Nothing gives the music scene a good kick up its own arse than a Pro coming back to show all the kiddie wannabes how it’s done! Marianne Faithfull has put together a triple disc set (a double album with a DVD documentary on the third disc) effortlessly, but with the aid of some other seasoned pros (Nick cave, Jarvis Cocker, Rufus Wainwright, Keith Richards and Sean Lennon among others) not to mention some fine material with which to cover from the likes of Dolly Parton, Morrissey and Brian Eno.
Easy Come Easy Go could well be a way of seeing her efforts in the studio. The music alone has been meticulously put together with the talent available and easily shows how well an album can instantly sound like gold. The cover of Brian Eno’s “How Many World’s” for example is truly a magnificent production with Teddy Thompson’s supporting voice giving the song a ghostly presence.
Faithfull may not be in her youth, and has a voice that could plough the toughest field, but there is never any moment when she can’t project power and emote tender frailty. Master classes in production, collaboration and quality should include this work.