A Little Madness to Be Free
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RCA (Australian 1984)
Mushroom Records (Australian 1989 Reissue)
| A Little Madness to Be Free | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 1984 | |||
| Recorded | A Studio Sydney, Australia. Additional recording at Richmond Recorders Melbourne, Australia. Mixed at Alberts Studio Sydney, Australia[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | Lost (France) RCA (Australian 1984) Mushroom Records (Australian 1989 Reissue) | |||
| Producer | Lurax Debris (Chris Bailey) | |||
| The Saints chronology | ||||
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| Singles from A Little Madness to Be Free | ||||
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A Little Madness to Be Free is the sixth album by Australian band the Saints. This time around, frontman Chris Bailey persuaded original members, Kim Bradshaw (bass) and Ivor Hay (drums), to rejoin the band. On the album tour, the bass player was Tracy Pew, formerly of the Birthday Party. The title of the album is a reference to the quote "A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free," by Kazantzakis.[2] The album saw the Bailey moving further towards more ambitious arrangements including horns and strings. Bailey stated in a retrospective interview about this approach that he wanted to "make strings as powerful as Les Pauls and Marshalls".[3]
Retrospectively, All Music gave the album a positive review writing "By this point in his career, Bailey had come into his own as an arranger and it really shows. Certainly one of their most obscure discs, but ultimately as rewarding as their classics I'm Stranded, Eternally Yours and All Fools Day.".[4] The Guardian cited "Ghost Ships" in their The Saints: Their Five Greatest Moments retrospective.[5]
In the Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop, Ian McFarlane said the album was "more rock-orientated, with extensive use of acoustic guitar, brass and strings set among tightly-focussed arrangements. With Bailey's booming, bluesy voice in fine form, it may well constitute his most fully realised project."[6]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   link |
Track listing
All tracks composed by Chris Bailey
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ghost Ships" | 3:41 |
| 2. | "Some One to Tell Me" | 2:48 |
| 3. | "Down the Drain" | 2:28 |
| 4. | "It's Only Time" | 3:26 |
| 5. | "Imagination" | 3:00 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Wrapped Up and Blue" | 3:35 |
| 2. | "Walk Away" | 3:00 |
| 3. | "Photograph" | 3:56 |
| 4. | "The Hour" | 5:43 |
| 5. | "Angel" | 3:34 |
The New Rose version
The French label New Rose released an alternate track listing included an extra track "Heavy Metal" and an omitting "Wrapped Up and Blue".
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Down the Drain" | 2:28 |
| 2. | "Walk Away" | 3:00 |
| 3. | "Photograph" | 3:56 |
| 4. | "The Hour" | 5:43 |
| 5. | "Angel" | 3:34 |
| 6. | "Imagination" | 3:00 |
| 7. | "It's Only Time" | 3:26 |
| 8. | "Some One to Tell Me" | 2:48 |
| 9. | "Heavy Metal" | 2:57 |
| 10. | "Ghost Ships" | 3:41 |
