Scott 4 – SCOTT WALKER*****

The Seventh Seal/On Your Own Again/The World’s Strongest Man/Angels Of Ashes/Boy Child/Hero Of The War/ The Old Man’s Back Again/Duchess/Get Behind Me/Rhymes Of Goodbye

Scott 4 was the last of the classic Scott Walker albums from the sixties. Mysteriously this one never reached the charts despite being considered his best my many music critics.

“Shunned when it was originally released, Scott 4 stands proud as one of the most sophisticated, intelligent albums I've heard in a long time, always complemented by the swirling strings that keep songs like Boy Child afloat on a musical cloud. But everything is great here, from the classic opener that manages to condense the Bergman film in just under five minutes, to the lonely, pensive pop that makes up the rest of side one.”

“Opening with the gorgeous The Seventh Seal, Scott 4 is a brilliant collection of baroque pop gems delivered as only Scott Walker can. Accessible enough to hook you on the first listen, deep enough to keep offering surprises on repeated plays, Scott 4 might be the absolute best place to explore Walker's baroque pop material.” “It was his only pop album that consisted completely of original compositions; these are simply the best tracks that Walker ever wrote.”

“The peak of his late 60s Scott series. It's a little too short, but then again, it's extremely good for what it contains, and it's all Scott Walker originals. It's one of my favourites, wonderful songs, lush arrangements, and what a voice.”

“Scott 4 is the first album that Scott Walker wrote entirely by himself. This comes off as surprising considering that his songwriting here is simply brilliant, while the man was mostly known for his beautiful voice. With his producer Johnny Franz, Scott Walker created a haunting and breathtaking album.”

“Absolutely stunning album full of superb arrangements. Here, Walker was moving on from simply performing other people’s music with gusto. Scott 4 is one of those records that when you start to listen, it prompts you to have a bit of a lay down and let the music sweep over you. A shame then, that the record was unsuccessful at the time of its release.”