Across all phases of his career, the work of Scott Walker can certainly be described as an acquired taste. His work from the 1990s and forward is characterized by a complete retreat from commercial viability— ghostly, echoing vocals backed by eerie and at times abrasive industrial music. The voice from his solo albums of the ‘60s is the same, yet different—majestic, tuneful and pure—and the music has all the pomp and melodrama of Jacques Brel (whom Walker covered frequently). And perhaps my favorite side of Scott Walker appears on 1978’s Night Flights, where traces of his future industrial sound appear beneath a disco beat.
Walker is certainly an eccentric—it’s hard to believe he ever had his own television show in the UK. And I can’t say I love all his stuff: his ‘90s work I appreciate more than I love; his ‘60s work is a real thrill when it’s upbeat and theatrical, but when it slows down can really drag for me.
Indeed, it was a bit of a slog to get through his four critically acclaimed ‘60s albums, to be honest; overblown melodrama needs to be experienced in small doses (especially those slower numbers). And his vocal style just inherently isn’t my cup of tea. I can’t stomach too much this kind of schmaltzy crooning—never mind that the lyrics might be articulate, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant.
So please be thankful I’ve selected these highlights for you. I’m happy to have done it, in the end, because I love listening to this playlist. It’s all the ‘60s Scott Walker I’ll ever need.
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