Beyond Elysian Fields Explained

Beyond Elysian Fields
Type:studio
Artist:Hugh Cornwell
Cover:Beyond Elysian Fields.jpg
Released:4 October 2004
Recorded:2003
Studio:Looking Glass, New York
Truck Farm, New Orleans
Length:43:29
Label:Invisible Hands Music
Producer:
Prev Title:In the Dock
Prev Year:2003
Next Title:Hooverdam
Next Year:2008

Beyond Elysian Fields is the sixth studio album by Hugh Cornwell, released by Invisible Hands Music on 4 October 2004[1] in the UK, with a worldwide release in 2005.[2] It was produced by Tony Visconti and Danny Kadar.

The album title refers to Elysian Fields Avenue in New Orleans.

Critical reception

Adam Morton of The Age complimented Cornwell's "clipped, dry delivery" on the songs "Under Her Spell" and "Beauty on the Beach", but added that "melodies wane and lyrics become laboured on later tracks" such as "24/7".[3] Helen Wright of musicOMH described the album as "something like a cross between [Bob] Dylan and Dire Straits at their best ... with a dash of the Traveling Wilburys for good measure." Wright also cautioned, "If you preferred the early Stranglers you'll probably hate this album."[4] Graham Rockingham The Hamilton Spectator wrote, "Beyond Elysian Fields doesn't contain the in-your-face attitude of Stranglers' songs like "Peaches", "Grip" or "Hangin' Around" ... but it does contain that sardonic sense of humor and unmistakable voice. Cornwell's songwriting ventures into all sorts of unexpected territory."[5]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album liner notes.[2]

Technical

Beyond Acoustic Fields

Beyond Acoustic Fields (2007), is a limited edition CD, only available on tour, performed by Cornwell with acoustic guitar and vocal only and was recorded by Tony Visconti at his New York studio Looking Glass in 2003, to give Visconti an idea of the songs before producing the full album with the band.[1]

Track listing:

  1. "Cadiz"
  2. "Beauty on the Beach"
  3. "The Land of a Thousand Kisses"
  4. "24/7"
  5. "Henry Moore"
  6. "The Story of Harry Power"
  7. "Picked Up by the Wind"
  8. "Do Right Bayou"
  9. "Under Her Spell"

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History: 2003-2004. hughcornwell.com. 7 February 2022.
  2. Web site: Beyond Elysian Fields - Versions. Discogs. 7 February 2022.
  3. News: Morton. Adam. Beyond Elysian Fields - CD Reviews. The Age. 9 June 2006. 4 June 2011.
  4. Web site: Wright. Helen. Hugh Cornwell - Beyond Elysian Fields - Album Reviews. musicOMH. 4 October 2004. 4 June 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121011074721/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/hugh-cornwell.htm. 11 October 2012.
  5. News: Rockingham. Graham. Polished Punk; Stranglers Frontman Led 1970s Sound Invasion. https://web.archive.org/web/20121106231744/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/847967741.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT. dead. 6 November 2012. The Hamilton Spectator. 2 June 2005. 4 June 2011.