Casanova (The Divine Comedy album)

Treble writer A.T. Bossenger wrote that, with Casanova, Divine Comedy frontman Neil Hannon "started going for a more straightforward pop tone as the base for his songwriting", resulting in the album having a more Britpop flow to it. Its central theme is sex, around which all songs on the album centre, except "The Dogs and the Horses", which is the last song on the album and whose theme is death. ==Recording==

Casanova had the longest recording period of any Divine Comedy album up to that point and consequently had a higher budget. Setanta was able to indulge Neil Hannon's desire because of the success of Edwyn Collins' hit single "A Girl Like You". The album's closing track, "The Dogs and the Horses", recorded at Abbey Road Studios, features a large orchestral ensemble which includes future members of the live band, namely Joby Talbot, Stuart 'Pinkie' Bates, Grant Gordon, and Bryan Mills. Talbot was beginning to play an increasingly important role in the band; he arranged and orchestrated "The Dogs and the Horses," and he co-arranged "Theme from Casanova" with Hannon. ==Legacy==

The album's sixth track, "Songs of Love", made its debut on the popular Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, The album was included in the 2010 edition of the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. In 2014, NME included the album in its list of "30 Glorious Britpop Albums That Deserve a Reissue Pronto," saying "Gawky Neil Hannon as smooth loverman was a conceit that actually worked and it produced two of Britpop's least obvious classics in the hilarious Cold Comfort Farm-inspired tale of 'Something for the Weekend' and the movie fantasy of 'Becoming More Like Alfie'." ==Track listing==

All songs written and arranged by Neil Hannon, except "Theme From Casanova", arranged by Hannon and Joby Talbot; "The Dogs & the Horses" arranged and orchestrated by Talbot. 2020 Bonus Disc 1. Hannon's Game 2. Birds Of Paradise Farm 3. A Woman Of The World (Early Idea) 4. Motorway To Damascus 5. Crapper's Delight 6. Songs Of Love (Demo) 7. Love Is Lighter Than Air 8. Comme Beaucoup De Messieurs (Avec Valérie Lemercier) Featuring – Valérie Lemercier 9. Grinchworm 10. Painting The Forth Bridge 11. Solsbury Eel 12. Frog Princess (Demo) 13. My Lovely Horse (From Father Ted) 14. Father Ted Theme 15. Lovely Mayo Mammy (From Father Ted) 16. The Miracle Is Mine (From Father Ted) 17. Theme From Casanova (Early Idea) 18. Electro Wurly Groove 19. Something Before The Weekend (Early Idea) 20. Something For The Weekend (Monitor Mix) 21. Becoming More Like Alfie (Monitor Mix) 22. Stereo Laboratory 23. Through A Long And Sleepless Night (Early Idea) 24. The Dogs And The Horses (Live) == Personnel ==

Personnel per CD booklet A Secret History... The Best of the Divine Comedy. • John Allen – celeste, whistle • Darren Allison – percussion, drums, Yamaha TX16W, producer, engineer, mixing • Kathy Brown – cello • Jane Butterfield – trombone • Andy Chase – producer, engineer, mixing • Emile Chitikov – violin • Ian Cooper – mastering • Eos Counsell – violin • Rob Crane – design • Alison Fletcher – violin, viola • Anna Giddey – violin • Charlotte Glasson – viola • Ruth Goldstein – cello • Tom Gurling – assistant engineer • Neil Hannon – bass, guitar, percussion, piano, arranger, Hammond organ, vocals, producer, tympani [timpani], art direction, Wurlitzer • Rebecca Hayes – violin • Robin Hayward – tuba • Yuri Kalnitz – violin • Robbie Kazandjian – assistant engineer • Mark Knight – violin • Alex McRonald – flute • Bryan Mills – bass • Paul Mysiak – assistant engineer • Darren Nash – assistant engineer • Gerard Navarro – assistant engineer • Gareth Parton – assistant engineer • Alex Postlethwaite – violin • Alice Pratley – violin • Alice Reynolds – laughs • Joe Richards – cello • Adrian Roach – oboe • Laura Samuel – violin • Padraic Savage – violin • Chris Scard – assistant engineer • Joby Talbot – piano, arranger, conductor, alto saxophone, orchestration • Titch Walker – trumpet • Jane Watkins – cello • Kevin Westenberg – art direction, photography • Chris Worsey – cello ==References==