Talking Heads - Naked

Year of Release: 2006
Label: Rhino
Catalog Number: 76457
Format: DVDA
Total Time: 00:00:00

Keith reviewed 8 releases in an omnibus edition - e.g., one long, but segmented, review; I have chosen to break this into separate segments, including the opening paragraph for each. This is the sixth in the series -ed.

The Talking Heads were an original band; to say they were unique is putting it mildly. They did not sound like anyone else nor did anyone sound like them. It's hard to figure out who they were influenced by while listening to more of their advanced recordings. From the third release forward, they changed the landscape of music forever.

Visually they were quite normal with the exception of the awkward and geeky looking lead singer David Bryne. If he put on a suit coat and tie, he could pass for a college professor or an executive on Wall Street. Overall, the Talking Heads were not your typical rock band.

Now with advent of DVD-A, we can listen to their entire studio recordings including videos from the archives and alternate and unfinished takes of tracks you never heard before. The CD sides are excellent as well. Rhino is one of the best at repackaging catalogs but this time I was a little annoyed with the sequencing of tracks. It is nice to have a choice, DVD-A on one side and CD on the other, however putting the bonus tracks only on the CD sides is very annoying. Why would I listen to CD audio when I can have surround sound? There are mixed opinions on the effectiveness of Dual Discs but my experiences have always been positive, with the exception of having to flip it over to hear all the bonus tracks. That is a minor factor when you look at the big picture and how much enjoyment is available like never before. The Talking Heads phenomenal output gets a just recourse with these reissues. Sit back and reminisce then listen to one of the most influential and important bands of our time like you never heard them before. Ladies and gentleman, I give you the Talking Heads?

This is a Talking Heads album I never bothered to check out and now I know why. This has to be their worst effort - it was not the band that I had come to know and love so much.

Naked seems uninspired and disjointed. This would be their last studio effort and with good reason, its one of those albums that never should have happened at all.

The bonus track "Sax And Violins" is pretty cool and the video bonus looked good as well, but the problem is I could not watch it because it did not work. Yes, this was a total bomb from where I sit.

[Previous: True Stories -- Next: Talking Heads: 77]

Tracklisting:
CD Side Blind / Mr. Jones / Totally Nude / Ruby Dear / (Nothing But) Flowers / The Democratic Circus / The Facts Of Life / Mommy Daddy You And I / Big Daddy / Bill / Cool Water / Sax And Violins*

DVD Side same as above without bonus, plus videos of Blind and Sax And Violins

Musicians:
David Byrne - guitar, keyboards, vocals, background vocals, slide guitar, keyboard bass, toy piano
Chris Frantz - drums
Jerry Harrison - guitar, piano, Hammond organ, tambourine, background vocals, slide guitar, shaker, horn arrangements, keyboard bass
Tina Weymouth - organ, bass, background vocals, synth bass

Guests:

Manolo Badrena - percussion, conga, shaker, cow bell, woodblock
Phil Bodner - cor anglais
Don Brooks - harmonica
Steve Elson - baritone and soprano sax
James Fearnley - accordion
Angel Hernandez - trumpet, horn arrangements
Laurie Frink - trumpet
Mitch Frohman - alto sax
Earl Gardner - trumpet, flugelhorn
Steve Gluzband - trumpet
Alex Haas - human whistle
Stan Harrison - alto sax
Mory Kant? - kora
Kirsty MacColl - background vocals
Johnny Marr - guitar, 12-string guitar
Abdou Mboup - percussion, conga, cowbell, talking drum
Yves N'Djock - guitar
Lenny Pickett - soprano and tenor sax, horn arrangements
Bobby Porcelli - alto sax
Arthur Russell - cello
Steve Sachs - baritone sax
Charlie Sepulveda - trumpet
Phillpe Servain - accordion
Sydney Thiam - percussion, conga
Dale Turk - bass trombone
Brice Wassy - maracas, tambourine, bells, spoons, shaker, cowbell
Eric Weissberg - dobro, pedal steel

Discography:
Talking Heads: 77 (1977/2006*)
More Songs About Buildings And Food (1978/2006*)
Fear Of Music (1979/2006*)
Remain In Light (1980/2006*)
The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads (1982)
Speaking In Tongues (1983/2006*)
Stop Making Sense (1984/2006*)
Little Creatures (1985/2006*)
Sounds From True Stories (1986)
True Stories (1986/2006*)
Naked (1988/2006*)
Popular Favorites 1976-1992: Sand In The Vaseline (1992)
The Best Of Talking Heads: Once In A Lifetime (1992)
Stop Making Sense (Special Edition) (1999)
12 X 12 Original Mixes (1999)
The Best Of Talking Heads (2004)
Talking Heads Brick (2005) (DualDisc Box Set)

*reissued in DualDisc format (CD/DVD)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: April 2nd 2006
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.talking-heads.net
Hits: 3404
Language: english