Let It Come Down (Spiritualized album)
Encyclopedia
Let It Come Down is the fourth album
by the space rock
group Spiritualized
, released in 2001. It was recorded and produced at Abbey Road
and AIR Studios. It took Jason Pierce
, Spiritualized's lead singer, guitarist and sole constant member four years to write, perform, produce and release. The album utilizes 115 session musicians, including orchestra and London Community Gospel Choir
. The wall of sound
technique (most notably used by 60's record producer Phil Spector
) is evident on this album, especially on such tracks as "Do It All Over Again", "Stop Your Crying" and "The Straight and the Narrow".
and drones, being a mostly orchestral work. However, it was not unexpected - the album was preceded by the lush soundscapes of previous album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
, and the live album released in 1998. Pierce also headlined the Edinburgh Flux Festival in 1998 and 1999 playing an orchestral set with a full choir
, which hinted at the direction of Let It Come Down. Phil Spector also played a role in the record's sound - Pierce had displayed a liking for Dion
's album Born to Be With You
, a little known 70's effort produced by Spector - he was interviewed with Bobby Gillespie
of Primal Scream
, where the pair enthused about the record. Pierce has also regularly credited big band leaders such as Duke Ellington
, the orchestral sound of Ray Charles
and Brian Wilson
, and gospel music as major influences, and this album could be seen as these coming to prominence over his more psychedelic
influences.
Jason Pierce is unable to read music - he wrote all the orchestral parts for the album by singing them into a portable tape recorder, transcribed those to a piano, then helped the players turn those into their specific parts. This also led, several years later, to him humming the music he composed for Silent Sound, an experimental piece for an installation by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard
, down the phone to the pair. The final song, "Lord Can You Hear Me," was originally written for and recorded by Spacemen 3
by Jason in 1989 and initially released on the album Playing with Fire
. However, inspired by a cover of the song by the band Low
, Jason started playing the song live and subsequently re-recorded it as a gospel ballad. Mimi Parker of Low appears on several tracks of the album as a backing vocalist, and is clearly audible duetting with Jason during "Lord Can You Hear Me."
The first leg of the supporting world tour saw Jason use a 13 piece band composed of Spiritualized, a horn section, and a choir. However, in 2002 Jason felt that the extra musicians weighed the show down, and carried on the tour with the regular line-up.
Additional musicians:
Additional vocals:
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by the space rock
Space rock
Space rock is a subgenre of rock music; the term originally referred to a group of early, mostly British, 1970s progressive and psychedelic rock bands such as Hawkwind and Pink Floyd, characterised by slow, lengthy instrumental passages dominated by electric organs, synthesizers, experimental...
group Spiritualized
Spiritualized
Spiritualized are an English space rock band formed in 1990 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Jason Pierce after the demise of his previous outfit, space-rockers Spacemen 3...
, released in 2001. It was recorded and produced at Abbey Road
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
and AIR Studios. It took Jason Pierce
Jason Pierce
Jason Pierce , also known as J. Spaceman or Spaceman, is an English musician. He was formerly the joint leader – with Peter Kember – of the alternative rock band Spacemen 3, and is now the leader and sole permanent member of the band Spiritualized.In between his work with Spiritualized...
, Spiritualized's lead singer, guitarist and sole constant member four years to write, perform, produce and release. The album utilizes 115 session musicians, including orchestra and London Community Gospel Choir
London Community Gospel Choir
The London Community Gospel Choir is a successful gospel choir located in the United Kingdom.-History:The London Community Gospel Choir was founded in 1982 by the Reverend Bazil Meade with the assistance of Lawrence Johnson, Delroy Powell and John Francis.Initially the idea was for a single concert...
. The wall of sound
Wall of Sound
The Wall of Sound is a music production technique for pop and rock music recordings developed by record producer Phil Spector at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, California, during the early 1960s...
technique (most notably used by 60's record producer Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
) is evident on this album, especially on such tracks as "Do It All Over Again", "Stop Your Crying" and "The Straight and the Narrow".
Background
Let It Come Down is unusual amongst Spiritualized's other releases in that it doesn't utilize many of the band's usual trademarks, such as guitar effects pedals, free jazzFree jazz
Free jazz is an approach to jazz music that was first developed in the 1950s and 1960s. Though the music produced by free jazz pioneers varied widely, the common feature was a dissatisfaction with the limitations of bebop, hard bop, and modal jazz, which had developed in the 1940s and 1950s...
and drones, being a mostly orchestral work. However, it was not unexpected - the album was preceded by the lush soundscapes of previous album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space is the third studio album by Spiritualized, released in June 1997, and features guest appearances from the Balanescu Quartet, The London Community Gospel Choir and Dr...
, and the live album released in 1998. Pierce also headlined the Edinburgh Flux Festival in 1998 and 1999 playing an orchestral set with a full choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, which hinted at the direction of Let It Come Down. Phil Spector also played a role in the record's sound - Pierce had displayed a liking for Dion
Dion DiMucci
Dion Francis DiMucci , better known as Dion, is an American singer-songwriter whose work has incorporated elements of doo-wop, pop oldies music, rock and R&B styles....
's album Born to Be With You
Born to Be with You (album)
- Production credits :* Phil Gernhard - Producer* Pete Romano - Engineer* Phil Spector - Producer-External links:* on Radio3Net a radio channel of Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company...
, a little known 70's effort produced by Spector - he was interviewed with Bobby Gillespie
Bobby Gillespie
Robert Bernard Andrew "Bobby" Gillespie is a Scottish musician. He is the lead singer and founding member of the alternative rock band, Primal Scream. He was also the drummer for The Jesus and Mary Chain in the mid-1980s.- Early life :Born and raised in the south side district of Mount Florida in...
of Primal Scream
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
, where the pair enthused about the record. Pierce has also regularly credited big band leaders such as Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, the orchestral sound of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
and Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
, and gospel music as major influences, and this album could be seen as these coming to prominence over his more psychedelic
Psychedelic
The term psychedelic is derived from the Greek words ψυχή and δηλοῦν , translating to "soul-manifesting". A psychedelic experience is characterized by the striking perception of aspects of one's mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly...
influences.
Jason Pierce is unable to read music - he wrote all the orchestral parts for the album by singing them into a portable tape recorder, transcribed those to a piano, then helped the players turn those into their specific parts. This also led, several years later, to him humming the music he composed for Silent Sound, an experimental piece for an installation by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard
Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard
Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard are British artists who create re-enactments of cultural and art historical events. Forsyth was born in Manchester in 1973, Pollard in Newcastle in 1972.-Life and work:...
, down the phone to the pair. The final song, "Lord Can You Hear Me," was originally written for and recorded by Spacemen 3
Spacemen 3
Spacemen 3 were an English alternative rock band, formed in 1982 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Peter Kember and Jason Pierce. Their music was "colorfully mind-altering, but not in the sense of the acid rock of the '60s; instead, the band developed its own minimalistic psychedelia"...
by Jason in 1989 and initially released on the album Playing with Fire
Playing with Fire (Spacemen 3 album)
Playing With Fire is the penultimate studio album by Spacemen 3, released in February 1989. The original CD version included two live bonus tracks recorded in the Netherlands, and an ensuing release on Taang! Records included two more b-sides from the "Revolution" single...
. However, inspired by a cover of the song by the band Low
Low (band)
Low is an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993. As of 2010, the group is composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker , both founding members, and Steve Garrington ....
, Jason started playing the song live and subsequently re-recorded it as a gospel ballad. Mimi Parker of Low appears on several tracks of the album as a backing vocalist, and is clearly audible duetting with Jason during "Lord Can You Hear Me."
The first leg of the supporting world tour saw Jason use a 13 piece band composed of Spiritualized, a horn section, and a choir. However, in 2002 Jason felt that the extra musicians weighed the show down, and carried on the tour with the regular line-up.
Album cover
The album was released in two different sleeves - one in a standard jewel case, the other in a much bulkier one-piece box, with the cover image (the wife of the artist) embossed in the case material.Track listing
All songs written by J Spaceman.- "On Fire" – 4:02
- "Do It All Over Again" – 3:48
- "Don't Just Do Something" – 6:54
- "Out of Sight" – 6:12
- "The Twelve Steps" – 4:43
- "The Straight and the Narrow" – 5:12
- "I Didn't Mean to Hurt You" – 5:14
- "Stop Your Crying" – 5:16
- "Anything More" – 5:36
- "Won't Get to Heaven (The State I'm In)" – 10:34
- "Lord Can You Hear Me" – 5:38
Personnel
Spiritualized:- Spaceman – Fender ThinlineFender Telecaster ThinlineThe Fender Telecaster Thinline is an electric guitar made by the Fender company. It is a Telecaster with body cavities. Designed by German luthier Roger Rossmeisl in 1968, it was introduced in 1969 and updated with a pair of Fender Wide Range humbucking pickups, Bullet truss-rod and 3-bolt neck...
, Fender JaguarFender JaguarThe Fender Jaguar is an electric guitar introduced in 1962. A descendant of the Jazzmaster, the Jaguar quickly caught on in the emerging Surf music scene...
, Epiphone Olympic, Vox Starstreamer XII, Martin acoustic, banjo, Vox ContinentalVox ContinentalThe Vox Continental is a transistor-based combo organ that was introduced in 1962. Known for its thin, bright, breathy sound, the "Connie," as it was affectionately known, was designed to be used by touring musicians...
, Farfisa Compact, piano, harmonica, vocals - ThighpaulsandraThighpaulsandraThighpaulsandra is a Welsh experimental musician and multi-instrumentalist known mostly for performing on synthesizers and keyboards. As Tim Lewis, he began his career working with Julian Cope. A collaboration with Cope in 1993 followed, as the experimental duo Queen Elizabeth...
– Hammond C3, Vox Continental, Farfisa Compact, VK7Roland VK-7The Roland VK-7 is an electronic keyboard introduced in 1997 which simulates the sound of an electromechanical Hammond organ. Like other electronic musical instruments that emulate the sound of the electromechanical tonewheel-based organs formerly manufactured by Hammond, the VK-7 is referred to...
, Kurzweil K2000Kurzweil K2000The Kurzweil K2000 is a 16 bit sampler with a complex synthesis architecture by Kurzweil Music Systems, similar to the EMU Emulator III.The K2000 features a technology dubbed V.A.S.T., which stands for "Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology", a marketing term for the K2000's digital signal...
, MinimoogMinimoogThe Minimoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer, invented by Bill Hemsath and Robert Moog. It was released in 1970 by R.A. Moog Inc. , and production was stopped in 1981. It was re-designed by Robert Moog in 2002 and released as Minimoog Voyager.The Minimoog was designed in response to the use of...
, Fender Rhodes, piano - DoggenDoggenDoggen is the pseudonym of the Nottingham born guitarist Tony Foster .Doggen is presently playing lead guitar, piano and organ with Jason Pierce's Spiritualized.- References :...
Foster – Gibson Les PaulGibson Les PaulThe Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
Gold Top, Gibson Les Paul Custom, Fender TelecasterFender TelecasterThe Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
, Vox Bulldog, Martin acoustic, harmonica - John CoxonJohn CoxonJohn Coxon may refer to:* John Coxon * John Coxon, member of English band Spring Heel Jack...
– Fender Telecaster, Fender Jaguar, Gibson FirebirdGibson FirebirdThe Gibson Firebird is a solid-body electric guitar manufactured by Gibson from 1963 to the present.-History:The Gibson Guitar Corporation released several new styles during the 1950s to compete with Fender's instruments, such as the Telecaster and Stratocaster. After success with the Les Paul in...
, Vox Continental, Farfisa Compact, piano, Juno 106, Martin acoustic - Martin Schellard – Fender Jazz BassFender Jazz BassThe Jazz Bass was the second model of electric bass created by Leo Fender. The bass is distinct from the Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the fundamental harmonic...
, Fender MusicmasterFender MusicmasterThe Fender Musicmaster is an electric guitar by Fender, and was the first of their 3/4 scale guitars. With a single pickup and no tremolo arm, it was a basic but functional instrument....
, Fender Bass VIFender Bass VIThe Fender Bass VI, originally known as the Fender VI, is a six-string electric bass or Scale Baritone Guitar by Fender.The Fender VI was released in 1961, and followed the concept of the Danelectro 6-string bass released in 1956, having six strings tuned E-E, an octave below the Spanish guitar...
, Burns Bass, Fender Telecaster, banjo, piano - Tom EdwardsTom EdwardsTom Edwards is a British radio presenter and television announcer. He began work as a journalist, then became the announcer on the Border Television programme Beat the Border...
– vibraphone, marimba, timpani, tubular bells, percussion - Kevin BalesKevin BalesKevin Bales is an expert on modern slavery and President of Free the Slaves. Free the Slaves is the US sister organization of Anti-Slavery International, the world’s oldest human rights organization. He is currently based in Washington, D.C....
– Gretsch drum kitGretsch DrumsGretsch Drums is a leading drum manufacturing company, based in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Their motto is "That Great Gretsch Sound!"- History :... - Raymond Dickaty - soprano and baritone saxophone
Additional musicians:
- Pete Whyman – saxophones, clarinet
- Mimi Parker – vocals
- Chris Clark – piano
- David O'Carroll – tuba
- Ben Edwards – trumpet
- Nick Smart – trumpet
- James Adams – trombone
- Tamar Osborn – saxophone, clarinet
- David Temple – saxophone, clarinet
- First Violins: Edmund Coxon (leader), Cathy Thompson, Jackie Shave, Everton Nelson, Patrick Kiernan, Steve Morris, Ian Humphries, Christina Emanuel, Laura Malhuish
- Second Violins: Jonathan Rees, Dai Emanuel, Sonia Slaney, Perry Montague-Mason, Miffy Hirsch, Jeremy Morris, Ann Morfee
- Viola: Roger Chase, Philip Dukes, Bruce White, Kate Musker
- Cello: David Daniels, Tony Pleeth, Cathy Giles, Jonathan Tunnell
- Double Bass: Mary Scully, Diane Clarke
- Cor Anglais: Jane Marshall
- Bassoon: Gavin McNaughton, Celia Birkenshaw
- French Horn: Hugh Seenan, Richard Bissel, Nigel Black, Paul Gardham, Dave Lee, Martin Owen, Richard Ashton, Michaela Betts
- Trumpet: Andy Crowley, Ian Balmain, Bob Farley, Paul Archibald, Paul Beniston
- Tombone: Graham Lee, Colin Sheen, Peter Davies, Mike Hext, Roger Brenner
- Bass Trombone: David Stewart, Roger Argente, Andy Waddicor
- Flute/Alto flute and Bass flute: Dave Health, Andy Findon
- Contra-bass flute: Andy Findon
- Oboe: Chris Cowie, Margaret Tindal
- Clarinet: Anthony Pike, Richard Addison
- Bass Clarinet: David Fuest
- Harp: Helen Tunstall
Additional vocals:
- Nigel Short – counter tenor
- Emer McParland – alto
- Sarah Eyden – soprano
- Simon Grant – bass
- Andrew Busher – tenor
- Michael Dore – bass
- Heather Cairncross – alto
- Andrew Gray – tenor
- Jacqueline Barron – soprano
- Rachel Weston – alto
- Gerard O'Beirne – tenor
- London Community Gospel Choir: Wendi Rose, Wayne Hernandez, Jenny Graham, Donovan Keith Lawrence, Vernetta Meade, Jenny La Touche, Aaron Paul Sokell, Travis Jae Cole, Vimbai Shire, Samantha Smith, Irene Forrester, Carmen Smart, Michelle John-Douglas, Jasette Barratt
- Choir Director: Daniel Thomas