Stephen Emmer - International Blue

by Anthony Strutt

published: 29 / 7 / 2014

Label: international Blue
Format: CD

Excellent new album from Dutch-born composer Stephen Emmer, which produced by Tony Visconti and recorded with guest vocalists including Ultravox's Midge Ure, Cousteau's Liam Mckahey and Heaven 17's Glenn Gregory, reflects on the voice as a main instrument

Review

Dutch-born composer, former member of one-time Joy Division support the Minny Pops and ex-Associate and Lotus Eater Stephen Emmer brings together a collection of songs with special guests to show off the joys of crooning. Along with his guests vocalists, he is joined by other former Lotus Eaters and one-time Cure member Michael Dempsey while the album was produced and mixed by the legend that is Tony Visconti. Co-writing with guest vocalists, Emmer has released an album that reflects on a by-gone age. Midge Ure of Slik, Visage and the Rich Kids, but mostly known for his work with Ultravox, bleeds over his tracks in a soulful manner, while one-time Cousteau front-man Liam Mckahey on the tracks, 'Blown Away', 'Song for a Deserted Wife' and 'Mama's Mad' shines in the same way as golden boy Scott Walker once did. Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17 comes over like mid 70's Bowie, sounding as if he was providing the soundtrack to a James Bond movie. New boy Neil Crossley of Bristol band Furlined meanwhile has a deep, smoky voice that is soul-searching but eerie. 'International Blue' reflects on the voice as a main instrument, and how these days it gets overlooked. An album of real talent.

Track Listing:-

1 Let the Silence Hold You (feat. G
2 Taking Back My Time (feat. Midg
3 Blown Away (feat. Liam MC Ka
4 Sleep for England (feat. Niel Cro
5 Untouchable (feat. Glenn Grego
6 Song for a Deserted Wife (feat. L
7 Seachange (feat. Neil Crossley)
8 Break in the Weather (feat. Glen
9 Mama's Mad (feat. Liam MC Kah
10 In the Mirror Reflected (feat. Gle
11 Let the Silence Hold You (Instru
12 Taking Back My Time (Instrume
13 Blown Away (Instrumental)
14 Sleep for England (Instrumental)
15 Untouchable (Instrumental)
16 Song for a Deserted Wife (Instru
17 Seachange (Instrumental)
18 Break in the Weather (Instrumen
19 Mama's Mad (Instrumental)
20 In the Mirror Reflected (Instrum
21 Untouchable (Live) [feat. Glenn
22 leep for England (feat. Julian Le