Shipbuilding | ||||
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Studio album / Live album by | ||||
Released | 1994 | |||
Recorded | 1993 | |||
Genre | ||||
Label | SBK[1] | |||
Producer | John Hughes (track 8), Julian Mendelsohn (tracks 1-4) | |||
Tasmin Archer chronology | ||||
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Shipbuilding is a mini album by Tasmin Archer, released in 1994.[2][3] Archer decided to follow up her successful 1992 debut Great Expectations with an EP of four covers of songs written by Elvis Costello, which was released in January 1994 in the singer's homeland of the UK. The title track peaked at No. 40.[4] Costello admired the covers.[5]
SBK Records, Archer's label in North America, decided to release the EP as a full album instead, and to fill the space they included four tracks from Archer's debut album in live form.[6]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Indianapolis Star | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Guardian wrote: "'Shipbuilding' and 'New Amsterdam', two of this overrated songwriter's most boring compositions, blossom under Archer's caressing voice and the piano softly tinkling in the background."[8] The Boston Globe determined that "the melodic, piano-based 'When It Comes Right Down to It' is the standout."[9]
AllMusic wrote that "none of the originals are bad; they're all fair to good, and the Costello covers are very powerful."[7]