In a Manner of Speaking

by Winston Tong

Overview

Winston Tong's all-inclusive view of his muse -- where singing and songwriting is part of a larger whole rather than his sole focus of interest -- has meant he's sometimes received short shrift even from sympathetic voices, seen wholly in terms of Tuxedomoon or his irregular releases. The joy of In a Manner of Speaking lies in its handy summarizing of the musical part of Tong's work in life as well as acknowledging that larger context more thoroughly; if LTM's reissues of Theoretically Chinese, Like the Others, and Miserere went some distance on that front, this disc does an even better job. Drawing on those three albums, predominantly the first two, In a Manner of Speaking starts off with something else again -- his most legendary song, the title track, which appeared on Tuxedomoon's Holy Wars. A skeletal arrangement, matched with Tong's astonishing lyric about emotional conflict and hesitance, resulted in an oft-covered classic, but handily its appearance here doesn't overwhelm the rest of the disc, instead providing an initial context for the other choices. Those who know Tong's work from the LTM reissues will still find some surprises here, including a 1990 compilation selection featuring his slightly off-kilter cover of the Duke Ellington classic "Prelude to a Kiss" and another cover, Syd Barrett's "Late Night," from a 1985 movie soundtrack. Another Tuxedomoon song, "The Stranger," also takes a bow, as does his reworking of "The Twelve Days of Xmas." As for the more familiar cuts, songs like "Reports from the Heart" and "Like the Others" further confirm Tong's abilities as ever. ~ Ned Raggett

Product Details

Release Date:	05/06/2008
Label:	Ltm
UPC:	5024545507225

Tracks

1. In a Manner of Speaking
2. Reports from the Heart
3. The Principles of Movement
4. Theoretical China
5. Broken English
6. Big Brother
7. The Stranger
8. Like the Others
9. The Twelve Days of Xmas
10. Prelude to a Kiss
11. Miserere
12. Late Night

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Winston Tong   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals
Tuxedomoon   Primary Artist
Blaine L. Reininger   Violin,Keyboards
Bruce Geduldig   Whistle (Human)
Brett Stuart   Saxophone
Jim Lively   Guitar
Niki Mono   Vocals (Background)
Steve Morris   Drums
Sussan Deyhim   Vocals
Jah Wobble   Bass
Luc van Lieshout   Guitar
Daniel Link   Percussion
Peter Principle   Bass,Guitar,Rhythm Box
Simon Topping   Percussion
Dave Formula   Keyboards
Alan Rankine   Guitar
Steven Brown   Vocals,Keyboards,Saxophone

Technical Credits

Dominique Brethes   Mastering
Tony Miloz   Engineer
Jo Mavety   Composer
James Nice   Liner Notes
Traditional   Composer
Syd Barrett   Composer
Sussan Deyhim   Composer
Peter Principle   Producer
Maurizio Dami   Remixing
Winston Tong   Arranger,Composer
Dave Formula   Producer
Alan Rankine   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Instrumentation