Tag Archives: Best British Album

George Michael: Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1

On September 3, 1990, “Columbia” label released “Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1”, the second George Michael album. It was recorded December 1988-July 1990, and was produced by George Michael. The album won the “Best British Album” award at the 1991 “BRIT Awards”. The album was certified 2 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; 2 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”; Platinum in France by “SNEP’; Platinum in Japan by “RIAJ”; Platinum in Netherlands by “NVPI”; Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”; Platinum in Spain by “PROMUSICAE”; Platinum in Switzerland by “IFPI Switzerland”; 4 x Platinum in UK by the “BPI”, and 2 x Platinum in US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • George Michael – vocal, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion, horn arrangements
  • Phil Palmer– guitar
  • Chris Cameron – keyboards, horn arrangements, string arrangements
  • Anthony Patler – keyboards
  • Deon Estus– bass
  • Danny Cummings – drums, percussion
  • Ian Thomas – drums, percussion
  • Andy Hamilton– saxophone
  • Pete Gleadall – MIDI sequencing, programming
  • Chris Porter – mixing
  • Bradford Branson – inner photography

Track listing:

All tracks by George Michael, except where noted.

  1. Praying for Time
  2. Freedom! 90
  3. They Won’t Go When I Go – Stevie Wonder, Yvonne Wright
  4. Something to Save
  5. Cowboys and Angels
  6. Waiting for That Day – George Michael, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
  7. Mother’s Pride
  8. Heal the Pain
  9. Soul Free
  10. Waiting (Reprise)

The Verve: Urban Hymns

the_verve_urban_hymns

On September 29, 1997, “Hut” label released “Urban Hymns” the third Verve studio album. It was recorded October 1996 – May 1997, at “Olympic Studios” in London, and was produced by Richard Ashcroft, Nick Mccabe, Simon Tong , Peter Salisbury, Chris Potter and Youth. In 1998, “Urban Hymns”  won “Best British Album” at the “Brit Awards”. In 2001, “Q” magazine readers ranked the album at number 18 in the vote for the “Greatest Albums of All Time”, and in 2006, its editors voted it the 16th greatest album of all time. The Verve were awarded with the first ever “Q Classic Album” award for this album at the 2007 “Q Awards”. As of 2015, “Urban Hymns” was ranked the 18th best-selling album in UK chart history.  The critical and commercial success of the album won The Verve, two “Brit Awards” in 1998, including “Best British Group”. The album was certified 3 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; Platinum in Belgium by “BEA”; 2 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”; Platinum in France by “SNEP”; Platinum in Germany by “BVMI”; Platinum in Netherlands by “NVPI”; 5 x Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”; Platinum in Sweden by “GLF”; Platinum iin Switzerland by “IFPI Switzerland”; 10 x Platinum in UK by “BPI”; Platinum in the US by “RIIA”, and 4 x Platinum in Europe by “IFPI”.

Personnel:

  • Richard Ashcroft– vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Nick McCabe– lead guitar
  • Simon Tong– rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Simon Jones– bass
  • Peter Salisbury– drums
  • Liam Gallagher– backing vocals, claps
  • Mel Wesson –programming
  • Paul Anthony Taylor – programming
  • Will Malone– conductor, string arrangements
  • Chris Potter– recording, engineer, mixing
  • Gareth Ashton – engineer assistant
  • Lorraine Francis – engineer assistant
  • Jan Kybert – engineer assistant
  • Brian Cannon– director, design, sleeve art
  • Martin Catherall – design assistant
  • Matthew Sankey – design assistant
  • Michael Spencer Jones – photography
  • John Horsley – photography
  • Chris Floyd – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Richard Ashcroft, except where noted.

  1. Bitter Sweet Symphony – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Richard Ashcroft
  2. Sonnet
  3. The Rolling People –
  4. The Drugs Don’t Work
  5. Catching the Butterfly – Richard Ashcroft, Nick McCabe, Simon Tong, Simon Jones, Peter Salisbury
  6. Neon Wilderness Nick McCabe, Richard Ashcroft, Simon Tong, Simon Jones, Peter Salisbury
  7. Space and Time
  8. Weeping Willow
  9. Lucky Man
  10. One Day
  11. This Time
  12. Velvet Morning
  13. Come On – Richard Ashcroft, Nick McCabe, Simon Tong, Simon Jones, Peter Salisbury
  • Come On
  • [silence]
  • Deep Freeze (hidden track)

Coldplay: A Rush Of Blood To The Head

A_Rush_of_Blood_to_the_Head

On August 26, 2002, “Parlaphone” label released “A Rush of Blood to the Head”, the second Coldplay studio album. It was recorded September 2001 – May 2002, and was produced by Ken Nelson, Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman  and Will Cha,pion. In 2002, at the “Q Awards” the album was awarded “Best Album”. In 2003, the album won Coldplay “Grammy Awards” for “Best Alternative Album” and for “Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal” for the song “In My Place”, and was voted “Best British Album” at the “BRIT Awards”. In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “A Rush of Blood to the Head” at number 466 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. The album was certified 3 x Platinum in Argentina by “CAPIF”; 7 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; Platinum in Austria by “IFPI”; 4 x Platinum in Brazil by “ABPD”; Platinum in Italy by “FIMI”; Platinum in Mexico by “AMPROFON”; Platinum in Netherlands by “NVPI”; 4 x Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”; 9 x Platinum in the UK by the “BPI” and 4 x Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Chris Martin– lead vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar, string arrangements, mixing, art direction
  • Jonny Buckland– acoustic and electric guitar, string arrangements, mixing, art direction
  • Guy Berryman– bass guitar, string arrangements, mixing, art direction
  • Will Champion– drums, percussion, harmony vocals, string arrangements, art direction
  • Ann Lines – strings
  • Laura Melhewish – strings
  • Leo Payne – strings
  • Susan Dench – strings
  • Chris Tombling – strings
  • Dan Green – strings
  • Peter Lale – strings
  • Richard George – strings
  • Audrey Riley– strings, string arranger
  • Ken Nelson– engineer, mixing
  • Jon Bailey – engineer assistant
  • Jon Withnal – engineer assistant
  • Ben Thackeray – engineer assistant
  • Andrea Wright – engineer assistant
  • Rik Simpson– additional engineering
  • Danton Supple – mixing
  • Mark Phythian – mixing, additional production
  • George Marino– mastering
  • Blue Source – art direction
  • Sølve Sundsbø – cover art
  • Tom Sheehan – photography
  • Zed Nelson – photography

Track listing:

]All tracks by Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion.

  1. Politik
  2. In My Place
  3. God Put a Smile upon Your Face
  4. The Scientist
  5. Clocks
  6. Daylight
  7. Green Eyes
  8. Warning Sign
  9. A Whisper
  10. A Rush of Blood to the Head
  11. Amsterdam

 

 

Sade: Diamond Life

Sade_-_Diamond_Life

On July 16, 1984, “Epic” label released “Diamond Life”, the debut Sade studio album. It was recorded 1983–1984, at “The Power Plant” in London, and was produced by Robin Millar. “Diamond Life” won the 1985 “Brit Award” for the “Best British Album”. The album was certified 4 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; 2 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”; 2 x Platinum in France by “SNEP”; Platinum in Germany by “BVMI”; Platinum in Netherlands by “NVPI”; 4 x Platinum in UK by “BPI” and 4 x Platinum in the US by “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Sade Adu– vocals
  • Stuart Matthewman– guitar, saxophone
  • Andrew Hale – keyboards
  • Paul Denman– bass
  • Paul Anthony Cook – drums
  • Dave Early– drums, percussion
  • Martin Ditcham– percussion
  • Gordon Matthewman – trumpet
  • Terry Bailey – trumpet
  • Ben Rogan – engineer
  • Pete Brown – engineer assistant
  • Simon Driscoll – engineer assistant
  • Graham Smith – design
  • Chris Roberts – photography
  • Mike Pela– production engineer

Track listing:

  1. Smooth Operator – Sade Adu, Ray St. John
  2. Your Love Is King – Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman
  3. Hang On To Your Love – Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman
  4. Frankie’s First Affair – Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman
  5. When Am I Going to Make a Living – Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman
  6. Cherry Pie – Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman, Andrew Hale, Paul Denman
  7. Sally – Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman
  8. I Will Be Your Friend – Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman
  9. Why Can’t We Live Together – Timmy Thomas

Coldplay : Parachutes

Parachutes

On July 10, 2000, “Parlaphone” label released “Parachutes”, the debut Coldplay studio album. It was recorded November 1999 – May 2000, and was produced by Chris Allison, Ken Nelson and Chris Martin, Johnny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion. In 2001 “Parachutes” won the “Best British Album” award at the “Brit Awards” and in 2002, it won “Grammy Award” for “Best Alternative Music Album”. In 2006, “NME” magazine raked “Parachutes” at number 33 on its list of the “100 Greatest British Albums”. The album was big commercial success, selling more than 9 million copies worldwide and become the twelve bestselling album in the 21st century in Britain.

Personnel:

  • Chris Martin– lead vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards
  • Jonny Buckland– electric guitar, piano, backing vocals
  • Guy Berryman– bass, acoustic bass
  • Will Champion– drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Ken Nelson– engineer
  • Chris Allison– engineer, mixing
  • Andrea Wright – engineer assistant
  • Jon Coles – engineer assistant
  • Paul Read– engineer assistant
  • Simon Barnicott – engineer assistant
  • Mark Phythian – computer magic
  • Michael H. Brauer– mixing
  • George Marino – mastering
  • Coldplay– design, cover photography
  • Mark Tappin– design assistant
  • Tom Sheehan – photography
  • Sarah Lee – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion.

  1. Don’t Panic
  2. Shiver
  3. Spies
  4. Sparks
  5. Yellow
  6. Trouble
  7. Parachutes
  8. High Speed
  9. We Never Change
  10. Everything’s Not Lost – includes hidden song Life is for Living

Arctic Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare

Favourite_Worst_Nightmare

On April 18, 2007, “Domino” label released “Favourite Worst Nightmare”, the second Arctic Monkeys studio album. It was recorded in December 2006, at “Miloco Studios”, “Eastcote Studios”, “Kork Studios” in London, “Motor Museum” in Liverpool, and was produced by James Ford and Mike Crossey. The album was certified 2x Platinum by “BPI” in the UK. At the 2008  “BRIT Awards” “Favourite Worst Nightmare” won  the award for “Best British Album”.

Personnel:

  • Alex Turner- vocals, guitars, baritone guitar, organ
  • Jamie Cook – guitars
  • Nick O’Malley – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Matt Helders – co-lead and backing vocals, drums, percussion
  • James Ford– additional guitar
  • Miles Kane– additional guitar

Track listing:

All lyrics by Alex Turner, except where noted, all music by Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O’ Malley and Matt Heders.

  1. Brainstorm
  2. Teddy Picker
  3. D Is for Dangerous
  4. Balaclava
  5. Fluorescent Adolescent – Alex Turner, Johanna Bennet
  6. Only Ones Who Know
  7. Do Me a Favor
  8. This House is a Circus
  9. If You Were There, Beware
  10. The Bad Thing
  11. Old Yellow Bricks
  12. 505