The Art of Parties
"The Art of Parties" | ||||
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Single by Japan | ||||
from the album Tin Drum | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 1 May 1981 | |||
Recorded | March 1981 | |||
Studio | Basing Street Studios. London | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | Virgin | |||
Songwriter(s) | David Sylvian | |||
Producer(s) |
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Japan singles chronology | ||||
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The Art of Parties is a song by the British band Japan.
It was released as a single in May 1981 and reached number 48 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] A re-worked version was subsequently included as the opening track on the band's album Tin Drum released later in 1981, keeping parts of the original Punter-produced version including guitars.[2] A live version of the song is included on Japan's 1983 album Oil on Canvas and on the DVD release The Very Best of Japan.
Critical reception
[edit]Upon its release, Smash Hits' Mark Ellen described the single as "a safety shot"; "This keeps a finger in every pie known to modern music. A 12" with titles filched from the Talking Heads camp, the topside's technical funk with Sylvian's voice a rare bond of operatic Bowie and Ferry at his most plaintive. The reverse is a few of their favourite synths. Good."[3]
Personnel
[edit]On "The Art of Parties":
- David Sylvian — lead vocals, guitars, treated piano, brass arrangements
- Richard Barbieri — synthesizers
- Mick Karn — fretless bass, brass arrangements
- Steve Jansen — drums, percussion
- backing vocals – Jay Yates, Pearly Gates, Ruby James
- horns — Cliff Hardy, Martin Drover, Mel Collins
On "Life Without Buildings":
- David Sylvian — lead vocals, synthetic brass
- Richard Barbieri — synthesizers, tapes
- Mick Karn — fretless bass, finger cymbals
- Steve Jansen — drums, acoustic and synthetic percussion[4]
Technical
- John Punter — production, mixing
- Andy Lyden — engineer
Track listings
[edit]7": Virgin / VS 409 (UK)[5]
- "The Art of Parties" – 3.55
- "Life Without Buildings" – 6:40
12": Virgin / VS 409-12 (UK)
- "The Art of Parties" – 6.41
- "Life Without Buildings" – 6.40
7": Virgin / VS 409 / VIPX-1580 (Australia and Japan)
- "The Art of Parties" – 3.55
- "My New Career" – 3.52
12": Virgin / VS 409-12 (Australia)
- "The Art of Parties" – 6:41
- "My New Career" – 3:52
EP: Virgin / VEP 305 (Canada)[6]
- "The Art of Parties" – 6:41
- "The Width of a Room" – 3:14
- "Life Without Buildings" – 6:40
- "The Experience of Swimming" – 4:06
7" Promo: Virgin / 0267 (Spain, 1982)
- "The Art of Parties" (album version) – 4:11
- "Visions of China" – 3:55
References
[edit]- ^ The Art of Parties Official Charts
- ^ anthonyreynoldswork (2018-09-05). "Excerpt from Japan : A Foreign Place. Chapter 8 : "The Tin Drum."". anthonyreynoldswork. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- ^ Ellen, Mark. "Singles". Smash Hits volume 63 30 April 1981. p. 28.
- ^ "Japan - The Art Of Parties". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
- ^ "Japan Nightporter - History of Japan by Paul Rymer". www.nightporter.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
- ^ "Japan - The Art Of Parties". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-10-21.