Additional information
Personnel: Rufus Wainwright (acoustic guitar); Gerry Leonard , Charlie Sexton (electric guitar); Simon Clarke (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Tim Sanders (tenor saxophone); Roddy Lorimer, Paul Spong (trumpet); David Stewart , Annie Whitehead (trombone); Adrian Hallowell (bass trombone); The Kick Horns (brass); Matt Johnson (drums); Alexis Smith, Marius de Vries (programming); Melanie Pain (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Craig Schumacher; Guy Sternberg; Dave Paterson; Isobel Campbell; Andy Bradfield; Tchad Blake; Bob Clearmountain; Olivier Libaux. Recording information: Brixton And Amberville; Cullybackey; Le Grand Studio, Detroit, MI; Lowswing Studios, Berlin, Germany; Mad Dog Studios; Star Track Studio; The Dairy, London, England; Wapping; Wheeler End, Bucks, England. Arrangers: Paul Wilkinson; Olivier Libaux. With two discs of 19 tracks each, the V2-issued Acoustic 2007 gives a pretty decent collection of contemporary, softer alternative rock, indie rock, and folk songs. Not all the pieces on the album are actually acoustic -- Grandaddy, Bat for Lashes, Peter Bjorn and John, the Dears, South, and Camera Obscura all use some electronic instrumentation here -- but they all fit into the overall idea of the compilation: gentle, thoughtful songs that concentrate on lyrics and sweet melodies, even if the subject matter itself is sad (which it often is). While there are a lot of great bands and artists on Acoustic 2007, tracks by José Gonzalez, Aimee Mann, Brendan Benson, Christian Kjellvander, and Willy Mason stand out especially, and make the collection (particularly its first disc) a worthwhile listen. ~ Marisa Brown