Scott 3 – SCOTT WALKER*****

Its Raining Today/Copenhagen/Rosemary/Big Louise/We Came Through/Butterfly/Two Ragged Soldiers/30th Century Man/Winter Night/Two Weeks Since You’ve Been Gone/Sons Of/Funeral Tango/If You Go Away

This was the third of the acclaimed late sixties albums from Scott Walker, Scott 3 featured songs of a more melancholic nature and is considered to be his most depressing. (UK:3)

"A beautifully melancholic album. There's nothing as brilliant as the highlights on his first two albums but the consistency of mood and quality makes this a much greater album. It's hard to pick highlights when everything is so good; the strings and Walker's voice just click on every song. I have officially been converted."

"My favourite of all Scott's albums, it haunts and amuses in equal measure. All these songs are so lyrically intelligent and emotionally evocative that his late 60s peers seem almost infantile by comparison. In addition, never has Scott's voice been better complemented than by the arrangements on this particular record."

"This one always gets characterised as his depressing album but in many ways its also his most beautiful. As with all his early work the strings are marvellous and add great colour to the singer's voice. The songs aren't quite as catchy or tuneful as the previous two albums, instead they become more sombre and introspective."

"This one is blackly lush, drowned in the creeping loveliness of huge ambient orchestras. The album opener, It's Raining Today, is true genius, with a nasty horror movie discord of strings, which remains hissing in the background like white noise, while a beautiful melody contrasts over the top. The Brel covers tacked on the end are all standouts. And need I say that Walker's voice is glorious?"

"Scott 3 offered a diverse, but largely melancholy album with charismatic crooning from Scott over eloquent late sixties baroque arrangements. It's Raining Today is pure atmosphere and a chiller. Lyrically the album is very visual and offers a great compliment to the delivery and demeanour that shines no matter the selection. As someone who actually appreciates more acquired vocal flavours and 60s lounge and soundtrack, this is a close to the heart favourite."

"Some of the best orchestral arrangements ever heard on a pop LP. This album is a triumph."