with "Baker Street," probably the most flogged song of the past two decades, and one that now does his credibility no good. Missing out in the memory bank is the powerful "The Ark," and the often ignored, radio-friendly title track. It also includes two of his finest open love songs: "Right Down The Line" and the innocently profound "Whatever's Written In Your Heart"), with the line "so we agree to disagree, at least we got our memories."
Often mistaken with Night Owl, as they both had similar subject matter and beautiful Patrick Byrne covers, the main difference is that this is the one with 'Baker Street', probably the most flogged song of the past two decades, and one that now does his credibility no good. Missing out in the memory bank is the powerful 'The Ark', and the often ignored, radio-friendly title track. It also includes two of his finest open love songs - 'Right Down The Line' and the innocently profound 'Whatever's Written In Your Heart' (is all that matters), with the line 'so we agree to disagree, at least we got our memories.