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Singer/songwriter Tanita Tikaram's debut album, Ancient Heart, stands as one of the most underappreciated albums of the 1980s, and she, along with Tracy Chapman, preceded the 1990s' onslaught of female singer/songwriters by almost a decade. Tikaram, who was only 19 when this album was released, created a melancholy and wistful work, mature beyond her years, of startling originality and honesty. While this album may be considered folkish and artsy, it never stoops to the clichés that dominated those styles of music in the later Lilith Fair years. Her near perfect signature song "Twist in My Sobriety" is a stark, sinuous, desperate torch song that managed to garner a bit of radio and video airplay in its day and sounded like nothing else then or since. Other highlights include the lovely and more upbeat "Cathedral Song," "World Outside Your Window," and "Good Tradition"," as well as the jazzy "For All the Years" and the haunting "I Love You" and "Valentine Heart" -- the latter being one of the album's true highlights. Ancient Heart is a smoky, world-weary album, that, years after its initial release, does not sound one bit dated and has effortlessly stood the test of time. The definite highlight of Tanita Tikaram's career. ~ Jose F. Promis
Live Recording
Recording information: The Red House Studio (04/1988-07/1988).
Photographer: Peter Moss.
Arrangers: Peter Van Hooke; Rod Argent; Tanita Tikaram.
Personnel: Tanita Tikaram (vocals, guitar); Marc Ribot (guitar, horns); Mark Creswell, Clem Clempson, Mitch Dalton, Brendan Croker (guitar); Paul Brady (mandolin); David Lindley, Brendon O'Reilly, Helen O'Hara, John Georgiadis (violin); Ian Jewell (viola); Keith Harvey (cello); Malcolm Messiter (oboe); Philip Todd (saxophone); Mark Isham (trumpet, flugelhorn); Noel Langley (trumpet); Pete Beachill (trombone); Rod Argent (keyboards); Rory McFarlane (bass guitar); Mo Foster (fretless bass); Peter Van Hooke (drums); Martin Ditcham (percussion).
Audio Mixers: Peter Van Hooke; Rod Argent; Simon Hurrell.
For all these years "For all these years" is the highlight of this ancient cd, released 15 years ago. A tune with a haunting flugel horn in the background. "Twist in my sobriety" is a bit more upbeat. Definitely worth buying. Submitted by carey c (KC, MO USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
A great voice A great voice but I wonder what happened? Did she get tired of the music biz? People with a quarter of her talent have gone on to have longer careers. Her voice has a great mysterious quality. Maybe this will help, if you like Michelle Shocked the chances are you will like this, of course if you know who Michelle Shocked is you have probably already heard this! Submitted by a reviewer (Oyster Bay, NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Classic..... One of a kind Tanita Tikaram continues
to record(2005) and has 6 collections
over the years but this stunning first
record put her on the map, made her a
big star. When this was released(late 80's) remember the state of music, specifically women singer/songwriters/musicans. Soon
after this collection was released or right around
this time, the likes of Tracy Chapman, Sinead O'Connor, Toni Childs, burst on
the music scene and the talents of
Bonnie Raitt(2nd life) & Tori Amos's genius would follow in the next year or two. This was a perfect time for
this 1st Tanita record to break in and
that it did, all over the world, and with the help of music video stations
we all got to see this dark beauty and
a just a pup.(age 18?) With a voice as husky &
sensual and older than her years and
some really eccentric musical styles,
she gave us a gem of a record. The big hit "Twist
in my sorbriety" opened her up to the
world but this collection was full of
other smoking, sultry gems. Wordy at
times and filled with a wonderous travelouge of a life she breathed new
life into the singer/songwriters of
the 70's and helped open the door to
the quality music that was to come.
Although she did not match the impact
of the first one, over the years she
still is well worth seeking out her
back catalouge as there is always gems
in every collection. Check out her
best of set!
Submitted by littlebibs (Kingston, NH USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
A great tradition. The mysterious and very beautiful Ms Tikarem came into our lives in the late
1980's, made the world a much better place for a few years and then quietly
left the music biz to make babies and
grow vegetables (l guess).
"Ancient heart" was her best-est effort,
her unique, dry and husky voice pumping
quality-music into a world filled with Stock-Aitken-Waterman sh*te. "Good tradition" is a fabbo tune; listen to this album- you won't be disappointed.
Submitted by Tim (...somewhere in England.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
For all these years
A great tradition.
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