Friendly Fire (Shara Nelson album)

Friendly Fire
Studio album by
Shara Nelson
Released25 September 1995
Genre
Length49:08
LabelCooltempo
ProducerMichael Peden
Shara Nelson chronology
What Silence Knows
(1993) 		Friendly Fire
(1995)
Singles from Friendly Fire
  1. "Rough with the Smooth"
    Released: 1995
  2. "I Fell (So You Could Catch Me)"
    Released: 1996

Friendly Fire is the second album by the British singer/songwriter Shara Nelson.[1][2] It was released in 1995 on Cooltempo Records.[3]

The album contains Nelson's UK Top 30 hit, "Rough with the Smooth".[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
Muzik[6]
NME7/10[7]

The Irish Times wrote that "Shara Nelson's voice in itself would seduce any listener but when accompanied by superior song writing and pristine production, the results are even more tantalising."[8] The Independent noted that "anyone admiring of Portishead's sparse tripped-out soundscapes, but left thirsty by their lack of genuine soul or authenticity, will be quenched by these sumptuous songs, which make as much sense at three in the afternoon as three in the morning."[9]

Track listing

Lyrics by Shara Nelson

  1. "Rough with the Smooth" (Nelson, Ashley Beedle, Marc Woodford)
  2. "Moving On" (Nelson, Doug Wimbish, Skip McDonald)
  3. "Poetry" (Nelson, Lucas Secon)
  4. "I Fell (So You Could Catch Me)" (Nelson, David Arnold)
  5. "Footprint" (Nelson, Dave Henley, Justin Langlands)
  6. "Between the Lines" (Nelson, David Arnold)
  7. "After You" (Nelson, Jah Wobble)
  8. "Exit One" (Nelson, Lucas Secon)
  9. "Friendly Fire" (Nelson, Doug Wimbish, Skip McDonald)
  10. "Keeping Out the Cold/Segabeat" (Nelson, Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs/Nelson)

Personnel

  • Shara Nelson – lead vocals
  • The London Session Orchestra – strings
  • Gavyn Wright – orchestra leader
  • Martin Virgo – programming
  • Nick Ingman – string arrangements
  • Wil Malone – string arrangement on "Footprint"
  • Jah Wobble – bass on "After You"
  • DJ Crystl – scratches on "Friendly Fire"
  • Steven Dante – backing vocals on "Rough with the Smooth"
  • Lain Gray, Tee Green – backing vocals on "Moving On" and "Poetry"

Charts

Chart (1995) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[10] 222
UK Albums Chart[4] 44

References

  1. ^ Donnell, Alison (11 September 2002). "Companion to Contemporary Black British Culture". Routledge – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Nelson riddled — Friendly Fire by Shara Nelson". Melody Maker. 72 (41): 40. 14 October 1995.
  3. ^ Pride, Dominic (23 September 1995). "Chrysalis act Shara Nelson captures spirit of U.K. R&B". Billboard. 107 (38): 13.
  4. ^ a b "Official Charts > Shara Nelson". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  5. ^ "Friendly Fire – Shara Nelson | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  6. ^ Barnes, Jake (October 1995). "Shara Nelson: Friendly Fire" (PDF). Muzik. No. 5. p. 7 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2022.
  7. ^ Kessler, Ted (7 October 1995). "Long Play". NME. p. 48. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  8. ^ Carroll, Jim (6 October 1995). "Dance". SOUND & VISION. The Irish Times. p. 12.
  9. ^ Gilbey, Ryan (22 September 1995). "Shara Nelson Friendly Fire". Pop Album Reviews. The Independent. p. 12.
  10. ^ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 19 July 2017". Imgur.com. Retrieved 19 July 2017.