Description
Semi-Aware is the sophomore full-length studio album by the British singer, songwriter, and producer Shirley Novak, released on Myrrh Records in 1989, a division of Word. The album was recorded at Priority Studios in Sheffield, England; with Tim Harries producing. All songs written by Shirley Novak except “This Is England” featuring lyrics by Stewart Henderson. On its release Semi-Aware was Word Records’ ‘Album of the Month’ in the UK.
Shortly after Shirley Novak’s first full-length album ‘Beyond Your Eyes‘ was completed her record label Ears And Eyes went bust. Suddenly Novak was free to move on and Word Records snapped her up to make her third album ‘Semi-Aware’, in 1989. A highly thoughtful and unconventional album, ‘Semi-Aware’ highlighted a slight change in style for Shirley Novak. The folkiness was still there but the saxophone was gone and with it went a lot of the jazz feet which was so noticeable before. Instead here was a less cluttered album that made far more use of Novak’s vocal talent and as a result exposed her gifted lyrics, the track «This Is England» being very reminiscent of a musical Billy Bragg. In place of the jazz came a whole variety of percussion but with surprises like a blues «Sometimes I’m Lonely» and a rocking «Breath From Heaven», the variety on ‘Semi-Aware’ led people to suggest influences as diverse as Fleetwood Mac, The Eurythmics and U2. On its release ‘Semi-Aware’ was a Word ‘Album Of The Month’. [Jonathan Bellamy, Cross Rhythms, June 1993]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “If You Should Ever Leave Me” – 3:20
A2. “Coming Home” – 4:01
A3. “Stairs To Your Room” – 4:20
A4. “Sometimes I’m Lonely” – 3:25
A5. “This Is England” – 5:58
Side Two
B1. “Move A Little Closer” – 2:26
B2. “Two Kingdoms” – 2:50
B3. “Breath From Heaven” – 4:00
B4. “Desperate Cry” – 4:38
B5. “In My Name” – 3:26
B6. “Bitter Tears” – 3:35
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Myrrh Records.
CREDITS. Produced by Tim Harries. Recorded at Priority Studios, Sheffield, UK. Engineered and mixed by Gerry O’Riordan and James Young. Design and Artwork by Colin Maddams. Executive-Producer: Chris Norton. All songs were written by Shirley Novak except “This Is England” featuring lyrics by Stewart Henderson.
Musicians: Shirley Novak (Acoustic Guitar, Vocals), Tim Harries (Fretless Bass, Keyboards, Guitar), Richard Causon (Keyboards, Guitar), Nick Fletcher (Guitar), Gerry O’Riordan (Drums, Percussion).
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