The Friends Of Mr Cairo

The Friends of Mr Cairo
Cover of second release
Studio album by Jon and Vangelis
Released	3 July 1981
Studio	Davout Studios, Paris, and Nemo Studios, London
Genre	Electronic progressive rock
Length	45:42
Label	Polydor
Producer	Vangelis
Jon and Vangelis chronology
Short Stories (1980) The Friends of Mr Cairo (1981) Private Collection (1983)
Alternative cover
Artwork on 1981 Polydor LP release
Singles from The Friends of Mr Cairo
"The Friends of Mr Cairo" Released: May 1981 "State of Independence" Released: July 1981 "I'll Find My Way Home" Released: November 1981

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A second edition of the album, released in January 1982, includes the single "I'll Find My Way Home", which according to Anderson was added in response to poor initial sales of the album, and which was a big hit across Europe at the time, peaking at No. 1 in Switzerland, No. 2 in The Netherlands and No. 6 in the UK.

"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 album saw considerable success in Canada, with the album reaching #2 for 3 weeks, and was #15 in the Best of 1981.

The title track, "The Friends of Mr Cairo", was No. 1 on the Canadian singles chart for 5 weeks in late 1981, although it was not a hit elsewhere, but made No. 99 in Australia for one week on 2 November 1981. Its accompanying music video serves as an ode to classic Hollywood films of the 1930s and 1940s, including references to the classic film noir The Maltese Falcon. Joel Cairo (Mr Cairo) is the character played by Peter Lorre in The Maltese Falcon. The track incorporates sound effects and voice impressions of the stars of the era, most notably Lorre, Humphrey Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, and Jimmy Stewart.

First edition

Side A

1. "The Friends of Mr Cairo" – 12:04
2. "Back to School" – 5:06
3. "Outside And Inside" – 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 And Inside" – 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

• Jon Anderson – vocals, composer
• Vangelis – composer, producer, arranger, performer
• Dick Morrissey – saxophone, flute
• David Coker – voices
• Sally Grace – voices (5)
• Dennis Clarke - saxophone
• Claire Hamill – backing vocals (6)
• Carol Kenyon – backing vocals

Technical

• Roger Roche – engineer
• Raine Shine – engineer
• Alwyn Clayden – sleeve
• Veronique Skawinska – photography

Album

"The Friends of Mr Cairo" single