Marianne Faithfull
Band members Related acts
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line-up 1 (1965-2025) - Marianne Faithfull (RIP 2025) -- vocals
supporting musicians (1976) - Dyan Birch -- background vocals - Frankie Collins -- background vocals - Jim Cuomo – saxophone - Isabella Dulaney -- background vocals - Guy Humphries – guitar - Joe Mavety – guitar - Morris Pert – percussion - Barry Reynolds – guitar - Terry Stannard – drums, percussion - Steve Winwood – keyboards - Steve York – bass
supporting musicians (1987) - Sharon Freeman -- keyboards - Bill Frisell -- guitar - Garth Hudson -- accordion - Chris Hunter -- sax. flute - Michael Levine -- violin - J.T. Lewis -- drums - Robert Quine -- guitar - Mac Rebenneck -- keyboards - Fernando Saunders -- bass - William Schimmel -- accordion - Steve Slagle -- sax - Lew Soloff -- trumpet
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- Barry Reynolds (solo efforts)
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Genre: pop Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Faithless Company: NEMS Catalog: NEL 6012 Year: 1978 Country/State: Hampstead, UK Grade (cover/record): NM / NM Comments: still in shrink wrap; UK pressing Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5607 Price: $30.00
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It's funny but today there are several reference works that don't even acknowledge Marianne Faithfull's pre-"Broken English" catalog. That's not to say her earlier work is great, rather it's just kind of odd given she's been recording since the mid-1960s.
Released by the
small NEMS label, 1977 saw the release of "Dreaming
My Dreams" (NEMS
catalog number NEL 6007). It marked Faithfull's first album in
almost a decade. Backed by The
Grease Band, the twelve tracks found Faithful working with a series of four
producers, unexpectedly exploring country and western material. While
the musical direction may have come as somewhat of a surprise, the real
shocker was the condition of Faithfull's voice. Her little girl croon
was never the world's greatest instrument, but over the ensuing decade the
combination of hard living, including nasty
- 1975's 'Dreamin' My Dreams' b/w 'Lady Madelaine' (NEMS catalog number NES 004) - 1976's 'All I Wanna Do In Life' b/w 'Wrong Road Again' (NEMS catalog number NES 013) - 1976's 'The Way You Want Me To Be' b/w 'That was the Day (Nashville)' (NEMS catalog number NES 117)
In an odd marketing decision in 1978 NEMS decided to reissue the LP in a slightly different format. Retitled "Faithless" the album given a new, slightly more healthy looking Faithfull cover photo and four of the original songs were replaced with new selections. Deleted from the original album were:
- 'Fairy
Tale Hero'
Added to "Faithless" were:
- 'Wait for Me Down By the River' - 'I'll Be Your Baby Tonight' - 'That was the Day (Nashville)' - 'Honky Tonk Angel'
"Faithless" track listing:
1.) Dreamin' My Dreams (Allen Reynolds) - 2.) Vanilla O'Lay (Jackie DeShannon) - 3.) Wait for Me Down By the River (Bob Johnson) - 4.) I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Bob Dylan) - 5.) Lady Madelaine (Marianne Faithfull - Bill Landis - B. Shepherd) - 6.) All I Wanna Do
In Life (Allen Reynolds - Sandy Mason Theoret) - (side 2) 1.) The Way You Want Me To Be (D. Price - T. Kelly) - 2.) Wrong Road Again (Allen Reynolds) - 3.) That was the Day (Nashville) (Marianne Faithfull) - 4.) This Time (Waylon Jennings) - 5.) I'm Not Lisa (Jessi Colter) - 6.) Honky Tonk Angel (Miller) -
For anyone interested Faithfull has a nice website at: http://www.mariannefaithfull.org.uk/
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Genre: rock Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Broken English Company: Island Catalog: ILPS 9570 Year: 1979 Country/State: Hampstead, UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear Available: 2 Catalog ID: not yet listed Price: $25.00
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In the wake of her marriage to The
Vibrators bassist Ben Brierley, Marianne Faithfull returned to the studio determined to launch a full scale comeback.
Perhaps inspired in part by the ongoing punk revolution, she began working
with former Blodwyn Pig guitarist Barry Reynolds, recorded several demos
which attracted the attention of Chris Blackwell and Island Records.
Tea
Here's one of those truth-in advertising
disclaimers ... This album wasn't for everyone, but accompanied by strong critical reviews (albeit little airplay), the album reached
# 80 on the US Billboard top-200 charts. 1.) Broken English (Marianne Faithfull - Barry Reynolds) - 4:35 rating: **** stars Imagine getting punched in the face ... That's what it felt like the first time I heard 'Broken English'. The first of two group compositions, the title track was apparently inspired by a television documentary Faithfull had seen on the Baader-Meinhof Gang and its co-founder Ulrike Meinhof. The shows heavily accented German narrative provided the link to the title. Propelled by Ataris -styled synthesizers, Steve York's take-no-prisoners bass line and Faithfull's dry, deadpanned vocals the result was one of the most thought provoking anti-war songs you'll ever hear (yes, The Baader-Meinhof Gang was at war with the German government). Plus, you could dance to it.
US 7" release - 1979's 'Broken English' b/w 'Brain Drain' (Island catalog number IS 49121) # 82 US Billboard Top-100 charts US 12" release - 1979's 'Broken English' b/w 'Why D'ya Do It? (Antilles catalog number AN801)
Darek Jarman filmed a short but rather disturbing black and white promotional film for the song Marianne Faithfull - Broken English. 1979 [Long Version] (Extended Music Video([Dir by Derek Jarman] N\o idea when or where it was filmed, but YouTube has a lip-synching performance of the song that was clearly recorded for television: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgEesTrIycU 2.) Witches' Song (Marianne Faithfull - Barry Reynolds) - 4:43 rating: **** stars I
clearly remember trying to recover from the title track and wondering what a
song entitled 'Witches' Song' was going to sound like. I remember
breathing a sigh of relief hearing Barry Reynold's acoustic guitar riff and
the breezy melody. Yeah, the lyrics were a bit of a mystery, but it
was interesting to hear how attractive Faithfull's voice could still be.
One
of Faithfull's ultimate "kiss off" songs, I'm guessing 'Brain
Drain' was inspired by the songwriter and her then-husband Ben
Brierley. Sounds like the only thing they really shared was
Faithfull's money and an affection for feeding their various chemical
addictions. Hopefully I'm never immortalized by a set of lyrics like
"You’re a brain
drain / you go on and on like a blood stain."
The song also appeared as the "B" side on European versions of her
'The Ballad of Lucy Jordan' single. Filmed at a December 2011 appearance at
New York's The City Winery, YouTube has an audience filmed performance of
the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Jysa8tcI8
Faithfull
was a good Catholic girl who clearly suffered from a severe case of Catholic
guilt. Same for the song's composer - Barry Reynolds.
(Admittedly I share many of the same symptoms). Always loved the
combination of Reynolds' dark lyrics and the Stevie Winwood's bubbly
keyboards. Odd to realize that a new generation of listeners
discovered the song when it was featured on one of Mindhunter television
episodes. (side 2) 1.) The Ballad of Lucy Jordan (Shel Silverstein) - 4:09 For a guy primarily known as a children's' author ("The Giving Tree", "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and "A Light in the Attic") the late Shel Silverstein could write some painfully dark material. Witness 'The Ballad of Lucy Jordan'. Seemingly the story of a suburban housewife's slow mental breakdown, this wasn't a let's get-the-party-started rocker. Dancing on an icy Winwood synthesizer, and showcasing her dry, raspy vocals, Faithfull's stark arrangement ditched all of the faux country-rock sadness for a cold-heart new age edge. Island released it as the album's second single throughout the world, though not in the States. Island also released a promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0NxhFn0szc
UK release - 1979's 'The Ballad of Lucy Jordan' b/w 'Brain Drain' (Island catalog number WIP 6491) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KV-PTK0UZ4 With
a punky edge, a great Reynolds' guitar solo and an eviscerating vocal, 'What's the Hurry'
was one of the album's most commercial and radio friendly
performances. Always wondered who Faithfull' was targeting on this
one. The
song also appeared as the "B" side on the US release of 'The
Ballad of Lucy Jordan' single. Faithful and producer Miller Mundy cloaked Lennon's classic song in an icy cold new wave arrangement. There was almost a Krautrock feel to the performance. The song was released as a single in France and Holland:
French 7' - 1979's 'Working Class Hero' b/w 'Witches' Song' (Island catalog number 6010 379) Dutch 7' - 1979's 'Working Class Hero' b/w 'What's the Hurry' (Island catalog number 102.010) YouTube has a performance clip from a 1999 show at New York's West 54th for her 'Dreaming My Dreams' DVD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCn_6RBe0X4 4.) Why D'ya Do It (Heathcote Williams - Joe Maverty - Steve York - Terry Stannard - Marianne Faithfull - Barry Reynolds) - 6:40 rating: **** stars With lyrics and
inspiration borrowed from English poet Heathcote Williams (he was credited
as a co-writer), 'Why D'ya Do It' was one
of the album's two "group" composition. Built on a
reggae base and some of the most effective distorted lead guitar you'll ever
hear (Adrian Belew would approve), the X-rated lyrics threatened to melt
your turntable and ensured radio wouldn't touch the song with a ten foot
pole. It was simply frightening to hear how much fury Faithfull packed into
these six minutes. Funny to learn that Williams originally thought the
song was perfect for Tina Turner. Faithful convinced him Turner would
never touch the song. Needless factoid - due to the song's obscene
lyrics Faithfull's Australian record label Festival refused to distribute
the album. Faithfull refused their request to drop the song, but
Festival went ahead and cut the song, replacing it with a bonus 45'
featuring an extended version of 'Broken English'. The song also
appeared as the "B" side on her 'Broken English' 45.
With a brief introduction from Faithfull, YouTube has a performance clip
from a November, 1989 show at Brooklyn's St. Anne's Cathedral. The
clip includes a fascinating cast of musicians including guitarist Marc Ribot
(perfect choice for the skitterish guitar solos, keyboardist Mac
Rebennack Garth Hudson also on keyboards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxA8ymBn6Oo
© Scott R. Blackerby January, 2025
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Strange Weather Company: Island Catalog: 90613 Year: 1987 Country/State: Hampstead, UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: gatefold sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $20.00
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It took me a couple of years to recover from 1976's "Broken English." As a 16 year old I had never encountered an album that was as raw and outright frightening as Marianne Faithfull's comeback. Faithfull's dry, crackling, ravaged voice spread across an album brimming with frustration and fury was pretty intense for a kid who liked top-40 rock, That may explain why "Strange Weather" sat in my "to-listen-to" pile for years. If anything, the album looked like it was going to be even tougher than "Broken English" and I wondered why I wanted to subject myself to another chapter of audio trauma. Naturally my curiosity eventually won the day.
The album's genesis is interesting. A couple of years earlier Faithfull had joined the likes of Lou Reed,Sting and Tom Waitts recording a song for a Kurt Weill tribute album - "Lost In the Stars: The Music of Kurt Weill" (A&M SP-6-5104). Fathfull's contribution to the project was a bruising cover of Bertolt Brecht's 'Ballad of the Soldier's Wife'. The late producer Hal Willner heard the album and was taken by Faithfull's performance; leading him to suggest an album of classic covers. It took two years for Faithfull to come around to the project, though in her defense, during that timeframe she was trying to overcome a long term heroin problem.
Produced by Willner, the concept was clearly to portray the mature Faithfull as a classic chanteuse. The original concept of Weill-influenced cabaret tracks was expanded to include country-blues and a couple of more modern tracks, including a cover of Bob Dylan's 'I'll Keep It with Mine' and a take on Dr. John's 'Hello Stranger'. Not exactly known as Mr. Happy Face, Tom Waits contributed the dark and tragic title track which has gone on to become a Faithfull concert staple. This isn't a genre that does much for me, so I can't say I particularly appreciated, or enjoyed most of the twelve selections. At the same time I'll admit Faithfull's sandpaper performances were consistently impressive. How many artists would be willing to record an a cappella track like her cover of Leadbelly's 'I Ain't Going Down To the Well No More'? Other highlights came in the form of her Dylan cover (the lysergic-drenched 'I'll Keep It with Mine') and a nifty take on Henry Glover's 'Love Life and Money.' Faithfull's voice remained an acquired taste and to be blunt, nothing here was going to make you get up and party like it was 1999. It was also a collection you probably wanted to hide away if you, your partner=, or any of your loved ones suffered from depressive tendencies.
"Strange Weather" track listing: 1.) Stranger Intro (instrumental) (Bill Frisell) - 0:32 rating: ** stars Written by and featuring Bill Frisell on guitar, the brief instrumental 'Stranger Intro' was an interesting way to start the album - dark and mildly foreboding. What was next? 2.) Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Al Dubin - Harry Warren) - 3:04 rating: *** stars Dubin and Warren penned the song in the mid-'30s and Deane Janis and Hal Kemp's Orchestra enjoyed a hit with their cover. Yeah, it's dark and surprisingly risqué for the timeframe. Faithfull's croaking voice is the perfect tool for capturing he tune's world weary vibe. I doubt you'll be hearing this one at your local disco. 3.) I Ain't Going Down To the Well No More (Huddie "Ledbelly" Ledbetter - Alan Lomax - John Avery Lomax) - 1:07 rating: *** stars Wow, I wasn't expecting to hear an a capella version of this one. The surprising thing is Faithfull sounded surprisingly impressive on the track. Yeah, her voice was an acquired taste, but her strength and determination came through in flying colors. 4.) Yesterdays (Jerome Kern - Otto Harbach) - 5:20 rating: *** stars Pretty, spare, and atmospheric, 'Yesterdays' aptly captured the chanteuse aspects of her voice. This was the kind of tune you'd want to put on when you'd just lost your job; your wife had run off with the mailman and your dogs after she crashed your SUV into a FedEx truck. Not to be confused with the Beatles cover a much younger Faithfull recorded back in 1965. 5.) Sign of Judgment (Kid Prince Moore) - 2:54 rating: *** stars Surrounded by a stark country-blues arrangement Faithfull sounded surprisingly good on her cover of the Kid Prince Moore classic 'Sign of Judgment.' The track was also released as an Australian 45:
- 1987's 'Sign of Judgment' b/w 'Penthouse Serenade' (Island catalog number K-453)
6.) Strange Weather (Tom Waits - Kathleen Brennan) - 4:05 rating: *** stars Penned specifically for Faithfull by Waits, 'Strange Weather' fit the dark, foggy atmosphere perfectly. Bill Frisell on lead guitar.
(side 2) 1.) Love Life and Money (Julus Dixon - Henry Glover) - 4:40 rating: **** stars Much to my surprise, kicked along by Mac Rebenneck's barrelhouse piano, Faithfull's blues cover of 'Love Life and Money' stood as one of the album highlights. There was just something endearing in her world-weary delivery. 2.) I'll Keep It with Mine (Bob Dylan) - 4:13 rating: **** stars Faithfull's cold, distant delivery was surprisingly apt for her Dylan cover (her performance was certainly warmer than Nico's version). Kudos to Bill Frisell and Robert Quine for the nifty lysergic drenched jangle guitars that kicked the song along. 3.) Hello Stranger (Doc Pomus - Mac Rebennack) - 2:30 rating: *** stars If you've ever heard the Barbara Lewis, or Yvonne Elliman versions of this song, you're liable to find Faithfull's molten cover unrecognizable. Slowing the tune down to a crawl and delivering the lyrics with a threatening edge, you wouldn't want to piss her off in a dark alley. 4.) Penthouse Serenade (Will Jason - Val Burton) - 2:34 rating: ** stars The album's least attractive performance, 'Penthouse Serenade' surrounded Faithfull with a forgettable big band arrangement. 5.) As Tears Go By (Mick Jagger - Keith Richards - Andrew Loog Oldham) -- 3:42 rating: **** stars I've always thought her remake of 'As Tears Go By' was the album's oddest selection. YOu couldn;t hep but wonder why Faithfull elected to re-record her best known song and what was her biggest hit. Sure the arrangement was markedly different than the original and Faithfull's voice reflected the ravages of time, but what was the point? Even odder, it somehow worked. I was never a fan of the original's throwaway pop feel. That was all ancient history on the remake. PI'm certainly not a psychiatrist, but perhaps it was an effort to free herself from what was such a painful and bitter experience? Island tapped the remake as a single and even released a promotional video: Marianne Faithfull - As Tears Go By (Official Music Video) - YouTube
- 1987's 'As Tears Go By' b/w 'Trouble In Mind (The Return)' (Island catalog number IS 313)
6.) A Stranger On Earth (Sid Feller - Rick Ward) - 3:56 rating: *** stars I think the Dinah Washington version serves as the standard for this one. Faithfull's fierce take was credible, but kind of an odd way to close out the album.
© Scott R. Blackerby January, 2025
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cocaine and heroin habits,
coupled with a wide array of medical issues including an eating disorder had
taken a severe toll on her always limited voice. Exemplified by
material like the title track and 'Wait for Me Down By the River' (which may
have been selected for it's autobiographical plotline), Faithfull's voice
now sounded like a cross between a force five tornado and a cracked
mirror. In spite of considerable in-studio work to smooth out her
performances, the fact that many of these songs seemed highly personal ('The
Way You Want Me To Be' and 'Wrong Road Again') made for a harrowing
ride. The goofy thing is that it made for a rewarding
experience. You quickly got accustomed to Faithfull's croaking voice
and their was definitely something invigorating in being able to survive the
experience. To be fair, several of these songs were actually
surprisingly commercial - her cover of Jackie DeShannon's 'Vanilla O'Lay'
and the reggae-tinged All I Wanna Do In Life' could have been hit singles
*the latter was released as a 45), while the Faithfull original 'Lady
Madelaine' was a haunting ballad. For some odd reason the album topped
the charts in Ireland, though it did nothing in the UK and didn't even see a
US release. NEMS also tapped the album for a series of three UK and
Irish singles: 
med
with producer Mark Miller Mundy 1979's "Broken English"
was an amazing comeback one of the year's biggest surprises and best efforts.
While years of hard living, addiction and neglect had all but destroyed her voice (most of the album was sung
in an almost painful growl), the collection showcased Faithfull as a true survivor.
With backing from her touring band featuring guitarist Joe Mavety, Barry
Reynolds (guitar), drummer Terry Stannard and bassist Steve York (bass), the
album featured a taunt, stark sound that mixed punk posturing,
occasional reggae influences and new wave-influenced rock sound. Steve Winwood
was prominently featured on 'The Ballad of Lucy Jordan'
and several other performances. It was all anchored by Faithfull's
instantly recognizable "rasp" of a voice and seemingly fed by
year's of anger and frustration. Serving as a good example of her new
"sound" was her stark cover of John Lennon's 'Working Class
Hero'. While all eight tracks deserved to be heard, particularly the ominous title track and
'Brain Drain', the collection's most stunning effort was the X-rated 'Why D'Ya Do
It'. Seen by many as a scorching message to Mick Jagger whom she had a
long term relationship with, the song's steaming fury was enough to melt your
turntable while giving a new face to the concept of Arthur Janov's primal
therapy.
