'Easy Come, Easy Go' is the 22nd album from Marianne Faithfull and was recorded in December 2007 in NYC at the famous Sear Sound recording studio. It's the third album of Marianne's to be produced by Hal Willner (the others being 'Strange Weather' and 'Blazing Away').
Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull
Marianne and Hal have been close friends since they met, back in 1982, and have worked together on many different project over the years, most recently on three songs from Marianne's acclaimed last album 'Before The Poison', but 'Easy Come, Easy Go’ is a collection of songs written by others and interpreted by Marianne.
When 'Strange Weather' was released in 1987, it was quickly hailed as one of Marianne's finest recordings, so this time around the challenge was high: Marianne and Hal had to make an album that was at least as good. Both artists have risen to the challenge beautifully: they achieve a timeless recording.
All the songs have been chosen by Marianne and Hal, and range from Billie Holiday's "Solitude" to "The Crane Wife" by current band The Decemberists. Other tracks are "Sing Me Back Home" by Merle Haggard, "Children of Stone" by Espers, the title track "Easy Come, Easy Go Blues" by Bessie Smith, Morrissey's "Dear God Please Help Me", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles "Ohh Baby Baby", Dolly Parton's "Down from Dover" and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's "Salvation".
'Easy Come, Easy Go' also includes some interesting guest vocalists; Keith Richards appears on the aforementioned "Sing Me Back Home", Anthony Hegarty on "Ohh Baby Baby" and Jarvis Cocker on Sondheims's "Somewhere".
Other guest appearances on the album come from Rufus Wainwright who contributes vocals to the powerful "Children of Stone" while his aunt and mother; Kate and Anna McGarrigle enchant on the "The Flandyke Shore".
Warren Ellis plays his magic violin on three songs, and Nick Cave lends some vocals to "The Crane Wife". Sean Lennon and Teddy Thompson play guitar on a couple of the tracks, and Chan Marshall of Cat Power harmonizes on "Hold On, Hold On".
The album was recorded live in the oldest recording studio in Manhattan, the famous Sear Sound. The arrangements are by Cohen Bernstein and Weinberg Goldstein and were done specifically for Marianne. The string and horn sections were led by L. Picket, and the band includes Marc Ribot, Greg Cohen, Rob Burger, Barry Reynolds and Jim White.
Very few takes were needed, in fact some of the songs were done in a single take (London sound engineers in the 60s use to call her Marianne 'one take' Faithfull). There are very few overdubs on this recording.
The Tour
After the launch of the album, a short tour of the main capital cities of Europe will take place throughout in the spring of 2009. Marianne will recreate 'Easy Come, Easy Go' onstage using the same band as the recording sessions, complete with a horn and string section. As well as the new material, Marianne will be performing a selection of hits from her rich back catalogue; all in all, it promises to be a fantastic show.
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