Scott Walker - It's Raining Today (Phillips, 1969)

Peerless, lugubrious elegance. And what a cover photo too.

Ah, Scott1, Scott 2, Scott3 and Scott4. Is there a better run of albums by an artist? Answers on a postcard...

Pick almost any song - the Scott Walker originals or the Jacques Brel covers - all are beautifully constructed, orchestrated and sung. The themes are intriguing, challenging, surprising.

'It's Raining Today' shimmers into being on cloud of gossamer strings, a warm, rich guitar strums out a gentle progression. And then, then.. the voice. A steady, sonorous voice that rises up from a sixties bed-sitting room and reminisces on love and loss.

Spectacular.

Download Scott Walker - It's Raining Today (Scott Walker mp3) (Box.net)