Let's Change the World with Music
Encyclopedia
Let's Change the World with Music is the eighth album from UK band Prefab Sprout
. It was released in the UK on 7 September 2009. It is the band's first album of new material since 2001's The Gunman and Other Stories
and marks a return to their former label Sony Music. The album reached #39 in the UK Albums Chart
at the end of the week of its release. Although no singles were technically released "Let There Be Music" was sent to radio stations and "Sweet Gospel Music" was due to be a one track digital release, only to highlight the album, but received no airplay therefore was pulled.
All songs written by Paddy McAloon
.
in 1993. The album was originally intended to be the successor to 1990's Jordan: The Comeback
and was to have been produced by Thomas Dolby
.
In an interview with Craig McLean of The Independent
, McAloon observed that the prime mover behind the album was his long-term manager, Keith Armstrong. McAloon stated that "Keith was trying to help me, to make some money. When I finish something I listen to it intensively for a short period, then never look at it again. And I'm not really that interested. But when I heard this I thought, 'Oh boy, this is good.'"
During an interview on The Radcliffe and Maconie Show on BBC Radio 2
(3 September 2009) McAloon explained that in 1993 at a meeting with Sony he presented a tape of about fourteen songs as the follow-up to the lengthy Jordan: The Comeback. Apparently there were too many people in the room and the meeting did not go well. Although Sony's A&R
man, Muff Winwood
, wanted him to trim the record down to a more manageable length, for whatever reason there was a misunderstanding and McAloon understood that they wanted him to expand on just one or two of the ideas (rather than just trim 1 or 2 of the songs from the album). He then went away for a year and a half and developed one of the 3 minute songs into a 30 song piece of music. After a period he realised that was not what they wanted, but by this point it was too late.
The album was written, performed and produced by Paddy McAloon at his own Andromeda Heights studio in County Durham
around 1993. It was then mixed in Scotland by long-time engineer Calum Malcolm
. None of the other bandmembers appear although McAloon dedicates the album to them.
McAloon actually wrote two versions of the title track. One was based around the idea of a duet with Barbra Streisand
. The phrase "Let's Change the World with Music" is the first line of the chorus
. However, neither version of the track is included on the album.
Several titles have been recorded previously by other artists, namely Australian singer Wendy Matthews
on her album The Witness Tree
("Ride", "God Watch Over You"). "God Watch Over You" was also recorded by British theatrical star Frances Ruffelle
on her debut album Fragile.
The release was also accompanied by a few interviews, for example in The Sunday Times
and Mojo
.
The album reached #39 in the UK Albums Chart
at the end of the week of its release. It was released on the same day as a number of The Beatles
' re-issues which occupied eleven of the chart places above it.
Dan Cairns described it as a 'heartbreakingly good record' and gave it 5/5. Dave Simpson of The Guardian
gave it 4/5 and called it an "aural treat" which showed at McAloon "at the top of his game". The review in The Independent
was positive, describing the album as "lyrical and lush".
It was also given 4/5 in Record Collector
and in The Observer
s Music Monthly magazine. The latter describes the album as 'fantastically dated' because of the 17 year delay in release. However it also describes it as "fantastically glorious" and an 'enchanting return'.
Prefab Sprout
Prefab Sprout are an alternative English pop rock band from Witton Gilbert, County Durham, England who rose to fame during the 1980s. Eight of their albums have reached the Top 40 in the UK Albums Chart, and one of their singles, "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", peaked at number seven in the UK...
. It was released in the UK on 7 September 2009. It is the band's first album of new material since 2001's The Gunman and Other Stories
The Gunman and Other Stories
The Gunman and Other Stories is the seventh studio album issued by the band, Prefab Sprout. Released in June 2001, the album was the band's only release for the EMI Liberty label.-Album history:...
and marks a return to their former label Sony Music. The album reached #39 in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
at the end of the week of its release. Although no singles were technically released "Let There Be Music" was sent to radio stations and "Sweet Gospel Music" was due to be a one track digital release, only to highlight the album, but received no airplay therefore was pulled.
Track listing
- "Let There Be Music"
- "Ride"
- "I Love Music"
- "God Watch Over You"
- "Music Is a Princess"
- "Earth: The Story So Far"
- "Last of the Great Romantics"
- "Falling in Love"
- "Sweet Gospel Music"
- "Meet the New Mozart"
- "Angel of Love"
All songs written by Paddy McAloon
Paddy McAloon
Paddy McAloon is an English singer-songwriter and member of the band Prefab Sprout. Allmusic describes him as "one of the most underrated lyricists of the '80s".-Career:...
.
Background
The album title was known among the band's fans as being one of the 'lost' albums recorded in demo form by the band's lead singer Paddy McAloonPaddy McAloon
Paddy McAloon is an English singer-songwriter and member of the band Prefab Sprout. Allmusic describes him as "one of the most underrated lyricists of the '80s".-Career:...
in 1993. The album was originally intended to be the successor to 1990's Jordan: The Comeback
Jordan: The Comeback
Jordan: The Comeback is the fifth album by English pop band Prefab Sprout, released in August 1990.- Album :Jordan: The Comeback showed Prefab Sprout continuing their musical evolution from the prickly jangle guitars of Swoon, their debut...
and was to have been produced by Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!", he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician.-Early life:Dolby was born in London, England, contrary to information in early 1980s...
.
In an interview with Craig McLean of The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, McAloon observed that the prime mover behind the album was his long-term manager, Keith Armstrong. McAloon stated that "Keith was trying to help me, to make some money. When I finish something I listen to it intensively for a short period, then never look at it again. And I'm not really that interested. But when I heard this I thought, 'Oh boy, this is good.'"
During an interview on The Radcliffe and Maconie Show on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
(3 September 2009) McAloon explained that in 1993 at a meeting with Sony he presented a tape of about fourteen songs as the follow-up to the lengthy Jordan: The Comeback. Apparently there were too many people in the room and the meeting did not go well. Although Sony's A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
man, Muff Winwood
Muff Winwood
Mervyn "Muff" Winwood is an English songwriter and record producer, and the older brother of Steve Winwood. Both were formerly members of the Spencer Davis Group in the 1960s, in which Muff Winwood played bass guitar...
, wanted him to trim the record down to a more manageable length, for whatever reason there was a misunderstanding and McAloon understood that they wanted him to expand on just one or two of the ideas (rather than just trim 1 or 2 of the songs from the album). He then went away for a year and a half and developed one of the 3 minute songs into a 30 song piece of music. After a period he realised that was not what they wanted, but by this point it was too late.
The album was written, performed and produced by Paddy McAloon at his own Andromeda Heights studio in County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
around 1993. It was then mixed in Scotland by long-time engineer Calum Malcolm
Calum Malcolm
Calum Malcolm is a Scottish record producer, sound engineer and keyboardist based in Edinburgh.He started his rock music career with the band The Headboys in 1977....
. None of the other bandmembers appear although McAloon dedicates the album to them.
McAloon actually wrote two versions of the title track. One was based around the idea of a duet with Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
. The phrase "Let's Change the World with Music" is the first line of the chorus
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
. However, neither version of the track is included on the album.
Several titles have been recorded previously by other artists, namely Australian singer Wendy Matthews
Wendy Matthews
Wendy Joan Matthews is an Australian adult alternative pop singer originally from Canada who has been a member of Models and Absent Friends and is a solo artist...
on her album The Witness Tree
The Witness Tree
The Witness Tree is the third solo studio album by Australian singer Wendy Matthews released in Australia by rooArt on 14 November 1994. It is a non-traditional gospel album, Matthews stating "the spirit of gospel is so uplifting, I have a lot of faith, but for me it's more nature and the...
("Ride", "God Watch Over You"). "God Watch Over You" was also recorded by British theatrical star Frances Ruffelle
Frances Ruffelle
Frances Ruffelle is an English musical theatre actress and recording artist. Her mother is Sylvia Young, the founder of the famous theatre school at which Frances trained, and her daughter is recording artist Eliza Doolittle. Her younger sister is actress Alison Ruffelle...
on her debut album Fragile.
The release was also accompanied by a few interviews, for example in The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
and Mojo
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
.
The album reached #39 in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
at the end of the week of its release. It was released on the same day as a number of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' re-issues which occupied eleven of the chart places above it.
Critical response
Initial reviews in the press were very favourable. In The TimesThe Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
Dan Cairns described it as a 'heartbreakingly good record' and gave it 5/5. Dave Simpson of The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
gave it 4/5 and called it an "aural treat" which showed at McAloon "at the top of his game". The review in The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
was positive, describing the album as "lyrical and lush".
It was also given 4/5 in Record Collector
Record Collector
Record Collector is the United Kingdom's longest-running monthly music magazine. It distributes both within the UK and worldwide. It started in 1979.-The early years:...
and in The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
s Music Monthly magazine. The latter describes the album as 'fantastically dated' because of the 17 year delay in release. However it also describes it as "fantastically glorious" and an 'enchanting return'.