The Gift (Tony Banks song)

Tony Banks collaborated with Andy Taylor on two tracks for his solo album Still, with Taylor providing vocals on "The Gift" and "Still It Takes Me by Surprise". In a 2019 interview with Innerviews, Banks revealed, "I wanted someone with a voice like Ray Charles, but I couldn't find one at the time. So, I used Andy who wasn't really a great singer, but he had a sort of tone to his singing that worked quite well. I think the songs he [sang] stand up with his voice." ==Critical reception==

Upon its release as a single, Fife Free Press noted that Banks and Taylor "dovetail to perfection on the catchily commercial 'The Gift'" and predicted it would be "another likely hit" for Banks. Marcus Hodge of the Cambridge Evening News was negative in his review, commenting, "Banks turns out a plodding, polite pub rock number that would have sounded out of date back in 1974. It's about time major labels began exercising some proper quality control." ==Track listing==

7–inch single (UK) • "The Gift" (featuring Andy Taylor) – 3:56 • "Back to Back" (featuring Jayney Klimek) – 4:30 12–inch single (UK) • "The Gift" – 3:56 • "Back to Back" – 4:30 • "A House Needs a Roof" (featuring Jayney Klimek) – 4:06 CD single (UK) • "The Gift" – 3:56 • "I Wanna Change the Score" – 4:30 • "A House Needs a Roof" – 4:06 • "Redwing" – 5:38 ==Personnel==

"The Gift" • Andy Taylor – vocals • Daryl Stuermer – guitar • Tony Banks – keyboards, bass synth, drum programming • Vinnie Colaiuta – hi-hat, cymbals "Back to Back" • Jayney Klimek – vocals • Daryl Stuermer – guitar • Tony Banks – keyboards, bass synth • Vinnie Colaiuta – drums Production • Nick Davis – production and engineering ("The Gift", "Back to Back", "I Wanna Change the Score") • Tony Banks – production (all tracks) • Steve Hillage – production ("A House Needs a Roof") • Geoff Callingham – production assistance ("Redwing") • Mark Robinson – assistant engineering ("The Gift", "Back to Back", "I Wanna Change the Score") Other • Carl Studna – photography • Wherefore Art – design ==Charts==