FEATURE:
Second Spin
Cyndi Lauper - Sisters of Avalon
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SOMETIMES, you get these albums from, major artists…
that are not given the credit and exposure they deserve when they are released. That is the case with Cyndi Lauper’s Sisters of Avalon. Released worldwide on 1st April, 1997, the album tackles issues of complacency and ignorance in popular culture, and the discrimination of minorities, gays, and women. There are big and serious themes covered on Sisters of Avalon. Say a Prayer, for instance, concerns the AIDS epidemic. Not as lauded and popular as earlier albums like 1986’s True Colors, Sisters of Avalon is a great album that deserves another spin. Maybe the album seemed a bit too heavy for some people. There are so many highlights on Sisters of Avalon. From the title track to You Don’t Know, Sisters of Avalon is an album that you need to hear. There are very few reviews available to read. Among the ones that are there, there are those that are mixed and not convinced by the album. I will bring in a couple of reviews that are more positive. Before that, there is an archived interview - where Lauper discussed the recording of Sisters of Avalon:
“At the height of her career in the mid-'80s, Lauper sang upbeat pop tunes about love, relationships, and having fun. She still deals with the same themes today, but has evolved into a more mature artist by experimenting with hip-hop, electro-reggae, and jazz.
On "Sisters of Avalon," she weaves together six-strings and violin; drum loops and accordion; and synthesizers and mandolin. The album was written and recorded in Tennessee and Connecticut and finished in an old mansion in Tuxedo Park, N.Y., where she lived and worked at that time.
Lauper says she loves to write and record music at her home. "It's your own thing. It's calm. You get up at 4 a.m. and record this guitar part," she says.
To improve from her last album, "Hat Full of Stars," Lauper says she "needed it to be more cohesive." She accomplished this by writing with one person, not the usual crew of 10.
And Lauper says she worked well with her writing partner, Jan Pulsford, who is one of her band members.
"It has a wild energy to it that takes you on a journey," she says. Persuaded by her producer, Mark Saunders, Lauper recorded her music on the computer instead of tapes.
"It's kind of weird when you're working with a bunch of cyberfreaks. There wasn't a lot of get-together, sit-down, and talk," she says. In fact, there was so much equipment that there was no space for a living room in the house, she says”.
If you are someone who is a bit unsure of Cyndi Lauper’s cannon and where to start, I would say that an album such as Sisters of Avalon is as good a place as any. It is not a depressing or too heavy listen by any means. Showcasing Lauper’s remarkably strong and versatile voice, there is much to love about Sisters of Avalon. I think one of the issues was the lack of promotion for the album. It did not perform well in most markets. In the United States, the album debuted at 188 on the chart. In the U.K., Sisters of Avalon was released in February 1997. It got to fifty-nine and did not make much of an impression.
It is a shame that Sisters of Avalon was not given much of a chance. I feel it is a very fine album that should be played by more people. There are a couple of short reviews that I want to drop in regarding Sisters of Avalon. This is what Entertainment Weekly wrote in their assessment:
“Judging from the soaring self-assurance of ”Sisters of Avalon” to the love-wounded quiver on ”Unhook the Stars” (the title track of the recent Nick Cassavetes film), Lauper remains an intoxicating pop siren. Her sixth album — and first release of all-new material in four years — is a wonderfully eclectic affair that has the gorgeous sound of sweet comeback in every cut”.
Even if you are not a massive Cyndi Lauper fan, I reckon you will discover gems and songs you’ll love on Sisters of Avalon. I will end by sourcing this interesting review. Despite some more muted review, there are those who have kind things to say:
“Cyndi Lauper's newest album, "Sisters of Avalon," has to be the greatest album I've ever heard. From the dance hit "You Don't Know" to the groovy title cut, this album has it all. The songs range from tender ballads such as "Fall Into Your Dreams" and "Fearless" to harder pieces like "Love to Hate." "Sisters of Avalon" also contains a host of funky dance grooves such as "Ballad of Cleo and Joe," "You Don't Know" and the pulsating title cut.
Cyndi's dizzy voice is sounding better than ever these days, reaching lower notes and higher, tear-jerking pitches on "Say a Prayer." She is accompanied by Bush's Nigel Pulsford on lead guitar on "Love to Hate" and "You Don't Know." The lyrics are lush and the accompaniments are thick with electric guitars and synths along with acoustic strings
"Sisters of Avalon" is Cyndi's best work since "Girls Just Want To Have Fun." I haven't been able to stop listening to it. I highly recommend it to any music lover - I promise you'll love it”.
Go and spend some time with Cyndi Lauper’s fifth studio album. Nearly twenty-five years old, it is an underrated and tremendous album that has not dated or lost any of its impact. For those who have ignored or underestimated Sisters of Avalon, I would urge them to give it…
ANOTHER look.