The Good The Bad & The Queen - Merrie Land (Vinyl)

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Merrie Land is the second and final studio album by English art rock supergroup The Good, the Bad & the Queen. It was produced by Tony Visconti and released on 16 November 2018. 

The Good, the Bad & the Queen were a supergroup composed of singer Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz, bassist Paul Simonon of the Clash, guitarist Simon Tong of the Verve, and Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen. They released their self-titled debut album in 2007. 

The cover of the album features a shot of Michael Redgrave from the 1945 horror movie Dead of Night, in which he plays a ventriloquist taken over by his dummy.

 



I can't think of any other artist whom my opinion of has changed so much over time than Damon Albarn. I still don't rate Blur's early stuff and I hate them at the time. Since their eponymous album in the late 90's they produced some truly great work while Albarn himself has gone on to achieve legend status. Prolific and diverse, the mans output over the last 20 years is exceptional. This particular side project is closest to his Blur work. For me, this album is Albarn tackling themes he looked at in his youth (England and Britishness) but bringing a sharper focus and more weight to it. Its like what Blur could have been doing in the first bit of the 90's if they had had 25 years experience behind them. Of course there is more than Albarn going on here. This is a super group that does the term justice with Paul Simonon (The Clash), Simon Tong (The Verve) both bringing their sublime talents to the mix along with the African rhythm of Tony Allen. Merrie Land, Lady Boston and Ribbons are standouts but the record needs to be listened to as a whole. The Tony Visconti element cannot be overlooked either with this having very much a Bowie vibe in many ways.

By: therealricko



A1 Introduction
A2 Merrie Land
A3 Gun To The Head
A4 Nineteen Seventeen
A5 The Great Fire
A6 Lady Boston

B1 Drifters & Trawlers
B2 The Truce Of Twilight
B3 Ribbons
B4 The Last Man To Leave
B5 The Poison Tree



Arranged By [Choir Arrangements], Score, Conductor – Owain Arwel Davies
Art Direction – Robert Gordon McHarg III
Coordinator [Live Music Co-ordination] – Stuart Lowbridge
Creative Director, Artwork – Paul Simonon
Engineer – Stephen Sedgwick
Engineer [Assisted By] – Noah Booth, Samuel Egglenton
Lacquer Cut By – JD*
Layout [Digital Layout] – Chris Musto
Lithography ['The Piper' Lithograph] – Theodore Gericault*
Lyrics By – Damon Albarn
Management – Eleven Management
Mastered By – John Davis (4)
Mixed By – Stephen Sedgwick
Music Director [Côr Y Penrhyn Musical Director] – Owain Arwel Davies
Photography By [Front & Back Cover Photograph Of 'The Blitz'] – Herbert Mason
Producer – The Good, The Bad & The Queen, Tony Visconti
Songwriter – The Good, The Bad & The Queen
Voice [The Voices Of Côr Y Penrhyn Bethesda (Male Voice Choir Are)] – Aled Williams (4), Alun Davies (4), Arfon Davies, Arwel Owen, Barry Davies (2), Bernard Jones (5), Bryn Evans (3), Brynmor Jones (2), Caleb Rhys, Christopher Kay, Dafydd Jones Morris, Dafydd Pritchard, Daniel LL Williams, Denzii Jones, Derek Griffiths (3), Derfel Roberts, Douglas Williams (7), Elfyn Bullock, Elis Derbyshire, Emyr Fôn Evans, Fred Buckley (2), Gareth W Williams*, Gareth Williams (24), Gerallt Williams, Haydn Davies (2), Henryd Jones, Humphrey Jones, Hywel Thomas, Idwal Jones (2), Ieuan Huhes, John Baston (2), John Gwilym Owen, John R Jones*, Johnathan Farrer, Kevin Coleman (9), Llion Derbyhire, Maldwyn Pritchard, Meirion Williams (2), Michael Williams (63), Mike Evans (37), Owain Evans, Raymond Roberts (2), Rheinallt Puw, Rhys Llwyd, Tom Williams (47), Walter Williams (19), Wyn Roberts (2)