Testimonial Dinner: The Songs Of XTC CD

Though most tribute albums aren't worth the cost of the packaging, A Testimonial Dinner deserves a listen simply because the artists involved appear to have been selected more for their love of XTC than for their MTV appeal. Spacehog's take on "Senses Working Overtime" captures the perky but warped pop sensibilities perfectly, while Sarah McLachlan's haunting acoustic version of "Dear God" is, even by Andy Patridge's admission, arguably better than the original. Ruben Blades' invigorating Latin spin on "The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul" is simply magical, and They Might Be Giants lend their quirky style to a cover of "25 O'Clock," a song originally recorded by XTC's side-project the Dukes of Stratosphear. To top it all off, even XTC shows up (disguised as Terry & the Lovemen) to contribute "The Good Things," a lilting, psychedelic track reminiscent of the Summer of Love's groovy, harmony-laden pop. With nary a dud to be found, A Testimonial Dinner is the rare tribute album that does its subjects proud. ~ Bret Love

Liner Note Authors: David Yazbek; Irwin Chusid.

Recording information: Chipping Norton Studios, Oxfordshire, England; Drive Studio, Swindon, England; God of Thunder Studios, Winnipeg, Canada; Joe's Studio, Milwaukee, WI; Mushroom Studios, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Power Station Studios, New York, NY; Rumbo Recorders, Canoga Park, CA; Sandbox, Los Angeles, CA; Stagg Street Studios, Van Nuys, CA.

Unknown Contributor Role: Mitch Dorge.

Arranger: Michael Vinas.

Personnel: Brad Roberts (vocals, guitar, programming); Danny Wilde, Freedy Johnston, Terry, A.J. Dunning, John Flansburgh, Parthenon Huxley, Phil Solem, Antony Langdon, Sarah McLachlan, Brian Vander Ark (vocals, guitar); Joe Jackson (vocals, keyboards, maracas); John Linnell (vocals, keyboards); Donny Brown (vocals, drums); Brad Vander Ark, Rubén Blades (vocals); Greg Leisz (guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar, mandolin, bass guitar); Graham Maby, Luke Doucet, Richard Steel (guitar); David Sinclair , Dave Sinclair (electric guitar); Benjamin Darvill (harmonica); John Walsh, Tony Barrero (trumpet); Raymond Vega, Ray Vega (flugelhorn); Angel Papo Vasquez, Renaldo Jorge (trombone); Oscar Hernandez (piano); Dave Kershaw (Mellotron, acoustic bass); Doug Corella (keyboards, percussion); Brian Minato (electric bass); Graham Edwards, Royston Langdon (bass guitar); Gary Burke (drums, maracas); Mitch Dorge (drums, programming); Gordon Townsend (drums, background vocals); Chris Sharrock , Alan Sood, Don Heffington, Pat Mastelotto, Johnny Cragg, Brian Doherty (drums); Eddy Montalvo (congas); George Gonzalez (bongos); Ralph Irizarry (timbales); Dan Roberts (programming); Camille Henderson, Ellen Reid, Rob Miller (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Ed Roynesdal; Ed Thacker; Michael Bosley; Dann Wojnar; Paul Angelli; Joe Jackson; John Diaz; Paul Mitchell; Pierre Marchand.

Alternative Press (1/96, p.85) - "...DINNER is yummy. It reminds you that underneath the forced lunacy, Andy Partridge isn't a bad songwriter..."