Scott 2

Rating

Album: Scott 2
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Jackie	More Info...	0:03
2)	Best of Both Worlds	More Info...	0:03
3)	Black Sheep Boy	More Info...	0:02
4)	The Amorous Humphrey Plugg	More Info...	0:04
5)	Next	More Info...	0:03
6)	The Girls from the Streets	More Info...	0:04
7)	Plastic Palace People	More Info...	0:06
8)	Wait Until Dark	More Info...	0:03
9)	The Girls and the Dogs	More Info...	0:03
10)	Windows of the World	More Info...	0:04
11)	The Bridge	More Info...	0:03
12)	Come Next Spring	More Info...	0:03

Album: Scott 2
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Jackie	More Info...	0:03
2)	Best of Both Worlds	More Info...	0:03
3)	Black Sheep Boy	More Info...	0:02
4)	The Amorous Humphrey Plugg	More Info...	0:04
5)	Next	More Info...	0:03
6)	The Girls from the Streets	More Info...	0:04
7)	Plastic Palace People	More Info...	0:06
8)	Wait Until Dark	More Info...	0:03
9)	The Girls and the Dogs	More Info...	0:03
10)	Windows of the World	More Info...	0:04
11)	The Bridge	More Info...	0:03
12)	Come Next Spring	More Info...	0:03

Performer Notes

SCOTT 2 represents the axis of the singer's career. Somehow Scott Walker (by now writing under his given name, Engel) carved himself a commercial as well as critical success just as the pop star's existential angst assumed the upper hand. As with predecessor SCOTT, the fascination with Jacques Brel is evident in the inclusion of three of the Belgian's songs. "Next" is as shockingly graphic as "The Girls and the Dogs" is comic, but most instantly identifiable is "Jacky." This U.K.-banned hit single and leadoff track heralds the record's arrival at bawdy, breakneck speed.
The Brel influence smothers one of SCOTT 2's four Engel originals, "The Girls from the Streets." For all its grandeur, the song feels like an homage. No such accusations can be leveled at "Plastic Palace People" or "The Amorous Humphrey Plugg," where Scott's writing begins to flower, his voice assuming a towering poise and distinction. The whole of SCOTT 2 is lent weight by the wildly inventive arrangements of Wally Stott, Peter Knight, and Reg Guest. One or two MOR covers aside, the combination of vocals and orchestration is magically evocative.

Professional Reviews

Q (9/00, p.131) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Walker and arranger Wally Scott find their own voice on [this album], a luminous, orchestral and mystical take on the Jack Jones school of crooner..."

Q (p.44) - "In one of pop's more remarkable reinventions, Scott Walker went from being a lust object for teeny-bopper girls to existential balladeer..."

Mojo (Publisher) (8/00, p.97) - "...Resonates with the riches of the last great days of the pop narrative. The pop song rarely aspired to such literacy after this....forged in the white-hot glare of the pop process....[with] superb orchestrations..."