Marianne Faithfull – Negative Capability

I am not a big Marianne Faithful adept, though the prolific album "Broken English" can not be denied by any collector. It's in my collection just as well, but since, I never bought any album by Faithful, till I listened to this little piece of enchanting magic. Wine gets better with age, so Marianne is quite a "premier cru". Aged 71, living a solitary life in Paris and struggling with a series of physical problems were no obstacles to recording a new album. The lady still screams, but now has written a grand soundtrack to Edvard Munch's "The Scream". Solitude, "angst", fear of what lies ahead, screaming out to the world that seems to have vanished into a massive attack of depression.

One brilliant song after another fills the album and Marianne knocks me over and makes me struggle to get back on my feet again. I am blown away by words of wisdom, cries for attention, the lust for life, the despair of loneliness, the longing for love... "‘I know I’m not young and I’m damaged, but I’m still pretty, kind and funny and I’m ready to love" Clarity in simple words, that is what many songs on this record have in common. "There’s no moon, in Paris and it’s very lonely here tonight. What can I do but pretend to be brave and strong when I’m not. There’s no moon in Paris and that’s all I’ve got". So I hope I've made you hunger for "No Moon In Paris" and "In my own particular way", but there is much more to be discoverd such as the Dylan track "It's all over now, baby blue" in what might well be one of the best versions ever. And then you havn't heard the Nick Cave contribution "The Gypsy Faerie Queen" yet...

Marianne is one of those people still alive from a great tradition ranging from Elvis to Prince, from Lou Reed to Nick Cave, from David Bowie to Elliott Smith. She might have made her best album to date with this one. Honestly, it's amazing how many artists manage to leave us this one brilliant record at a late stage in live. Neil Young does so regularily, Bob Dylan just as well. Bowie left us Lazarus, Cash said farewell in style... But let's hope Marianne has a few more left up her sleeve.

Not one of my favourites What was she thinking of when she recorded this Will not be in my collection She Murdered It's All over now baby blue this album is not to my liking

Quite a noisy pressing if you ask me-based on two copies I have heard. Bits of non-fill and clicks plus lumps in the vinyl. Surprised because BMG have been excellent with pressings with releases over the last 12 months.