There are so many facets to Scott Walker’s public persona that it’s difficult to mention his music without delving into a lengthy aside. It’s not just that his career has spanned more than four decades, or that he’s had success both within a group and solo, it’s that his work truly spans the creative spectrum – ranging from radio friendly pop music (The Walker Brothers) to the dark, dissonant and grating compositions of The Drift. Walker traversed this gulf – indulging many stylistic layovers along the way – succeeding at nearly every turn. His 1969 LP, Scott 4, was no exception.
I’ve been listening to a couple of Sinatra’s super-down-and-out records over the past week. Crooners on the brain, I was reminded of ”On Your Own Again.“ Clocking in at a brief one minute and forty five seconds, I’m always amazed at how much depth and resonance Walker works into the track’s limited frame. The vocals, pacing and phrasing, coupled with the tonal drop and just-right orchestration deceptively give the track the feeling of an almost mini-suite. Almost, in that it leaves you wanting more.
May I just chime in and say that The Drift is one of the most fascinating, bizarre and troubling records I’ve ever heard and it still gives me weird chills.
1 | J. Neas April 12th, 2012 at 9:01 amScott 4 is ace but Scott 3 is epic
2 | Derby Tup April 12th, 2012 at 10:57 amSCOTT 4 is amazing.
3 | Bubba April 12th, 2012 at 11:30 amfirst heard this in the dreary overhead shot of London in Grant Gee’s “Meeting People Is Easy”. Great tune.
4 | Jeff April 12th, 2012 at 12:26 pmThrow in “Duchess” and you got yourself a prize pack
5 | Phil April 12th, 2012 at 12:57 pm[...] Source: http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2012/04/12/scott-walker-on-your-own-again/ [...]
6 | Scott Walker :: On Your Own Again « gabrielonchito April 15th, 2012 at 9:06 pmRecall Walker
7 | Darnell April 16th, 2012 at 10:13 amThe Drift is amazing, but so is Tilt. Your Sinatra down and out records – No One Cares, Where are You?, She Shot Me Down, All Alone? (these are among his best in my opinion and all arranged by Gordon Jenkins).
8 | Michael April 16th, 2012 at 9:06 pm