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Prefab Sprout are an English pop band from Witton Gilbert, County Durham who rose to fame during the 1980s. Formed in 1978 by brothers Paddy and Martin McAloon and joined by vocalist, guitarist and keyboard player Wendy Smith in 1982.
From Langley Park to Memphis is the third studio album by English pop band Prefab Sprout. It was released by Kitchenware Records on 14 March 1988. It peaked at number five on the UK Albums Chart, the highest position for any studio album released by the band.[2] Recorded in Newcastle, London and Los Angeles, it has a more polished and commercial sound than their earlier releases, and features several guest stars including Stevie Wonder and Pete Townshend. The album's simpler songs, big productions and straight-forward cover photo reflect frontman Paddy McAloon's wish for it to be a more universal work than their more cerebral earlier work.
As suggested by the title, From Langley Park to Memphis is Prefab Sprout's spiritual journey into the heart of American culture; obsessed with rock 'n' roll ("The King of Rock 'n' Roll") and Bruce Springsteen ("Cars and Girls"), fascinated with gospel music ("Venus of the Soup Kitchen") and locked in a love/hate relationship with New York City ("Hey! Manhattan"), Paddy McAloon turns an iconoclastic eye to the other side of the Atlantic in order to make some sense of it all. An airy, lounge-pop feel permeates the record, which also sports cameos from the likes of Stevie Wonder and Pete Townshend. Still, while ambitious in both concept and execution, From Langley Park to Memphis pales in comparison to its masterful predecessor Two Wheels Good -- a shortcoming acknowledged by Prefab Sprout themselves with the title of their next album, Jordan: The Comeback.
The album received mixed reviews upon release with several criticising the elaborate production style, while McAloon's songwriting received praise. The album's commercial performance was bolstered by the success of its single "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", which became the band's only top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart when it peaked at No. 7. The four other singles released from the album, "Cars and Girls", "Hey Manhattan!", "Nightingales" and "The Golden Calf", failed to make the top 40.
Side one
1. The King Of Rock ‘N’ Roll - 4:22
2. Cars And Girls - 4:25
3. I Remember That - 4:13
4. Enchanted - 3:47
5. Nightingales - 5:53
Side two
1. Hey Manhattan! - 4:45
2. Knock On Wood - 4:16
3. The Golden Calf - 5:06
4. Nancy (Let Your Hair Down For Me) - 4:02
5. The Venus Of The Soup Kitchen - 4:29
Prefab Sprout
- Neil Conti
- Martin McAloon
- Paddy McAloon
- Wendy Smith
Additional musicians
- Thomas Dolby – keyboards
- Gary Moberley – keyboards
- Paul "Wix" Wickens – keyboards
- Andy Richards – keyboards
- Luís Jardim – percussion
- Lenny Castro – percussion
- Stevie Wonder – harmonica
- Pete Townshend – acoustic guitar
- The Andraé Crouch Singers – vocals
- Gavin Wright – strings lead
- Robin Smith – string arrangement, conduct
- John Altman – string arrangement, conduct
Technical personnel
- Thomas Dolby – production
- Jon Kelly – production
- Paddy McAloon – production
- Andy Richards – production
- David Leonard – mixing
- Richard Moakes – mixing
- Mike Shipley – mixing
- Tony Philips – mixing
- Michael H. Brauer – mixing
- Tim Young – mastering
- Stephen Male – design
- Nick Knight – photography
Notes
Release: 1988
Format: LP
Genre: Sophisti-pop
Label: CBS Records
Catalog# 460124 1
Vinyl: Excellent
Cover: Excellent
Prijs: €10,00
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