Arc Of A Diver

Editorial Note: I’ll be doing a preemptive review before listening and a second, post-listen, review of this record. Pre-Listen Review: Oh, jeesus - a Steve Winwood record from 1980. That’s like drinking milk 12 years after the sell-by date. Post-Listen Review: Refer to Pre-Listen Review.

I did not enjoy this cut-rate, Peter Gabriel knockoff, Casio keyboard, yacht rock turd of an album. The opening track, "When You See A Chance" is considered Winwood's best work and, friends, I gotta be honest. That's not a compliment. It's bad. The drum sounds are cartoonishly fake and the synths are bad even for the time. I tried really hard to find something good here but, the more I listened, the more frustrated I became that THIS is what Winwood decided to do with his solo career. So much talent just... gone to waste.

1001 albums to hear before you die.. I feel like death is preferable to listening to this again

I can go for this type of 80s cheese sometimes. I have no particular nostalgia for this album but I was familiar with the lead track. Some of the choices of synth tones are a bit cringey at times. Where I start to have a real problem is on "slowdown sundown" - it sort of breaks the sound he had going for this folksier/rootsier thing and it sounds really out of place. I like "Spanish Dancer" alright but it is mixed so weirdly with those hyper prominent synth notes that it's kinda off putting. "Night Train" probably works best for me overall? By the time it got to the last track I just wanted it to be over (and it's not a long album). I like some individual tracks by him but I can't hang with it for a whole album. 2.5 down to 2.

Traffic pleasantly surprised me. This... this is horrible. Tepid arrangements and ugly synth pads make this yet another embarrassing entry in this shoddy list.

Spotify lists Steve Winwood as a 'slick upscale mainstay of adult pop' which makes me feel like a real square because my dad would definitely make fun of me for liking this album. This is 'normcore' in the sense that this album is so normal and palatable that you have to go out of your way to feel anything about it, but this album makes me feel like a mid 80s yuppie in the best sense.

straight heat 🔥 set my ears on fire from the first ten seconds 10/10

Terrible right out of the gate. I hope the rest of the album isn't this bad. Yep. This is rough.

Average reviewer on this site: The guy from Traffic released an extremely plastic sounding yacht rock album 🙄 Me, a paragon of taste: The guy from Traffic released an extremely plastic sounding yacht rock album 😍 Four stars.

A fine album that finds Winwood with a new confidence thanks to his writing partnerships. The result is a strong group of songs in which Winwood plays all the instruments. Highlights include the title track, the catchy While You See a Chance, and the soaring album closer, Dust.

Guy is good. Cant deny it.

Just great, soulful pop music, nicely done. "When You See a Chance" is the obvious classic track here, worth the price of admission just for this song. "Arc of a Diver" and "Slowdown Sundown" are lovely as well. Nothing on here I didn't like. "Second-Hand Woman" was probably the weakest song overall. Yes, the top-of-the-line-for-1980 synthesizers are admittedly a bit dated. But it's forgivable thanks in large measure to Steve Winwood himself. You can't shortcut his talent as a vocalist with a machine, that lovely soulful and timeless voice. Bonus star for the fact that Winwood plays all the instruments on this album, and adeptly so. Fave Songs: While You See a Chance, Arc of a Diver, Dust, Slowdown Sundown, Spanish Dancer

Big fan of Winwood. Not his best album but a classic of the 80s.

Winwood going synth would have seemed very odd in 1980, but in league with his blue-eyed soul songwriting chops the whole package works very well.

nah, not for me - figure this guy only had "higher love" and then there's a whole album without it on there, worries me that the other album will be in here too

Good, but was it really outstanding? I'm not convinced, but I'll probably give it another whirl sometime.

wow that opening synth riff is STRONG. Sets a rad 80's tone right away. Obvious he and Phil Collins worked together from that track alone, and the rest of the album only solidifies that bond. It is disappointing that it trails off into mediocrity at the end. Looking at the Side A and B divisions, I'd give side A a 5 for fun synthy pop, and side B a 2.5. The whole thing gets a 4 because of what it almost was, but I'm left feeling disappointed.

"Whoa. Hang on. It's all good. I got a Steve Winwood CD in my car. I'll go grab that." - Dennis Reynolds (IASIP)

started out pretty fun, got kinda boring later tho

- Only knowledge of Steve Winwood before this was Higher Love or Dennis from Always Sunny - Boring 80s pop - Wouldn't listen to it again

Loved this. What a surprise. Highlights were Night Train and Arc of a Diver. Hope we get more Winwood and Winwood projects.

Sometimes I really miss cocaine.

Interesting playstyle, some good riffs. I liked the atmosphere, remembered me back the time when I was travelling across the US in my 1965 Shelby mustang. Keeps rocking !

I don't usually give 5 stars to an album I heard for the first time, but today it happened, once again, that immediate connection that music gives me from time to time (I've been very lucky, because here on this site, this has happened a few times ) and it reminds me of the principles of everything: why I started listening to the albums on this site, why I listen and make music every day and why I love music so much. I feel really lucky! I already knew Steve because of Higher Love, but after this album today, I will definitely get to know his work in more depth!

Incredible album of all the best songs, my reaction: https://images.app.goo.gl/bXxv3s3uRng8CrSY9 [surfer man tahiti paris 2024 olympics]

Love this album have not listened to it in years

I really liked this one! In the vein of Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, etc. Made some good endorphins. :)

A classic

A classic

Very 80’s, but an absolutely delightful listen.

I think I was in the perfect mood for this. I know a few of them anyway. My favourite Winwood song is Valerie, on his next album - so good that he is consistent. Second-Hand Woman, While You See A Chance, Night Train, and Spanish Dancer stood out. Thanks Steve.

Really groovy and exciting. 5 stars.

Such a fun album. Second-Hand Woman is amazing. While You See a Chance is fantastic. Slowdown Sundown is a song I could picture my parents listening to in the living room when I was young young. Last few songs on the first disc kind of fall off but I will be coming back to Steve Winwood often. He has the added bonus of really reminding me of my parents' music. A nostalgia that will continue to tug at my heart.

Wonderful!

A great chill album!

Classic

Great album, great mixing, good to leave it on and listen for any occasions.

Great album and very nostalgic for me. Have recently got on vinyl. Great Tunes : arc of a diver, spanish dancer and while you see a chance which presaged Valerie on his next album

Love this album - both when it came out and to relisten today

Really hooks you in from the first song and doesn't let up. Such a great album and will have on repeat for a while.

banger!! i like the synths. favorite songs: secondhand woman, night train

Amazing

Great! I really enjoyed this album.

For better or worse, the '80s (and the '70s) had a lot of cheesy music. This genre of 'dad's playlist during a roadtrip' or 'uncle hitting the karaoke machine' might be my favorite. Steve Winwood does the grown-up soul-pop-rock hybrid really well, and even with the synths it doesn't feel gimmicky. Outdated maybe, but still a great listen. Plus, he has a great voice. I am giving everyone who worked on this record a massive side eye for creating a song like Second Hand Woman though, which just made me roll my eyes at how prehistoric it was. That aside though, I can't lie that this was banger after banger. Standout tracks are While You See a Chance and Arc of a Diver.

In 1986 I fell in love with Steve Winwood’s Back in the High Life. I played the heck out of that album. After several months I then bought Arc of a Diver. I fell in love with this album too, although it always ran a close second to the later release. One of the unexpected pleasures of this project has been the opportunities to revisit albums I already know with fresh ears. I really can’t remember the last time I listened to this album, but it could have easily been 20 years ago. It’s pretty cool to hear this moment where a seasoned artist re-launched his career… a solid foundation for Winwood becoming 80s musical royalty. Back in the day Steve Winwood was just an 80s star… I had no idea that I was witnessing a really impressive reinvention. I just loved the music. Although I still prefer Back in the High Life, I’m still very enthusiastic that this terrific album made it on this list!

Really appreciated this y'day. Great music. A slightly generous 5

I just really love the energy of Steve Winwood's voice, throughout this album and all of his music

FANTASTIC

excellent

80's GOODNESS. Not a bad song on the album dude. Absolutely grooving the whole time.

loved it

Most excellent indeed

That keyboard slaps, just making sure it’s Winwood and not a studio musician… Wiki: “Steve Winwood does all vocals and instruments” Well, the production is pretty crisp, I wonder who put it all together… Wiki: “Steve Winwood produced the whole album” I guess fool me twice, since I went through a similar discovery with Traffic’s John Barleycorn album. Enjoyed Arc of a Diver, despite not being as into similar 80s soft rock releases (e.g. The Nightfly). It helps that I *really* enjoy the first track, "While You See a Chance", which was on the radio pretty regularly growing up. The rest of the album is jazzier than I expected- which again, I should have learned from John Barleycorn that Winwood leans towards jazz from time to time. HL: "While You See a Chance", title track, "Second Hand Woman", "Spanish Dancer", "Dust" December 13, 2024

Second album in a row I actually own. Hadn't listened to it for some time. Listening to it now showed me that I should listen to it more often.

Wunderbar

Sophisti-pop is a new music term I learned today. For as familiar as the sounds on this album are to me, especially with the song 'Second-Hand Woman', I struggle to link it to any names at this very moment. Either way, I'm always down for a good little pop album so I dug this. It's filled to the brim with sweet melodies and even sweeter instrumentals - whether funky like on the title track, disco and dance like on 'Night Train', or delicate and soulful like on 'Slowdown Sundown'. Maybe the song that blew me away the most was 'Night Train' which has (ahead-of-its-time) ambient house elements, especially with those hi-hats. But the entire thing also sounds like it could fit very snuggly into a Talking Heads album...It's that white funk. Shiny, bright, and sunny all the way through - the stuff ears are made for. So ear-candy.

Steve Winwood should be more famous. I'm not going to say he's a british farmer version of Stevie Wonder but.....maybe I am. This is just the kind of music I want playing in my house. The synth sounds are very particular but I really like all the tones and his vibe...he knows what he's doing in the combo of those textures and his vocals...it just sounds good. Even when the songs are a bit long they don't really drag. I also respect a man who knows who he is...the first song is the best song. He knew he had a single.

Stray notes Not sure if Steve Winwood is classified as 'easy listening' but it intuitively fits the definition to me. Most of the value for me is as a time capsule, but since I'm so nostalgic for this era I barely lived through, I can't evaluate the art objectively. I had never heard any songs on this album before, but enjoyed it all the way. Imagine this is gonna get a lot of 3's and 2's, but I'm throwing up 4 fingers for my guy Steve. Such good cheesy 80s pop. Give me as much synth as I can handle. Guy just got in a three-point stance and leaned on the keys, chord after chord. Winwood is like Phil Collins minus the self-seriousness – just pure earnest cheddar. This kind of music makes me want to unbutton my shirt and rip a few lines with the boys. While you See a Chance is so fucking cheesy it feels tailor-made for a movie montage of someone packing up a small but tidy apartment to move out to the west coast, only to realize as they're on the on-ramp to the highway that what they've wanted all along has been in front of them the whole time

Nice.

Blue-Eyed Soul done right. Winwood's ability to move across genres throughout his career kept him relevant for far longer than many of his age. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see more of his associated work in this project. Four and one-half stars. Pushed up a half for being a true solo album, as he played all the instruments himself.

This was good. I enjoyed it very much. Was impressed to learn he did all the instrumentation himself.

Pretty fun

Album 559 of 1001 Steve Winwood - Arc Of A Diver (1980) Rating : 3.85 / 5 Good album. My memories of it consisted of seeing it at the top of the charts in Rolling Stone back in the day. First time hearing it and I enjoy it more than I expected. It is a total Winwood project as he played all instruments on the album. Some commented it sounds like Peter Gabriel and I can hear that, too. This is one I can recommend.

Like taking a pure distilled shot of the 80s. Impressive that every single instrument is him. Fun.

Really pleasant, sounded like a jazzier Phil Collins

About as mid as the other prison recording

Familiar early 80s soft-pop

Dah, it was always going to happen. I liked it. But then I’ve a soft spot for synth pop of that era. I can’t help it.

He’s a talented guy. Had his time in the forefront

Algjör gullmoli. Skúturokk með smá diskóívafi. Og þessi dásamlega rödd bræðir mig alveg.

Just a consistently good album. 4 stars or B.

He’s a talented dude. Really enjoyed this!

Ojoj fett bra album Bästa låtar: Spanish Dancer, Night train, Dust

I love this album—it reintroduced Steve Winwood and showed the breadth of his talent. Admittedly not every song is great but enough of them are for me. My favorite is probably Spanish Dancer.

Never heard this before but this was fun! Given its release year was this proto-yacht rock? Sounds like it definitely inspired both Mayer Hawthorne and John Mayer’s Sob rock while drawing from the Beatles.

Spanish Dancer stood out, breezy and warm. Night Train opens with funky bass and guitar licks, then kicks into gear with piano and an anthemic chorus. I'm digging this. I relistened to the first half and the first two tracks aren't doing much for me but Second Hand Woman is another nice one. Dust is a pretty good closer. I like 4 of the 7 tracks quite a bit, good enough for ****. Also impressed that Winwood plays all the instruments on the album!

Liked this - nice and upbeat - didnt realise i knew other songs of his.

Love the lead song “When You See A Chance”. A lot of synthesizer on the album, but it hits a bit different than the usual songs of the 80s. Voice similar to Peter Gabriel. We get hit with a little funk from time to time as well! Low 4.

One of the great unsung heroes of rock music. Absurdly talented. First hit the charts as lead vocalist of the Spencer Davis Group at 18 years old. Then via Traffic and Blind Faith to solo work. He even played organ on Voodoo Chile!

Winwood is an excellent instrumentalist, songwriter and producer - and this completely homemade record shows.

I really enjoyed the album. Winwood's got some good lyrics and a killer bassist for a lot of these songs. I don't love the album and I'm not sure why I needed to hear it before I die, but it brings me a higher love. 4/5!

There’s a lot of abuse for this album for some reason, meanwhile it’s impressive just for the fact that he’s playing all the instruments on it and playing them well. Good commercial 80s rock.

80s music by the icon myself - great work

Keyboard heavy soft rock. Nothing mind blowing but decent easy listen.

Really interesting music from this album. I enjoyed most of it. Nothing stood out as being that ‘’masterpiece” song though. Everything kind of blended, still very good though

Winwood's transition from Traffic clarified that he was pop-focused, much like Phil Collin's latter Genesis recordings. Fun but...different.

This is so good It's not cool but its damn good High 4. Not cool but brilliant title track is superb

Never heard of this before, but I really liked it!

He is a very talented songwriter and musician! The one thing I will say is that I didn't fully vibe with the atmospheric vibe that was going on, but I am so impressed that he singlehandedly wrote, played, and mixed this whole album. I genuinely enjoyed it, even if it wasn't my perfect sound.

off the bat, I love a kazoo otomatone type vibe so I was in not as much of a fan of the slower later songs as I was the openers

OK, good solid Rock/Pop

I don't know all that much about Steve Winwood, beyond his three or four major singles. So I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this listen, but I thought it might have some cheesy 80's synths. And guess what, they're here! Still, the reviews on this site sort of surprised me. A 2.88 average?! Does no one here appreciate the sleek, neon goodness of '80s bangers? Because aged as they may be, the songwriting here is on point, with Winwood and his co-writer Will Jennings delivering banger after banger indeed. The smooth and breezy collection made me feel like I was sipping mai tais on a beach and not stuck at work. That's enough to warrant a solid 4 stars.

Sound is very 80s. Quite fun and energetic

yacht rock excellence. highlights: “while you see a chance” “second-hand woman” “night train”

This album was the ultimate “falling into your dad’s music taste check” and it checked me HARD. I used to think Valarie as a song as so mild when I’d listen to it compared to the sampled version from Eric Prydz/Thomas Bangalter. Then I listen to this album and maaaaan Steve’s in the POCKET on these songs. Not overdoing it, just groovin

Happily surprised with this one. Elegant, solid production, some sweet keyboard, and quality vocals. Just good vibes in general.

Tremendo opener con esos synths, todo el album tuvo instrumentales y writing increíble, pero especialmente los synths

bien groovy me gustó buco. 8/10

Jazzy/poppy, nice grooves

I really liked this actually. Never heard of Steve Winwood or this album, but this feels like somebody has put the 80s into a can