Breathe, a 1996 album by Midge Ure, was the fourth solo release for the former Ultravox frontman. The album, produced by Richard Feldman, was released first in Continental Europe, followed by the U.K. and U.S.Extreme Voice Fanzine
Background
The recording of 'Breathe' was completed in early 1995, but the album's release was delayed by the record company. The recording took place in various studios in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dublin and in Ure's own studio in Bath. Ure first recorded four of the tracks with producer Julian Mendelsohn, but they were later re-recorded.
In 1998, the single "Breathe" became a hit-single in several European countries, boosted by its use in a Swatch TV advert campaign, two years after its original release. The single charted at No.1 both at the Italian and the Austrian charts, No.10 in Spain and No.12 in Germany. "Guns And Arrows" and "Fields Of Fire" were also released as singles.
Influenced by his Scottish heritage, the album 'Breathe' features a unique blend of traditional instruments, such as the uilleann pipes and bodhrán, combined with the exotic sounds of the didgeridoo and Gaelic vocals. The result is a musical landscape that pulses with organic vibrancy.
Ure called "Breathe": Ure traces the origins of "Breathe" to a U.S. Tour he did with other songwriters in 1992. Once the other songwriters convinced him to try playing "Vienna" on acoustic guitar, Ure realized he could make music without the wealth of electronics or other musicians backing him up."That turned my whole perception of what I was doing musically".
Ure said about the album in 2015:
The song "Live Forever" was inspired by Anne Rice book "Interview with the Vampire".Midge Ure Backstage Lockdown Club. Patreon. 2021-03-06
Ure said in 2015:
Track listing
Personnel Midge Ure - Vocals, acoustic guitar Soundcape Guitar (on tracks 5 and 11) – Robert Fripp Double Violin, Vocals (on track 8) – L.Shankar Mandolin, Melodica – Eric Bazilian Vocals (on track 5) – Sally Dworsky Uilleann Bagpipes – Paddy Moloney Backing Vocals – Jackie Sheridan, Kate Stephenson, Monalisa Young, Matthew Hager, Maxaynne Lewis Gaelic Vocals, Backing Vocals – Eleanor McEvoy Fiddle – Frank Gallagher Hurdy Gurdy, Harmonium – Ethan James Accordion – Frank McNamara, Pat Crowley Bodhrán, Didgeridoo, Vocals [Celtic] – Liam O'Maonlai Guitar – Dean Parks Bass Guitar – Larry Klein, Jeremy Meehan Drums – David Palmer, Andy Kravitz Cello – Ofra Harnoy Celtic Harp – Noreen O'Donoghue Percussion - Mike Fisher, Iki Levy Programming, Keyboards, Percussion – Richard Feldman Keyboards - Charles Judge, Jamie Muhulrick
References
Liner Notes
External links AllMusic