Syd Straw - Surprise

Title: Surprise Artist: Syd Straw Release Date: 6/1989 Re-Released On: 3/14/2000 Label: Virgin, Koch Records Duration: 56:14 UPCs: 099923803829, 075679126610, 075679126641 Genre: Rock Styles: Alternative Pop/Rock, Jangle Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock Moods: Amiable/Good-Natured, Bittersweet, Cathartic, Earthy, Exuberant, Innocent, Ironic, Literate, Melancholy, Passionate, Quirky, Reflective, Sophisticated, Stylish, Theatrical Total Copies: 1 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Think Too Hard
2. Heart of Darkness
3. Chasing Vapor Trails (His Turn to Cry)
4. Almost Magic
5. Crazy American
6. Hard Times (Come Again No More)
7. Future 40's (Sting of Pearls)
8. The Unanwered Question
9. Sphinx
10. Racing to the Ruins
11. Golden Dreams
12. Learning the Game [*]
13. If You Don't Want My Love [*]

Year Type Label Catalog # 2000 CD Koch Records 8038 ------ CD Virgin 91266-2

No other editions were found for this album.

Singer/songwriter Syd Straw's 1989 debut album Surprise charted a path soon followed by a number of more famous female rockers, makes herself different from the rest of the female rock artists of the '80s and '90s. She's earnest in a way that doesn't have to be automatically friendly or mysteriously cunning. Surprise was reissued by the Koch label ten years after its initial release and marks the album's simplistic beauty. Representing a departure from her '80s work with the Golden Palominos, Surprise finds Straw in the role of down-home girl with a heart to be mended, singing of love like everyone else but with a style all her own. The album exhibits Straw's broad range, from brooding songs like "Crazy American" and "Sphinx" to "Future 40s (String of Pearls)," a twangy lovesucker featuring backup from R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe. (Straw's abrasiveness on this track is utterly perfect, especially in contrast to Stipe's calmer vocal approach.) But Surprise isn't based entirely around Straw's patented vocal style, earnest while neither overly friendly nor mysteriously cunning. This is also an album of strong musicianship from Straw (her guitar work is impeccable throughout) and an all-star cast including Daniel Lanois, Benmont Tench, John Doe of X, and Richard Thompson. The album's style and production mix jangle pop elements from the preceding decade with a roots rock tone, and the overall result has a healthy folkish disposition. Surprise anticipates what was to come for females in rock during the '90s; Syd Straw was first in a line of artists who most prominently included Sheryl Crow, Joan Osborne, and Edie Brickell. Koch Records is to be commended for setting this little bit of history straight by reissuing the classic album Surprise in March 2000. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andre Lansel Photography Anthony Moore Sound Effects, Engineer, Producer Anton Fier Drums Benmont Tench Piano Bernie Worrell Keyboards Bob Vogt Engineer Bobbye Hall Percussion Chris Stamey Bass Daniel Lanois Producer, Mixing Dave Alvin Guitar (Electric) Dave Nives Reissue Producer David Cook Engineer David Grissom Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic) Davis McLarty Drums Don Christensen Engineer Don Was Bass Doug Sax Mastering Ed Cherney Engineer Eric Ambel Guitar (Electric), Guitar Greg Leisz Pedal Steel, Guitar (Steel) Inge Schaap Design J.D. Foster Bass James Tuttle Engineer Jerry Marotta Drums Jim Keltner Drums Jody Harris Guitar (Electric), Guitar Joe Ely Performer John Doe Vocals John Jorgenson Guitar (Acoustic) John Porter Reissue Producer Jorge Calderon Bass Julian Wheatley Engineer Larry Hirsch Engineer Marc Ribot Guitar, Guitar (Electric) Mark Linnet Engineer Marshall Crenshaw Guitar (Acoustic) Matt Irving Accordion, Organ Melanie Nissen Art Direction Michael Blair Drums Michael Stipe Vocals Neil Conte Drums Peter Blegvad Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (12 String) Peter Holsapple ?, Guitar Pino Palladino Bass Richard Thompson Guitar (Electric) Roger Eno ? Ry Cooder Guitar (Acoustic) Sid Page Violin Syd Straw Mixing, Producer, Vocals Tommy Morgan Harmonica Tony Levin Bass, Stick Van Dyke Parks Producer, Piano Willie Aron Guitar (Acoustic)