Scott 2
Scott Walker
1968
Album Summary
Scott 2 is the second solo album by Scott Walker, released in 1968 by Philips Records in the UK and Smash Records in the US. Featuring the minor hit "Jackie", it arrived at the height of Walker's commercial success as a solo artist, topping the UK Albums Chart. This album, alongside Scott, features Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" recording technique. Like its predecessor, Scott 2 comprises an assortment of pop cover versions, selections from Walker favorite Jacques Brel, and a handful of original songs. His following three albums would feature mostly or entirely original material.
WikipediaDefinitely a classic musician I haven't given enough attention. Scott has a killer voice and the string accompaniments here are absolutely stunning.
It’s very 60’s, incredible voice, very cinematic voice and the arranged, orchestrated instrument is very lavish and grand. Some weird story lyrics. I really enjoyed this top to bottom. Was kinda casually listening to it, so I'll have to come back later for my favorite tracks and a more in depth listen, but I thought every track on first listen was great. Voice never got old, felt like it had a lot of weight and emotion to it.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Kind if a showtune-y vibe.
Scott 2 by Scott Walker (1968) For those of you who would dismiss this as ‘elevator music’, I should warn you that if you and I heard this in an elevator, I would press the Emergency Stop and ask you to be quiet for a minute and just listen. Scott Walker is a pop crooner with an actual brain. As a lyricist, he is poetic and insightful, like a cross between Jacques Brel and T.S. Eliot. (In fact, three of Brel’s well-chosen songs are included among these twelve tracks: “Jackie”, “Next”, and “The Girls and the Dogs”). Walker’s four original songs (“The Amorous Humphrey Plugg”, “The Girls from the Streets”, “Plastic Palace People“, and “The Bridge”) are likewise dark, brooding, fearless, and entrancing, expressed in poetic lines that, like those of Eliot, take punctuated and unexpected images and resolve them with lucidity from the shadows, as it were. Walker explores a decadent world populated by equally decadent characters and emerges with a fuller embrace of humanity, with all its internal tensions and moral disappointments. All twelve of the songs on this album are thoughtful and visually dramatic. “The Girls and the Dogs” is a simply delightful song, delightfully sung. I won’t spoil it for you. Musically, Walker delivers these well crafted melodies in a pleasing, not-too-deep baritone. He lacks the chops of a Sinatra, Bennett, Como, Crosby (Bing, not David), Martin, Tormé, Williams, or (I must include) Harry Nilsson. But he succeeds in the vocal heavy lifting nonetheless. Tom Jones surely wished he could have been this good (while still raking in the cash, the airplay, and the tossed panties). Scott Walker is backed by orchestra on this record, yet not in a typical Burt Bacharach or Henry Mancini style (although Walker covers one song from each of these composers on Scott 2). His arrangers step away from the piano-heavy Bacharach approach and the strings-heavy Mancini technique, and instead provide orchestration that celebrates soulful horns and seductive guitar. It’s beautiful music, even if it fails to capture 21st century ears. Listen to this album and tell me which track was banned by the BBC. 4/5
This sounds a lot more like movie music than like album music just by virtue of being so dramatic. Despite or maybe because it is so dramatic, I quite like it. Scott has a great voice and the songs are very soothing.
The first 4 Scott albums are pretty hard to beat in therms of theatrics and baroque pop uniqueness. This album has basically every instrument you can think of on it and some you didn’t. The lyrics are interesting (if not controversial) which makes this record deeply layered and fun to relisten to. I still think I like Scott 3 better, but this one is good too. Favorite track: Jackie Least favorite track: The Bridge
My favorite Scott Walker album, love every song on this album. The flamenco-esque influences on some songs are dope, nice and upbeat, just fantastic.
Three weeks ago I head the pleasure of discovering this extraordinary artist thanks to this list and Scott 4. From the first notes of the cinematic “Jackie” to the last notes of the lush “Come Next Spring” - I love this album even more! I have another new favorite artist! Scott knows how to deliver these incredible orchestration-powered songs - as a former French horn player I can’t help but love their prominence on this album. I love this album so much I listened to in three times in a row without stopping… followed by three more listens later in the day. The storytelling on these songs is incredible. The songs deal with real life in sometimes jolting ways. These surprising moments drew me in more. The songs are beautifully poetic sending me to so many different places - absolutely wonderful! I see that Scott Walker’s most recent album is from 2016. I’m so excited to have 50 years of Scott Walker to explore. Just a few notable items: “If I could be for just one little hour, a cute cute, in a stupid-ass way.” - Jackie The incredible strings accentuating “The best of both worlds, make your pick Amanda…” - Best of Both Worlds “If you love me let me live in peace and please understand, that a black sheep can wear a Golden Fleece and hold a winning hand.” - Black Sheep Boy “Oh to die of kisses, Ecstasies and charms, Pavements of poets will write that I died in nine angel’s arms tonight” - The Amorous Humphrey Plugg “I swear on the wet head of my first case of gonhorrhea…” - Next “Plastic palace Alice, She steals her cards tomorrow deals with deafening despair” - Plastic Palace People “The cheerless day may bring us little dreams that seem to miss their mark but, oh, my darling, wait until dark” - Wait Until Dark (*swoon*)
Wow! This is the most magnificent thing I have ever heard in my life! Wow! Love!
Heerlijk, wat een stem. Wat een bijzonder tekst bij "the girls and the dogs"
My feelings about this one swing wildly from love it to hate it and back again. These songs are cinematic and epic and total cornball. But somehow it all works and I'm closer to love it than not. The Jacques Brel covers in particular sound just right coming from Walker.
Three years since I listened to the quartet properly, and I knew I would love Scott 2 standing by itself. It's a nearly perfect night-out album, with Walker pushing the boundaries while remaining eminently listenable. Basically the good version of the Dion record I heard yesterday. Spectacularity is inconsistent, as it maybe must be. But pop Scott Walker and weird Scott Walker are all worth listening to, preferably in big blocks.
I don't know how to rate this... At first I was put off by another "crooner record" (and the Phil Spector wall of sound) but then halfway through "Jackie" the lyrics caught my ear and I had multiple double-takes. Then "Next" comes in and it is clear that this isn't Tony Bennett: these Jacques Brel songs have something interesting to offer. Overall it's the type of thing I'm hoping to encounter on this list: something I've never heard of, something outside my usual listening, and something that, on reflection, was probably groundbreaking and influential.
Respect for a traditional crooner/heartthrob going rogue and making some really offbeat stuff. I can see how he influenced and gained the respect of some more iconoclastic artists like Bowie, Thom Yorke, Marc Almond, etc. But to be honest the music is not for me and has too much of a musical theater quality to it.
They're nice enough songs. I think this pompous theatrical style of pop is too stuffy for me. While everything here is competently done, the artistic expression on display feels like style over substance. Scott Walker's singing feels more like an act, making the whole album ring hallow. I would rather a sloppy album with personality than a well-crafted one that's bland.
Huh. I realized that I recognize the name Scott Walker from the Vox Lux score (and the fact that he died recently), but I thought this might be a completely different person. The music is like a combination of Tom Jones the singer and Tom Jones the awful movie. It's funny that he sings things like "stupid-ass" but the delivery is painfully bland. Very risque lyrically, but far from risky sonically. This old style of pop music has aged like milk. Listen to the Vox Lux score to hear how a guy can really turn his life around. Favorite songs: Black Sheep Boy. Album art: Not terrible, but not very interesting either. I like the font and color choice for the title. The picture is decent, as far as artist pictures go, but it's boring. I guess that fits the album. 1/5
Excellent "oude stijl" album met uitgebreide bezetting. Leuke melodieën, leuke of mooie teksten.
so I listened to his first three albums and Scott: fucking amazing - 10/10 Looking Back With: Super fun, loved how he sounded like Judy Garland the whole time (if that was him singing, idk) - 10/10 Scott 2: I don’t know about this one, still really good but it had less creativity I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Like if Nick Cave wanted to make a Frank Sinatra type album, 9/10
Brilliant album. Vibrato is a hit or miss for me but his is stunning. His resonance is notable too. Overall the production is also well balanced and pleasing.
Never even heard of Scott Walker before this, had no idea what to expect. With a beautiful orchestra in the background and some amazing lyrics, not to mention Scott's amazing voice, this was a great listen! Dark and brooding, some crooning involved, but not in excess. Really enjoyed this! Saved tracks: Jackie, Black Sheep Boy, The Amorous Humphrey Plugg, Next, Windows Of The World
I always thought Scott Walker was like the Frank Sinatra for alt kids. And I mean that in the best ways. The vocals and orchestration pair extremely well here, but the experimental elements of the song writing, as subtle as they are, really elevates this album for me.
Magnificent in places, but I am inclined to agree with Scott's own view that is was a tad unfocused. Is it OK to like the people who ripped this album off more than the original?!!
Really good, like it a lot. Not as interesting as his later stuff but I can see the roots being laid. Good lyrics too
I don’t think Scott Walker is an acquired taste. You either love him or hate him. While I prefer his compilations of his work to the individual albums, this is still a strong, worthy listen.
Opulenz, Schwelgerei, Drama, garniert mit dichtem Streicher-Arangements, Glocken, Bolero und Bariton aus dunkel fließenden Toffee. Meine Güte, mir wird ganz weihnachtlich. Dieser Mann kann singen und er will es um sein Leben. Tolle Platte für eine glühende Nacht in nackt unter dickflauschigen Roben, heute Morgen knapp unter der 4 vorbei, aber ich freue mich auf kommende Kaminabende. Jetzt erstmal nen Obstgarten.
This was great! I had expected this to me much darker like some of the other Walker's albums, which I don't entirely dig, but this is different.
love how much the lyrical imagery seems to clash with the style. how is this from 1968?
So when I heard the first minute of this I'm like "oh showtunes"shortness. I go look at the wiki to see what I'm listening to, get stuck in the reviews. I'm not sure I've read better reviews than the ones for this album.
Ik vind het verrassend goed klinken. Klinkt een beetje als film-muziek. ****
ugh, 1968 again. Ok no, this was different and fun. The first song was incredible haha. It didn't quite reach that peak again, but I wasn't bored for even one second. Wild lyrics, fucking cool voice. I don't even care that most of it was covers. This just has to get a 4/5 - would have been full five if it was all originals.
this was one of the most prototypical “wall of sound” albums i’ve ever listened to, and i think i understand what that means way more now. it was musically interesting, though i grew a bit bored midway through when it felt like we were getting the same themes over and over again. the lyrics made up for this, they were really funny in places, though some haven’t aged well. i don’t usually notice lyrics at all, so this was a welcome surprise. a fun listen, though i don’t think i’ll come back to it anytime soon.
Some good tracks. At times redundant but overall an interesting listen
Scott est absolument gigantesque. Seulement, Scott ne propose pas de country dans son repertoire, l'auditoire américain décérébré du générateur ne peut donc apprécier cet album.
I liked it better than Scott 4, the previous album I heard on this project. The baroque pop stuff is always solid in my book, even if it's a little kitschy.
Scott Walker is great. Haven't really listened to any of his records before but found this charming and grounded and pretty enjoyable. I like the mix of originals and covers, which as I understand it, this was the last one of his records with such a balanced mix. Always down to check out more of this stuff.
Pretty good, not an all time fave but I still managed to like it a lot
I'm surprised that this one has such a low rating. I think it's pretty good. He has an impressive voice, and the orchestration is great. I am a sucker for strings. My favourite songs were Next, The Amorous Humphrey Plugg, and The Girls and The Dogs.
Genius and over indulgent is the same breath. I have never warmed to Scott Walker completely but hi influence on so many bands I love is inescapable
Jackie is kind of a banger. Scott Walker has a really pleasing voice. The song lyrics seem very risque for this time period.
Très bon comme baroque pop, fait un peu penser à du Engelbert Humperdinck, très smooth, parfait pour un souper de weekend en famille.
Though this album of (mostly) covers doesn't hold a candle to his creative breakthrough "Scott 3," I always enjoy Scott Walker. Some of the lyrics are hilariously coarse, especially considering the time period. "Plastic Palace People" hints at the direction he will go in next and is a standout track to me.
The tragic charm of a bygone lounge crooner, weaving tales of lost love and a childhood scathed. "Next" hit me especially hard, and "Come Next Spring" was a perfectly bittersweet closer.
This is quite enjoyable, in an over-the-top and theatrical way, complete with its questionable lyrics. Jackie is clear and away the stand out track.
Shagging the remains of an abortion out of your ex girlfriend is a wonderful remedy for grief. This record is the perfect soundtrack for it.
Scott Walker may very well have one of the best voices of all time. While I don't quite jive with his music, I can recognize his outstanding talent. 4/5. Favorite Track: Jackie
I like older, weirder Scott Walker, as a rule, but this still has much to recommend it. The Jacques Brel covers, in particular, go hard! Fave tracks - "Jackie", "Next", "The Girls and the Dogs"
I adore Scott Walker. His is the voice I wish came from within me when I open my mouth to sing. This is a fabulously (over) dramatic album. Only reason it’s not 5 star is that it’s probably the one I return least of his first 4 albums. But that is an endorsement of the quality of the rest of those albums rather than a knock on this collection
Majestic, swirling arrangements; Walker's warbling is a little over-the-top at points but engaging overall
I don't think I've ever listened to a full album produced by Phil Spector before, which provides an interesting experience. The instrumentals do really fill up the record, which helps a lot in an album like this that I might not ordinarily like. It's another one of those times that I wish the rating was out of 10 rather than out of 5. This album is somewhere between a 3 and a 4 for me. The music is really cool, the words are mostly very uninteresting to me. I like his voice, though. 3/5
This album started off strong with Jackie. There were some other songs that were very entertaining. Scott Walker has a very pop crooner sound. The band is a welcome change in this list. The last few songs kind of blended together and some songs were covers. Making this album only average.
This grew on me. Definitely a good singer. The style was a little different at first, but I was wrong when I suggested it was dull.
For me an unknown artist. Although I know the song Jackie. Nice easy listening album, with a warm voiced singer.
This album sounded really neat! I really enjoyed the orchestral and theatrical sound to these songs. Scott Walker's voice was so deep and commanding and the lyrics were fun and enthralling. It sounds kind of dated and cheesy, but I liked it for some reason, it gave this album a charm. It didn't really blow me away entirely, but I did really enjoy it and would definitely listen again.
Pretty good, very interesting lyrics. Kind of a comedian/crooner combo
This was actually better than I expected. Still not my thing but decent.
I really liked the sort of "over the top" Baroque sound contrasted with the bleak descriptions in songs like the opener ("Jackie"), but it's not the sort of album I'm going to come back to over and over again.
Oooh, hits like a strong movie soundtrack to start. I feel like we're hearing a necessary part of Weird Al's origin story.
Not nearly as good or interesting as his later works, Scott 2 is still a great showcase for his fantastic voice and well constructed orchestrations. Favorite Song: The Amorous Humphrey Plugg
An amazingly talented singer. Every song tells a vivid story. Walker seems like he would have been a perfect choice for a Bond movie song.
Wow. Had to pull up the lyrics a few times to make sure what I heard is actually what I heard. You go Scott Walker.
This album has its moments. I like his voice and the lyrics. But the orchestration aged a little badly. The songs that stood out, I found out, were by Jacques Brel. (5/10) Favorite Tracks: Jackie, Next
Sounds like a mix of TV themes and hotel lobby music. Cracking voice and big orchestral sounds, but not my sort of thing.
Decent album with an interesting artist history. Fails to make a lasting impression though
Phantastic voice. Nice movie soundtrack type songs. Some songs really stuck (Next! Next!) But overall it felt too much of a show than trying to do good music. Something Scott also seems to have admitted.