I am not familiar with the original by Francoise Hardy, but consider this version to be very hauntingly expressive. The artist's interesting and highly effective fusion of the middle eastern and western is as prominent as in her other recordings.
Great chord sequence...melodic shrieking vocal...magic instrumentation - one of my favourite soft(ish) rock songs. An under-appreciated gem from the Foreigner oevre which I'm certain will attract many musical tasters.
One of the best classics of the Foreigner back catalogue which I know has so many adherents here at musical taste. A superbly emotional track with a great chord sequence and a mainly synth-based backing.
from Agent Provocateur
05 Dec 05 ·delicado: amazing - I knew this recommendation was from you even before I saw your name! So, no 'cold as ice'? 05 Dec 05 ·Mike: "Cold as Ice" is a great number, too, of course, you're quite right. Watch out for more recommendations soon!
It is hard to imagine a more musically wistful verse than that of this song. The swelling chorus augments it perfectly and very dramatically. This B side from the "Duke" era is surely one of Mike Rutherford's best songs, and one of the highlights of the post-Gabriel Genesis for those who appreciate the band's slower numbers.
available on CD - Genesis Archive Vol 2
15 May 06 ·makebusy7: Um, that song was a throwaway no matter how you slice it 15 May 06 ·Mike: It's all about musical taste, really, although even if it was not to my taste, I would find it hard to put together an argument for it as a throwaway. 19 Nov 06 ·mrtanner: I think this is an absolutely beautiful track! 20 Nov 06 ·Mike: Oh yes, it's quite special...glad someone else appreciates it!
This simple song has a kind of wan beauty and a lovely piano and strings backing. The relationship lyric is a good one which seems an ideal foil to Hal David's "Why do birds..." from "(They long to be) Close to you".