The Friends of Mr. Cairo

Infobox Album |
Name = The Friends of Mr. Cairo
Type = Album
Artist = Jon & Vangelis

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Caption = Cover of second release
Background = lightsteelblue
Released = 1981
Recorded = Davout Studios, Paris, and Nemo Studios, London
Genre = Progressive rock
Length =
Label = Polydor
Producer = Vangelis
Reviews =
Last album = "Short Stories"
(1979)
This album = "Friends of Mr. Cairo"
(1981)
Next album = "Private Collection"
(1983)

"The Friends of Mr. Cairo" is the second collaboration of Jon Anderson and Vangelis as Jon & Vangelis. There are two editions of this album, with different sleeves. Both versions were released in 1981 within a few weeks of each other. The second edition includes the single "I'll Find My Way Home", which stayed for 14 weeks in the Swiss charts and peaked at #1 on Start date|1982|3|7. "State of Independence" was later a hit single for Donna Summer, and a decade later for Moodswings with Chrissie Hynde on vocal. Anderson also later re-recorded that song on his solo album "Change We Must", released in 1994.

The title track is a twelve minute epic that serves as an ode to classic Hollywood films of the 30s and 40s. Most notable references are to the classic film noir "The Maltese Falcon". The track incorporates sound effects and voice impressions of the stars of the era most notably Jimmy Stewart.

Track listing

First edition

ide A

# "The Friends of Mr. Cairo" – 12:04
# "Back to School" – 5:06
# "Outside of This (Inside of That)" – 5:00

ide B

#

"State of Independence" – 7:53
#

"Beside" – 4:08
#

"The Mayflower" – 6:35

econd edition

ide A

# "I'll Find My Way Home" – 4:29
# "State of Independence" – 7:53
# "Beside" – 4:08
# "The Mayflower" – 6:35

ide B

#

"The Friends of Mr. Cairo" – 12:04
#

"Back to School" – 5:06
#

"Outside of This (Inside of That)" – 5:00

CD

# "I'll Find My Way Home" – 4:29
# "State of Independence" – 7:53
# "Beside" – 4:08
# "The Mayflower" – 6:35
# "The Friends of Mr. Cairo" – 12:04
# "Back to School" – 5:06
# "Outside of This (Inside of That)" – 5:00

Credits

* Composed by Jon Anderson and Vangelis.
* Lyrics and vocals by Jon Anderson.
* Produced, arranged and performed by Vangelis.

* Dick Morrissey - saxophone, flute
* David Coker - voices
* Sally Grace - voices (5)
* Claire Hamill - backing vocals (6)
* Carol Kenyon - backing vocals

* Roger Roche - engineer
* Raine Shine - engineer
* Alwyn Clayden - sleeve
* Veronique Skawinska - photography

External links

* [http://www.vangelismovements.com/thefriendsofmrcairo.htm Review on Vangelis Movements]