The Gunman and Other Stories

Infobox Album
Name = The Gunman and Other Stories
Type = studio
Artist = Prefab Sprout


Released = 2001
Recorded =
Genre = Pop
Length =
Label =
Producer =
Reviews =
Last album = "Andromeda Heights"
(1997)
This album = "The Gunman and Other Stories
(2001)
Next album =

"The Gunman and Other Stories" is the seventh and most recent album by the band Prefab Sprout. Released in June 2001, the album was the band's only release for the EMI Liberty label.

Album history

Following on from 1997's Andromeda Heights and 1999's 38 Carat Collection albums, Prefab Sprout conducted their first tour of the UK for ten years. The success of the tour led singer Paddy McAloon to consider recording material for a new album. Rather than opting for 'new' material, McAloon chose to record material he had previously given to other artists as a 'tidying up operation', before moving onto newer material.

Despite drummer Neil Conti's involvement in the tour, having departed from the band in 1992, the band operated with McAloon and his brother Martin as sole members. Singer Wendy Smith was absent due to having had a baby the previous year and work commitments with her new music therapy career, as the band had developed prelonged periods of inactivity.

The album was produced by legendary produer Tony Visconti, and made use of session musicians, including Carlos Alomar and Rudan Judess. Mixes were approved via email between Visconti in New York and the McAloon brothers' base in County Durham.

The album includes versions of three songs which Paddy McAloon originally wrote for other performers. "Cowboy Dreams" and "I'm A Troubled Man" were originally recorded by Jimmy Nail in 1994 and 1996 respectively, while title track "The Gunman" was originally recorded by Cher on her 1995 album "It's a Man's World".

The album marked the start of a new contract with EMI's Liberty label, having completed their Sony contract in 1999. The album is also the least successful of the band's output, only stalling at #60 in the UK album charts.

Tracklisting

# "Cowboy Dreams"
# "Wild Card In The Pack"
# "I'm A Troubled Man"
# "Streets Of Laredo / Not Long For This World"
# "Love Will Find Someone For You"
# "Cornfield Ablaze"
# "When You Get To Know Me Better"
# "Gunman"
# "Blue Roses"
# "Farmyard Cat"