Kate Bush – The Red Shoes (2018 Remaster) (1993/2018) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Kate Bush – The Red Shoes (2018 Remaster) (1993/2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 55:00 minutes | 611 MB | Genre: Alternative Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Fish People

The album is a continuation of Bush’s multi-layered and multiple musical pursuits and interests. If not her strongest work — a number of songs sound okay without being particularly stellar, especially given Bush’s past heights — Red Shoes is still an enjoyable listen with a number of diversions. The guest performer list is worthy of note alone, ranging from Procol Harum pianist Gary Brooker and Eric Clapton to Prince, but this is very much a Kate Bush album straight up as opposed to a collaborative work like, say, Santana’s Supernatural. Opening song “Rubberband Girl” is actually one of her strongest singles in years, a big and punchy song served well with a horn section, though slightly let down by the stiff percussion. “Eat the Music,” another smart choice for a single, mixes calypso and other Caribbean musical touches with a great, classically Bush lyric mixing up sexuality, romance, and various earthy food-based metaphors. Another highlight of Bush’s frank embrace of the lustier side of life is “The Song of Solomon,” a celebratory piece about the Bible’s openly erotic piece. Those who prefer her predominantly piano and vocal pieces will enjoy “Moments of Pleasure” with a strong string arrangement courtesy of Michael Kamen. Other standouts include “Why Should I Love You?” with Prince creating a very Prince-like arrangement and backing chorus for Bush (and doing quite well at that) and the concluding “You’re the One,” featuring Brooker. ~ Ned Raggett

Tracklist:
1-01. Kate Bush – Rubberband Girl (04:43)
1-02. Kate Bush – And So Is Love (04:19)
1-03. Kate Bush – Eat the Music (04:52)
1-04. Kate Bush – Moments of Pleasure (05:18)
1-05. Kate Bush – The Song of Solomon (04:26)
1-06. Kate Bush – Lily (03:53)
1-07. Kate Bush – The Red Shoes (04:02)
1-08. Kate Bush – Top of the City (04:13)
1-09. Kate Bush – Constellation of the Heart (04:46)
1-10. Kate Bush – Big Stripey Lie (03:28)
1-11. Kate Bush – Why Should I Love You? (05:02)
1-12. Kate Bush – You’re the One (05:51)

Personnel:
Kate Bush, vocals, keyboards, piano (4,5,8,9), Fender Rhodes electric piano (8,12), guitar & bass (10)
The Trio Bulgarka, vocals (5,11,12)
Dimitri Penev, vocal arrangements (5,11,12)
Colin Lloyd-Tucker, vocals (7,9)
Lenny Henry, vocals (11)
Danny McIntosh, guitar (1,5-9)
Eric Clapton, guitar (2)
Prince, guitar, keyboards, bass, vocals & co-arranger (11)
Jeff Beck, guitar (12)
Gary Brooker, Hammond (2,9,12)
Paddy Bush, mandola (7), valiha (3), fujara (6), whistle (7), singing bowls (6), bow (7), vocals (3,7,9)
Justin Vali, valiha (3,7), kabosy & vocals (3)
Nigel Kennedy, violin (8,10), viola (8)
Nigel Hitchcock, tenor & baritone saxes (1,3,9,11)
Neil Sidwell, trombone (1,3,9,11)
Steve Sidwell, trumpet (1,3,9,11)
Paul Spong, trumpet (1,3,9,11)
Michael Kamen, orchestration & arrangements (4)
John Giblin, bass
Gaumont D’Olivera, bass (7), drums & percussion & Fx (10)
Stuart Elliott, drums, percussion (1,3,5,7)
Charlie Morgan, percussion (5)
Del Palmer, Fairlight programming, mixing & recording
Lily Cornford, spoken voice – mantra (6)

Download: