Search - Ellen Foley :: Spirit of St Louis

Beautifully Sung & Produced

gassy goon | 02/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ellen Foley's 2nd album, released in 1981, is a total about face from her 1st album, NIGHTOUT. She retreated to England where this gorgeous album was produced by Mick Jones of The Clash. But it's not really indicative of their music. It really has an eclectic, European vibe to it. It's got ballads, a few rockers, and some esoteric songs bordering on the eccentric. At the center is Foley's gorgeous singing. She can sing a song, and this 2nd album is without the bombastic production of her 1st album.



Most of the songs were written by Mick Jones with help from other Clash members. The songs are from a woman's point of view, & Ellen's voice is never enveloped too much by the production. MPH is the rocker on here, a very catchy one that has the refrain " more miles per hour " rockin' on to the end. Ellen's own PHASES OF TRAVEL is a rocker also, one of the highlights on this album. It was included on the 2 album various artists EXPOSED album in 1981, so many people may know this song. TORCHLIGHT is a very melodic, mid-paced rocker that Ellen & Mick Jones share lead vocals on. It should have been a big hit. The balance of the album is on mid-tempo songs & ballads. BEAUTIFUL WASTE OF TIME is nothing but beautifully sung, a real Foley classic that Ellen just breezily sings . So many of the songs have an atmospheric sound . THEATRE OF CRUELTY, GAME OF A MAN , THE SHUTTERED PALACE and INDESTRUCTIBLE are all hypnotic-like songs, all with a female slant , yet universal with their lyrics of daily living and survival. HOW GLAD I AM is an oldie from the 60's that La Foley effortlessly sings, with some nice horns in the background. A real nice change of pace. You also get 2 rather eccentric songs, including Ellen's dramatic, yet soft interpretation of French legend Edith Piaf's MY LEGIONNAIRE, which is nice, but not essential and the really odd THE DEATH OF THE PSYCHOANALYST OF SALVADOR DALI. The album ends with a bang, with the very dramatic IN THE KILLING HOUR. This song about an execution is propelled with a marching sound & very dramatic vocal by Ellen. It's a real tour-de-force ending to a great album.



This album is not to be missed. It's off the beaten path of her other 2 albums, and that's what makes it great. It has many faces to it. Don't be deceived by having members of The Clash playing it. It's not a prototype new wave album. It's a gorgeously sung & produced album that somehow was made at the height of new wave , yet very diverse in it's sound. This re-issue also has the bonus tracks LE PALAIS SECRET, [ the French version of THE SHUTTERED PALACE ], BLACK BOYS [ a song from the Film " HAIR " that Ellen appeared in , & which she shares vocals on ], and THE TIME IS NOW [ from the Cleveland International charity album CHILDREN OF THE WORLD, sung with Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie ]."

Ellen Foley's Great Lost Clash Album

Drugfair | Arlington, Va. | 12/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is easily Ellen Foley's best album and that's in large part to no only Ellen's excellent lead vocals but, equally to the involvement of The Clash on the whole album supplying not only backing but songwriting too. For those who don't know, Mick Jones of The Clash was Ellen's boyfriend at the time hense, the credit "Produced by my boyfriend" that was on the original LP. Most of the songs sound like Clash outtakes from their classic 'Sandinista' album released in late 1980. I mean that in the best posible way as these songs do not feel like studio rejects at all. Not suprisingly this album was recorded around that same time and released in 1981 so, it should feel like those sessions. What can I say about the magnificent single, 'Shuttered Palace' penned by Strummer/Jones ? It's a classic as far as I'm concerned and as a bonus you get the French sung version, too ! Two other similar era recordings ('Black Boys' from 'Hair' The Movie, The Time is now' w/ Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie) have been added here as a bonus and they're fun to have. Wounded Bird Records did a nice job on reissuing this album and they should be applauded for releasing it. Don't miss out on this album Foley and Clash fans it's a winner !"

A Real Gem

Joseph F. Panzica | Greenfield, MA | 02/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I Love this Album!

A lotta the songs have this French/Existentialist/Mediterranean pose/"feel" but it really works for me. Whether she's rockin out or induliging in Gaullic theatrics, the songs are great showcases for her voice, a powerful and emotive instrument.



Anyway what could be wrong with trying to create a timeless aural setting for passion, despair, femininity, and "commitment" to humanitarian setiments? This album is a "feminist edged" product of Sandinsta days with songs by Mick Jones, Tymon Dogg, and Foley herself.



The CD has a track not on the original vinal called "Le Palais Secret" which I'd love to hear."