Kate Bush – The Red Shoes

Remastered Version. The album is a continuation of Bush’s multi-layered and multiple musical pursuits and interests. The guest performer list is worthy of note alone, ranging from Procol Harum keyboardist Gary Brooker and Eric Clapton to Prince, but this is very much a Kate Bush album straight up as opposed to a collaborative work like, say, Santana’s supernatural. Opening song Rubberband Girl is actually one of her strongest singles in years, a big and punchy song served well with a horn section. Eat the Music, another smart choice for a single, mixes calypso and other Caribbean musical touches with a great, classically Bush lyric mixing up sexuality, romance, and various earthy food-based metaphors. Another highlight of Bush’s frank embrace of the lustier side of life is The Song of Solomon, a celebratory piece about – the bible’s openly erotic piece. Those who prefer her predominantly piano and vocal pieces will enjoy Moments of Pleasure with a strong string arrangement courtesy of Michael Kamen. Other standouts include Why Should I Love You? with Prince creating a very Prince-like arrangement and backing chorus for Bush (and doing quite well at that) and the concluding You’re the One, with Brooker laying down some of his trademark hammond organ sound for the slow piece.

2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Gatefold, 180g