Recorded 1994 Artist Marianne Faithfull Producer Angelo Badalamenti | Length 35:00 Release date 21 March 1995 Label Island Records | |
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Released 21 March 1995 (1995-03-21) Studio Excalibur Sound
National/Edison Recording Studio
(New York City, New York) A Secret Life
(1995) 20th Century Blues
(1997) Genres Alternative rock, Art rock Similar Blazing Away, 20th Century Blues, Vagabond Ways, The Seven Deadly Sins, Dangerous Acquaintances | ||
Marianne faithfull epilogue a secret life
A Secret Life is the twelfth studio album by English singer Marianne Faithfull. It was released on 21 March 1995 by Island Records. The album marked her first studio release composed mostly of original material in over a decade. Faithfull collaborated with American composer Angelo Badalamenti after his work on the television series Twin Peaks. Influenced by her interest in classical music, A Secret Life was a musical departure from her previous work and displayed a more tender side to her voice. Something that would later serve as inspiration for her next album The Seven Deadly Sins (1998).
Contents
- Marianne faithfull epilogue a secret life
- Marianne faithfull promoting a secret life on bbc 1995
- Critical reception
- Track listing
- Personnel
- Songs
- References
Faithfull also worked with Irish poet and her longtime friend Frank McGuinness and used some of his poems in the songs "Sleep" and "The Wedding". Musically, A Secret Life is an alternative rock album which was inspired by classical music and also incorporates elements of blues. The songs deal with themes such as broken relationship on "She" or secret love affair on "Love in the Afternoon".
A Secret Life received mixed reviews from music critics. Released only months after her successful autobiography Faithfull: An Autobiography and compilation album Faithfull: A Collection of Her Best Recordings (1994), the album was a commercial failure. "Bored by Dreams" was the only single released from the album and also failed to chart.
Marianne faithfull promoting a secret life on bbc 1995
Critical reception
A Secret Life received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Richie Unterberger at AllMusic gave it three stars out of five, claiming that "Faithfull is still in rippingly fine voice, and her words still penetrate". However, he criticized Badalamenti's orchestral arrangements and noted that "while they can be effectively noirish, they can also create an inappropriately cold and detached ambience". He described the songs "Flaming September" and "She" as standout tracks.
Track listing
Notes
Personnel
Songs
1PrologueAngelo Badalamenti - MGM Studio Orchestra2:04
2SleepAngelo Badalamenti3:45
3Love In The AfternoonAngelo Badalamenti - MGM Studio Orchestra3:31