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Biografie
Having worked as the musical director of a West End production of “The Rocky Horror Show”, Karl Wallinger wanted to create something original and subsequently joined the funk band the Out. The musician didn’t stay long however and soon joined Mike Scott’s Waterboys, contributing to the albums “A Pagan Place” and “This Is the Sea”. By 1986 Wallinger had left Waterboys and formed World Party, making his debut with the 1986 album “Private Revolution”. Spawning two modest hits “Private Revolution” and “Ship of Fools”, the album was recorded in Wallinger’s home studio, charting at No. 35 on the Billboard 200.
Like his debut, World Party’s 1990’s sophomore album “Goodbye Jumbo” featured singer Sinéad O’Connor, and highlights the musician’s candid songwriting. Yielding the hits “Way Down Now” and “Put the Message in the Box”, the album was nominated for the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Performance and was voted Q Magazine’s album of the year. Following the release of the EP “Thank You World” featuring the Beatles cover “Happiness Is a Warm Gun”, Wallinger enlisted the services of guritaitst David Catlin-Birch and drummer Chirs Sharrock to craft his third studio album. The result was 1993’s “Bang!”, which peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart. As with World Party’s previous albums, the record was supported by extensive touring, with a notable performance at Glastonbury Festival in 1994.
Also in 1994 Wallinger recorded the song “When You Come Back to Me” as a part of the “Really Bites” soundtrack, after which he released his fourth LP “Egyptology” in 1997. Written following the death of his mother, the record proved a commercial disappointment compared to its predecessors. A three-year hiatus ensued, which lasted until 2000 where the musician issued the full-length “Dumbing Up”. Following the release, Wallinger suffered an aneurysm and was subsequently left unable to speak. After a 10 year break from performing during his rehabilitation, World Party performed at the South by Southwest festival in Texas, and released the five-track EP "Arkeology" in 2012.
Live-Bewertungen
No one would blame Kurt Wallinger—the frontman and only constant in World Party—if he'd have decided to call it quits. A debilitating brain aneurysm in 2001 left him struggling to speak, while at the same time contractual problems tied up his back catalog of recordings in legal limbo.
Since then, though, Wallinger's made a full recovery and regained the rights to his previous recordings. Seemingly re-energized, he's announced extensive touring in recent months as if to celebrate.
A World Party show is an absolute joy. Touring with a large band of ace musicians and backup singers, Wallinger's merry group have been playing medium-to-large venues that allow the finely-crafted nature of his songs to shine through. While most fans will no doubt clamor for hits like “Ship Of Fools”, “She's The One”, and “Way Down Now”, the real greatness of seeing World Party is to recognize just how deep and under-appreciated a music genius Wallinger truly is.
Onstage Wallinger switches easily from keys to guitar as needed, and his band occasionally adds a mandolin here, a fiddle there. It all fits, and all moves seamlessly together as the group works their way through the group's nearly 30-year evolution.
You're not going to get much in the way of stomping remonstrations from the stage with World Party. Rather, in a live setting they offer wonderfully-arranged performances of some of the best hits-that-never-were of the 1980s and beyond.
World Party/ Karl Wallinger is one of those bands I discovered too late in life. It would have been fun to see them when Karl was younger and they were a larger band. He really is a special song writer, wonderful musician and the show was outstanding! He hasn't written much new material for several years, so this was a show of greatest hits and there are many. Only a three piece band w/ no drummer, but the sound was excellent and the harmonies tight. Wallinger belongs in the pantheon of Brian Wilson, Lennon/McCartney, Marshall Crenshaw... a rare talent deserving of a larger audience. Don't miss him if you get a chance.
william-h-fisher
World Party - they were as good on Thursday night (24/7) at the Roundhouse, London as they were years ago. Karl had a different line-up this time with an excellent fiddle player & an electric guitarist. Karl played all his back catalogue & the audience loved it. They were on for an hour & a half giving great value. Karl - you said "hello" on the steps - sorry we didn't recognise you, It's been a long time. I can't wait for your 2015 tour.
tacye-jane-sharp
