From Langley Park to Memphis

by Prefab Sprout

Overview

As suggested by the title, From Langley Park to Memphis is Prefab Sprout's spiritual journey into the heart of American culture; obsessed with rock 'n' roll ("The King of Rock 'n' Roll") and Bruce Springsteen ("Cars and Girls"), fascinated with gospel music ("Venus of the Soup Kitchen") and locked in a love/hate relationship with New York City ("Hey! Manhattan"), Paddy McAloon turns an iconoclastic eye to the other side of the Atlantic in order to make some sense of it all. An airy, lounge-pop feel permeates the record, which also sports cameos from the likes of Stevie Wonder and Pete Townshend. Still, while ambitious in both concept and execution, From Langley Park to Memphis pales in comparison to its masterful predecessor Two Wheels Good -- a shortcoming acknowledged by Prefab Sprout themselves with the title of their next album, Jordan: The Comeback. ~ Jason Ankeny

Product Details

Release Date:	05/19/1997
Label:	Columbia / Sony Bmg
UPC:	5099746012427
Rank:	127545

Tracks

1. King of Rock 'N' Roll
2. Cars & Girls
3. I Remember That
4. Enchanted
5. Nightingales (Full Version)
6. Hey Manhattan!
7. Knock on Wood
8. Golden Calf
9. Nancy (Let Your Hair Down For Me)
10. Venus of the Soup Kitchen

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Prefab Sprout   Primary Artist
Thomas Dolby   Guest Artist,Keyboards
Lenny Castro   Guest Artist,Percussion
Pete Townshend   Guest Artist,Guitar
Stevie Wonder   Guest Artist,Harmonica
Sabrina Johnston   Vocals (Background)
Von Foggett   Vocals (Background)
Geary Lanier   Vocals (Background)
Rose Banks   Vocals (Background)
Gloria Augustus   Vocals (Background)
Verdine Johnson   Vocals (Background)
Jean Johnson   Vocals (Background)
Ricky Barber   Vocals (Background)
Bert Noriega   Vocals (Background)
Gary Moberley   Keyboards
Janet Mims   Vocals (Background)
Vonciele Faggette   Vocals (Background)
Alfie Silas   Vocals (Background)
Andrae Crouch   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Andy Richards   Keyboards
Luis Jardim   Percussion
John Altman   Conductor
Wendy Smith   Percussion
Robin Smith   Conductor
Sandra Crouch   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Paddy McLoon   Producer
Mike Shipley   Mixing
Tim Hunt   Engineer
George Marino   Producer,Mastering
Dave Concors   Engineer
David Leonard   Mixing,Engineer
Mark O'Donoughue   Engineer
Steve Lyon   Engineer
Cliff Brigden   Engineer
Mickey Sweeney   Engineer
Thomas Dolby   Producer
Karl Lever   Engineer
John Kelly   Producer
Terence Wilson   Engineer
Jeff Bruckner   Engineer
Richard Moakes   Mixing,Engineer
Stephen Male   Design
Richard Hollywood   Engineer
John Timperly   String Engineer
Nick Knight   Photography
Steve Van Day   Engineer
Gonzalez Espinoza   Engineer
Paddy McAloon   Composer,Producer
Tony Phillips   Mixing,Engineer
Terry Wilson   Engineer
Andy Richards   Producer
Gary Olazabal   Engineer
John Altman   Arranger
Jon Kelly   Engineer,Producer
Peter Jones   Engineer
Robin Smith   Arranger
Mike Ross   String Engineer
Michael Brauer   Engineer
Michael J. Ade   Engineer