Thanks Andy. It's interesting how everyone's list is different. Here's my list (not including Director's Cut) which was really hard to prioritize and which is subject to change: 1. The Dreaming (masterpiece) 2. Never For Ever (masterpiece) 3. Lionheart (great 2nd album) 4. The Kick Inside (the one that started it all) - I purchased this vinyl album in USA. and the album cover is different than your version which I prefer. 5. The Red Shoes (heartmelting and thoughtfiul) 6. Hounds of Love (good intro to Kate) 7. The Sensual World (heartmelting and thoughtful) 8. Ariel (Well thought out and creative) 9. 50 Words For Snow (EXCELLENT imagery. The music is usually a bit too minimalistic, but it fits the theme, so it's appropriate). On another (helpful) note, the audio on this video is very low. I had to have the volume cranked way up just to hear you.
Great job, Andy! I agree with your rankings (appreciating that fact that your Top 3 could easily be shuffled). SNOW is a snoozefest while LIONHEART is, in my opinion, criminally under-rated. (The latter was my introduction to this amazing artist.) I'd probably rate DIRECTOR'S CUT a bit higher as I like her re-workings (especially the Stonesy take on "Rubberband Girl"). Note also that her re-recording of "Sensual World" happened because, originally, James Joyce's estate refused permission to use the text from his novel ULYSSES. This meant Kate had to come up with her own lyrics. Later, the estate granted Kate permission so she recut the song using Molly Blume's novel-ending soliloquy. It's interesting but I still prefer Kate's more lyrical original version. Glad you mentioned THE OTHER SIDES as it's a deep and rewarding collection. Kate put as much thought into her covers and b-sides as she did constructing her albums. The live BEFORE THE DAWN is also an engaging listening experience, especially for the more cinematic "Ninth Wave" with narration. Despite lacking early material, this is a great career capper. (Let's hope an earlier, shelved live set from her "Tour of Life" will eventually get the deluxe release.) You are correct: "This Woman's Work" was used (dramatically) in the movie, SHE'S HAVING A BABY.
Thanks Dean, it's great to have such insightful feedback, I hadn't realised the back story on ‘TSW’ Agreed that the BTD live set was a good document for the more recent shows, would love a proper Tour of Life show to get the full release treatment but suspect Kate would prefer not to release anything. I would recommend searching You-tube for Kate’s 1979 Manchester show, as I believe it was recorded by Granada for TV broadcast but ultimately not shown and archived. It’s a full visual show with sound board audio.
I love the first three albums by kate bush. 1. Never Forever 2. Lionheart 3. The Kick Inside "The Dreaming" and "Hounds of Love" were disappointing to me. After that i lost interest in her music
Hi Martin, interesting that you didn't like the Dreaming and Hounds! It took a while for me to appreciate the Dreaming LP, but yes those first three albums are fantastic.
Thanks Andy. It's interesting how everyone's list is different. Here's my list (not including Director's Cut) which was really hard to prioritize and which is subject to change:
1. The Dreaming (masterpiece)
2. Never For Ever (masterpiece)
3. Lionheart (great 2nd album)
4. The Kick Inside (the one that started it all) - I purchased this vinyl album in USA. and the album cover is different than your version which I prefer.
5. The Red Shoes (heartmelting and thoughtfiul)
6. Hounds of Love (good intro to Kate)
7. The Sensual World (heartmelting and thoughtful)
8. Ariel (Well thought out and creative)
9. 50 Words For Snow (EXCELLENT imagery. The music is usually a bit too minimalistic, but it fits the theme, so it's appropriate).
On another (helpful) note, the audio on this video is very low. I had to have the volume cranked way up just to hear you.
Great job, Andy! I agree with your rankings (appreciating that fact that your Top 3 could easily be shuffled). SNOW is a snoozefest while LIONHEART is, in my opinion, criminally under-rated. (The latter was my introduction to this amazing artist.) I'd probably rate DIRECTOR'S CUT a bit higher as I like her re-workings (especially the Stonesy take on "Rubberband Girl"). Note also that her re-recording of "Sensual World" happened because, originally, James Joyce's estate refused permission to use the text from his novel ULYSSES. This meant Kate had to come up with her own lyrics. Later, the estate granted Kate permission so she recut the song using Molly Blume's novel-ending soliloquy. It's interesting but I still prefer Kate's more lyrical original version.
Glad you mentioned THE OTHER SIDES as it's a deep and rewarding collection. Kate put as much thought into her covers and b-sides as she did constructing her albums. The live BEFORE THE DAWN is also an engaging listening experience, especially for the more cinematic "Ninth Wave" with narration. Despite lacking early material, this is a great career capper. (Let's hope an earlier, shelved live set from her "Tour of Life" will eventually get the deluxe release.)
You are correct: "This Woman's Work" was used (dramatically) in the movie, SHE'S HAVING A BABY.
Thanks Dean, it's great to have such insightful feedback, I hadn't realised the back story on ‘TSW’
Agreed that the BTD live set was a good document for the more recent shows, would love a proper Tour of Life show to get the full release treatment but suspect Kate would prefer not to release anything. I would recommend searching You-tube for Kate’s 1979 Manchester show, as I believe it was recorded by Granada for TV broadcast but ultimately not shown and archived. It’s a full visual show with sound board audio.
I love the first three albums by kate bush.
1. Never Forever
2. Lionheart
3. The Kick Inside
"The Dreaming" and "Hounds of Love" were disappointing to me. After that i lost interest in her music
Hi Martin, interesting that you didn't like the Dreaming and Hounds! It took a while for me to appreciate the Dreaming LP, but yes those first three albums are fantastic.