Day 97: William Orbit and Two Very Different Divas

Album 297/1031

William Orbit - Strange Cargo III (1993)

Track listing

1. "Water from a Vine Leaf" (vocals: Beth Orton) – 7:05
2. "Into the Paradise" (vocals: Baby B) – 5:41
3. "Time to get Wize" (vocals: Divine Bashim) – 4:10
4. "Harry Flowers" – 4:31
5. "A Touch of the Night" (vocals: Cleo Torres) – 5:03
6. "The Story of Light" (vocals: Baby B) – 6:21
7. "Gringatcho Demento" (vocals: Cleo Torres) – 6:38
8. "A Hazy Shade of Random" – 5:09
9. "Best Friend, Paranoia" (vocals: Cleo Torres) – 4:35
10. "The Monkey King" (vocals: Laurie Mayer) – 5:16
11. "Deus Ex Machina" – 5:40
12. "Water Babies" – 3:42

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strange_Cargo_III

Golf's verdict: A few years later he'd be transforming Madonna's sound into something far more dance-floor friendly. I only really know him for his modern interpretations of classical music (see 'Pieces in a Modern Style', especially a great version of Barber's Adagio for Strings). This album of ambient-style music was a very pleasant listen, but not particularly memorable.

Maire's verdict: Pleasant enough but merged into the background.


Album 298/1031

Madonna - Like a Prayer (1989)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Like a Prayer"	Madonna Patrick Leonard	Madonna Leonard	5:41
2.	"Express Yourself"	Madonna Stephen Bray	Madonna Bray	4:39
3.	"Love Song"	Madonna Prince	Madonna Prince	4:52
4.	"Till Death Do Us Part"	Madonna Leonard	Madonna Leonard	5:16
5.	"Promise to Try"	Madonna Leonard	Madonna Leonard	3:36
6.	"Cherish"	Madonna Leonard	Madonna Leonard	5:03
7.	"Dear Jessie"	Madonna Leonard	Madonna Leonard	4:20
8.	"Oh Father"	Madonna Leonard	Madonna Leonard	4:57
9.	"Keep It Together"	Madonna Bray	Madonna Bray	5:03
10.	"Spanish Eyes"	Madonna Leonard	Madonna Leonard	5:15
11.	"Act of Contrition"	Madonna Leonard	Madonna Leonard	2:19

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Like_a_Prayer_(album)

Golf's verdict: Never heard this before, but it had so many singles on it that it felt very familar. Madge was more or less at the height of her powers for this and it's a strong selection. 

Maire's verdict: Great album. Still know most of the words.

Album 299/1031

Hole - Celebrity Skin (1998)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Celebrity Skin"	Courtney Love Eric Erlandson Billy Corgan	2:42
2.	"Awful"	Love Erlandson Melissa Auf der Maur Patty Schemel	3:16
3.	"Hit So Hard"	Love Erlandson Corgan	4:00
4.	"Malibu"	Love Erlandson Corgan	3:50
5.	"Reasons to Be Beautiful"	Love Erlandson Auf der Maur Charlotte Caffey Jordon Zadorozny	5:19
6.	"Dying"	Love Erlandson Corgan	3:44
7.	"Use Once & Destroy"	Love Erlandson Auf der Maur Schemel	5:04
8.	"Northern Star"	Love Erlandson	4:58
9.	"Boys on the Radio"	Love Erlandson Auf der Maur	5:09
10.	"Heaven Tonight"	Love Erlandson	3:31
11.	"Playing Your Song"	Love Erlandson Auf der Maur	3:21
12.	"Petals"	Love Erlandson Corgan	5:29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrity_Skin

Golf's verdict: I think Courtney gets unfairly overlooked and dismissed as just a hanger-on, but this certainly does not back up that view. This has a number of great singles and is an album that (nearly 20 years! after it was released) is still regularly played round our way.

Maire's verdict: I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed this album. Some great tunes.