Four years prior to "A Few Small Repairs", Shawn Colvin released "Fat City"- a gem so rare and exquisite that just about every other release in her portfolio merely twinkles by comparison. Yes, there is magic in every recording she's put out, and certainly "Repairs" is a masterpiece which finally brought her some well deserved critical acclaim and accolades, but if you haven't listened to "Fat City" you have not yet been introduced to this woman's depth and ability to stir the soul. Listen to "Monopoly" if you want your heart ripped out. It is undoubtedly one of the most devastatingly beautiful love songs ever written. Her voice is raw, and brazenly naked in the throes of passionate love and agonizing loss. Listen to "Set the Prairie on Fire". Talk about sultry and sexy and hot! "Polaroids" is, of course, quintessential Shawn- it's a perfect example of why we love her music so much. If Anne Sexton was a songwriter her lyrics would sound like this: "Please no more therapy, Mother take care of me, piece me together with a needle and thread." Confessional, irreverent, honest, weary and triumphant all at the same time.
"Tennessee" just plain rocks. And Shawn does "Tenderness On the Block" better than Warren Zevon could ever dream of doing it (sorry, Warren, rest in peace). "Round of Blues" will have your feet tapping, your hands drumming and your throat humming, despite the almost popishness of it. Shawn doesn't do pop, so don't get me wrong. Shawn does what gets her going, and it works- always. Who else can refer to vibrators ("Object of My Affection") in such a way that you don't ask yourself if she just said what you think she said, instead, you ... laugh because, well, of course, she means what you think she means.
Sure, there are some weak spots on the album- most notably the excessive length of "Orion in the Sky" which starts to feel like a flamboyant relative who overstays their welcome. On the whole, however, this is Shawn quite possibly at her best. I say "quite possibly" because you never know what she will do next. I admit that I haven't heard the 2006 release yet (won't be long now!!!). For all I know she may just finish me off with the latest round of blues- after all, she's already ripped my heart out.
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Fat City
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Track Listings
1 | Polaroids |
2 | Tennessee |
3 | Tenderness On The Block |
4 | Round Of Blues |
5 | Monopoly |
6 | Orion In The Sky |
7 | Climb On (A Back That's Strong) |
8 | Set The Prairie On Fire |
9 | Object Of My Affection |
10 | Kill The Messenger |
11 | I Don't Know Why |
Editorial Reviews
Audio CD
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 5.62 x 4.92 x 0.33 inches; 3.84 ounces
- Manufacturer : Sony Legacy
- Original Release Date : 1992
- Run time : 55 minutes
- Date First Available : December 9, 2006
- Label : Sony Legacy
- ASIN : B0000027I0
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #66,642 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #710 in Traditional Folk (CDs & Vinyl)
- #868 in Contemporary Folk (CDs & Vinyl)
- #1,288 in Adult Alternative (CDs & Vinyl)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
81 global ratings
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2006
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2012
I cannot say enough about how much I love Shawn Colvin's music! Every release is far and above anything out there as far as I am concerned! I had missed this record somehow but after one play I knew this was perfect as usual. Her melodies and words seem to have no end whatsoever. I am a lifelong fan who will buy everything she does because she never disappoints. Never!
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2020
Every song is good. Really good. An earlier work of hers and one of her best.
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2022
There's something lackluster about the music and lyrics here. Only two songs that I want to hear again. Her later work has been extraordinary, paricularly "A Few Small Repairs."
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2018
One of the best by Ms. Colvin. I was in love when I first heard it so it is in my repertoire of music for life.
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2017
This is an exceptional recording. I wore the last one out and replaced it here at a great price. Thank you.
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2000
I loved her CD "A Few Small Repairs", but this was too Shania Twain like for me. If you are expecting something like "A Few Small Repairs", you'll be sorely disappointed. If you didn't like "A Few Small Repairs", you might like this one.
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2006
Admittedly 'Fat City' was my intro to Colvin. At the time - 14 yrs ago - I thought it was 5+ star worthy.
Don't get me wrong - even w/my 3 star rating, I find it a good disk. But when compared to her body for work, you get sense that it tries too hard in too many places. It becomes slick. A good disk for Colvin's work doesn't cut it. Most of her efforts are great.
Larry Klein polished the hell out of these songs - to the point of almost taking the life out of them. There are exceptions - most notably "Monopoly" and "Set the Prairie on Fire". Even the hey-kids-lets-try-for-a-radio-hit "Climb On" works.
I still like the disk - but I do not find myself coming back to it. I cannot say that of 'Steady On', 'A Few Small Repairs' or 'Whole New You'.
Don't get me wrong - even w/my 3 star rating, I find it a good disk. But when compared to her body for work, you get sense that it tries too hard in too many places. It becomes slick. A good disk for Colvin's work doesn't cut it. Most of her efforts are great.
Larry Klein polished the hell out of these songs - to the point of almost taking the life out of them. There are exceptions - most notably "Monopoly" and "Set the Prairie on Fire". Even the hey-kids-lets-try-for-a-radio-hit "Climb On" works.
I still like the disk - but I do not find myself coming back to it. I cannot say that of 'Steady On', 'A Few Small Repairs' or 'Whole New You'.
Top reviews from other countries
Loveless
5.0 out of 5 stars
年齢を経る毎に深みが増すよう
Reviewed in Japan on August 23, 2020
この人は、デビュー当時に買ったアルバムがいまいち好きになれなかった。個性が弱いというか、聞き流してしまえるような、フワッとした作品としての脆さを感じていた。まあ、時代の中で埋もれてやがて消えるだろうな、と。
ところが、十数年振りに聴いた作品が心を引き寄せた。更には年齢を経る毎に、その魅力がどんどん増していく。大器晩成、などと言うのは失礼だが、人として音楽家として色々な経験を重ねて、魅力を増す人は好きだ。ある種の共感もあるし、憧れもある。
若い頃に、「嫌な大人になりたくない」と斜に構えていた自分を恥じるように、ここ数年、謙虚になりたいと思っている。「それでいんだよ」と肩をポンと叩いてくれるような優しいアルバムだ。もちろん、共演しているミュージシャン達の功績もあるだろう。人に恵まれることはありがたいことだとしみじみしながら、何度も聴きたくなるのである。
それにしても、ラリー・クラインは素晴らしいプロデューサーだと思う。ベーシストとしてはずっと好きだったが、彼がプロデュースした作品は、どれもその人の魅力を大きく引き出している気がする。ここでも、絶妙なミュージシャンを招いて、丁度良い音に仕上げている。見事だと拍手したくなる。
ところが、十数年振りに聴いた作品が心を引き寄せた。更には年齢を経る毎に、その魅力がどんどん増していく。大器晩成、などと言うのは失礼だが、人として音楽家として色々な経験を重ねて、魅力を増す人は好きだ。ある種の共感もあるし、憧れもある。
若い頃に、「嫌な大人になりたくない」と斜に構えていた自分を恥じるように、ここ数年、謙虚になりたいと思っている。「それでいんだよ」と肩をポンと叩いてくれるような優しいアルバムだ。もちろん、共演しているミュージシャン達の功績もあるだろう。人に恵まれることはありがたいことだとしみじみしながら、何度も聴きたくなるのである。
それにしても、ラリー・クラインは素晴らしいプロデューサーだと思う。ベーシストとしてはずっと好きだったが、彼がプロデュースした作品は、どれもその人の魅力を大きく引き出している気がする。ここでも、絶妙なミュージシャンを招いて、丁度良い音に仕上げている。見事だと拍手したくなる。
Bill Crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2009
I have over 5000 tracks on my iPod, but I still really like this album. I bought it on cassette back in the 80/90s, and purchased the CD to replace it. Great tracks on this, sung by a good arist. Cover Girl is also good, but this is better.
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Sven Böhlin
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2020
Shawn Colvin is a true gem in the record collection!
Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Goede muziek
Reviewed in Germany on November 25, 2019
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The Captain
3.0 out of 5 stars
I Love Shawn Colvin But.......
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2013
Rather disappointed with this CD. Only the last couple of tracks are at all memorable after listening. Somebody said it grows on you with more listening but I am not so sure it will. Almost everything this lovely lady does is good but this collection is a bit formulaic. Still a fan though!
One person found this helpful
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