2003 album for the acclaimed American Music Club frontman features reworked songs from his chequered past. Recorded in Greece, in 2001, with traditional Greek instruments & local musicians all under the capable arrangements of Greek composer & producer Manolis Famellos. 10 tracks.What will astound fans and admirers alike is this landmark album recorded in Greece in November 2001. Far removed from the trials and tribulations of his familiar US & UK stomping grounds, MARK EITZEL visits Greece as a guest to a sincere musical invitation armed with a clean slate. What was to be a humble EP turns out to be a full-blown album of re-worked songs from his chequered past-but with a twist … Western culture meets Eastern in a bold and rich interpretation of EITZEL'S songs. Lists of songs, old and recent find a new lease of life amongst the warmth of traditional Greek instruments and the talented local musicians. All under the capable arrangements of respected Greek composer and producer MANOLIS FAMELLOS this project turns out to be a remarkable re-evaluation on EITZEL'S classic songs. FAMELLOS'S ringmaster guidance, together with his cohorts unveils a fertile textured instrumentation that enhances EITZEL'S past glorious songs without being an over-elaborated affair. None of the vocal angst or intense interpretation is missing from the songs, and the results are sparkling versions of EITZEL classics such as " Last Harbour ", " Jenny " & " Western Sky " with an astonishing clarity. Listeners are also rewarded with a new-ish EITZEL song " What Good Is Love " & with him also singing a FAMELLOS composition " Love's Humming (Black Love) "."The Ugly American " is a balanced album that taps into different periods of EITZEL'S song-writing career. This album is a coup and fans will soon know that this work is another indisputable testament to EITZEL'S song-writing skills and that it will become a sought item for years to come.Album notesPersonnel: Mark Eitzel (vocals, acoustic guitar); Elissavet Spanov (vocals); Manolis Famellos (acoustic guitar, mandolin, background vocals); Spiros Hatzikonstantinov (electric guitar); Manolis Karantinis (bouzouki, mandolin); Kiriakos Gouventas (violin, viola); Manos Ahalinotopoulos (whistle, pipes, clarinet); Dimitris Basslam (bass); Panos Tolios (drums); Manos Pirovlakis.Recorded at Praxis Studio, Athens, Greece.Editorial reviews...Mixing in the additional instruments here gives these songs an extra strength that raises THE UGLY AMERICAN from a simple re-recording of old songs into a true artistic statement...CMJ (07/21/2003)...His voice, like good leather, has become supple with age, and in Famellos, Eitzel has found someone who can highlight it...Magnet (09/01/2003)3 out of 5 - ...THE UGLY AMERICAN is a beaut...Alternative Press (09/01/2003)3 stars out of 5 - Eitzel's pretty, well-wrought songs lay poetic, melancholia-drenched lyrics over exquisite (if understated) folky textures...Rolling Stone (07/24/2003)3 stars out of 5 - Eitzel's pretty, well-wrought songs lay poetic, melancholia-drenched lyrics over exquisite (if understated) folky textures...Alternative Press (9/03, p.102) - 3 out of 5 - ...THE UGLY AMERICAN is a beaut...Magnet (9/03, p.99) - ...His voice, like good leather, has become supple with age, and in Famellos, Eitzel has found someone who can highlight it...CMJ (7/21/03, p.7) - ...Mixing in the additional instruments here gives these songs an extra strength that raises THE UGLY AMERICAN from a simple re-recording of old songs into a true artistic statement...Rolling Stone (07/24/2003)you can buy a copy here: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Iron-Man-Shop
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