Muse (Grace Jones album)
Muse is the third album by Grace Jones, and was released in 1979. It was the last album of her disco trilogy with Tom Moulton, which began in 1977 with debut Portfolio. The first side of the album is a continuous medley of four songs, joined by a narrative about someone who has sinned. The second side, however, consists of disco songs with no relation to one another. All album art, including the cover image, is by Richard Bernstein.
The track "I'll Find My Way To You" was originally featured in 1976 Italian movie Quelli della calibro 38 (international title Colt 38 Special Squad) in which Jones plays a club singer, the original version along with a song called "Again and Again" were included on the soundtrack album produced by composer Stelvio Cipriani. Jones re-recorded "I'll Find My Way To You" three years later with Tom Moulton for album Muse.
Icelandic keyboardist Thor Baldursson who arranged most of the album and also sings duet with Grace on the track "Suffer" had previously worked in Munich Germany with disco stars such as Silver Convention, Boney M., Donna Summer, Amanda Lear and Giorgio Moroder.
Muse was released in the year of the "anti-disco backlash" and both the album and its double A-side single "On Your Knees"/"Don't Mess With The Messer" were largely overlooked by the record buying public at the time and is generally believed to be Grace Jones' "lost album".
Muse remained the only Grace Jones studio album not to have been re-released on CD by Island Records/Universal Music. Gold Legion, a record company that specializes in reissuing classic disco albums on CD, finally released it on the format in November 2011, remastered and with no bonus tracks.
Track listing
Side A
- "Sinning" (Grace Jones, Pierre Papadiamondis) - 5:06
- "Suffer" (Tom Moulton, Thor Baldursson) - 4:17
- "Repentance (Forgive Me)" (Grace Jones, Pierre Papadiamondis) - 3:50
- "Saved" (J. Robinson, J. Bolden, V.S. Robinson) - 7:13
- Non-stop medley: total time - 20:26
Side B
- "Atlantic City Gambler" (Tom Moulton, D. Williams) - 5:46
- "I'll Find My Way To You" (S. Cipriani, H. Shaper) - 5:14
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Grace Jones, Pierre Papadiamondis) - 4:50
- "On Your Knees" (D.C. LaRue, Jerry Corbetta) - 6:20
Personnel
- Grace Jones - vocals
- Thor Baldursson - vocals (track: A2)
- Sweethearts of Sigma - background vocals (tracks B1-B4):
- Barbara Ingram - background vocals
- Evette Benton - background vocals
- Carla Benson - background vocals
- Carl Helm - background vocals (tracks A1-A4)
- Phil Hurtt - background vocals (tracks A1-A4)
- Ron Tyson - background vocals (tracks A1-A4)
- Jimmy Williams - bass guitar
- Keith Benson - drums
- Craig Snyder - guitar
- Thor Baldursson - keyboards
- James Walker - percussion
- Larry Washington - percussion
Production
Sleeve notes
Muse: Greek myth, the inspirational goddess of music, song, dance, poetry, and art...
Special thanks to: Jack, James, Pierre, Thor and Tom for their contributions to my concept of the medley; to Tony Moses, for always being there; to Jean Paul, for your artistic influence and inspiration; to Tom, for a super album and also for being a great friend; to Helena, for your patience and assistance in my vocal development; to Richard, for your fabulous images; and to Chris and Barbara and Island.
Dedicated to all my fans, past, present and future, with love.
Release history
LP:
CD:
- Gold Legion will release this album on CD November 30, 2011. Remastered with no bonus tracks.
Singles
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- IT 7" single (1976) Cinevox MDF 098
- "I'll Find My Way To You" - 2:58
- "Again And Again" - 3:43
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- AU 12" single (1979) Island/Festival X13048
- "On Your Knees" - 6:28
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Extended Version) - 6:27
- CA 12" single (1979) Island DISD-8869
- "On Your Knees" - 6:28
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Extended Version) - 6:27
- FR 7" promo (1979) Island 6172 865
- "On Your Knees" (Edit) - 3:47
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Edit) - 4:05
- GE 7" single (1979) Island 100 789
- "On Your Knees" (Edit) - 3:47
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Edit) - 4:05
- GE 12" single (1979) Island 600 079-213
- "On Your Knees" - 6:28
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Extended Version) - 6:27
- IT 7" single (1979) Island WIP 26511
- "On Your Knees" (Edit) - 3:47
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Edit) - 4:05
- JP 7" promo (1979) Island ILR-20630
- "On Your Knees" (Edit) - 3:47
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Edit) - 4:05
- SP 7" single (1979) Island 100 789-A
- "On Your Knees" ["De Rodillas"] (Edit) - 3:47
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Edit) - 4:05
- UK 12" single (1979) Island 12X WIP 6511
- "On Your Knees" - 6:28
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Extended Version) - 6:27
- US 7" single (1979) Island IS49002
- "On Your Knees" (Edit) - 3:49
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Edit) - 4:10
- US 12" single (1979) Island DISD 8869
- "On Your Knees" - 6:30
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Extended Version) - 6:27
- US 7" promo (1979) Island IS49002
- "On Your Knees" (Stereo Edit) - 3:49
- "On Your Knees" (Mono Edit) - 3:49
- US 12" promo (1979) Island DISD 8869-RE1
- "On Your Knees" - 6:30
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Extended Version) - 6:27
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- US 7" single (1979) Island IS49002RE-1 (double-A sided single)
- "Don't Mess With The Messer" (Edit) - 4:10
- "On Your Knees (Edit) - 3:49
Charts
| Chart (1979) |
Peak
position |
| Sweden |
38 |
References
Resources
AMG
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