Released September 25, 2007 Artist Nellie McKay Producer Nellie McKay | Recorded 2007 Release date 25 September 2007 Label Vanguard Records | |
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Length 31:35
33:38 (with online bonus track) Obligatory Villagers
(2007) Normal as Blueberry Pie – A Tribute to Doris Day
(2009) Genres Jazz, Rock music, Pop music Similar Pretty Little Head, Normal as Blueberry Pie – A Tr, Get Away from Me, Home Sweet Mobile H, My Weekly Reader | ||
Obligatory Villagers is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Nellie McKay. It was released on September 25, 2007. The album is brief compared to both of her past releases, which both had total times of around an hour. However, the total time of Villagers is roughly equivalent to that of the individual discs on both of her double-disc releases. Bob Dorough appears as a guest vocalist on several tracks. Many of the musicians on the album reside in the Poconos, particularly the Delaware Water Gap area. Having been a COTA Cat, Nellie got to know the musicians that appear on this record. Nancy Reed, a voice teacher in Stroudsburg, sings with her on "Politan." Nellie McKay was Nancy Reed's first student.
Contents
Track listing
- "Mother of Pearl" - 2:10
- "Oversure" - 3:20
- "Gin Rummy" - 2:59
- "Livin'" - 0:24
- "Identity Theft" - 3:28
- "Galleon" - 3:22
- "Politan" - 4:18
- "Testify" - 5:41
- "Zombie" - 5:56
- "Doko Demo Doa" (Bonus Track in Japanese) (iTunes Store-only) - 2:05
Critical reception
Critical response to the album was generally positive. Pitchfork Media and Allmusic both commented that the album was "difficult to understand", though they also agreed that McKay is a talented songwriter and arranger.
Songs
1Mother of Pearl2:10
2Oversure3:20
3Gin Rummy2:59