Naked

by Talking Heads

Overview

Talking Heads' last proper studio album before their protracted breakup finds them returning to the dynamic that produced their best work, with inspired results. As swan songs go, Naked proves to be a pretty good one: Alternately serious and playful, it once again allows frontman David Byrne to worry about the government, the environment, and the plight of the working man as it frees up the rest of the band to trade instruments and work with guest musicians. It's closest in spirit to Remain in Light -- arguably too close: The first side is a collection of funky, syncopated, almost danceable tunes; the second, a murky, darkly philosophical rumination on identity and human nature. The major difference is a Latin influence replacing Light's African rhythm experimentation, most evident on the album openers "Blind" and "Mr. Jones," as well as in drummer Chris Frantz's decision to use brushes and softer percussion instruments (as opposed the big beat sound he offered up on Little Creatures and True Stories). With the venerable Steve Lillywhite behind the boards and such luminaries as Johnny Marr, Kirsty MacColl, and Yves N'Djock punctuating the credits, the album sounds technically perfect, but there's little of the loose, live feel the band achieved with former mentor Brian Eno. It's quite a feat to pull of a late-career album as ambitious as Naked, and the Heads do so with style and vitality. But no matter how much the liner notes may boast of free-form invention and boundless creativity, the album's elegiac, airtight tone betrays the sound of four musicians growing tired of the limits they've imposed on one another. ~ Michael Hastings

Product Details

Release Date:	10/20/2009
Label:	Emi
UPC:	5099930869721
Rank:	24591

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Talking Heads   Primary Artist
Lenny Pickett   Guest Artist,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor)
Eric Weissberg   Guest Artist
Kirsty MacColl   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Johnny Marr   Guest Artist,Guitar,Guitar (Tremolo)
Bobby Porcelli   Sax (Alto)
David Byrne   Cello,Flute,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Vocoder,Keyboards,Toy Piano,Slide Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Charlie Sepulveda   Trumpet
Wally Badarou   Keyboards
Robin Eubanks   Trombone
Earl Gardner   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Jerry Harrison   Drums,Flute,Piano,Guitar,Shaker,Marimba,Keyboards,Tambourine,Slide Guitar,Organ (Hammond),Vocals (Background)
Stan Harrison   Saxophone,Sax (Alto)
Manolo Badrena   Bells,Congas,Percussion
Eric Weisberg   Dobro
Jose "Ite" Jerez   Trumpet
Steve Elson   Saxophone,Sax (Baritone)
Chris Frantz   Drums,Keyboards,Percussion
Mitch Frohman   Sax (Alto)
Robyn Eubanks   Sackbut,Trombone
Don Brooks   Harmonica
Brice Wassy   Maracas,Percussion
Dale Turk   Trombone,Trombone (Bass)
Sydney Thiam   Congas,Percussion
Nino Gioia   Timbales,Percussion
Al Acosta   Sax (Tenor)
Moussa Cissokho   Percussion
Angel Fernandez   Trumpet
Steve Gluzband   Trumpet
Laurie Frink   Trumpet
Phil Bodner   Cor Anglais
Yves N'Djock   Guitar
Arthur Russell   Cello
Tina Weymouth   Flute,Organ,Piano,Keyboards,Sax (Alto),Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background),Speech/Speaker/Speaking Part
Steve Elfon   Sax (Baritone)
James Fearnley   Accordion
Abdou M'Boup   Bells,Drums,Congas,Percussion,Talking Drum
Mory Kante   Kora
Jose Jerez   Trumpet
Steve Sachs   Sax (Baritone)
Philippe Servain   Accordion

Technical Credits

David Byrne   Artwork,Composer,Producer
Jean-Loup Morette   Assistant Engineer
Wally Badarou   Composer
Joseph Williams   Assistant Engineer
Mark Wallis   Mixing Engineer
Richard Manwaring   Engineer
Chris Frantz   Composer,Producer
Lenny Pickett   Arranger
Nick Delre   Engineer,Mixing Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Angel Fernandez   Composer,Horn Arrangements
Steve Lillywhite   Mixing,Producer
Talking Heads   Producer
James Farber   Mixing Engineer
Fernando Kral   Mixing Engineer,Overdub Engineer
Jerry Harrison   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Tina Weymouth   Composer,Producer
Byrne   Composer
Jack Skinner   Mastering Engineer
M&Co.   Cover Design
Paula Wright   Artwork
N-Jock   Composer