Ghosts of Princes in Towers
Ghosts of Princes in Towers is the only studio album by British band Rich Kids, released in August 1978 by record label EMI.[2] It was produced by Mick Ronson.
| Ghosts of Princes in Towers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | August 1978 |
| Recorded | 1978 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 47:48 |
| Label | EMI |
| Producer | Mick Ronson |
| Singles from Ghosts of Princes in Towers | |
| |
Release and reception
Ghosts of Princes in Towers was released in August 1978. The album featured their hit single "Rich Kids", which reached number 24 in the UK Singles Chart.[3] Two other singles, "Marching Men" and "Ghosts of Princes in Towers", were released. The album itself reached number 51 in the UK Albums Chart.[3]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| Head Heritage | favourable[1] |
A point of criticism for the album was its production. In its retrospective review, AllMusic wrote that the album "failed to live up to the promise of the single ["Ghosts of Princes in Towers"], in most cases trading punky power-pop in favor of more dirge-like hard rock – muddy sound doesn't help matters either."[4] Trouser Press wrote that "despite abysmal sound, the band's talent emerges, and Ghosts is an extraordinary album of daring experimental rock/pop".[5] Head Heritage described it as "an outstanding album that is head and shoulders above anything The Jam or Buzzcocks had yet released at the time."[1]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Strange One" | Glen Matlock, Steve New | 4:24 |
| 2. | "Hung on You" | Matlock | 2:55 |
| 3. | "Ghosts of Princes in Towers" | Matlock, New | 3:23 |
| 4. | "Cheap Emotions" | Matlock, New | 4:03 |
| 5. | "Marching Men" | Midge Ure | 3:50 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Put You in the Picture" (Originally recorded by PVC2) | Ure, Billy McIsaac | 2:44 |
| 7. | "Young Girls" | Ure | 2:48 |
| 8. | "Bullet-Proof Lover" | Matlock, Alex McDowell | 3:09 |
| 9. | "Rich Kids" | Matlock | 2:55 |
| 10. | "Lovers and Fools" | Ure | 2:34 |
| 11. | "Burning Sounds" | Matlock, New | 3:38 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Empty Words" (B-side to "Rich Kids") | Matlock, New | 3:00 |
| 13. | "Here Comes the Nice (live)" (Small Faces cover, B-side to "Marching Men") | Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane | 3:01 |
| 14. | "Only Arsenic" (B-side to "Ghosts of Princes in Towers") | Matlock | 4:49 |
Personnel
- Rich Kids
- Midge Ure – lead (1-3, 5-10, 13, 14) and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards (2, 10)
- Steve New – lead guitar, keyboards (1), backing vocals
- Glen Matlock – bass, backing and lead (4, 11, 12) vocals
- Rusty Egan – drums
with:
- Mick Ronson – keyboards (1, 3, 6, 10)
- Ian McLagan – piano on "Cheap Emotions"
- Technical
- Rocking Russian - cover design
- Peter Lavery - cover photography
References
- Furgess, Dave (27 October 2007). "Julian Cope Presents Head Heritage | Unsung | Reviews | The Rich Kids – Ghosts of Princes in Towers". Head Heritage. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- Gimarc, George (2005). Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock, 1970-1982 - George Gimarc. ISBN 9780879308483. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
- "Rich Kids | Full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- Woodstra, Chris. "Ghosts of Princes in Towers – The Rich Kids | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
