Kate Bush - The Red Shoes

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 keyboardist 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," with Brooker laying down some of his trademark Hammond organ sound for the slow piece. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide

Name Credits Boromira Nedeva Interpretation Charlie Morgan Percussion Colin Lloyd Tucker Vocals Danny McIntosh Guitar Del Palmer ?, Fairlight, Mixing, Engineer Eric Clapton Guitar Gary Brooker Organ (Hammond) Gaumont d'Oliver Drums, Bass, Percussion, Sound Effects Haydn Bendall Engineer Ian Cooper Mastering Ian Sylvester Digital Consultant, ? J. Neil Sidwell Trombone Jeff Beck Guitar John Carder Bush Photography John Giblin Bass Justin Vali Valiha, Kabosy, ?, Vocals Kate Bush Arranger, Producer, Composer, Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Fender Rhodes, Piano, Keyboards Lenny Henry Vocals Lily Narrator Michael Kamen Orchestration Nigel Hitchcock Sax (Tenor), Sax (Baritone) Nigel Kennedy Violin, Viola Paddy Bush Valiha, Vocals, Singing Bowls, Mandola, Whistle (Human), ?, Whistle (Instrument), Fujara, Musical Bow Paul Spong Trumpet Prince Bass, Arranger, Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar Steve Sidwell Trumpet, Flugelhorn Stuart Elliott Percussion, Drums Trio Bulgarka Vocals