A Distant Shore (album)
| A Distant Shore | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1982 | |||
| Genre | Acoustic | |||
| Length | 23:00 | |||
| Label | Cherry Red | |||
| Tracey Thorn chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from A Distant Shore | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Smash Hits | 6/10[2] |
A Distant Shore is the first studio album by Tracey Thorn, released via Cherry Red Records in 1982.[3] It includes a cover version of The Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale".[4]
Recorded for just £138, the album reached number 1 in the UK Indie Chart in 1983.[5] In 2010, it was awarded a gold certification from the Independent Music Companies Association, which indicated sales of at least 100,000 copies throughout Europe.[6]
Reception
In a positive review for Sounds, Penny Kiley wrote "This record, musically understated as it is, provides a quiet and necessary counterpart to some of the choices of listening we’ve had. We’ve lived so long with melodrama that we’ve forgotten there are other ways of showing passion."[7]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Tracey Thorn, except "Femme Fatale" by Lou Reed.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Small Town Girl" | 3:55 |
| 2. | "Simply Couldn't Care" | 2:46 |
| 3. | "Seascape" | 2:36 |
| 4. | "Femme Fatale" | 2:39 |
| 5. | "Dreamy" | 2:54 |
| 6. | "Plain Sailing" | 2:05 |
| 7. | "New Opened Eyes" | 2:56 |
| 8. | "Too Happy" | 3:10 |
Reissue
The album was reissued in an expanded edition on vinyl and CD by Cherry Red Records in 2024.[8] There are five additional tracks selected by Tracey Thorn. Lucky Day was recorded at the same session as the original A Distant Shore tracks. The other four tracks are demo recordings from another session and were eventually re-worked for inclusion on Eden, the first album by Everything but the Girl.
Reissue track listing
All tracks are written by Tracey Thorn, except "Femme Fatale" by Lou Reed.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Small Town Girl" | |
| 2. | "Simply Couldn't Care" | |
| 3. | "Seascape" | |
| 4. | "Femme Fatale" | |
| 5. | "Dreamy" | |
| 6. | "Plain Sailing" | |
| 7. | "New Opened Eyes" | |
| 8. | "Too Happy" | |
| 9. | "Lucky Day (demo)" | |
| 10. | "Another Bridge (demo)" | |
| 11. | "Even So (demo)" | |
| 12. | "The Spice Of Life (demo)" | |
| 13. | "Fascination (demo)" |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.
- Tracey Thorn – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
- Pat Bermingham – recording
- Jane Fox – cover drawing
Charts
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[9] | 74 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[10] | 35 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[11] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Ribas, Michael. "A Distant Shore - Tracey Thorn". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ Rimmer, Dave (2–15 September 1982). "Albums: Tracey Thorn – A Distant Shore (Cherry Red)". Smash Hits. Vol. 4, no. 18. Peterborough: EMAP National Publications, Ltd. p. 25. ISSN 0260-3004. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ Barnett, Laura (1 January 2013). "Tracey Thorn on her first solo mini-album, A Distant Shore". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ Paoletta, Michael (4 August 2001). "Vital Reissues". Billboard. p. 19.
- ^ "A Distant Shore". Cherry Red Records. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ "IMPALA Press Release, 27th January 2010, Midem, Cannes". Independent Music Companies Association. 27 January 2010. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ Kiley, Penny (4 September 1982). "On the beach". Sounds: 18.
- ^ "Tracey Thorn: A Distant Shore, Expanded 12" Vinyl Edition". www.cherryred.co.uk. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ "British album certifications – Tracy Thorn – Distant shore". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
External links
- A Distant Shore at Discogs (list of releases)