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Angel (Kirsty MacColl song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Angel'" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, released in 1993 as the lead single from her fourth studio album 'Titanic Days'. It was written by MacColl and produced by Steve Lillywhite. For its release as a single, "Angel" was remixed with additional production by Gregg Jackman. In early 1994, the song reached No. 26 on the US 'Billboard' Modern Rock Tracks and remained on the chart for three weeks.
Background
Speaking to Melinda Newman of 'Billboard', MacColl said of the song: "It's a euphoric song. It's kind of a feeling of being protected. It makes me feel better when I hear that one." The artwork on the single's sleeve is from the 1989 painting "Guardian Angel" by Holly Johnson.
Critical reception
On its release, 'Music & Media' commented, "The holiday season will last a little longer with this folk song in a Christmas atmosphere. Traditional instruments and the modern rhythm track are living in perfect harmony." Andrew Hirst of the 'Huddersfield Daily Examiner' picked "Angel" as the newspaper's "single of the week" and praised it as a "Kirsty is one of Britain's top songstresses with the voice to match. Starts with mournful bagpipes and then gets better and better. Sincere, sensitive, honest in short, first-rate."
In a review of 'Titanic Days', Peter Holmes of 'The Sydney Morning Herald' wrote: "By track 3 MacColl has hit her stride. "Angel", with its gentle hip hop rhythm and floating vocal, sounds as if it were written for her by Single Gun Theory, no small compliment." Dave Hall of the 'Tampa Bay Times' noted: "The songs themselves are exceptional. "Angel" soars amid a hypnotic dance tempo".
Ira Robbins of 'Trouser Press' commented: "The evanescent "Angel" has a bustling club beat and pizzicato violin plucks." Gary Graff, in his book 'MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide' noted the song's "mutant dub/hip-hop beat supporting MacColl's ethereal vocals". 'Billboard' picked the song as one of the album's "high points". In 2005, Stephen M. Deusner of 'Pitchfork' wrote: "Songs like "Soho Square" and "Angel" are shot through with a anticipation for something enormous and life-changing, whether good or bad."
Track listing
;7" single
#"Angel" - 3:40
#"Angel" (Jay's Edit) - 3:52
;12" single
#"Angel" - 3:40
#"Angel" (Apollo 440 Remix) - 8:08
#"Angel" (Jay's Edit) - 3:52
#"Angel" (Stuart Crichton Remix) - 5:33
;CD single
#"Angel" - 3:40
#"Angel" (Jay's Edit) - 3:52
#"Angel" (Apollo 440 Remix) - 8:08
#"Angel" (Stuart Crichton Remix) - 6:24
#"Angel" (Into The Light Mix) - 5:33
Personnel
* Kirsty MacColl - vocals, guitar
* Mark E. Nevin - guitar
* Pete Glenister - guitar
* Gary Tibbs - bass
* David Ruffy - drums
* Ken Rice - violin
'Production'
* Steve Lillywhite - producer
* Gregg Jackman - additional production and remixing on single version of "Angel"
* Apollo 440, Stuart Crichton - remixes
'Other'
* Holly Johnson - cover painting
Charts
References
Category:1993 songs
Category:1993 singles
Category:Kirsty MacColl songs
Category:Songs written by Kirsty MacColl
Category:Song recordings produced by Steve Lillywhite
Category:ZTT Records singles
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