The Friends of Mr. Cairo
Encyclopedia
The Friends of Mr Cairo is the second album by Jon and Vangelis
.
There are two editions of this album, with different sleeves. Both versions were released in 1981 within a few weeks of each other. The title track, "The Friends Of Mr Cairo", peaked at #1 for 5 consecutive weeks on the Canadian singles chart in late 1981. The second edition of the album includes the single "I'll Find My Way Home", which stayed for 14 weeks in the Swiss charts and peaked at #1 on . "State of Independence
" was later a hit single for Donna Summer
, and a decade later for Moodswings
with Chrissie Hynde
on vocal. Anderson also later re-recorded that song on his solo album Change We Must
, released in 1994.
The title track and its accompanying music video serve as an ode to classic Hollywood films of the 30s and 40s. Most notable references are to the classic film noir The Maltese Falcon
. The track incorporates sound effects and voice impressions of the stars of the era most notably Humphrey Bogart
, Peter Lorre
and Jimmy Stewart. During the track, a screeching of tyres and a car horn are heard, presumably as a car makes its getaway. This screeching sound/car horn is identical to that heard in the 1970 feature film 'Get Carter' (at 1.1.52-1.1.56), and was probably sampled for use on the track.
Jon and Vangelis
Jon and Vangelis is the collaborative effort between the singer Jon Anderson and the Greek synthesizer musician Evangelos Papathanassiou who is usually known as "Vangelis"...
.
There are two editions of this album, with different sleeves. Both versions were released in 1981 within a few weeks of each other. The title track, "The Friends Of Mr Cairo", peaked at #1 for 5 consecutive weeks on the Canadian singles chart in late 1981. The second edition of the album includes the single "I'll Find My Way Home", which stayed for 14 weeks in the Swiss charts and peaked at #1 on . "State of Independence
State of Independence
"State of Independence" is a song originally written and recorded by Jon and Vangelis for their 1981 album The Friends of Mr. Cairo.- Jon and Vangelis version :...
" was later a hit single for Donna Summer
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
, and a decade later for Moodswings
Moodswings (band)
Moodswings is a musical duo composed of Grant Showbiz and James F.T. Hood. Grant Showbiz was a onetime roadie and guitar tech who later produced albums by The Smiths, Billy Bragg, Silverfish, and Gong. James Hood was a former drummer for The Pretenders, The Impossible Dreamers, Kid Creole & the...
with Chrissie Hynde
Chrissie Hynde
Christine Ellen "Chrissie" Hynde is an US musician best known as the leader of the rock/new wave band the Pretenders. She is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and has been the only constant member of the band throughout its history.-Early life and career:Hynde is the daughter of a part-time...
on vocal. Anderson also later re-recorded that song on his solo album Change We Must
Change We Must
Change We Must is an album by Jon Anderson, released in 1994. The album contains new material and orchestral arrangements of songs from Anderson's past.-Track listing:...
, released in 1994.
The title track and its accompanying music video serve as an ode to classic Hollywood films of the 30s and 40s. Most notable references are to the classic film noir The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon (1941 film)
The Maltese Falcon is a 1941 Warner Bros. film based on the novel of the same name by Dashiell Hammett and a remake of the 1931 film of the same name...
. The track incorporates sound effects and voice impressions of the stars of the era most notably Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey DeForest Bogart was an American actor. He is widely regarded as a cultural icon.The American Film Institute ranked Bogart as the greatest male star in the history of American cinema....
, Peter Lorre
Peter Lorre
Peter Lorre was an Austrian-American actor frequently typecast as a sinister foreigner.He caused an international sensation in 1931 with his portrayal of a serial killer who preys on little girls in the German film M...
and Jimmy Stewart. During the track, a screeching of tyres and a car horn are heard, presumably as a car makes its getaway. This screeching sound/car horn is identical to that heard in the 1970 feature film 'Get Carter' (at 1.1.52-1.1.56), and was probably sampled for use on the track.
Side A
- "The Friends of Mr. Cairo" – 12:04
- "Back to School" – 5:06
- "Outside of This (Inside of That)" – 5:00
Side B
- "State of IndependenceState of Independence"State of Independence" is a song originally written and recorded by Jon and Vangelis for their 1981 album The Friends of Mr. Cairo.- Jon and Vangelis version :...
" – 7:53 - "Beside" – 4:08
- "The Mayflower" – 6:35
Side A
- "I'll Find My Way Home" – 4:29
- "State of Independence" – 7:53
- "Beside" – 4:08
- "The Mayflower" – 6:35
Side B
- "The Friends of Mr. Cairo" – 12:04
- "Back to School" – 5:06
- "Outside of This (Inside of That)" – 5:00
CD
- "I'll Find My Way Home" – 4:29
- "State of Independence" – 7:53
- "Beside" – 4:08
- "The Mayflower" – 6:35
- "The Friends of Mr. Cairo" – 12:04
- "Back to School" – 5:06
- "Outside of This (Inside of That)" – 5:00
Personnel
- Composed by Jon Anderson and Vangelis.
- Lyrics and vocals by Jon Anderson.
- Produced, arranged and performed by Vangelis.
- Dick MorrisseyDick MorrisseyRichard Edwin "Dick" Morrissey was a British jazz musician and composer. He played the tenor sax, soprano sax and flute.- Background :...
- saxophone, flute - David Coker - voices
- Sally GraceSally GraceSally Grace is a British actress who has worked extensively in radio and animation.She was a long-standing member of the team on Week Ending, the long-running BBC Radio 4 topical satirical sketch show, where she was the voice of Margaret Thatcher from 1983 onwards, and her work with Ken Bruce on...
- voices (5) - Claire HamillClaire HamillClaire Hamill is a British singer-songwriter.- Biography :Claire Hamill was active in the music business since age 17...
- backing vocals (6) - Carol KenyonCarol KenyonCarol Kenyon , is a British singer. She was born c. 1959.Although primarily known as a session vocalist on many albums and singles by a variety of prominent artists, as well as in many concerts, Kenyon has also released several singles as a solo artist...
- backing vocals
- Roger Roche - engineer
- Raine Shine - engineer
- Alwyn Clayden - sleeve
- Veronique Skawinska - photography
Charts
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Pop Albums |
64 |
| 1981 | UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
17 |
| 1982 | UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
6 |