Critical reception
Upon its release, David Quantick of NME described Tikaram as the "glum-toned purveyor of hellacious folk-based mud bath depresso pop". He commented that the album is "free of the sub-Van Morrison wank that has marred her recent work" and noted that "harmonies abound and arrangements are spartan but full". He praised Tikaram as a "neat producer" who "can make a three-piece band sound chunky" and "knows a lot more about pop than one might expect". He admitted the album is "weird folk pop whose appeal I don't understand" but concluded, "You could be fond of this record if you were a fan of the acoustic meander, the obscure but personal lyric and the Tikaram voice." [5] Jim Lawn of the Lennox Herald described the album as "probably her most consistent both musically and lyrically". [7] The Calgary Herald commented, "Tikaram's lyrics can be muddled or melodies occasionally tedious, but there's a poignancy to her music that draws you in. Eleven Kinds of Loneliness is delivered like a diary in which she deals with the pain that comes with life and love." [8]
In the US, Dan Bennett of the North County Times noted the album's "distinct and flavorable style", with Tikaram "exhibit[ing] a knack for gutsy themes amid roving musical impressions". [9] Len Righi of The Morning Call described it as "uneven" but Tikaram's "most stylistically diverse record to date". [10] The Santa Fe Reporter felt the album "wears thin during the second half", but added "there is ample evidence of Tikaram's natural affinity for effective arrangement and her vocals have become rough-hewn dynamic expressions that vary to suit the needs of the individual pieces". [11]
Don Weller of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin considered it Tikaram's "least accessible work", "The problems are rooted in lean, flat arrangements which heighten rather than color her dark, often brooding voice, and which do nothing to put sparkle in her melodies." [12] The Clarion-Ledger stated, "A puzzling disappointment. Tikaram's folkie singing is perfectly competent. Her wooden, half-hearted material, however, is unworthy of her talent." [13]
Tanita Tikaram is a British pop/folk singer-songwriter. She achieved chart success with the singles "Twist in My Sobriety" and "Good Tradition" from her 1988 debut album, Ancient Heart.
Helen O'Hara is a British musician. She was a member and violinist of Dexys Midnight Runners from 1982 to 1987, including performing on songs such as "Come on Eileen", and in 2021 rejoined the band.
"Cathedral Song" is a song by English singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, released as a single from her debut album, Ancient Heart (1988). It peaked at #48 in the UK. An extended length music video was made from the song, portraying a love story between two swimmers in a Summer setting. The video was shot in black and white, and Tikaram appears only in studio footage, not on the external footage. Most of the music video was filmed in Portugal, in Praia Grande, Praia do Guincho, Estoril and Cristo Rei sanctuary.
Ancient Heart is the debut studio album by British pop/folk singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, initially released by Warner Music Group on 13 September 1988. The album had huge success and was a hit globally, launching 19-year-old Tikaram's mainstream career. Guest musicians include Rod Argent, Mark Isham, Peter Van Hooke, Paul Brady, and Brendan Croker; Argent and Van Hooke also produced the album. Four singles were released from the album: "Good Tradition", "Twist in My Sobriety", "Cathedral Song" and "World Outside Your Window".
Late Night Grande Hotel is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith. It was released in September 1991 by MCA Records. It was produced by Peter Van Hooke and Rod Argent, with a slightly more pop-oriented sound than previous albums. It also features vocal contributions from Phil Everly and Tanita Tikaram.
Sentimental is the seventh studio album by Tanita Tikaram, released in 2005. The album was released only on the French label Naïve Records.
The Cappuccino Songs is the sixth studio album by British singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, released by Mother in 1998.
Everybody's Angel is the third studio album by Tanita Tikaram, released in 1991.
The Sweet Keeper is the second studio album by British pop/folk singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, released in 1990. Like her debut album Ancient Heart (1988), it was produced by Peter Van Hooke and Rod Argent. Three tracks from the album were released as singles: "We Almost Got It Together", "Little Sister Leaving Town" and "Thursday's Child".
The Best of Tanita Tikaram is the first compilation by pop singer Tanita Tikaram, released in 1996 by East West Records. Containing fifteen songs from 1988 to 1995, it also included one new track "And I Think of You - E penso a te" which was released as a promotional single and a special remix of her biggest hit "Twist in My Sobriety" which was also released as a single in UK.
"We Almost Got It Together" is a song by British singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, released in 1990 as the lead single from her second studio album, The Sweet Keeper (1990). It was written by Tikaram, and produced by Peter van Hooke and Rod Argent. The song was a top 30 hit in Finland, Ireland and Italy, while peaking within the top 40 in Belgium and the Netherlands.
"Little Sister Leaving Town" is a song by British singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, released in 1990 as the second single from her second studio album The Sweet Keeper. It was written by Tikaram, and produced by Peter van Hooke and Rod Argent.
"Only The Ones We Love" is a song by British singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, which was released in 1991 as the lead single from her third studio album Everybody's Angel. It was written by Tikaram, and produced by Tikaram, Peter van Hooke and Rod Argent.
"I Might Be Crying" is a song by British singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, which was released in 1995 as the lead single from her fifth studio album Lovers In The City.
"Wonderful Shadow" is a song by British singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, which was released in 1995 as the second single from her fifth studio album Lovers in the City. The song was solely written and produced by Tikaram. "Wonderful Shadow" reached No. 198 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1995.
Can't Go Back is the eighth studio album released by the British singer Tanita Tikaram. Released in September 2012 through Ear Music, the album marked Tikaram's first album in 7 years, after 2005's Sentimental.
Closer to the People is the ninth studio album by the British singer Tanita Tikaram. The record was released on 11 March 2016 through Ear Music, an imprint of German-based label Edel Music. The album also produced two singles: "Glass Love Train" and "The Way You Move".
"You Make the Whole World Cry" is the only single to be released from the album Eleven Kinds of Loneliness by British musician Tanita Tikaram. The record was issued on 10 February 1992 via East West Records label. In 1996 the song was included in her album The Best of Tanita Tikaram.
To Drink the Rainbow is a compilation album by the British singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, which was released by Needle Mythology in 2019.
"The Way You Move" is a song recorded by British singer and songwriter Tanita Tikaram. Earmusic released the song on 22 April 2016 as the second single from her ninth studio album Closer to the People. Later, the song was also included in her 2019 compilation album To Drink the Rainbow.
