Arc Of A Diver
Steve Winwood
1980
Album Summary
Arc of a Diver is the second solo studio album by singer/multi-instrumentalist Steve Winwood. Released in 1980, Winwood played all of the instruments on the album. Featuring his first solo hit, "While You See a Chance" (which peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States), this was Winwood's breakthrough album as a solo artist. It peaked at number 3 on the Billboard 200 album chart, establishing him as a commercially viable act. The cover artwork for the album is by Tony Wright. He took inspiration from Jazz by Henri Matisse, notably VIII: Icarus.
WikipediaWinwood 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Good, but was it really outstanding? I'm not convinced, but I'll probably give it another whirl sometime.
80's GOODNESS. Not a bad song on the album dude. Absolutely grooving the whole time.
3 listens, got better with each one. All instruments played by Steve. Would have been really cool to hear in 1980. Its sonic texture is dated and closely linked with 80s new wave, but ahead of the curve and easy listening.
So 80s it hurts my teeth. Some great tunes on here. More impressive when you find out her played every instrument himself. A few songs last a little longer than they should, and we could've skipped "Dust" all together. Also, "Spanish Dancer" legitimately sounds like a song from the Spyro soundtrack. Favorite tracks: "When You See a Chance", "Spanish Dancer"
I can feel the blues influences, however it also differentiates itself. An inspiring person and an inspiring album
solo artist. great mix of vocals, synths, drums. Really like the songs While you see a chance, arc of a diver, spanish dancer. Created in the artist's home.
Тупа чил. В начале оттолкнуло архаичными синтами, но потом ухо попривыкло. Вступительная While You See A Chance как раз самой балдёжной предстала. Если вдуматься, то альбом состоит из достаточно примитивной и не особо оригинальной музыки своего времени. Но работает то складно. Тем боле этот звук 80-ых ныне развития особого не получил, так что спустя тридцарик лет кажется вполне интересным. Если в целом ценить эстетику. Я то в своё время Journey гонял, вот там схожая атмосфера. Ну и всё же фальшью не веет, звучит то искренне. В общем, Батя одобряэ.
Enjoyed this album more than expected. The first song has a unique start. Arc of a diver is a great song. All of the songs are better than they should be and the instrumentals pair well with winwoods singing style. 7.7/10
Good album. Impressive he played all the instruments on the album. I agree with the reviews not a 5. Its between 3.2 and 4.1.
Nothing else on the album nears the peak of "while you see a chance", but the album is largely enjoyable and though i'd skip second-hand woman if listening to it, and songs like night train find a great groove.
So many songs I liked in the 80's and I never actually learned the name of the person.
Solid album with a very unique rock sound incorporating lots of piano and synth. Massive respect to him for playing every part on the album.
Interesting opener - until the vocals kick in, it sounds like the opening credits for an Eighventies sports show. It's also worth noting that I have a bit of a bias towards Brummie musicians... So this is unlikely to be entirely objective! Arc of a Diver has some strong Steely Dan vibes - and that's a good thing. The rest of the album washed over me as I worked. I am surprised at how poppy this is, given that my perception of Steve Winwood was more of a blues/rock/prog artist. More shocking is that it is good (but not great) pop. I had always assumed that Higher Love and Valerie were exceptions in his career, but it turns out he is actually a very talented pop writer - somewhere between Phil Collins and Donald Fagen. A surprisingly good album!
Very nice album. Great vibe. Funky tunes. Liked the first couple tracks the most
Unique sound, like someone was consciously trying to do an 80s sound after the 80s were over, sounds pretty influential considering when it was written.
jag tycker om den! men vet inte om jag gör det eftersom han låter som phil collins? oklart, det låter jag vara osagt. men det svänger katten.
I really like this album. Sounds like so many other influences, yet Steve Winwood is somehow so unique.
Soft rock really isn't my thing but this was much more enjoyable than I expected. Would definitely listen again, though I much prefer Winwood's earlier group work.
80s synth cheese, yes I'm game. Got weaker as it went on but still enjoyable
Seems like slightly proggy late 70s pop. Bit of a Phil Collins vibe. Very inoffensive, but not too sickly sweet. Lots of talent, good songwriting and tasteful players. Also, 39min is the perfect runtime for an album I've never heard before. 4/5.
While You See A Chance is a great track Synths are really well orchestrated and the drums are nice too Singing is well done I dont have a ton of bad things to say about this album. I really liked it which I wasnt expecting 7/10
Incredible pop rock with soul notes. I enjoyed more than I admit this album.
Every song is really good, they all seemed well polished. No duds on this album.
i enjoyed this more than i thought i would. it’s not my favorite, but it is catchy and fun!
This was a fun album. The first half was more fun than the second but it was funky and the keyboard synthesizer thing was used really well. It's the most 80s sounding instrument you can get but it sounds great here
This album - and in particular the lead single - will never not transport me to being a little kid / 1980 / good times. No way to remove the nostalgia from any objectivity in this one for me. In saying that, this is a highly melodic album with jazzy twists and turns. Nothing really comes close to matching the opening track "While You See a Chance" which is pretty much melodic softish-rock perfection, although the subsequent "Arc of a Diver" is a left-turn that showcases the best of Steve Winwood (who, incidentally, played all the instruments on this album). After a few ok tracks the album picks up again on the second half with "Spanish Dancer" and "Night Train" - the former stays restrained and the space keeps the tension throughout the song while "Night Train" has a catchy repetitive groove that works well. It's not perfect - I'm not a fan of the album closer "Dust" at all; could have used a better end to this album which overall is enjoyable. In particular I've always enjoyed the sound on this album - nice mix Steve. 7/10 4 stars.
I really like this album; I knew the first song right off the bat but i actually hadn’t heard any others and i thought they were really interesting.
Bravo pour la musique en sah (pas beaucoup plus a dire en particulier mais j'ai bien kiffé la vibe tah 80s et les ptits solos de synthé mama zboui zboui zbouiiiiiii)
A bit dull 80's pop-ish. Okay, and maybe new for it's time, but not really my taste
Album is cheesier than the Wisconsin State Fair. Decent though, first half is definitely better than the second.
Steve Winwood is obviously incredibly talented. Interesting that he did everything himself on this album - played everything and produced. I like most of the music here, but it doesn't really stand out as anything special on listening. 3 stars.
Sounds like a better version of Phil Collins who sucks butt. Album was interesting and it definitely had 'welcome to the 80's' vibe but without all the coke
This album has a nice, synthesizer-heavy sound to it with slight variations in style from song to song. Some sound more disco and others more psychadelic. Steve Winwood does a good job of keeping each track interesting. Overall a nice slice of the year 1980.
Really Phil Collins-y. Reeeeeally. At some point I even had to look Steve Winwood up, just to be sure they were two different people. And they are! I enjoyed it overall, but after a while I grew a bit tired of the same sound.
This dude was like what if I made Steely Dan but cornier. Wasn't a huge fan of this, which disappointed me because like Tom I was super geeked about that opening synth line. If I was pressed to describe this album in one word I think "Fine," would be most apt. Decent soft rock.
A really enjoyable listen. Could be accused of being cheesy, but I like the 80s TV theme vibe.
Inoffensive eighties soft-rock pop - reminds me of Phil Collins. It’s ok.
This is a nice little listen! Nothing groundbreaking or subversive, just an enjoyable pop rock record kind of reminiscent of Genesis later into their career. Pretty good!
Genre felt a bit confusing. Two songs sounded very out of place. But those two were my disco favorites.
I don't think this dude knows what riding the night train means. Ok, I've heard of this guy, but this is the first time I've heard his stuff. It sounds a little corny, a little adult contemporary, but it makes for good background music or something to put in a movie. My favorite song is Spanish Dancer. It has a genesis vibe to it. They could open for genesis haha.
Voice sounds like a mix of Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. Or maybe I'm just going insane? Pretty good album, kind of middle of the pack for me, but nothing i dislike about it
With this album, Winwood explores a more flowing and relaxed sound. That sound is still of course present in his other works and even his pop hits, but this is a more refined and smoother sound - full lean into it.
да норм дженерик восьмидесятнический роцк, на группу воскресенье порой похоже было. музло ок, просто совершенно не в настрой сейчас
I gave this album a listen and honestly it's not my thing. It's a nice album though, it's just not my thing.
Love Steve Winwood but let's be honest...there's one good song on this album.
Meh. Phil colins sounds, organs and synth stringy fluff. We get it, it's 1980 and the keyboard synthesizer has been invented. Maybe do something more interesting than standing around in a loose linen shirt in front of a fan rubbing your nipples and singing about romance.
Great album... Impressive that Winwood played all the instruments on the album
Dos horazas de disco sinceramente Steve Winwood de qué vas. Second-Hand Woman está guapa. Night Train también. Las canciones son demasiado largas y se vuelven pesadas al rato.
it was good, I think I enjoyed it more when I learned Steve played all the instruments himself
One banger, otherwise kinda weird, started off really good but petered out into weird stuff
I really liked parts of it. Some of the synthesizer use definitely was ahead of its time and sounded almost contemporary. Unfortunately, with such heavy reliance on synthesizers to simulate brass and other instrumentation, the music sounds incredibly dated. The songwriting is of course great, but it's hard to be able to listen to this album without the synths getting in the way.
not really my taste, too dramatic and wimpy, smells like cheese and hairspray, yikes. Feels too much like I'm in a scenery where I'm a suburban housewife in the 80s, or like a white dude in gym clothes, lots of sweaty chest hair, idk.
very dated but sill enjoyable fav tracks: while you see a chance, arc of a diver, night train least fav tracks: second hand woman, slowdown sundown, nigh train 5.8/10
Ihan ok kuulosta menoa. Osittain kyllä meni ohi enkä jaksa enää toista kertaa kuunnella, muttei ainakaan paskaa ollut.
Solid 3 stars. Understandable addition to the list, but didn’t do much for me
Bon disc per iniciar els 80. Pop sofisticat amb melodies elegants i tocs jazzy, allunyat del rock de Traffic de la década anterior. Un disc sorpresiu a la llista, que m'ha vingut de gust escoltar (començaments setembre '21) i no m'ha decebut el més mínim
Pretty cool that Winwood did everything on this album, but while it’s fun, I probably won’t revisit this album.
An interesting LP that sounds surprisingly modern at times - the opening track especially called to mind modern electronica artists like Porter Robinson with its structure and synth tones. Does meander from where its best in some more questionable tracks, but there’s enough here to warrant another listen.
Mysigt album! Låter extremt mycket som Phil Collins?? Både musikaliskt och som sångare. Tydligen skrev han allt själv, spelade allt själv, sjöng allt själv, och proddade allt själv. Imponerande!! Tyvärr tycker jag skivan tappar fart mot andra halvan, och soundet är lite för slickt för att jag ska bli intresserad på riktigt. Men första låten var kanon!! Går in i feelgoodlistan dirr
Låter som en lite R&B/soul/jazz version av moderna Genesislåtar? Definitivt ett bra album men vettefan om det är ett av 1001 album man bör höra innan man dör? Kan se mig själv återkomma hit. Skulle fan föredra om senare genesislåtar drog mer åt detta håll, håller jävla bra. Låter lite som Rod Stewart? Innehåller inga klassiker och verkar inte ha något historiskt värde i musikkanon. Bra låtar, kan inte säga så mycket mer?
This is the most generic 80s album I've ever heard. It's like they trained an AI to generate the most inoffensive, boring 80s synth music imaginable. It's the perfect 3/5. There is nothing wrong with this album, it's just nothing special.
Hey, late 70s/early 80s was my era, so I don't hate the 80s sound like so many of the reviewers here. Still, this probably doesn't quite manage a 3.5 for me, despite the comforting familiarity of While You See a Chance, Arc of a Diver and Night Train.
As other reviewers have commented, this is 80s AF. The synth is heavy. It's a decent album - not one that I'd turn to again, but definitely representative of its time, and very well produced.
Nice, not bad On the Peter Gabriel to Phil Collins vocal spectrum, his voice is dead center between the two. There's some very tasteful keyboard work here. But sometimes the keys made it sound like Mario Kart online lobby waiting music
Rock ochentero melódico. Parecido a Phil Collins o Electric Light Orchestra
So I have to slog through all these clunky keyboard tones without even a "VALERIIIIEEE - CALL MEEEE" as compensation? Fair play though, Winwood played every note on this album. Suits a certain mood, a fairly classy but anonymous collection overall. An absolute Rolls Royce of a voice.
Hey, it's this song! I didn't know this song was called this and was from this album. Kind of love the pitch bend keyboard buzz here. This isn't a grabber of an album for me except for a sort of nostalgic time capsule, which I do dig.
Love Steve Winwood with traffic. This album is ok. First song when you see a chance is popular.
A few of the songs were a little catchy (Slowdown-Sundown, Spanish Dancer), but most didn't stand out for me.
I think Steve has a great voice and his singles are uniformly great. But the gap between the good and the meh is pretty big.
A really talented musician. The white Stevie Wonder, if you will. But not after '77... (6/10) FT: While You See a Chance
This was nice, easy listening stuff but with a little more oomph than most easy listening. Lovely background music, there's a bit more there if you choose to listen to it, but not a huge amount. Just scrapes a 3.
A couple of pretty great songs ("While You See A Chance" and "Night Train") the rest ranges from ok to not that great.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. A great album to cycle to!
Good soft rock, early Winwood without the hits though. Why this album over others?
Only ever heard Winwood's two most notable hits - Higher Love and Valerie - prior to listening to this album. He definitely has a unique "80's sound" that resonates through all his songs, be that his voice or multi-instruments (which I was surprise to learn he played all of on this album). I never had him as multi-instrumental talented, so big new found appreciation there. I think this album kind of grew on me with a few listens through..(also found the album artwork distinctive). Flet the opening track - While You See A Chance - had a nice positive and upbeat in tone, which fed into the rest of the album. 3/5 from me, and will gladly listen to again.
Some pretty tracks on here, although we have been getting a lot of 'white guy soft folk rock' lately on the list
In the spirit of Todd Rundgren, we have another musical genius putting together solo efforts that is amazing to behold in terms of scope. The music is late-70s disco inspired, but strays far enough from those beats to keep it sonically distant from "disco," except for Second Hand Woman and Night Train. While You See a Chance is a good groove for sure. I went into this thinking I wasn't going to like it, but there's enough to like here for sure. Winwood's vocals are distinct, and as I mentioned, there's a lot to listen to here, and he did it ALL. Slowdown Sundown is a lost Bob Dylan/Rod Stewart/The Band song none of them ever wrote. The album enters its final act with the Peter Gabriel-esque Spanish Dancer. Night Train has to have appeared in some 80s cop buddy movie right? I mean it has to have? If it didn't that was a lost opportunity that must be corrected immediately! Dust is fine. Decent album.
Yeah it was alright. Something to listen to at least. Nothing particularly stood out but it was pleasant enough.
He’s a great musician and has been in a lot of groups I’ve liked over the years. There were a couple of classics and I enjoyed the whole album, 3or 4*.........?
2.5/5. Not a big fan of this. It is boring and not that enjoyable. I found the music to be subpar as well, very 80s.
If a less talented Steely Dan threw it more synths and mimicked George Michael's singing style. It's relatively inoffensive (gives off yacht rock / adult contemporary vibes), and has enough variation to keep you engaged, with some added quirks thrown in to give it a sense of identity. Some disco vibes would make a good addition to an 80s dance mix. With only 7 songs, it's a very digestible listen that I wouldn't mind listening to again, but also it's not interesting enough for me to seek out again. Favorites: Arc of a Diver, Spanish Dancer, Night Train
Was looking forward to this as I like Steve Winwood's stuff even though I don't really seek it out. I was only familiar with "While You See a Chance" which opens the album. Strong start but everything else just sort of blends together in a mediocre sameness. Nothing too bad but nothing really stood out either.
Solides poppiges, rockiges, jazziges Album. Klingt teilweise sehr nach Phil Collins.
Its funny how some albums age gracefully, and some simply don't. While you see a chance has an iconic synth intro and just screams the 80s! But it's still a fine song though as Winwood's soulful tenor voice is one of the hallmarks of this song. The best song on the album IMO however, is Night Train, with some great guitar and keyboard playing. However, as typical for the 80s when CDs were all the rage, this recording its very "tinny" and compressed so there is almost no bass. Boo. There is some nice album artwork by the prolific artist Tony Wright though.
I'm impressed that he sang, played every instrument, wrote all the songs and produced this. Will Jennings writes good lyrics and Winwood has an instantly recognizable voice, that makes me think of the eighties. The music is often referred to as blue-eyed soul, but it sounds a bit white bread to me.
I was scared of this album because it was labelled country, but I ended liking it quite a bit. It starts out pretty strong. It kinda loses me towards the end of the album. I did not like Dust very much compared to everything else, and it's a bit hard to overlook that when there are only seven songs on the album and it's almost seven minutes long. I was gonna give it a 4, but I'm going to barely give it a 3 instead. My favourite song was Second Hand Woman.
I liked the sonorities of the album... Even if it is not particular there is something to it with the synth sounds that I liked. 3/5
I liked this though I got bored at the end. I like the production of the album.
I’m a fan of Steve winwood, I listened to a lot of traffic and blind faith growing up. He has a great voice/feel and is a great player. There were some really good moments on this album. I enjoyed listening but it wasn’t super memorable for me and idk if I’d listen again
Spanish dancer is so cool when the beat drops. The intro reminds me of Vida Blue’s first album. When You See a Chance is maybe my favorite. The synths are so expressive and pair really nice with the gospelly piano and organ. On Nighttrain I realized he is great as a guitarist too. I knew him as keyboard player and singer but he is super talented as a multi instrumentalist. Synth bass sounds just like a fretless jazz bass. Actually love all the synth bass on this album. Least favorite song is definitely Second Hand Woman. The lyrics are just so terrible. I dig about 80% of this record.
The opening track is the strongest point of the album, but that isn't to say the rest of the album is bad. Just average and nothing new. Enjoyed it as an introduction to Steve Winwood. Interested to listen to his other work, but definitely not excited. 3/5
Cool one! I know the big Steve Winwood hits, we all do, but I've never heard this album (and always wanted to check it out). The synths that open this are really funny, part of me wishes it was that bonkers throughout. But ultimately it's just a good "adult contemporary" sort of rock project. He's got a cool voice and the instrumentals are really well done. I enjoyed it! Favorite tracks: While You See a Chance, Arc of a Diver, Spanish Dancer. Album art: Honestly adore this one, I've been seeing it for years and years, always intrigued. Not until today, seeing it large on the website, did I realize the diver's head was at the bottom left and not the top right. Total mindfreak moment, I thought he was flipping backwards. Love this art style though. 3.5/5
Bring me a higher love! Oops wrong album, but his voice is unmistakable so it was fun to hear an album full of new songs. A fun little 80's album but I don't think I'd come back to any of these songs.
Fun, but dated. Loved the organ opening, but wow the synth sound has not aged well. At least for this kind of music, I think I like it in other places.
Look I'm sure this guy is talented, I'm sure stuff like this was interesting in 1980. Honestly though, it's boring. It's boring and I want my time back.
80s cheese to the max. Soft-pop-rock. The only redeeming quality is it's hilarious since it's so straight. I'd love it in a cheesy 80s movie, but I'd never ever want to listen to it beyond that. I guess a time and a place. In some ways I can respect it for how uncompromising it is. This is one I turned on "Private Listening" on Spotify so it doesn't ruin my algorithm. I guess I have heard the track "Valerie" and "Higher Love" but those are on different albums.
this kinda sounds like some shit from a musical idk why this just gives me bad vibes, was okay ? 2.5
I didn't know much if anything about Steve Winwood and I decided to read about him before listening to the album. Kind of got my hopes up - child prodigy, playing in bands at 8, record deal at 14, played with Clapton, Hendrix, Muddy Waters, B.B. King... but all that lead up led to a big disappointment. The music is so soft rock, pale R&B, made for daytime radio. I kind of wanted to punch him during "Second-Hand Woman." His voice reminds me of - sorry for this Jon - Phil Collins, in a bad way. I did not like this album.
Ive never heard of this guy, i'm sure I've heard his songs somewhere before, but the album was pretty good. it started out lame, though "Second Hand Woman" was both dated AND jazzy smooth though. hands down my favorite track was "Slowdown Sundown"; did it need a synthy jazz keyboard solo? no, but i wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers. "Spanish Dancer" was a great track, a close second for best track, but god damn the last tracks were WAY too long. I'm all for a cool, funky groove, but 8 minutes to basically loop the same thing is way too fucking much! though, to be fair, i give him points for playing literally every instrument on the album, no one except for Beck, or Dave Grohl does that! One final note, the cover album looks like a guy diving head-first into a pile of shit....which, could be how some viewed this album, ya never know.
Meh. In the mid-to-late eighties, I won a copy of this on cassette, as a door prize at a bar. I gave it to my mother.
meh. This is soft rock plus cheese synth 2 tracks in. Yea this kinda sucked eggs.