REVIEWING THE SITUATION - Sandie Shaw
G. J. Riddell | Edinburgh, Scotland, UK | 12/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Set aside for a moment Sandie Shaw's successful and well-deserved early pop-based career and also the fact that she was already one of the most celebrated style icons of the time: `Reviewing The Situation' represents not only a marked departure from Miss Shaw's previous offerings, but also the pinnacle of her post-Eurovision development and is undoubtedly an eminently stylish presentation by an accomplished, consummate and visionary artist. Produced by Sandie herself in 1969, `Reviewing The Situation' follows on from `Love Me, Please Love Me' (1967) and `The Sandie Shaw Supplement' (1968) - (both of which remain outstanding albums and similarly worthy of checking out) and continues to chart her well-founded vocal confidence in tackling more artistically challenging material whilst confirming her credentials as a `serious' musician. On-taking a number of bravely chosen covers (given each composition's respective complexity) contemporary to the time, each track receives Sandie's unique vocal and arranging treatment and whilst certainly evoking memories of the late 1960's, `Reviewing The Situation' stands up easily to scrutiny by the modern discerning listener and benefits greatly from digital re-mastering. By re-issuing this album, EMI have afforded us an undisputed gem and a truly seminal work from that decade."
A brand new never-heard-before Sandie heralding the 80s
Reader from Singapore | 07/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When Sandie Shaw released this, her fifth original album at the end of 1969, nobody quite knew what to make of it and so was probably for this reason ignored as a career aberration, coming so close after "Monsieur Dupont", her last big hit in the traditional yukky tucky ooopa mode. Sandie in an interview with Goldmine magazine some years ago even denied remembering how she came to record the album. Luckily, her memory has since returned and it turns out that she simply wanted to explore a little bit of the type of music she enjoyed and was more drawn to record in the past but wasn't given the chance to. The result in hindsight is startlingly fresh and impressive, paving the way for her successful comeback in collaboration with the Smiths in the 80s.
"Reviewing The Situation" is experimental and eclectic in the range of material presented, from Lionel Bart to Rufus Thomas to Bob Dylan, Donovan and would you believe it, Led Zeppelin ? Sandie was obviously also partial to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Bee Gees. Remember, by then she had already recorded "Satisfaction" and "Words" for her 1968 album "The Sandie Shaw Supplement".
The album opens with a feisty and energetic performance of "Reviewing The Situation" from the stage musical "Oliver" that suggests maybe Sandie had more range than she was generally given credit for. For at least three other numbers, notably Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay", Donovan's "Oh Gosh" and the Lovin' Spoonful's "Coconut Grove", she lays on her newly acquired light and breathy voice that somehow works and lends a certain poignance and charm to the songs, as does the Bee Gees' "Sun In My Eyes" which displays that attractive low part in her vocal range I love. The Latin-styled "Mama Roux" is an odd thing, not bad but a curiosity, while her slyly soulful and jazzy version of Rufus Thomas' "Walking The Dog" takes time to grow on you.
Good as these performances are, there is little that prepares us for the two songs that elevate "Reviewing The Situation" above the bravely experimental. "Love Me Do" is simply wonderful, a delicious slice of pop that's just right for Sandie. There's clearly more to what suits her than just Chris Andrews songs. Listen to that lilt in her voice at the end of each note. Simply gorgeous. But try suggesting Sandie doing a Led Zeppelin cover in 1969 and you'd be laughed out of court. Outrageous ? Well, that's what she did and the result is stunning. "Your Time Is Gonna Come" is the album's opus on which Sandie puts out an incredibly felt performance. But while she managed to skillfully transcend the heaviness of Led Zeppelin, she was clearly out of her depth on the Stones' "Sympathy For The Devil". Her voice is often reduced to a screech or a yelp on this one misstep in the project.
This EMI reissue comes with two bonus tracks recorded around the time of the original album. "Frank Mills", a song from the musical "Hair" is a lightweight but pleasant number with lyrics that's typical of the late 60s hippy era. "Junk", sung acapella, closes the set on a "lavatorial" note. Listen to it and you'll see what I mean.
"Reviewing The Situation" is the best of Sandie's 60s original albums. It's amazing it ever got made. A must-buy for fans and a revelation for those who think Sandie is all about 60s bubblegum pop"
