U Can Never B2 Straight
Encyclopedia
U Can Never B2 Straight is a 2002 acoustic
album by 80s pop artist Boy George
.
, as well as other songs from other solo album
s, such as Cheapness and Beauty
. In total there are 16 songs (15 plus 1 ghost track, of which 8—exactly half—are previously unreleased), and each is dedicated either to someone in particular (most of them) or in general, in the booklet credits. Three songs are dedicated to important ex-boyfriend Michael Dunne ("If I Could Fly", "Losing Control" and "The Deal"), whereas "Unfinished Business" is for Kirk Brandon (who took George to court for this song, but lost).
The hidden track "Out Of Fashion" was taken out as a single in a remixed form as a collaboration with dance duo Hi-Gate; a version of the song is also featured on the Taboo musical soundtrack. Another track which was released as video-only was the opener "Ich Bin Kunst", a song dealing with performance artist Leigh Bowery
, a great friend of Boy George's, now dead, whose character George took on in his musical, instead of playing himself.
The album includes all the acoustic ballads originally on Cheapness and Beauty, including the single "Il Adore", as well as another single from that album, "Same Thing In Reverse", in an acoustic version which is different from the dance remix which reached the highest position on Billboard Dance Chart in the U.S.A.. "Same Thing In Reverse" is dedicated in the booklet credits to 'Eminem and all scared, pretty homosexuals'... The song "Julian", one of the new songs, is also featured on the next EP Straight, sold together with Boy's new book of the same name, in 2005.
The recording contains the following three tracks: "She Was Never He", taken from the 1999 fan-requested compilation The Unrecoupable One Man Bandit; "Fat Cat", originally on Culture Club
's reunion album called Don't Mind If I Do
and released in 1999; and the popular Krishna-inspired "Bow Down Mister", which gave the artist one of his last UK chart success after splitting from the band.
(16.) [hidden track] "Out of Fashion" (2002) (acoustic version of a song from Taboo) - songs n° 15 & 16 (actually only one song, that is n° 15 - the next starts, after a long silent period, within that same track number) totally last 13:27
Sharleen Hector, John Gibbons: backing vocals
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
album by 80s pop artist Boy George
Boy George
Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
.
Contents
The album includes acoustic songs from George's London play TabooTaboo (musical)
Taboo is a stage musical with a book by Mark Davies , lyrics by Boy George, and music by George and Kevan Frost....
, as well as other songs from other solo album
Solo album
A solo album, in popular music, is an album headlined by a current or former member of a band. A solo album may feature simply one person performing all instruments, but typically features the work of other collaborators; rather, it may be made with different collaborators than the artist is...
s, such as Cheapness and Beauty
Cheapness and Beauty
Cheapness and Beauty is an album by Boy George, released in 1995. It peaked at number 44 on the UK Albums Chart.-Overview:The album opens with a cover version of Iggy Pop's "Funtime", which was released as a single and reached #45 in the UK Singles Chart...
. In total there are 16 songs (15 plus 1 ghost track, of which 8—exactly half—are previously unreleased), and each is dedicated either to someone in particular (most of them) or in general, in the booklet credits. Three songs are dedicated to important ex-boyfriend Michael Dunne ("If I Could Fly", "Losing Control" and "The Deal"), whereas "Unfinished Business" is for Kirk Brandon (who took George to court for this song, but lost).
The hidden track "Out Of Fashion" was taken out as a single in a remixed form as a collaboration with dance duo Hi-Gate; a version of the song is also featured on the Taboo musical soundtrack. Another track which was released as video-only was the opener "Ich Bin Kunst", a song dealing with performance artist Leigh Bowery
Leigh Bowery
Leigh Bowery was an Australian performance artist, club promoter, actor, pop star, model and fashion designer, based in London. Bowery is considered one of the more influential figures in the 1980s and 1990s London and New York art and fashion circles influencing a generation of artists and...
, a great friend of Boy George's, now dead, whose character George took on in his musical, instead of playing himself.
The album includes all the acoustic ballads originally on Cheapness and Beauty, including the single "Il Adore", as well as another single from that album, "Same Thing In Reverse", in an acoustic version which is different from the dance remix which reached the highest position on Billboard Dance Chart in the U.S.A.. "Same Thing In Reverse" is dedicated in the booklet credits to 'Eminem and all scared, pretty homosexuals'... The song "Julian", one of the new songs, is also featured on the next EP Straight, sold together with Boy's new book of the same name, in 2005.
The recording contains the following three tracks: "She Was Never He", taken from the 1999 fan-requested compilation The Unrecoupable One Man Bandit; "Fat Cat", originally on Culture Club
Culture Club
Culture Club are a British rock band who were part of the 1980s New Romantic movement. The original band consisted of Boy George , Mikey Craig , Roy Hay and Jon Moss...
's reunion album called Don't Mind If I Do
Don't Mind if I Do
Don't Mind If I Do is the fifth and final album by new wave band Culture Club, released in 1999 for the Virgin label. The album has been released only in Europe and Japan. Some promo copies circulated in Australia too.-Overview:...
and released in 1999; and the popular Krishna-inspired "Bow Down Mister", which gave the artist one of his last UK chart success after splitting from the band.
Reviews
One review can be found on allmusic.com, where it got 4.5 stars out of 5. It also got four stars from Q magazine, although the review found the name of the album "awful".Track listing
- "Ich Bin Kunst" (2002) (song from the musical Taboo) - 2:38 (Boy George/Kevan Frost)
- "St. Christopher" (2002) (new song) - 3:46 (Boy George/Kevan Frost)
- "She Was Never He" (1996) (unreleased mixed version) - 3:33 (Boy George/John Themis)
- "Cheapness & Beauty" (1995) (acoustic version taken from the "Il Adore" single) - 3:47 (Boy George/John Themis)
- "Fat Cat" (1999) (acoustic version) - 3:24 (Boy George/Emily Themis)
- "If I Could Fly" (1995) (taken from Cheapness and Beauty) - 4:08 (Boy George/John Themis)
- "Unfinished Business" (1995) (taken from Cheapness and Beauty) - 3:36 (Boy George/John Themis)
- "Julian" (2002) (new song) - 3:39 (Boy George/Kevan Frost)
- "Wrong" (2002) (new song originally in Taboo) - 4:07 (Boy George/Kevan Frost)
- "Letter to a School Friend" (1996) (unreleased)- 3:49 (Boy George/John Themis)
- "The Deal" (2002) (old live favourite often sung around 1991 to 1993) - 4:41 (Boy George/John Themis)
- "Losing Control" (1992–2002) (unreleased version adapted from a 1992 Jesus Loves YouJesus Loves You (band)Jesus Loves You were a British band, founded by the singer Boy George. The music of the band is a mixture of electronic dance music, Indian classical music and western pop music. Their lyrics are about love, spirituality and the equality of all human beings....
country demo) - 3:15 (Boy George/John Themis) - "Same Thing in Reverse" (1995) (from Cheapness and Beauty, even if an acoustic version is found on the Japanese version of that album) - 3:35 (Boy George/John Themis)
- "Il Adore" (1995) (from Cheapness and Beauty) - 6:14 (Boy George/John Themis)
- "Bow Down Mister" (1991) (from Jesus Loves You's The Martyr MantrasThe Martyr MantrasThe Martyr Mantras is a 1990 album by Boy George. It was credited to Jesus Loves You worldwide, a move to help people concentrate on the music rather than on the popular artist's name, except in North America, where it was credited to Boy George upon its release there in 1991, as requested by...
) (Boy George)
(16.) [hidden track] "Out of Fashion" (2002) (acoustic version of a song from Taboo) - songs n° 15 & 16 (actually only one song, that is n° 15 - the next starts, after a long silent period, within that same track number) totally last 13:27
Ich Bin Kunst
dedicated to Leigh Bowery, Nicola and Christine Bateman- Boy George: co-production
- Kevan Frost: keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, drum programming & brass arrangements; mixAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
at Frosty Bros. Studio (Kev's flat); co-production - Ben Castle: saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
& brassBrass instrumentA brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
arrangements - Raul D'Olivera: trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
- Mike Innes: tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
St. Christopher
dedicated to Chris Manning- Boy George: co-production
- Kevan Frost: backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
, acoustic guitarSteel-string acoustic guitarA steel-string acoustic guitar is a modern form of guitar descended from the classical guitar, but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound...
& brass arrangements; mix at Frosty Bros. Studio (Kev's flat); co-production - Ben Castle: saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
& brassBrass instrumentA brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
arrangements - Raul D'Olivera: trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
- Mike Innes: tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
- Sharleen Hector: backing vocals
She Was Never He
dedicated to Natasha and Jody- Boy George: co-production
- John Themis: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, backing vocals, co-production; mix at Mayfair Studios - Kevan Frost: backing vocals
- Alan Branch: engineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
Cheapness & Beauty
dedicated to all tattooed car thieves- Jessica Corcoran: production
- John Themis: guitars, backing vocals, strip & remix
- Zee Asha: backing vocals
- Alan Branch: engineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
Fat Cat
dedicated to all sexually confused straight boys?- John Themis: guitars, production; mix at home
- Emily Themis, Katherine Themis: backing vocals
If I Could Fly
dedicated to Michael Dunne- Jessica Corcoran: production
- John Themis: guitars & stringString instrumentA string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
arrangements; mix at Abbey Road Studios - Nick Ingman: string arrangements
- London Chamber Orchestra: stringsString instrumentA string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
Unfinished Business
dedicated to Kirk Brandon- Jessica Corcoran: production & mix
- John Themis: guitars, stringString instrumentA string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
arrangements & mix
Julian
dedicated to Julian of course- Boy George: co-production
- Kevan Frost: acoustic guitar, backing vocals and co-production; mix at Frosty Bros. Studio (Kev's flat)
Wrong
dedicated to Luke and all dreamers- Boy George: co-production
- Kevan Frost: acoustic guitar, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals and co-production; mix at Frosty Bros. Studio (Kev's flat) - Pete Adams: pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
& HammondHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard... - Liz Chi: Chinese violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
"edu" soloSolo (music)In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer... - Joel Pott, Sharleen Hector, John Gibbons: backing vocals
Letter To A School Friend
dedicated to Miss Carter and Michael Crome- John Themis: guitars, production; mix at Mayfair Studios
- Zee Asha, Linda Duggan, Mary Pearse: backing vocals
- Richie Stevens: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Winston Blisset: bass
- Peter Adams: keyboards
- Alan Branch: engineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
The Deal
dedicated to Michael Dunne- Boy George: co-production
- Kevan Frost: acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals and co-production; mix at Frosty Bros. Studio (Kev's flat)
- Liz Chi: violins & violin solo
- Sarah Chi: violins
Sharleen Hector, John Gibbons: backing vocals
Losing Control
dedicated to Michael Dunne- John Themis: guitars, keyboards, bass, backing vocals, production & mix
- Sugar Hajishakalli: bouzoukiBouzoukiThe bouzouki , is a musical instrument with Greek origin in the lute family. A mainstay of modern Greek music, the front of the body is flat and is usually heavily inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The instrument is played with a plectrum and has a sharp metallic sound, reminiscent of a mandolin but...
- Andy Kyriacou: drums
- Jimmy "Mixologist" Sarikas: engineer
Same Thing In Reverse
dedicated to Eminem and all scared, pretty homosexuals- John Themis: guitars, backing vocals
- Zee Asha: backing vocals
- Jessica Corcoran: production & mix
Il Adore
dedicated to Stevie Hughes and all the lost boys- Jessica Corcoran: production
- John Themis: guitars, string arrangements; mix at Abbey Road Studios
- Nick Ingram: string arrangements
- London Chamber Orchestra: strings
- Christopher Warren Green: violin solo
Bow Down Mister
dedicated to Lord Krishna and John Richardson & family- Bruce Forest: production
- Soho Krishna Temple, London Gospel Choir & Basil: special thanks