Bare - Annie Lennox

Released 2003 : BMG records : Cat. No. 8287652247-2

Background - Annie

Born on Xmas Day 1954 , in Aberdeen , Scotland . At school her musical likes started to shine through , as she learnt piano and flute , and sung in the school choir.
At 17 , she gained a place at the reknowned Royal Accademy of Music , London , where she studied for three years , leaving just a few wekks before her final exams.
She remained in London finding work in a bookshop , and during this time took singing lessons . Soon she joined a local band Dragons Lair , with which she toured local clubs / pubs singing Scottish folk songs.
Next she teamed up with ( now accomplished opera singer ) Joy Ley , and formed the duo Stocking Tops , which again tour London venues.
In '76 , she took a waitress job , and on the first meeting with one Dave Steward was immediately proposed to . She got to know more , and soon moved in with him.
At this time Dave and friend Peet , were looking for a singer , needed to obtain a record deal . With Annie in tow , The Catch were formed , and signed to Logo Records . One single was released to little success .
New members were added to the band , and they were renamed The Tourists . Three albums and five singles were released , with the cover version of Dusty Springfield's I Only Want To Be With You , being the most ( and very succesful ) single release ( in fact the album from which it was on , Reality Effect , also went on to reach platinum sales status ) . As the Tourists , they even toured with Roxy Music in 1979.
In 1981 , The Tourists disbanded , yet Dave and Annie stuck together , and formed The Eurythmics , who went on to have a highly successful career.
1984 saw Annie marry Hare Krishna monk Radha Ramen , however the marriage was to last less than a year.
In 1986 , Annie met Israeli film make Uri Fruchman , who she went on to wed in 1988.
1989 saw the stillbirth of their son Daniel.
1990 Eurythmics unofficially call it a day , Annie decides to take 2 years off to concentrate on a family . Daughter Lola born.
1992 First solo album released , highly successful Diva.
1993 Second daughter Tali born.
1995 Second solo album - Medusa released.
1999 Eurythmics re-form and release highly acclaimed Peace album , which resulted in a world tour , which was sadly halted early due to Annie having back problems.
2000 Marriage starts to fall apart , and will eventually end .
2003 Third solo album Bare released.

-~- The Album -~-

Given lifes ups and many downs , the breakdown of her second marriage being the major catapault , Annie decided to bear her soul , and hence wrote this album.
Initially is can be quite a difficult album to listen to and appreciate , but after several plays , you soon learn to appreciate the meaning and feeling of the album . Each track has meaning , and Annie delivers brilliantly , drawing from her emotions and previous recording background.

-~- The Tracks -~-

1) A Thousand Beautiful Things

From darkness there is light at the end of the tunnel . From negatives come positives . A beautiful ballad with haunting melody .

"I thank you for the air to breathe , the heart to beat , the eyes to see again ( a thousand beautiful things ) , and all the things that's been and done , the battles won , and good and bad in everyone , ( this is mine to remember) "

2) Pavement Cracks

Very Eurythmics in style . From slow vocal intro , the song develops into a catchy pop classic , with superb sing-a-long chorus.

"Where is my comfort zone ? , a simple plce to call my own , 'cause everything I wanna be comes crashing down on me , and it don't show up in the pavement cracks , I can't even recognise my tracks , you and I can't turn the whole thing back , ooh I wish you well"

3) The Hurting Time

Slow jazzy feel , to a song on self reflection . Deeply moving .

"To everything there is a purpose , to every blade of grass , and every leaf on every tree , every livin' thing will surely come to pass , ans what will be will be"

4) Honesty

Communication breakdown - written about her marriage breakup and divorce from Uri Fruchman . A spine tingling main vocal performance , with upbeat backing vocal that entwines with and often overtakes the lead vocal . Best listened to with headphones .

"The beauty that you gave has turned upon itself , and all the things you said , evaporated , evaporated , was I blind , deaf and dumb , to the words slipped from your tongue"

5) Wonderful

Meaningfull slow ballad with fast paced chorus , the two blend oh so well . A song about love that turns sour , but also the good points love has to offer .

"Idiot me , stupid fool , how could you be so uncool ? , to fall in love with someone who doesn't really care for you , it's so obscure... , but I feel , wonderful"

6) Bitter Pill

Obvious the divorce was complicated and filled with resentment , as this song goes to prove. Fast paced and modern , definately one for these modern times.

"When I'm feelin' low , and there's no place to go , and I'm on my knees , fallen back down on the floor , and I've had enough , and the situations tough , and I'm hangin' on , by my nails , holdin' on hopin' I wont fail , this is what reality is made of , can't you see I'm relatively twisted"

7) Loneliness

Soulful start , that soon gathers speed . A song of hope after dispair.

"Loneliness is a place I know well , it's the distance between us , and the space inside ourselves"

8) The Saddest Song I Got

Communication breakdown and the resulting relationship breakup. A slow ballad , sng with much angst.

"Darlin' are you feeling , the same thing that I'm seeing ?, the troubles of the day , took my breath away , took my breath away , now you're no longer talking , and I'm no longer hearing , theres nothing left to say"

9) Erased

With a relationship failed , this is about getting on with your life , about removing that bad chapter from your memory. Catchy upbeat song.

"I'm gonna put it all behind me , like nothing ever happened between us , nothing ever took place between you and me , yea , nothing' ever happened , and id you see me walkin' down the street , I won't even recognise you"

10) Twisted

Finding / remembering the positives of a failed relationship , and using them to your advantage. Another catchy song.

"I don't want to hurt you ( or be hurt by you ) , at the closing of the game , but now it seems , too late for that desire , I watched it go up in flames"

11) Oh God ( prayer )

Raw and emotional vocal . Evocative lyrics . Quite superb.

"Oh God , where are you now ? and what you gonna do about the mess I've made , if there ever was a soul to save , it must be mine"

-~- Album Sleeve -~-

The front cover shows Annie naked , pale and worn . The only exception is a dog collar necklace . This is Annie , in her own words..."I am a mature woman facing up to failed expectations of life and facing up to 'Core' issues , I don't want to represent myself visually in some kind of cliched airbrushed saccharine kind of way . I want to reveal myself as I am".
The inner sleeves contain the full lyrics and a scattering of photographs , plus the usual credits .
The photographs used are by Annie and her friend Allan Martin ( a graphic designer ) , and were a combination of experimentation and learning . All future photographic material will be by these two.

-~- Other information -~-

The UK release comes in normal format , and special edition format . The latter includes a DVD bonus disk has to live performances , namely A Thousand Beautiful Things , and Wonderful . Then you have an intimate interview with Annie , with questions subtitled and Annie answering honestly.

The musical cd , can be played on standard CD player or on a PC . When iserting in a PC , the album is played on Player , which is a cut down version of Microsoft's Media Player . Sadly control is limited and access slow , although music playback is good .
For those with a Mac , it plays but is jumpy , and cannot be enjoyed .

-~- Overview -~-

A well balanced and produced album , that for a change has deep meaning , and is not just a collection of various style songs .
Each song has it's own meaning , particular to Annie , but applicable to many.
The lyrics are outstanding , and the vocal performance superb , Annie's voice can be very touching.
Worth investing in.