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Mike + the Mechanics found themselves with faltering sales for Word of Mouth and for good reason, too; much of the album was filled with formulaic ballads and mediocre writing. With Beggar on a Beach of Gold, Mike Rutherford helped confront this problem by extending the songwriting duties, writing with Paul Carrack and producer Christopher Neil, as well as continuing his collaboration with B.A. Robertson. Thus, songs such as the upbeat numbers "Over My Shoulder" and "Another Cup of Coffee" effectively push past the band's formula with the musicians sounding looser than on previous records. "Plain and Simple" even has some loud guitars. Lyrically, the band has extended themselves as well. "The Ghost of Sex and You" and "Someone Always Hates Someone" approach serious questions about life and relationships without succumbing to adult contemporary clichés. The production has also nicely updated Mike and the Mechanics' sound with electronic loops and keyboard effects, adding a spring to the band's step. While such safe nods to electronica will not impress many younger fans, it should excite the group's core audience, which is a bit older. In the end, although the band does not completely avoid bland material here, this is a surprisingly nice creative turn in the road for a group many counted out.
© Geoff Orens /TiVo
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Christopher Neil, Producer - Mike Rutherford, Composer, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Davis, Remixer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Composer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Young, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recordings.
Michael Rutherford, ComposerLyricist - Christopher Neil, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
William Robinson, Jr., ComposerLyricist - Christopher Neil, Producer - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Davis, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Mendelson, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Young, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Frangioni, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
Christopher Neil, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Young, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
Michael Rutherford, ComposerLyricist - Christopher Neil, Producer - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tessa Niles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Young, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Katie Cassoon, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
Christopher Neil, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Young, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
Christopher Neil, Producer - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
Christopher Neil, Producer - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
Christopher Neil, Producer - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Young, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
Christopher Neil, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Young, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
Christopher Neil, Producer - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
Andy Newmark, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Christopher Neil, Producer - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Davis, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stevie Wonder, ComposerLyricist - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Young, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - S Wright, ComposerLyricist - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
Christopher Neil, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Mike Rutherford, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Gomersall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Van Hooke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - B. A. Robertson, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Carrack, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Callingham, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK ROBINSON, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - PAUL WICKENS, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Adrian Lee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Wallis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Newman, Programmer - Mike Bowen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Clempson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike + The Mechanics, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Craft Recording.
Album review
Mike + the Mechanics found themselves with faltering sales for Word of Mouth and for good reason, too; much of the album was filled with formulaic ballads and mediocre writing. With Beggar on a Beach of Gold, Mike Rutherford helped confront this problem by extending the songwriting duties, writing with Paul Carrack and producer Christopher Neil, as well as continuing his collaboration with B.A. Robertson. Thus, songs such as the upbeat numbers "Over My Shoulder" and "Another Cup of Coffee" effectively push past the band's formula with the musicians sounding looser than on previous records. "Plain and Simple" even has some loud guitars. Lyrically, the band has extended themselves as well. "The Ghost of Sex and You" and "Someone Always Hates Someone" approach serious questions about life and relationships without succumbing to adult contemporary clichés. The production has also nicely updated Mike and the Mechanics' sound with electronic loops and keyboard effects, adding a spring to the band's step. While such safe nods to electronica will not impress many younger fans, it should excite the group's core audience, which is a bit older. In the end, although the band does not completely avoid bland material here, this is a surprisingly nice creative turn in the road for a group many counted out.
© Geoff Orens /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 01:00:03
- Main artists: Mike + The Mechanics
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Craft Recordings
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 1995 Craft Recordings. ℗ 1995 Craft Recordings.
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