I Didn't Get Where I Am [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
First solo album for one of Britain's greatest songwriters, best known for co-writing all the Squeeze hits. Produced by Francis Dunnery. 2002.

I Didn't Get Where I Am
Average customer rating:

A total and unexpected standout

Heartbreakingly beautiful, sensuous, soulful, melodic...

If my dreams were set to music

Difford is still very Cool For Cats

Difford puts the Squeeze on his old sound

I Didn't Get Where I Am
Chris Difford
Manufacturer: Drt
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0001A79SA
Release Date: 2004-02-17

Tracks:

Tight Rope
For A Change
Cowboys Ar My Weakness
No Show Jones
A World That Passed Me By
One Day
Playing With Electric Trains
Lamas Fayre
Trafalgar Square
Parents
Black Coffee
Lamas Fayre (Alternate Version)

Customer Reviews:

A total and unexpected standout.......2006-06-30

An avid Squeeze fan for 20+ years, I found the Difford/Tilbrook split a disappointment, albeit an understandable one. But I would have never guessed that Chris working *without* Glenn would result in such a monumentally fine, substantial and moving work. Personally, I dig the heavy use of piano and keyboards alongside the exceptional guitar work and airy acoustic mixdowns. More than that, the exacting vocal arrangements here actually outdo anything from the Squeeze playbook. But above all, Chris knows how to pen lyrics to music. A stirring surprise overall, and I hope to see more from Chris Difford.

Heartbreakingly beautiful, sensuous, soulful, melodic..........2006-03-25

A brilliant effort from this poetic man who is an expert at creating mood and atmosphere through the medium of sound.

If my dreams were set to music.......2004-08-24

An enchanting voice shares charming tales set to music. Ethereal and soothing, this is absolutely wonderful.

Difford is still very Cool For Cats.......2004-08-12

I've been fan of Squeeze's music ever since I saw them perform on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980's. Critics love them but the record companies and radio stations have largely ignored their work since reforming in the mid-80's (which I feel is really their most consistently best material). I didn't even know Chris had a solo CD out, and then found some mixed reviews on the net. The CD was hard to find locally, but I found one in Toronto. I've listened to the CD several times and fragments from each song stick with me throughout the day. Some songs had to grow on me but by 3 listenings the CD sounds very coherent and I like the tracking order of songs. The music is slower and more moody or atmospheric than on any Squeeze album, but his vocals are the best I've ever heard. Every song is good - my favourites are "Tight Rope", "For a Change", "No Show Jones" and "Playing With Electric Trains" - and could easily have appeared on a Squeeze CD but the lack of Squeeze is actually refreshing because I think this setting actually lets the songs breathe more. Most of the things we like from Squeeze are still here - the songs are very melodic, plenty of chord changes, great backing harmonies and lead guitar parts, clever lyrics and the production is of very good quality with a clean, clear, full sound spectrum. It's very folky, with hints of pop, country, reflections on life since Squeeze, home recordings, etc. so I think there's much here for Squeeze fans to enjoy. I don't think he could do a solo tour with this material alone, since so much of it is mellow and mature. This CD is not for everyone, but it does not sound like Chris was concerned with commercial issues at all - he simply made a CD he could be proud of, and it sounds like there was fun and love put in every track. I love Glenn's solo work as well but I don't think comparisons can be made between them - one isn't better than the other, they're very different approaches. Personally, it's great to see Chris shine so well for an entire CD.

Difford puts the Squeeze on his old sound.......2004-07-23

Chris Difford's solo album sound absolutely nothing like Squeeze. For that I'm eternally grateful. Don't get me wrong, I love Squeeze but Difford's approach here sparks with vitality and has a hint of freshness I wouldn't have expected. Working with Francis Dunnery as his co-writer has freed up Difford to develop both as a vocalist and songwriter. He's never sounded so uninhibited as a singer.

From the unusual gay anthem "Cowboys Are My Weakness" to the remake of "Electric Trains" with a more C&W feel to it, Difford inhabits all of his characters and brings them to life. One of his gifts as a songwriter is to put you in the shoes of the character he's created. Sure, he and Tilbrook were nearly perfect together as a songwriting team still it's nice to see both of them stretch out a bit and try their hand at something a bit different.

Average customer rating:

No longer putting words in other people's mouths
Bravo
Brilliant! Top Notch!
i didn't know it was possible to wear out a compact disc
Difford squeezes out a fine solo debut

I Didn't Get Where I Am
Chris Difford
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00007DNDL
Release Date: 2003-02-18

Tracks:

Tight Rope
For a Change
Cowboys Are My Weakness
No Show Jones
World That Passed Me By
One Day
Playing with Electric Trains
Lamas Fayre
Trafalgar Square
Parents

Album Description

First solo album for one of Britain's greatest songwriters, best known for co-writing all the Squeeze hits. Produced by Francis Dunnery. 2002.

Album Details

The Solo Album Debut from the Lower Voiced Former Guitarist of Squeeze and Lyrical Half of the Legendary Difford-tilbrook Songwriting Team. After Many Projects for Others, Difford Furthers on his Own Solo Recording Career, Following in the Path of his Former Partner and Delighting Longtime Squeeze Fans Along the Way. He Has also Written for Former Wet Wet Wet Singer Marti Pellow and with Former it Bites and Robert Plant Guitarist/Songwriter Francis Dunnery, who Plays and Produced These Sessions. Other Players Include Former Squeeze Drummer Ash Soan, Former Procol Harum Bassist Matt Pegg and Synthesist Dave Mccracken. Difford is Joined on Vocals by the Wonderful Dorie Jackson who Records for the Difford/Dunnery Label Aquarian Nation.

Customer Reviews:

No longer putting words in other people's mouths.......2003-08-23

The man who used to put words into Glenn Tilbrook's mouth decides to sing them himself. To be fair, Chris Difford sang a number of Squeeze's songs but his dry, baritone appears in the minority on all the band's albums. It's nice to finally see Chris Difford blossom into a singer. Yes, his voice lacks the warm tone of Tilbrook's and, yes it's a limited instrument. Like Elvis Costello it's what Difford does with his limitations that makes his performance so wonderful.

While I Didn't Get Where I Am isn't up to the caliber of the best Squeeze albums, it has a number of terrific numbers that do belong in the same company. The relaxed groove of the album (none of these are rockers)is pleasant listening. Difford collaborates chiefly with Francis Dunnery on the bulk of the songs. The oddity is Cowboys Are My Weakness. It has a profitable future in gay movies and television programs. It's bouncy, catchy melody lulls you into singing along. At least unless you're male and out in a group of other males.

The arrangements are fairly rich recalling such classics as Black Coffee in Bed and When The Hangover Strikes. In the competition between Difford and Tilbrook solo albums, I'd give Difford a slight edge for his intelligent lyrics.

Bravo.......2003-08-17

Many people dont know Chris was and important part of the duo "squeeze". After listening to his CD that is superior to that of his collaborator, I am surprized that he didnt sing lead more often. It is am import, but I got it used, which helps on the price. A very mild mannered, smooth collection of tunes.

Brilliant! Top Notch!.......2003-07-30

even if you're not a squeeze fan (*gasp!*), chances are you'll love chris difford's solo offerings. his voice is rich, silky honey, his lyrics enchanting, haunting, and endearing, his melodies brilliant. he reveals a tender vulnerability, as well as a keen sense of self, with every note. "parents" moves me to weep every time i listen, which has been every day since receiving the cd as a christmas gift; "lamas fayre" takes me back to my own childhood, and glistens like a tear at the edge of my memory; "no show jones" is a sing-along favorite, catchy, witty, & honest.

i've been a fan of chris difford since first hearing squeeze, but after this, i think i'm in love with this dear and lovely man! i can't seem to get enough of "i didn't get where i am," and look forward to future solo efforts by this talented songsmith.

i didn't know it was possible to wear out a compact disc.......2003-04-18

i've loved squeeze from the moment i heard them---their skillfully crafted material, their endearing image, glenn tilbrook's angelic voice.... so when i heard that chris difford (glenn's songwriting partner and squeeze co-founder) was putting out a solo album, i wondered, "can he pull it off?"

to put it simply, he most definitely can. chris is a world unto himself, with his own stylistics, his own moods, and his own wonderfully plaintive, on-target vocals. the melodies are brilliant, the harmonic structures rich and beautiful. (after listening to the disc you will fully understand why squeeze was so good---you had not one but two amazing talents merging their abilities to create, as the saying goes, a sum that was much greater than its parts.) songs like 'tight rope' and 'parents' are bonafide masterpieces, light years above most of the junk that currently pollutes the airwaves. 'cowboys are my weakness' will, like the best lennon-mccartney tunes, echo in your mind for days. and 'no show jones' is a spine-tingler; almost an instant classic. best of all, there are no 'fillers'---every song has its own, unique personality; its own beginning and its own end. how many artists are making albums like >> that < < any more?

are you dying for some decent new music? have you become jaded, cynical, and bitter? afraid that all the best songs have been written, all the best artists have either retired or died?

think again.

Difford squeezes out a fine solo debut.......2003-03-11

I always enjoyed the few Squeeze songs that Chris Difford sang. Although they were few and far between, and I love Glenn Tilbrooks voice, the sound of Chris Difford's voice always had a strange and magical feel. When I first listned to this CD, I wasn't so sure about it. After repeated listenings, though, I found myself singing along with my favorite tunes, like I would on any classic Squeeze album. Highpoints (for me, anyway) include "Tightrope", "Trafalgar Square", and the haunting "Parents"...a beautiful ode to Chris's parents, complete with answering machine messages from the two of them. All in all, a fine first solo effort, and one well worth owning.