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Anywhere I Lay My Head
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Anywhere I Lay My Head
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MP3 Music, May 16, 2008
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
On an album of Tom Waits covers one should rightly expect some derelict bravado and gruff to make it a credible cover album. But when the vocals are delivered by the divine Scarlett Johansson, you’re already treading in different waters. Add music which offers deeply layered and evocative soundscapes from a deft lineup of musicians that includes members of Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, TV on the Radio, and a guest appearance by David Bowie, and you’ve got something altogether different than one would expect on a Tom Waits cover album.
Fans of the old storyteller won’t recognize some of these versions. Instead, at least on a few notable tracks, fans of bands like Cocteau Twins, This Mortal Coil,and Dead Can Dance will recognize derivative and signature sounds from these mainstays of the venerable bands from the 4AD music label. On this her first musical venture aware from the big screen, Scarlett approaches the art of music by re-envisioning Tom’s old songs with both purpose and pensive respect for the artist she covers.
--Lucas Hilbert
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 5.75 x 5 x 0.5 inches; 2.37 ounces
- Manufacturer : Rhino
- Item model number : 454524
- Date First Available : February 29, 2008
- Label : Rhino
- ASIN : B0014IH1N6
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #251,683 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #393 in Dream Pop
- #4,461 in Adult Alternative (CDs & Vinyl)
- #22,036 in Alternative Rock (CDs & Vinyl)
- Customer Reviews:
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If those things don't bother you, then listen to this album, because it is excellent. It's simultaneously lush (check the ecstatic sax climax of the instrumental opener "Fawn") and relaxed, the latter probably owing to Johansson's deep-voiced, drawling delivery, which Sitek then folds between layers of sound. He folds it "between" layers of sound, not "beneath." That's an important difference.
I don't know why this album is so harsh on some people's ears. There are proverbial "good parts" in every song. And the wit and depth of Waits' lyrics really comes through in these reinterpretations. "Falling Down," "Fannin Street," and "Anywhere I Lay My Head" are moving examples of Waits as lonesome, beat-down prophet. Generally, I like these songs better than the playful, winsome interpretations of "I Wish I Was In New Orleans" and "I Don't Want to Grow Up." But those clever interpretations help to keep the album from being too downtrodden, which means they serve as welcome palette cleansers that also possess their own charms.
If you want a full and consistent listening experience from beginning to end, then listen to this album, all of it, many times.
As far as covers go, women seem to do him justice. Get this.
For this album, I heard the first single and was not that impressed at first. Scarlett has a decent voice, but it is layer so badly. The album is overall WAY overproduced. I was hoping for something more minimalistic. Tom Waits' lyrics do not need much added to them to make them sound good. I do not blame Scarlett for this, I blame her producer.
I do enjoy the first half of the album, but each song is strangely both different and the same at the same time, but the second half of the album leave something to be desired. I was rather disappointed with the cover of "I Don't Want to Grow Up", for that is one of my favorite Waits songs and I love hearing renditions of it (The Ramones did an awesome job on it). The weird little beat in the background just does not really work on such a quaint song with very meaningful lyrics.
Overall, I do enjoy the album, but like I said, it is hard for me not to enjoy any version of a Tom Waits song. It is not as bad as other actress/singer albums and I would recommend this over any Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, or Hannah Montana load of crap, if for no other reason than lyrical quality.
Top reviews from other countries
Giuseppe
Reviewed in Italy on April 3, 2019
Giuseppe
I do believe that she must have grown tired of my muttering of this album's existence each time the elfin Ms. Johansson graced our t.v. screen.
That was 10 months ago, and i think i've listened to this enough times now to give an educated and honest opinion.
Now lets face it, we all roll our eyes and sneer when those in the acting profession try their hand at music and vice-versa.
So should we be sharpening the knives for Scarlett and relishing the chance to add her to the dubious list of musical follies?
A list that already includes Bruce Willis, Clint Eastwood,Lindsay Lohan, and { ahem!} David Hasselhoff?
Well hats off to the lady. This is no mere vanity project but a true labour of love,earnestly executed to boot.
Tackling a selection of Tom Waits numbers may be a tall order to some, but Scarlett's deep, husky voice seems tailor made for this material.
With a boat race that could launch a thousand yachts, and unquestionable sex appeal, oh how easy it would have been to plaster a scantily clad
Johansson all over the cover and churned out 45 minutes of irrelevant chart fodder.
Overseen by Dave Sitek in the producers chair, and aided by a host of indie luminaries that include Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs,
this is indeed a bold and adventurous little record.
Instrumental opener ' Fawn' opens proceedings nicely, and teasingly raises expectations for what is about to come.
And when it does come in the shape of ' Town with no cheer' it's a delight to hear Scarlett's understated, yet dulcet tones, enveloped warmly by an
array of exotic instruments that include amongst other things, a dog bowl!
The late, great David Bowie makes a welcome appearance on 'Falling Down' and the glorious ' Fannin Street'. When i first heard Bowies voice
come in on the latter, it fair made me well up, and that was before he departed this mortal coil.
A masterstroke is pulled on ' I Wish I Was In New Orleans, whereby Scarlett is accompanied by no more than the nostalgic twinkle of a music box.
Some have suggested that Sitek's kitchen sink and all production is in place to hide alleged vocal shortcomings,but i disagree.
Was Phil Spector trying to mask the voice of Ronnie? Most smart arsed producers these days want to be a bit Martin Hannett or Spector,
and that's exactly what we have here! Album highlight for me is the gorgeous title track, but a big mention must go out to ' I Don't Wanna Grow Up'.
At odds with the rest of the album, it's jaunty electronic backing compliments the song perfectly, and it's just as much fun as the Ramones version.
Predictably the Johansson original ' Song For Jo' is the weakest track in such stellar company.
But it shows great promise , and i for one look forward to hearing much more from the lady. And why not? If you want to split hairs,Tom Waits
has long been having a go at the old Thespian lark!
This is a four star album all day long. but i'm giving it another as a ' ya boo sucks!' to all the naysayers out there.
But above all for Scarlett Johanssons impeccable good taste...