Proof Through the Night & the complete Trap Door

Description

Proof Through the Night & the complete Trap Door is a compilation album by the American singer, songwriter, and producer T-Bone Burnett, released on Rhino Handmade in March 2007, a Warner Music Group Company. Featuring three T-Bone Burnett records from the 80s, two EPs, Trap Door (Warner Bros. Records 1982) and Behind The Trap Door (Demon Records 1984), as well as one full length album, Proof Through The Night (Warner Bros. Records 1983). A cover of the Hank Williams (as Luke the Drifter) song “Be Careful of Stones That You Throw”, recorded during an early session for the album, is included as a bonus track. The double CD was issued in a numbered limited edition of 5,000.

With the release of ‘TwentyTwenty‘ last year, suddenly there was the opportunity to get some long deleted T Bone Burnett classic songs on CD! Now three projects from his back catalogue have had a limited release on CD and since they are my three favourite Burnett albums, there has been much rejoicing in the Rimmer household. Originally released in 1983, ‘Proof Through The Night’ is a hugely intelligent album as Burnett makes his observations about people, life and society. Three of the most impacting songs are those where he mixes spoken verses with sung choruses. «Fatally Beautiful» describes the life of a Marilyn Monroe type figure. «The Sixties» is a clever observation of the societal fallout from the most decadent of decades with Burnett the most preachy he’s ever been on record. Albeit a subtle, intelligent preach! That preachyness continues on the other spoken song «Hefner And Disney» which examines the business of corrupted dreams in a very surreal allegorical narrative. This is all supremely clever stuff and Burnett is at the height of his songwriting powers. Other highlights are the catchy «Hula Hoop», the tender «After All These Years» and «When The Night Falls» which sounds like something Roy Orbison might have recorded which is very apt since Burnett wrote the song with Orbison in mind. Burnett has enough fans amongst fellow musicians and the album features guest appearances from the likes of Ry Cooder, The Who’s Pete Townsend and Richard Thompson. ‘Trap Door’ was originally released as two 12 inch EPs ‘Trap Door’ in 1982 and ‘Behind The Trap Door’ in 1984. Working with guitarist David Mansfield, bassist David Miner and drummer David Kemper, the band had been gigging so the first half of this CD has a strong tight band feel which works especially well on «Hold On Tight» and the infectious rocking «I Wish You Could Have Seen Her Dance». There’s an inventive cover version of Marilyn Monroe’s «Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend» (really!) and the brilliant driving «Ridiculous Man». The title cut contains one of the best lines ever penned by a Christian songwriter: “It’s a funny thing about humility, as soon as you know you’re being humble, you’re no longer humble.” The songs from ‘Behind The Trap Door’ are generally more acoustic and darker in nature. Highlights are «Amnesia And Jealousy (Oh! Lana)» and the song he co-wrote with Bono «Having A Wonderful Time, Wish You Were Her». He’s ever the hero at creating memorable song titles on «My Life And The Women Who Lived It» which is every bit as compelling as the title suggests! These brooding songs are full of intelligence, observation and insight and although the re-release is only on a limited edition of 5000, it’s good to have this timeless music available again. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, May 2008]

2CD tracklist:

Disc One

Proof Through The Night
1-01. The Murder Weapon (feat. Mick Ronson and Masakazu Yoshizawa) – 4:32
1-02. Fatally Beautiful (feat. Pete Townshend) – 4:21
1-03. After All These Years – 3:12
1-04. Baby Fall Down (feat. Steven Soles) – 3:04
1-05. The Sixties (feat. Mick Ronson and Pete Townshend) – 5:35
1-06. Stunned (feat. Stan Lynch and Andy Williams) – 3:52
1-07. Pressure (feat. Mick Ronson) – 3:32
1-08. Hula Hoop – 3:15
1-09. When The Night Falls (feat. Ry Cooder) – 3:57
1-10. Hefner And Disney (feat. Pete Townshend and Masakazu Yoshizawa) – 3:49
1-11. Shut It Tight (feat. Richard Thompson) – 2:58
Previously Unreleased Track from Proof Through The Night Sessions
1-12. Be Careful Of Stones That You Throw – 3:20

Disc Two

Trap Door
2-01. Hold On Tight – 3:47
2-02. Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend – 3:05
2-03. I Wish You Could Have Seen Her Dance – 3:50
2-04. A Ridiculous Man – 3:52
2-05. Poetry – 3:44
2-06. Trap Door – 4:14
Behind The Trap Door
2-07. Strange Combination – 3:50
2-08. Amnesia And Jealousy (Oh! Lana) – 4:50
2-09. Having A Wonderful Time, Wish You Were Her – 4:04
2-10. The Law Of Average – 2:36
2-11. My Life And The Women Who Lived It – 5:22
2-12. Welcome Home, Mr. Lewis – 3:39