The Friends of Mr Cairo

The Friends of Mr. Cairo
Cover of second release
Studio album by Jon and Vangelis
Released	July 1981
Recorded	Davout Studios, Paris, and Nemo Studios, London
Genre	Electronic music
Length	45:42
Label	Polydor
Producer	Vangelis
Jon and Vangelis chronology
Song of Seven (1980) Friends of Mr. Cairo (with Jon & Vangelis) 1981) Animation (1982)
Alternative cover
Artwork on 1981 PolyGram LP release

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic

The Friends of Mr Cairo is the second album by Jon and Vangelis, released in 1981. There are two editions of this album, with different sleeves. Both versions were released in 1981 within a few weeks of each other. The title track, "The Friends Of Mr Cairo", peaked at #1 for 5 consecutive weeks on the Quebec singles chart in late 1981. The second edition of the album includes the single "I'll Find My Way Home", which stayed for 14 weeks in the Swiss charts and peaked at #1 on March 7, 1982 (1982-03-07). "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 and its accompanying music video serve 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 Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre and Jimmy Stewart. During the track, a screeching of tyres and a car horn are heard, presumably as a car makes its getaway. This screeching sound/car horn is identical to that heard in the 1970 feature film 'Get Carter' (at 1.1.52-1.1.56), and was probably sampled for use on the track.

Track listing

First edition

Side A

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

Side B

4. "State of Independence" – 7:53
5. "Beside" – 4:08
6. "The Mayflower" – 6:35

Second edition

Side A

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

Side B

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

CD

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

Personnel

• 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

Charts

Year	Chart	Position
1981	Billboard Pop Albums	64
1981	UK Albums Chart	17
1982	UK Albums Chart	6

External links

• Review on Vangelis Movements
• Review on allmusic.com