Walking a Changing Line
Walking a Changing Line is an album by the English musician Iain Matthews, released in 1988.[1][2] All of its songs were written by the American musician Jules Shear. Walking a Changing Line was the first album that included vocals to be released by Windham Hill Records.[3] Matthews supported it with a North American tour.[4] He considered Walking a Changing Line to be a combination of new age, folk, and pop.[5] ProductionThe album was produced by Mark Hallman and Matthews.[6] Matthews's girlfriend had encouraged him to think about highlighting the work of Shear.[7] After reviewing around 120 Shear songs, Matthews made a list of 30 to consider, and then, with Hallman, chose 12 for the CD release.[7] Van Dyke Parks composed the music for "Only a Motion"; Osamu Kitajima (who played a koto), Fred Simon, and Patrick O'Hearn were among the musicians who worked on other tracks.[8][9] "Alive Alone" is a duet with the American musician Eliza Gilkyson.[10] "On Squirrel Hill" is about a man seeking comfort by returning to a familiar place from his past.[11] Critical reception
The Philadelphia Inquirer called Walking a Changing Line "an undeniably pretty album", but noted that Matthews "doesn't bring as much feeling to the work as its perennially hoarse author."[4] The Toronto Star labeled the album "an instant classic", opining that "Shear's aching, difficult songs... are perfectly suited to Matthews's pure, steady, tenor."[18] The Washington Post said that "all the cuts, even the multitracked a cappella 'On Squirrel Hill', composed for this album, have the wistful Windham Hill house sound [and would be at home] as background music for TV's thirtysomething."[8] The Chicago Tribune concluded that "the spare synthesizer-laden arrangements could use some of the tartness the songs have, but Matthews's voice is as sweet as ever and the lyrics brim with thoughtful yearning."[19] The Kansas City Times deemed the album one "of the better New Age offerings", noting that "Matthews has a pleasant, slightly overripe voice".[20] The Birmingham Evening Mail considered Walking a Changing Line "a long-overdue comeback."[21] AllMusic stated, "Often, dated keyboard sounds and soporific synth preludes do become intrusive, not to mention indulgent, but it's a credit to Matthews's skill as an interpreter and Shear's brilliant songs that things never degenerate into new age mush."[12] Track listing
References
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