Sunday 15 August 2010

Scott Walker - And Who Shall Go to the Ball? And What Shall Go to the Ball? (2007)

Scott Walker is one of my deepest influences in art and in life.
Probably my only true idol.
I can tell you that his first solo records, "Scott-Scott4", and even 1995's "Tilt", changed profoundly my points of view over pop music's history.
This is just a humble attempt to bring new ears to the music of Scott Walker.
Don't miss it!

Neil Hannon
- "My favorite singer in the world ever is an american, Scott Walker."

Jarvis Cocker, about the difficulty in getting Scott's records at one time - "It took me four or five years to track them all down.
As for Scott 4, it just completely blew me away. He had massive orchestral arrangements, but with lyrics about people stuck in front of the telly, with their kids getting on their nerves. I'd always liked things that mythologized everyday life, but this was the first time I'd heard it in pop music."

Laurie Anderson, about her introduction to Scott Walker's music - "My immediate reaction was complete attention, which pretty much describes listening to him since then. His signature is a roaring big voice with ragged edges full of sharp things."

Adam Yauch, about the documentary "Scott Walker: 30 Century Man" - "It's a trip. The dude is an extremist. The part that killed me was when he signed a deal and goes off, lives in an old cabin without electricity, for like seven years. Then he calls his A&R man and says, 'OK, I'm ready to record'. He symbolizes the extremes of sticking by your guns. "

Marc Almond - "There is only one Scott Walker, the rest of us can just watch from the sidelines."

Rusty Willoughby - "To me, Scott Walker has always exemplified everything that is wonderful and mysterious about music. His creative output between the years 1967 – 1969 on his solo releases, Scott I – Scott IV can arguably be considered one of the most consistent streaks of musical creativity and confidence ever put to record. Scott’s music is grand American Music filtered through the haze of nascent 1960’s pop artistic renaissance and the old world charm of artists such as Jacques Brel and Yves Montand. Eschewing the typical Pop Star lifestyle in pursuit of more pure and honest personal expression, Scott Walker has always been a major influence on me, and i’m sure, any artist looking to find their own way in an absurd and beautiful world."

1 comment:

  1. Thank you so much for this amazing post!
    I did not know this artist. I have more than 4000 cds and vynil records, and teras of mp3.
    And what a missing piece!!!
    it's a shocking and fantastic discovery.
    Really thanks !!!
    Claudio from Rome

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