Michael Franks - Blue Pacific

This review is being written to currently right an egregious wrong. Which is simply that Michael Franks "Blue Pacific" is quite possibly, when listened to in it's entirety ( as opposed to evaluating each song seperately ) his best work as of this date.

Don't misunderstand me, Michael Franks back catalogue is nothing short of amazing, having written some tunes that will forever be on my list of favorites, as I'm sure they will be on many other listener's lists as well. But, that being the case, when judged as a complete disc "Blue Pacific", with it's picturesque songs of oceans, sand and unrequited love ( what other kind is there? ) simply does not require me to search for the 'skip' button on my cd player. And the strength that comes from each song so wonderfully complementing the last is what makes it an extrodinary listening experience.

Starting off with the funky, uptempo "Art Of Love", which really sets the tone of the disc extremely well, the album is off and running. To put it mildly this song has a groove you can 'take to the bank'! Followed by the leisurely "Woman In The Waves" which reminds me of Antonio Jobim's "Girl From Ipanema", the song is amazingly descriptive, seductive and sinfully playfull!

There really are so many highlights to this disc.... including "Long Slow Distance" which, for me, is easily the standout track. Performed at mid-tempo, while Michael sings coyingly about pacing yourself for the "long distance" when entering a relationship and attempting to keep things nice and slow to make it last, is a work of true lyrical art! Plus, with a piano solo by Joe Sample that flows so well I almost started to laugh!

The other true highlight would have to be "Vincent's Ear", obviously a tribute to Vincent Van Gogh's tortured life and the price some artist's pay for their talent's. The song is at once sympathetic of this true artist yet at the same time still in awe of the man himself. Finishing off the disc is a wonderful 'lullaby' called " Crayon Sun ( Safe At Home )a simple and elegant selection that finds Michael 'safe at home' and ultimately happy and satisfied with his journey. A fitting end to a cd that is at once imaginative, playful and yet strangely innocent in a child like wonder of the world.

Overall, this album has much to offer the listener who is looking for a style of music that conjure's up a setting that is graphically set on any beach front where the lure of the ocean is still a powerful magnet to many of us. And one where the artist is still able to marvel at life's small pleasures and the beauty of what is all around him.

A cd that I find, is richly textured, immenently more mature than his previous work and shows Michael Franks at the top of his game. For me, personally, I'm going to sit back, reach for my pina colada and relax! It may be the middle of December but I've indeed found my place in the sun!