Record Collector 05 2024
Record Collector 05 2024
Record Collector 05 2024
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5IF.PUPS$JUZTnBHTIJQTPOHXSJUJOHUSJP Motörhead’s debut album is a stone-
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achievements. not been out of print on vinyl since Ace
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COLLECTOR “AI? ONLY WE KNOW HOW TO BE US”
May 2024 Issue 557 Interview. Discography. Evaluation.
Alasdair McLellan
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STEVEN WILSON
PAUL LESTER FGTH Two Tribes CHARLES DONOVAN Laura Nyro Mother’s
TIM JONES Queen Radio Ga Ga Spiritual
VAL CUTTS Prince When Doves Cry BILL EDWARDS Hüsker Dü Something I
Learned Today
T H E R AV E N T H AT R E F U S E D T O S I N G PETER BARRY Deniece Williams
Let’s Hear It For The Boy STEVE BURNISTON Joe Jackson You Can’t Get
What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)
and other stories JOHNNY SHARP Bronski Beat Smalltown Boy
DARYL EASLEA Julia & Company Breakin’
NIALL DOHERTY The Smiths How Soon is Now Down (Sugar Samba)
10th Anniversary
Glow in the Dark Vinyl Record Collector I Amy 2024 I Issue 557 I Playlist
“ The magazine you can hear”
Pet Shop Boys Isobel Campbell 4316 Beth Gibbons Floating
West End Girls Original Iron & Wine All In Good On A Moment
Bobby Orlando Time Fat White Family
Single Mix Bruce Dickinson What’s That You Say
The Space Lady Afterglow Of Ragnarok Michael Head
Fly Like An Eagle Karen Carpenter Make Connemara
David Bowie Believe It’s Your First Time Heidi Berry Washington
Speed Of Life Bananarama Cheers Square
Donald Byrd Sky High Then Sandy Posey
The Four King Cousins Pet Shop Boys Single Girl
This Girl’s In Love With You Loneliness
Black Einstein Common Deep Purple Highway
Ground Star 2024 Remix
Steve Harley Sebastian T.Rex Electric Slim And
Raspberries Starting Over The Factory Hen
World Party Kingdom Broadcast Follow The
Come Light
OUT NOW! Simon & Garfunkel My
Little Town
Sun Ra Stardust From
Tomorrow
stellar line-up of Guthrie Govan, Nick Beggs, writers are not necessarily those of the Editor or Diamond Publishing. Record Collector cannot and does not warrant that
the advertisers whose advertisements appear within this publication are bona fide. Readers intending to purchase goods or
services from advertisers should make their own enquiries if in any doubt. Every endeavour has been made to ensure that the
Marco Minnemann, Theo Travis & Adam Holzman. information published in this magazine is accurate. Neither the publishers nor their agents can be held responsible for any errors
or omissions; nor shall they be liable for any loss or damage to any person acting on the information contained in the magazine.
Includes 8 page booklet of artwork by Hajo Müller. Metropolis Group respects the privacy of every person for whom we have personal data. We comply with data protection
legislation such as the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulation which regulates the processing of
data and ensures that your data is processed fairly and lawfully, is kept secure and only that data necessary for any processing is
kept. You can see our privacy policy at www.metropolis.co.uk/privacy
ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2013 PROG MAGAZINE Copyright © 2024 Diamond Publishing Ltd
Founded in 1979 by Sean O’Mahony
5/5 THE GUARDIAN
50th Anniversary Edition
2024 Unedited Stereo Mix 2024 Unedited Stereo Mix and Live
+ Previously Unreleased Outtakes at The Record Plant, 1974
H
ow good a year for music was 1984? So good that, for this issue’s
1984 Revisited special feature, we left out ABC’s (How To Be A) BUTTERFLY COLLECTOR
Millionaire and Scritti Politti’s Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin) Shame on you, Bob Stanley, for pointing out in
your column how underrated the Dutch group
singles and Soft Cell’s This Last Night In Sodom album – and The
Shocking Blue are. You failed to mention one of
Limit’s Say Yeah and 23 Skidoo’s Coup, and Hurt Me Deep Inside by
their best tracks, The Butterfly And I, from the At
Cook Da Books, and tons of others that only occurred after we’d gone to press – from our
Home album. I love reading your musical insights
annotated countdown of The Best Records Of 1984, and it was still an amazing list. every month, but this shocking omission was
In 1984, Pet Shop Boys – interviewed about their 40-year career by Pete Paphides this a mistake. But I forgive you! Readers, Google the
month – weren’t yet one of the artists that I collected, mainly because they only had one track, then you’ll see where I’m coming from. I look
single out. But it wasn’t long before they joined that select pantheon, along with New Order, forward to your next column, Bob, and keep up the
Madonna, The Smiths and Prefab Sprout. These were the people who I had to own everything good work.
by, on 7” and 12”, even if I never quite succumbed to the lure of formats and regional/global Nigel Bayliss, Powys
iterations. No, I just needed to hear all their songs. This was an affliction that continued even
after I became a full-time professional music writer and got sent everything I wanted, gratis, LEIGH-ON-SEA FOR MILES
with brilliant B-sides on offer on singles from the likes of Blur, Pulp, Mansun and Suede. I was interested in your article on the 1971 folk
The ZTT label really fanned the flames of my febrile collecting: in 1984-5, I accrued so compilation, Folk Upstairs, which featured Kitty
many Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Art Of Noise, Propaganda, Andrew Poppy, Grace Jones Theobald [Diggin’ For Gold, RC 556]. As you say,
and Anne Pigalle picture discs, cassettes, and 7”s and 12”s that, a couple of decades the album originated from the Leigh-on-Sea area,
later, ZTT themselves would ask to borrow my collection to photograph for a CD/DVD reissue and I had the pleasure of hearing Kitty perform at
project booklet. ZTT were also my way into music journalism: in September 1983, I saw the 2014 and 2015 Leigh Folk Festivals. She was
an advert for Art Of Noise’s Into Battle EP on the back cover of Blitz magazine. Deliriously still a very fine singer 40 years later.
intrigued, it prompted me to go on a pilgrimage (from central London) to the blue building Clive Jones, email
in Basing Street, Ladbroke Grove, where, awestruck (me, not him), I met ZTT hype man,
Paul Morley. A few weeks later, I had a copy of the astonishing Into Battle featuring
FEMALE INTUITION
Re: For The Record, RC 556.
Moments In Love and was moved to pen a hymn of praise to Morley, who used a line from
What I mean by ‘progressive’ is exactly as billed in
my letter in the “famous” (in my circles) music press ad of the rose across the Thames the latest edition of the mag. I’m not particularly
that accompanied the Into Battle 12”: “It’s made me want to buy records again!” Within keen on what came out of the old ‘swirl’ Vertigo
a couple of years I was writing for Melody Maker. And unlike Morley’s old NME pal, Danny label between 1970 and 1972. I’d rather have
Baker, I still haven’t quite lost the urge to splurge. features on the pure pop labels of the 70s and the
See you next month, records that featured more prominently in girls’
record collections than in those of other men
and boys. Record collecting in the UK is not just
Paul Lester a hobby for the boys, and neither is pop/rock music
in general.
Robert Haynes, email
Thanks, Julia, on behalf of the F Mac bookazine Not sure what you’re on about here, Robert, but
editor, Joel McIver. A reminder that we publish we had plenty of non-progressive articles in the
a bookazine most months and currently offer last issue, from Say She She to Elbow, though not
Fleetwood Mac and Eagles, with Bruce Springsteen sure if they’d qualify any more as “female-friendly”
and The Beach Boys specials to come. PL than, say, the features on Jesus & Mary Chain and
60s blues. PL
FREAK POWER
Thank you, RC. ‘Freak Scene’ [RC 556] sparked WARP OF PURE FAN
memories of the first real band that I ever saw. It’s Words fail me again – chuffed to bits. Your latest
1970, I’m 15, at boarding school in Hertfordshire. issue’s shaping up nicely. At a glance, RC 556
We are a little in awe of some sixth formers who confirmed praiseworthy discussion on a variety of
went to London the year before and saw The Rolling interesting topics, notably Tim Jones’ vinyl feature
Stones in Hyde Park. Somehow, they have managed (‘Deceptive Bends’) proving informative on all things
to book The Edgar Broughton Band for the end of warped. It reminded me of 1980’s Hammersmith Our
summer-term dance. Price Records, whereupon, returning a wavy pressing,
BOOKAZINE SPIRIT So, there they are in the assembly hall, not an they begrudgingly checked it on the counter-top
Credit where it’s due. I’m not a regular magazine LP on a small record-player, not a picture in Melody turntable to verify my outrageous faulty insinuation.
purchaser, but I am a Fleetwood Mac superfan, so Maker, but actual human beings with mounds of To my relief, as queuing customers looked on, the
I obviously couldn’t wait to get my hands on your humming equipment. The noise! The chanting! The arm jumped up and down like a fiddler’s elbow.
double issue mag. hair! And rumours that Edgar has shagged a sixth Reluctantly, they did substitute the offending
I loved it! form girl backstage! warped pressing.
I read it cover to cover from both sides and In the aftermath, the headmaster has his own Even better, deeper into your issue were
thoroughly enjoyed the journey through the last interpretation of Out Demons Out and makes sure deserving pages on trio, Say She She, whose Silver is
six decades reading about the origins of the we are back to a traditional dance band the next such a great album, readers. There were also positive
soundtrack of my life. year. We are not impressed, and (sorry, Joe) wittily reissue words on Nico. I had a friend, Syd, who in
Julia Bennet, email rename them Dead Loss & His All-castrations. We turn had a friend, Morris Gould (now ‘Master’ DJ),
6 Record Collector
LETTERS
and fell into a downward spiral of booze, guns, and
I Was There cocaine. In January 1976, he pointed his loaded THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS
A reader’s recollection of Winchester rifle at the LAPD, urging them to shoot him
a key music event –– a case of “suicide by cop”. He wrote out his Will the Pete Paphides has been
night before. writing about music for
three decades or more. This
This month: THERE COMES A TIME month, he contributes the
Steve Harley & Great to read the Engine Room piece on Paul cover story interview with Pet
Cockney Rebel, Samwell-Smith [RC 556], surely one of the UK’s finest Shop Boys (p68). His book,
Bradford Queen’s producers. However, I was disappointed that there Broken Greek: A Story Of Chip Shops And Pop
Hall, Friday 1 was no mention of his production work on Martin Songs, is published by Quercus.
May 1992 Stephenson & The Daintees’ Gladsome, Humour And
Blue, one of the most underrated albums of the 80s. Matthew Quinlan is a
After a polite reception In fact, an article on Martin and the band generally is British journalist and author
for the young support band from Germany from considerably overdue. based in Seattle. He writes
a small audience, the hall filled rapidly for Steve Rich Cundill, email on music, sound, and
Harley’s entrance. They cheered as his band first Good shout, Rich. Know of anyone who might write technology. This month, he
appeared, and then roared when Harley himself it? PL recalls the format wars of
stepped onto the stage. I remember the opener 1984 (p80). His book on the
as Sweet Dreams/Psychomodo, played faster LIVING FOR COLOUR story of sound will be published in 2025.
and with much more of a rock rhythm than the I haven’t written to you before, but as a longstanding
recorded version. record (and occasional CD) enthusiast/hobbyist/ For her book, Lead Sister,
From my gallery view, it was almost as collector, as well as an avid reader of RC, I thought I’d Lucy O’Brien tracked down
entertaining watching the crowd as the band. At write to you. friends, lovers and musicians
stage-left in the audience, I saw two characters I’ve been collecting records for – ahem! – decades, to reframe the story of
appearing to argue, which then developed into and something I have never done in the art of buying Karen Carpenter (p54) and
pushing each other around, one wagging his records happened last week, so I thought I’d share. her pioneering legacy. Lucy’s
finger at the other as he moved away. During I’ve been helping a colleague from work, Paul, books include in-depth
Sebastian, I spotted a fan in deep concentration, to get some records with interesting sleeves for biographies of Dusty Springfield and Madonna,
mouthing the lyrics and jabbing his finger stage- a section of his lounge wall. You know how it is: water and She Bop, The Definitive History Of Women
wards in time to the music. damage, rebuilt lounge, wants to add a bit of a feature In Popular Music.
Then, above us in the gallery, a light exploded. wall near where the records and stereo are, why not
I leapt out of my seat (!) and the performance some arty 7” single covers? We’ve all been there. So, It’s 25 years since Joel
was halted for a few minutes. A young lady seized having helped secure some with modern art covers McIver (Bruce Dickinson
the opportunity to climb onstage and announce in to his taste (Stiff Little Fingers’ At The Edge and New interview, p48, and Robin
the nearest microphone, “Marc Bolan is great!” Order’s Fine Time, among them), I had suggested we Guthrie chat, p46) began
Steve Harley, head down, just smiled and moved both go to a record fair to see if there were sleeves he a six-year stint on RC’s staff
back as she quickly returned to the crowd. could find himself (while I could peruse various stalls in 1999. He’s done other
The sound mix was very good, and Steve and myself – obviously). So, we decided on a Friday, when things since then, like writing 35 books, but
his young band played this best-of Cockney Rebel the London Spitalfields market was on, and decided he’s never forgotten the illicit thrill of compiling
performance with great energy, but with subtlety to use our lunch hour to go to find vinyl wall art (and a discography on a tight deadline.
when needed. They seemed to be enjoying it as records for me).
much as the crowd. For me, it was the first and Arriving at the market, we quickly found a bargain
best performance of all my many Cockney Rebel box of 90s indie singles. I hadn’t heard of the majority ones if it was just the colour involved.
gig attendances. of the artists, and I expect many had only ever Before long, we had collected two orange singles,
This review of the late, great Steve Harley was released one single. Some of the sleeves were good, one opaque, the other clear. A purple one was found
written before his recent untimely death, but the though, and within a few minutes, Paul had a small next. We had real problems locating a green one.
writer’s name was left off. Was it you, reader? PL pile. He then noted that some records were coloured I didn’t think green was rare, particularly, but we just
vinyl and found this interesting. couldn’t locate one. We all but decided to give up
Paul is not a newbie to vinyl, but I gather his on it, but on the way out, we checked the first stall,
who supposedly hung out with her in the late 70s. collection was primarily album- and 12”-based and just in case, and there was a green one that we had
I’d already bought Joel Selvin’s hardback look at pretty bereft of coloured editions. He had avoided the missed. Just the one! Paul was amazingly happy, and
the troubled life of Dominos drummer, Jim Gordon, so recent trend to release variant editions on coloured the dealer was a bit surprised and didn’t really know
Michael Heatley’s 4-star review has spurred me on to vinyl, metal, splatter, zoetrope, and whatever you call what was going on.
finish it pronto. with the liquid in the middle. But we paid and left, and now my colleague has
Simon Mullins, email After a couple more stalls, Paul had decided his records that match the colours of the rainbow. I don’t
wall was going to be an “Art Installation”. I’m sure you think that he has had time to start the installation yet,
VARY, VARY, QUITE CONTRARY can tell where this is going… but he had decided the but I’m interested to see what it comes out like.
A lapsed reader, I was initially attracted by the ‘Fabs installation was going to be of different coloured vinyl The next day, I went to a local recycle and reuse
Go Global’ article [RC 555], but was pleased to see 7”s. He had, by then, red, yellow, blue (and black) centre to make a donation, only to find that it had
your open-door policy is as wide as ever. In what coloured records. He asked whether I thought it would several boxes of records. The vast majority were the
other publication could we turn the page from an be possible to collect all the colours of a rainbow? ones you find in charity shops that don’t ever sell, but
article on X-Ray Spex and come face to face with I didn’t see why not. That meant finding orange, I did find one or two to buy. It happens. When it came
Anthony Newley? Brilliant stuff. green and purple. So, with my apologies to vinyl to pay, I was surprised to find that I had to pop them
Simon Bullivant, London N12 purists, we then started to search all the stalls for the on scales and pay by weight! Never done that with
remaining colours. I didn’t want Paul to buy expensive records before, either.
MAL-FEASANCE or collectable records, only low grade or unwanted Nick Davey, email
I’m a big fan and admirer of Record Collector. Issue
556 just came through the door. In the book review
of Kenneth Womack’s biography of Mal Evans there is NEXT MONTH
a total howler. The reviewer (Michael Heatley) writes
about Evans: “Before he took his life in 1976…”
RECORD
COLLECTOR
PINK FLOYD
Clearly, he has not read the book, as Evans was shot
dead in 1976 by the Los Angeles Police Dept. Love
IN SHOPS 16 MAY
1974-1975
the magazine, and think it goes from strength
to strength.
Gerry Hassan, email
PLUS! PETE WYLIE + GERED MANKOWITZ
Michael Heatley replies: “Mal threatened a + JUDAS PRIEST + JACKIE DESHANNON +
policeman with an air rifle and was shot. My choice
of words was wrong. Apologies. A bit of context for CROWDED HOUSE + XMAL DEUTSCHLAND
explanation. In a tragic 70s story, he moved to LA
Record Collector 7
HEARD IT THROUGH THE
GRAPEVINE
News & views from the collecting world
Taylor Swift drives
the vinyl revival with
eight Top 40 LPs in
2023
Tayflation!
The vinyl resurgence, fuelled by Taylor Swift, is officially recognised
by the UK government. In all but name, it’s the ReTaylor Price Index!
O
n 11 March, the UK Office Of National Statistics announced Lisa Birkbeck told RC that, “recording media is one of the most under-
that, of 16 new items added to its list of 744 that it uses to represented areas of the basket, and vinyl has been added to reflect
calculate the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and Retail Prices a resurgence in the popularity of vinyl music”. The ONS Deputy Director, Matt
Index (RPI) monthly inflation rates, LPs are included for the first Corder, added that “our inflation basket of goods offers a fascinating snapshot
time since 1992. They join online-retailed CDs, and are a fresh of consumer spending, and it often reflects the adoption of new technology, but
addition alongside USB sticks and SD cards. Their inclusion the return of vinyl records shows how cultural revivals can affect our spending”.
reflects the year-on-year growth and nationwide popularity of physical formats, They could have added that certain zeitgeist artistes are vinyl champions, not
spearheaded by vinyl. The ONS outlines that “the ‘shopping baskets’ of items least chart-dominatrix Taylor Swift. ‘The Taylor Effect’ in the UK over the last 12
used in compiling the various measures of consumer price inflation are reviewed months took the shape of her No 1 1989 (Taylor’s Version), the vinyl edition of
annually. The items in the baskets change so that the measures are up to the album notching up 84,700 copy sales. She had another seven albums in
8 Record Collector
NEWS
Swiftie justice
On 4 March, the High Court in Dublin, Ireland, ruled that quick succession, while it had invested in a new Master Plating
the country’s only vinyl pressing plant, Dublin Vinyl, of Facility in 2021-22. By then, it was operating at a loss, and staff
Glasnevin, Dublin 4, was “clearly insolvent” and would have numbers were reduced to 26. Lay-offs look set to follow after
to go into provisional liquidation until a further hearing in April. the plant fulfils orders for E500,000 worth of albums, which
Founded by Pressing Matters Ltd in 2016 as a four-man the Court was told include LPs for “Taylor Swift, whose fans
operation with two machines, it expanded in 2019 to offer we would not want to disappoint”.
direct-to-fan releases and also launched the Loves Vinyl
subscription service with a limited-run LP/EP box set. It grew to See ons.gov.uk, officialcharts.com, courts.ie. Are you
40-plus staff and had 12 production lines shipping up to a Swiftie collector/completist? Let us know your experience
500,000 units per month. However, the impact of Brexit, COVID of collecting her releases on various formats, and of any
and energy costs following the Ukraine war hit the company in difficulty due to demand, via [email protected].
Record Collector 9
NEWS
Were there any amusing episodes and get invited to festivals. One of the first things that by Courtney Barnett, The War On
during its creation? we want to know is what other bands are playing, Drugs, David Byrne, DEVO, Keep Our
Frequently. We realised that these weren’t demos. They and if we’ll have time to see all the ones we like! Clinics, 21 June. Due: April (26)
were the tracks we wanted to put out, which was wildly What would a biopic tagline be? Catherine Graindorge Songs For The
liberating. We spent 10 months just playing, messing We Were There When The World Got Great! Dead, Glitterbeat May (3) Broadcast Spell
around, then I’d slice and dice. A super playful process, What’s next? Blanket, Warp (24) Gastr Del Sol We
where we tapped into a kind of curiosity that we had No idea, though I’ve gotta walk my dog. Have Dozens Of Titles, Crag City (31)
20 years ago. The Telescopes Radio Sessions (2016-
What happened during the interregnum? Les Savy Fav Oui, LSF CD, LP are on 2020), Tapete September (28)
Living life, kids, jobs. Our normal lives mean a lot to us. Frenchkiss, 10 May. Broadcast Distant Call, Warp. ➤
10 Record Collector
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DOWNLOADS AND STREAMING ALSO AVAILABLE
NEWS
What’s Happening?!?! Jazz
Collecting’s roads less travelled
At RC Towers, we discern fresh music coming from KIT & CABOODLE Due: April (19) Oliver Nelson The Blues
Epica, Cardi B, Hall Aflame, Zedd, The Dead Daisies, Dave Grohl’s DG-335 guitar is out via Epiphone; And The Abstract Truth, EJM May (3)
Selena Gomez, ex-Thin Lizzy’s John Sykes, ex-One Raphael Saadiq has a Telecaster guitar out via Fender; King Curtis Get Ready, Music On CD
Direction’s Zayn Malik, Ron Keel Band, Annie Lennox/ Jimmy Page’s 1969 EDS-1275 Doubleneck Collector’s (10) Brad Mehldau After Bach II, Apres
Wendy & Lisa, Glenn Hughes, Jet, Ex-Libris’ Dianne Edition guitar and Everly Brothers J-180 acoustic Faure CDs, Nonesuch.
Van Giersbergen, Pete Townshend, Snoop Dogg, guitar are out via Gibson.
Kelsea Ballerini, Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, Halsey, Metal
Kim Wilde, Lady Gaga, Jamiroquai, Mastodon, ACOUSTIC
Marty Wilde, Winger, ex-Fear Factory’s Burton C Bell, May (17) Winter Aid Pull The Sky Inside, co-producer Mob Rules Celebration Day – 30 Years
Maxïmo Park, Nina Nesbitt (on Apple Tree), Nightwish Larry Crane (The Decemberists), winteraid.com, Of 2CD, three unissued, SPV, 3 May.
(Nuclear Blast), Willow (Three Six Zero), Shelby Lynne Alessandro “Asso” Stefana, producer PJ Harvey, ■ Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson
(Monument), George Benson (Rhino); and reissues Ipecac (24) Kim Richey Every New Beginning, Skunkworks, Balls To Picasso remixes,
from Haddaway (on BMG), Engelbert Humperdinck, producer Doug Lancio (John Hiatt), Yep Roc. [TBC]. ■ Lamb Of God’s Mark Morton
plus best-of; and Uli Jon Roth’s In Search Of The Desolation: A Heavy Metal Memoir book,
Alpha Law book. Hachette, 25 June. ■ Darkthrone It
BLUES Beckons Us All LP, blue, grey, white,
CELLULOID HEROES May (31) Jesse Dayton The Hard Way Blues, clear, green LPs, CD, box set with CD,
Projects due include Alexis Spraic’s The World According producer Shooter Jennings, Hardcharger. cassette, prints, coloured LP, Peaceville,
To Allee Willis documentary film, with Cyndi Lauper, 26 April. ■ Voivod’s We Are Connected
Patti LaBelle and score composer, DEVO’s Mark INDIE documentary film has a kickstarter.com
Mothersbaugh, via Blackburn Pictures; Nadia Conners’ April (19) Local Natives But I’ll Wait For You, campaign to 27 April. ■ NO REMORSE:
The Uninvited film, scored by Jane’s Addiction’s co-producers John Congleton (St Vincent), Michael The Illustrated True Stories Of Lemmy
Eric Avery, via Foton Pictures; Rupert Sanders’ The Harris (Lana Del Rey), Loma Vista (26) Porij Teething, Kilmister And Motörhead book; Deluxe
Crow film, with FKA Twigs, soundtracked by Volker co-producer David Wrench (The xx), PIAS, Hovvdy, Edition outsize slipcased book, with
Bertelmann, in cinemas, 7 June; a biopic producer Andrew Sarlo (Bon Iver), Arts & three prints, white 2LP featuring
of Gloria Gaynor via Lifetime in 2025; The Warning Crafts (UK tour, 21-28 May). colleagues Phil Campbell, Mikkey
Abby Berendt Lavoi/Jeremey Lavoi’s muse a feed Dee, Slim Jim Phantom, plus Ozzy
Roots Of Fire documentary film METAL Osbourne, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich,
on cajun music, on Apple May (31) Priest Dark Pulse CD, Guns N’ Roses’ Slash, Chrissie Hynde,
TV, Amazon Prime, LP, producer Simon Soderberg Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, Jane’s
7 May; Static-X’s (ex-Ghost), Reigning Phoenix. Addiction’s Dave Navarro, Hawkwind’s
Evil Disco: The Rise, Fall, Michael Moorcock; Backstage Edition
And Regeneration Of ROCK adding 25-copy framed personal pass;
documentary film; The May (3) The Watchers All Access Edition with alternate five-
Beach Boys documentary Nyctophilia, producer copy framed personal pass, are due via
film, with Lindsey Max Norman (Ozzy Z2 Comics. ■ Black Sabbath Anno
Buckingham (Fleetwood Osbourne), Ripple, Domini 1989-95 4LP, with Headless
Mac), Janelle Monáe, Black Pyramid The Paths Cross, Tyr, Cross Purposes, Forbidden
Don Was, on Disney+, Of Time Are Vast, producer remix; 4CD with three bonuses, BMG,
24 May; a Ryan Coogler Justin Pizzoferrato (Dinosaur Jr), 31 May. ■ McCoy The Sound Of
Prince musical film, via Totem Cat (24) Abrams Blue City, Thunder 3CD, with McCoy, two
Universal; Celyn Jones’ The producer Kurt Ballou (Chelsea bonuses, Brainstorm, Live 1977, HNE,
Almond And The Seahorse Wolfe), bandcamp.com June 31 May. ■ Kreator Enemy Of God/
film, with Charlotte (28) The Warning Keep Me Hordes Of Chaos box, with two comics,
Gainsbourg, in cinemas, 10 Fed, co-producer Dan Lancaster mask, Enemy Of God coloured 2LP,
May; a Dua Lipa concert film. (Muse), LAVA. 2CD with 14 bonuses, Hordes Of Chaos
LP, 2CD with 12, Nuclear Blast, 24
May. ■ Lie Heavy Burn To The Moon,
Nonclassical, One Little Independent, Partisan, Place No Blame, Revolver, Sad Club, Saddest Factory, Sapien,
Secretly Canadian, Scratchy, Skyline, Slowfoot, Sonic Cathedral, Soundway, Speedy Wunderground, Stones Throw,
Strut, Tapete, Technicolour, The State51 Conspiracy, This Ain’t Distribution, Third Man, Time Capsule, Untitled (Recs),
Wah Wah 45s, War Child, White Peach, WIAIWYA, Wilson and Yellow Flower. Black Sabbath boxed in again
See independentlabelmarket.com. ➤
12 Record Collector
THE BEAT GOES ON…
For these and more great releases, visit our website at www.bgo-records.com
OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS SPANKY AND OUR GANG DAN HICKS & HIS HOT LICKS
BGOCD1511 BGOCD1514 BGOCD1515
Buy any 2 CDs from the website, get free shipping (UK only)
All BGO Records new releases are available from Amazon and all good record shops
or online at www.bgo-records.com
For a free BGO Records text catalogue listing and order form, please email
[email protected] or call 01284 724406
BGO Records, 7 St Andrews Street North, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1TZ • Distributed in the UK by Proper Music
NEWS
14 Record Collector
MUSIC MEMORABILIA
& CONCERT POSTERS
Always Accepting Quality Consignments
BG-105 Jimi Hendrix 1968 “Flying Eyeball” Concert Buddy Holly & the Crickets “The Day the Music BG-134 Grateful Dead, Santana 1968 Fillmore West
Poster Signed by Rick Griffin, Graded 9.8. Died” 1959 Historic Concert Poster. Concert Poster Graded 9.9 Mint.
Sold for $175,000 Sold for $447,000 Sold for $20,000
Bob Marley & the Wailers 1976 Düsseldorf, Pink Floyd 1977 Oakland, CA Concert Poster Signed The Beatles The White Album No. #0000006 John
Germany Concert Poster. by Randy Tuten, Graded 9.8 (AOR-4.47). Lennon’s Copy, Top-Loader Stereo UK Pressing LP Vinyl
Sold for $9,375 Sold for $8,125 Record with Inserts (Apple, PCS 7067/7068, 1968).
Sold for $162,500
The Beatles Abbey Road, Album Cover Session, The Beatles Yesterday and Today Sealed Mono “First The Beatles Large Signed Pan American Flight 101
August 8, 1969, Portfolio of Seven Chromogenic State” with “Butcher” Cover LP Vinyl Record (Capitol, Menu Plus (10) Photos From the Flight to America
Color Photographs, Edition No. 8/25, T-2553) Slabbed and Graded 9.0. (February 7th, 1964).
by Iain MacMillan. Sold for $112,500 Sold for $100,000
Sold for $162,500
16 Record Collector
SPECIALIST MUSIC AUCTIONEERS
NO. 1 AUCTION HOUSE WORLDWIDE FOR VINYL & THE FASTEST GROWING FOR MEMORABILIA
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REGULAR SPECIALIST AUCTIONS OF RARE & COLLECTABLE VINYL AND MUSIC MEMORABILIA PLUS ONE OFF SPECIALIST SALES
IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO SELL A SINGLE ITEM OR ENTIRE COLLECTION OUR NO. 1 PRIORITY IS TO ENSURE YOU GET THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE
GENRES INCLUDE ROCK, PROG, PSYCH, INDIE, PUNK, ROCK N ROLL, JAZZ, FOLK, BLUES, NORTHERN SOUL, SOUL, DISCO, MOTOWN, FUNK & MORE TO INCLUDE LPs, ϳ͕͟ϭϮ͕͟
ACETATES, DEMOS, POSTERS, PROGRAMMES, TICKETS, STAGE CLOTHING, INSTRUMENTS, AWARDS, SIGNED ITEMS, PHOTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL EFFECTS, DOCUMENTS͙
Greener vinyl
German manufacturer produces first EcoRecord vinyl LP,
with UK plant-based records in the offing
We’ve featured eco-LPs made from recycled vinyl in RC in recent years but, in
March, Warners announced the first EcoRecord vinyl LP made from recyclable
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) rather than conventional polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
of which around 30,000 tons is used to make vinyl LPs each year. The chart-
topping eponymous debut of Liam Gallagher/John Squire is the first PET LP, care
of Germany’s Sonopress, which specialises in the manufacture of CDs and DVDs.
They claim that the environmental impact of producing PET LPs is 85% less than
that for PVC LPs, utilising technology normally associated with CDs, DVDs and BDs,
along with various digital media. The record-pressing injection moulding machines
were installed at the plant by the end of 2023, then specialist tools and other
equipment were trialled with it earlier this year, prior to PET LP production going
online. Gernot Wolf told RC that they turned round the order in four weeks,
which in these days of vinyl pressing delays shows that they were mad for it!
In addition, in March, PMC Speakers announced that it is investing in Evovinyl,
which makes a bioplastic alternative to PVC vinyl, made from sugar cane. The
manufacturer claims that EvoLPs can be produced using 15-30% less energy than
conventional records, and they can be pressed in any colour, with no loss of audio
quality, and boast the advantage that bioplastic naturally dissipates static, making
for dust-free discs. Other vinyl-makers may turn green with envy!
The EcoRecord plant, and Liam Gallagher & John
See sonopress.de, evolution-music.co.uk. Squire’s colourful first
18 Record Collector
The
Vinylist
UPCOMING VINYL
News and views from
the world of vinyl
LP, Sundazed; Dua Lipa
Radical Optimism turquoise,
RELEASES blue-white LPs, CD, cassette,
ukshop.dualipa.com; Tommy
APRIL (19) Hozier Wasteland, Bolin Teaser splatter LP,
Baby! clear, green 2LP, five Melanie Central Park 1974
bonuses, Universal; Jah pink 2LP, Cleopatra; Sandy
Wobble Presents The Light Nelson Drums A Go Go LP,
Programme, Julie Tippetts green LP, Sundazed; Sun Ra
Shadow Puppeteer LPs, & His Arkestra Thunder Of
Eargong; Monster Squad The Gods yellow LP, Modern
Strength Through Pain LP, Harmonic; Lonnie Liston
Pirates Press; Richmond Smith Cosmic Funk clear LP,
Fontaine Post To Wire Astral Traveling yellow LP,
coloured 2LP, 10 bonuses, Real Gone; The Dwarves
Winnemucca coloured LP, Keep It Real LP, Greedy; The
one, Décor; Leon Russell Nazz Lost Masters & Demos
Hank Wilson Vol II coloured purple, blue, pink, violet 4LP,
LP, BMG; The Flesh Eaters Purple Pyramid; Genesis
A Minute To Pray A Second Turn It On Again 2LP,
To Die red LP, Jackpot; Bo Atlantic; Green Day Warning:
Carter Banana In Your Fruit coloured LP, Reprise; REO
Basket LP, Yazoo; The 4 Speedwagon Hi Infidelity
Skins Riot In The Ghetto LP, coloured LP, Legacy; Dave
red LP, Radiation; Siouxsie Matthews Some Devil 2LP,
& The Banshees Once Upon RCA; The Boys, Alternative
A Time/The Singles clear LP, Chartbusters LPs, Call Of
Geffen; NOFX The Greatest The Void (10) Universal
Songs Ever Written, Dropkick Order Of Armageddon LP,
Murphys The Warrior’s Code, clear, coloured LPs, Numero;
Rancid, The Interrupters Widespread Panic Dirty Side
LPs, Epitaph; Hans Zimmer Down 2LP, Widespread; The
Dune Part Two 2LP, 2CD, Dr Who coloured 6LP box set set due Tangent To Follow Polaris
Mutant (26) Dead Boys 180g 2LP, 2CD/book, each
Return Of The Living Dead Boys, with bonus, InsideOut; Marisa
Judy Collins Strangers Again, Third Of LP, Rhino; Battle Beast Circus Thee Headcoats I Am The Object Anderson/Jim White Bitterroot
World Under The Magic Sun LPs, UK Of Doom purple 2LP, Nuclear Blast; Of Your Desire LP, Damaged Goods; Valley Suite I: Water turquoise LP,
Subs Fear To Go! LP, CD, Cleopatra; of Montreal The Sunlandic Twins Madlib Liberation 2 Instrumentals CD, Thrill Jockey; The Treatment
Alice Cooper Breadcrumbs tribute orange, red 2LP, Polyvinyl; ex-Ghost’s 2LP, Nature Sounds. Wake Up The Neighbourhood
LP, two bonuses, Absolute; Judith Henrik Palm Nerd Icon LP, CD, orange 180g LP, CD, Frontiers;
Hill Letters From A Black Widow Svart; Mike Zito Live Is Hard LP, MAY (3) Willie Nelson The Border Mary Lattimore/Walt McClements
2LP, CD, Regime; Red Garland Sono; Abbey Lincoln & Hank Jones LP, orange LP, LP/book, CD, Legacy; Rain On The Road orange LP, CD,
Trio Groovy LP, Craft; Kittie Spit When There Is Love 2LP, Decca; 94 East Featuring Prince Dance To bandcamp.com; Joe Cuba Sextet
LP, SPV; Corrosion Of Conformity They Might Be Giants Here Come The Music Of The World LP, coloured Vagabundeando! (Hangin’ Out!)
America’s Volume Dealer coloured The ABCs coloured 180g LP, Walt LP, Charly; FM Old Habits Die Hard 180g LP, Craft; Thomas Newman
180g LP, two bonuses, In The Arm Disney; Chico Hamilton The Dealer, yellow 2LP, CD, Frontiers; Anthony American Beauty red LP, Real Gone;
Of God silver 180g LP, King Steps In Gloria Coleman Quartet Soul Sisters Willis Saltburn OST silver 180g LP, Guy Clark Truly Handmade Vol 1
Time, Earth, Wind & Fire Greatest 180g LPs, Verve; Johnny Marr The Great Kat Beethoven On Speed LP, CD, Truly Handmade; Billie
Hits blue 180g LPs, Thelonious Adrenalin Baby Live pink 2LP/poster, red 180g LP, Music On Vinyl; The Holiday At Storyville LP, ORG; Chick
Monk It’s Monk Time, Youssou BMG; Herbie Hancock Jammin’ With Gathering Always 2LP, Roadburn; Corea/Bela Fleck Remembrance
N’Dour The Guide (Wommat), Herbie purple 2LP, Renaissance; Ron Rob Zombie The Words And Music LP, CD, Thirty Tigers; Willie Nelson
Santana Marathon orange 180g Geesin Basic Maths LP, Trunk; Keith Of House Of 1,000 Corpses coloured The Words Don’t Fit The Picture
LPs, Europe’s Joey Tempest A Urban #1s Vol 1, Vol 2 coloured LPs, 2LP, Waxwork; Metallica St Anger blue 180g LP, Rod Stewart Fly Me
Place To Call Home 180g LP, Martin Capitol; Deicide Banished By Sin, orange 2LP, Mercury; Bobby To The Moon 180g LP, Music On
Phipps Napoleon OST red 180g LP, Reigning Phoenix; Roy Buchanan Hutcherson Total Eclipse, Donald Vinyl; Kenny Burrell A Night At The
George Adams/Don Pullen Quartet Live At Rockpalast Hamburg 1985 Byrd Byrd’s Eye View 180g LPs, Blue Vanguard, Sam Lazar Space Flight
City Gates white 180g LP, Pete LP, MiG; Gerry Mulligan Night Note; Kenny Dorham This Is The 180g LPs, Verve; Brian Auger’s
Rock/CL Smooth Mecca And The Lights 180g LP, Verve; Abbey Moment! Mono 180g LP, New Land; Oblivion Express Live Oblivion Vol
Soul Brother yellow 180g LP, The Lincoln/Hank Jones When There Nuclear Blast Imaginaerum, Endless 1 LP, CD, Vol 2 2LP, CD, Soul Bank
Main Ingredient yellow 180g 2LP, Is Love 2LP, Decca; Ian Shaw An Forms Most Beautiful, Once splatter Music (17) Halloweens Opera
Music On Vinyl; ZZ Top The Best Adventurous Dream 2LP, CD, PX; 2LPs, Nuclear Blast; Nucleus white Singing At The Piano Bar blue LP,
MY PRECIOUS
Youn Sun Nah on Every note,
Norma Winstone’s syllable,
Somewhere Called Home sound,
“Love at first silence is
sound. The experienced
moment as if in
Winstone’s the studio
voice reaches with the trio. It’s beyond music.
my ears, I’m Overflowing with emotion, pure
captivated. My musical joy!”
heart races,
my senses Youn Sun Nah Elles is
awaken. on Warners. Porcupine Tree: grey but not aged on 4LP
20 Record Collector
NEWS
Record Collector 21
RC investigates
Xzibit’s explosive
smoke (grenade)
SWEET LEAF
Artists’ cannabis lines are a recent, novel development in memorabilia.
Non-smoker Tim Jones charts the growth of some joint productions
S
ince 2014, when the recreational use Erykah Badu That Bad launched April 2023 in David Crosby Mighty Croz was a collaboration with
of cannabis was legalised for the first California. Combining terpene-rich Lemoncello/ a friend, Steven Sponder, and the culmination of
time in decades in certain US states, Jet Fuel Gelato, she uses it as a throat-soothing the archetypal stoner musician’s decades’ love for
numerous musicians have offered weed relaxant between recordings. It’s available as eighths pot, appearing just before he went up in smoke in
and associated paraphernalia, such as (of an ounce, or 3.5 grams) or pre-rolled joints. It 2023. As Crosby explained to mightycroz.com prior
papers, bongs, and more. Some artistes and sub-/ was followed by her Apple Trees line of bongs, rolling to its launch: “I’m doing this because it’s fun. Weed is
genres are more associated with hemp-assisted trays and female-focused products, such as creams, fun. People who like weed are fun. I like to have fun
listening than others. Bob Marley seemingly made oils, drops, sprays, tinctures, tea and edibles. Badu in my life. I have a PhD in fun”!
it a way of life, Tupac thought it was dope, Willie mushroom teas sprung up in May, with plans for
Nelson got to 90-plus on it, and Snoop Dogg has a documentary on “pussy and weed” including Deftones’ Cannabis Collection was inaugurated
made a career out of extolling its virtues. He even hemp farmers and sex workers. November 2021 with The Passenger Box cannabis
caused a minor online meltdown in November flower, via Golden Barn, California. Following their
2023, claiming to be quitting the ’erb for good. Blink-182’s Travis Barker’s Barker Wellness line alcohol offerings, the Collection expanded to
As if! Something he smoked. So, for all those of of cannabinoid treatments launched February 2021. strawberry/watermelon, mango and passion
a Bill & Ted/potty disposition, hashtag fans of Skin care products include body butter and oil, face Gummies, vapes, and a tincture of grape, hemp
The Tea Party, Reef, Supergrass, etc, what green cleaner, moisturiser, eye serum and face balm, seed and peppermint oils.
to spend your green on? alongside muscle therapy cream and balm, bath
flakes, and edible Gummies and sleep Gummies. Die Antwoord Zef Zol was a pioneering 2016 effort
The Allman Brothers Band Chocolate Chunk by the South African rap duo, to share their stoner
launched in May 2022 as a 3.5g Afghan Hindu Justin Bieber Peaches pre-rolled joints appeared in ethos, offering cannabis flowers from Natural
Kush strain of PharmaCann’s Matter.X, sold October 2021. Produced by Palms Premium Goods, Cannabis of California, along with rolled blunts,
exclusively via Verilife dispensaries. As its five types are available as half-gram packs. vapes, mouth spray, lip balm, chocolate cereal,
spokeswoman, Erika Salgado, put it, “The Allman strawberry lollies and Gummies.
Brothers Band pioneered the Southern rock sound Jimmy Buffett Coral Reefer was unveiled in
that is synonymous with cannabis. Our goal is Florida, 2019. Described as tropical terpene in Melissa Etheridge Botanicals and Organics kicked
to create cannabis products that capture the flavour, joints were joined by Lime Gummies in off in California in December 2020, comprising
essence of the band.” October 2021. cannabis flowers, and Morning sativa, Noon hybrid
and Night indica pre-rolls. A range of five Pure non-
Slipknot’s Shawn psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) tinctures followed in
Crahan Clown 2021, numbering Harmony, Sleep, Serenity, Vitality
Cannabis appeared and Potency.
May 2021 in
partnership with The Flaming Lips Love Yer Brain, its website
Hollister, Hash Bone & declared, saw The Nirvana Group float brain-shaped
Heavy Grass. Available cannabis edibles in 2020, though “technically,
as packs of 6.5g pre- Wayne Coyne started selling weed to his friends in
rolls, they comprise 1977”! As part of “a lifelong commitment to pushing
75% Blue Zkittlez indica boundaries in music, art, and general strangeness,”
flower that is tart citrus, Love Yer Brain is “a unity of art, weirdness and
sweet earth and cannabis”. In June 2023, the range expanded with
wildflower, and 25% two Focus hemp gummies, adaptogenic lion’s mane
orange flavour Paradise mushroom, and two Rest blackberry-flavour hemp
The Brothers’ brand Citrus bubble hash. gummies and reishi mushroom.
22 Record Collector
COLLECTING
The Game Trees line of cannabis products from System Of A Down’s Shavo Odadjian
Vertical, Los Angeles, went live in autumn 2016, founded his 22Red company in 2018, vending
its 3.5g flowers including Raskal OG (Original Church22 pre-rolls in February 2019. That
Grower) and Platinum Punch, along with pre-rolls. November, partnering with Flower One, Nevada,
The Game curated numerous additions, such the range expanded to Mimosa22, Caramel
as Fire Alien Strawberry, Gorilla Zookies, Double Gelato and 22OG flowers and pre-rolls, OG
Dream and Super Soul Diesel indica, sativa and Kush, Strawberry Banana and Watermelon
hybrid blunts, Black Jack, Mac Dawg, Wedding vapes, and Watermelon and Orange Mint
Cake and Jack Hammer flowers. As The Game put CBD gummies.
it, “the product, the taste, the quality, and how it
makes the people that use it feel is everything”. Margo Price Mom Grass low-strength pre-
roll joints and tinned CBG flowers bloomed
Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah and Killah in January 2023 via Dad Grass, Price
Priest partnered in 2016 with Dynamite Stix commending it for anyone with writer’s block.
to produce three Wu Goo hash vaporiser oils,
flavoured strawberry, pineapple-coconut and Rick Ross Collins Ave launched in June 2023
vanilla-mango. By 2023, they’d added 70% via High Tolerance of California. Available as
THC (psychoactive cannabis) oil. a 3.5g indica flower, it was complemented by
Lemon Pepper sativa, Pink Rozay hybrid and
GWAR Bud Of Gods descended to Earth in 2021 All Time High.
as a Sour Tsunami CBD hemp flower in 3.5g jar or
7g bag, along with pre-rolls. New Dunk Ages vapes, Lil Wayne, at a premium Run The Jewels Ooh, Lala indica flower
gummies and more were added 2023. blossomed in July 2020 c/o Lemmonade of
Lake Elsinore, California, with pre-rolls, blunts,
2019. It expanded by 2024 to pre-rolls, Meyers vapes and extracts following.
lemon gummies, Money Cake, Tropical Storm, Mint
Pepper, Night Blooming Jasmine hybrid, Sky Lime Carlos Santana’s Mirayo venture with Left
and OG Crush indica cannabis distillate vape oils, Coast Ventures in October 2020 saw him
Perfecta and Boom Box 1g live resin sauce, VIP attempt to “enhance creative expression”
3.5 g sativa flower, and Uproar hybrid/sativa. with pre-rolls and 7g flower jars of Radiance
sativa, Centered indica, hybrid Symmetry, and
Bob Marley Natural was the result of a partnering Essence. In May 2023, The Parent Company
between his estate and Privateer Holdings dating added rosin gummies in Guava, Prickly Pear
to 2013. As well as pre-rolls and cannabis oil and Raspberry flavours.
cartridges, the line includes Kaya, Sun Is Shining,
One Draw, Natural Mystic indica, and Nice Time, Snoop Dogg Leafs By Snoop saw the pioneer
Royal Rita, Ragga, Smile Jamaica, Uprising and smoker team with LivWell in November 2015,
The Gong sativa flowers, grown in his home parish issuing oils, gels and 3.5g and other flower jars
of St Ann, Jamaica. In February 2023, the Bob of indica Bananas, Northern Light, Moonbeam,
Marley Museum, Hope Street, Kingston, opened Cali Kush Purple Bush, and sativa Lemon Pie,
a Natural Dispensary/smoking room, while Blueberry Dream, Tangerine and Grape Soda,
a Natural cannabis store opened its doors, too. plus 3D CBD. Chocolate bars, drops, gummies
Paraphernalia include water and spoon pipes, and other sweets included Peanut Butter,
GWAR’s quiet moment, kinda streamrollers, rigglers and bubblers. Strawberry, Cherry, Peach and Lemon Cherry,
while, in December 2022, his Death Row label
Method Man TICAL products were developed by added Death Row Cannabis.
Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart Mind Your Head the Wu-Tang Clan man with Clone Guy Industries,
and Magic Mini pre-rolls appeared May 2019, the Long Beach, and offered June 2020, initial 3.6g Wiz Khalifa Kush evolved from his private Los
band’s drummer announcing that he was “seeking flower batches including hybrid Cake, Gelato and Angeles development of a hybrid indica strain
to share an essential part of the inspiration behind” Punch, plus Crusher and OG Indica. By 2021, in the early 10s. By February 2016, he’d
his music, as “cannabis is about opening the mind Orange Cookie Kush, Sweet Grease and Free MAC partnered with River Rock of Colorado to
and, throughout my life, cannabis has played an were on the menu and, in 2023, CHEM91xG13 distribute flowers, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates
important role in inspiring creativity”. Working with and Dual OG S1. and edibles.
Left Coast Ventures, Santa Rosa, California, he
chose the Chemdog strain “renowned for boosting Motörhead Ace Of Spades CBD hempette smokes Xzibit’s Grenade made waves in November
artistry”, while Space Ticket hash-infused pre-rolls, were produced in collaboration with Alt Smokes in 2020, when launched in conjunction with
with indica-leaning Trinity Star and DOG Chem, February 2021. Napalm Cannabis of Californial as a luxury
followed later that year. $150 8g pre-roll, containing 7g of flower
Willie Nelson Reserve was unveiled in 2015 by and 1g of resin, housed in a glass grenade!
Ice Cube Fryday Kush 46% THC was said to America’s most toked about smoker. Pre-rolls,
“taste like wedding cake” and offered in 3.5g jars vape cartridges, Day Tripper flower jars, and sativa, Do you know of any other muso weeds?
in February 2021, via Caviar Gold, Coachella, indica and hybrid flowers, such as OG, Master Kush Let us know via rc.editorial@metropolis.
California. Strong, bluntly. and Sour Diesel, were followed by hemp-infused co.uk, some time this decade, you know,
coffee and toke-n pieces of paraphernalia. or, whenever.
Jay-Z Monogram launched October 2020, when
The Parent Company took it, Caliva and Left Coast
Ventures under its umbrella, consolidating the
production of 11,000 lb of cannabis a year at
a 100,000 feet2 factory in San Jose. Offering the
likes of No 70 and No 88 ‘sweet and spicy’ strains,
OG Handroll cigars soon followed. By 2024, it had 2g
and 4g flower and pre-rolls of No 1 “tropical fruit with
Credit: (GWAR) gwar.net (Lil Wayne) gkua.com
Record Collector 23
The
Collector
This month: musician
Sunna Margrét
24 Record Collector
COLLECTING
Swiss-based Icelander Sunna Margrét is a Make A Happening that is still sealed
rising force in experimental pop. Having shut. Also, Die Tödliche Doris – Chöre
begun her career as a teenager touring & Soli, it’s a box set with a battery-driven
with electro-pop ensemble Bloodgroup, miniphone [miniature gramophone] inside
she is about to release her debut full- and eight mini-vinyl records in different
length solo LP, Finger on Tongue. colours, plus a book. Another record that is
Influenced by krautrock legends CAN very dear to me and of considerable value is
and Neu!, alongside outsider synth-pop The Space Lady – On The Street Of Dreams
artist The Space Lady and electronic that I bought from her when she had a show
music pioneers Suzanne Ciani and Eliane in my city in 2018. She made a drawing
Radigue, her work touches on cross- on the cover art and signed a photograph,
cutting synth-pop, reinvented trip-hop, “For Sunna”, with a beautiful signature
krautrock, and experimental inspirations. with planets and space drawings. It is one
She is also an accomplished visual artist, of my favourite live performances, hosted
co-founding No Salad Records as a by Arsenic [a contemporary arts centre] in
Allan Kaprow – How To Make A Happening
platform for avant-garde, electronic, and Lausanne [the capital of the Swiss French- (Mass Art Inc M-132, Ltd Ed LP, US, 1966)
post-punk expression worldwide. speaking canton of Vaud, collector-geographers Estimated market value: £250
– Ed]; a very intimate and beautiful
What do you collect, and why? concert. It was the first time I ever had
I collect what I know I will actually listen to, this experience from that side of the table.
what sparks my interest, records that inspire Because I used to tour a lot with my band,
me to make music. I often buy records and I played concerts and signed vinyl and
when I go to concerts – it’s nice to support photographs, and I didn’t understand what
the artists directly. I enjoy a whole range of it felt like to speak to an artist that you’ve
styles: experimental, psychedelic rock, punk just seen play music, who touches you. And
rock, post-punk, ambient, world music, then getting a signed record directly from
electronic, krautrock, pop, sometimes jazz, them afterwards – it’s fun!
blues, folk… all sorts of directions. But
preferably something I don’t already know.
Yesterday I bought a new release: Vanishing “I’M PROBABLY
Twin – Afternoon X. It had a quote from
[leftfield music mag] The Wire so I gave it a GOING TO LISTEN TO
listen. Now, since I began running a record
label, when I’ve been personally distributing
THEM UNTIL THEY Can – Soundtracks
(Liber ty LBS 83 437, LP, Germany, 1970)
Estimated market value: £45
records to local stores, it’s hard to resist
grabbing a record or two on the way out.
ARE RUINED”
How big is your collection? What elusive gem are you still looking
It’s tiny! Well, it depends who you ask, but out for?
for collectors, it’s tiny. Maybe 700 records Haven’t really looked, but I would love
ranging from 6” to 12”. to have Pauline Oliveros – Accordion &
Voice. It had such an impact on me when I
What do you think it is worth? heard it for the first time. And if I had the
Probably not much… I’ve never really 7” of Kourosh Yaghmaei – Saraabe Toe
thought about it. I’m constantly listening to / Dar Enteha … the B-side is one of my
my records, day in, day out, and I know I’m favourite songs ever ever ever! Dar Enteha
probably going to listen to them until they means ‘at the end’. It’s based on a poem
are ruined. Some of those records are already by Hakim Omar Khayyam (1048-1131
in bad shape, a lot of them I bought for just AD) and in this poem he writes: “This jar
two euros. But then, streaming music just that you see has been made with dust and Eden Ahbez – Eden’s Island
(Del-Fi Records DFLP 1211, LP, mono, US, 1960)
isn’t my thing. was a human at one time; this human was Estimated market value: £200
Record Collector 25
COLLECTING
in love with their beloved one, just like How often do you listen to the stuff in
me.” I think Yaghmaei’s story is also the your collection?
complete opposite of my life, and so his Every day. There might be moments where I’m
music interests me. I have his Back From obsessed with one record, and I will put it on
The Brink, Pre-revolution Psychedelic Rock repeat for days in a row. But we all listen to
From Iran, 1973-1979, from where I got this collection in my home. Even my son, who
this information. Another one would be is three, has a very specific taste and asks for
Susumu Yokota’s The Boy And The Tree, or certain records: Ramones, Slits and Le Tigre
Sakura – they’re both classics. I’ve been very are his current favourites. He used to be all
inspired by his music for some years now, about Spacemen 3.
but I only discovered him after he passed
away. I was living under a rock. Is there a visual side to collecting for you?
Have you ever bought a record for the sleeve
alone, or for a picture disc?
“I GOT THE 45RPM Once as a present, but otherwise never. But
Laurie Anderson – Mister Heartbreak
ON THE RECORD
the sleeve always intrigues me first, of course, (Warner Bros. 925 077-1, LP, UK, 1984)
then I listen. If I don’t like the music, I won’t Estimated market value: £6
What’s given you the biggest thrill? What’s your all-time favourite record,
When I got the 45rpm on the record player regardless of value or rarity?
fixed and I could finally start listening to CAN – Soundtracks. I can always put this
7”s again and discovered that I actually album on. Future Days is up there also, and
really love this format. So, now that’s where Eden Ahbez – Eden’s Island. And I really love
I’m digging in the shops. That and, of Ellen Fullman – The Long String Instrument. It
course, my encounter with The Space Lady. calms the nerves…
I also saw Gróa and Revenge Of Calculon
Moondog – Pastoral Suite/Surf Sessio
live at Lucky Records during Iceland Finger on Tongue by Sunna Margrét is on (Moondog’s Corner MOCO EP1, 7” EP,
n
Germany,
Airwaves last year and bought all of their No Salad Records. 2004) Estimated market value: £10
26 Record Collector
S J M C O N C E R T S B Y A R R A N G E M E N T W I T H WA S S E R M A N
M AY 1 7 B E L F A S T T H E T E L E G R A P H B U I L D I N G
M AY 1 9S O
NLOD ROW
U TI C H U E A
M AY 2 1 G L A S G O W O 2 A C A D E M Y
M AY 2 3 N E W C A S T L E 0 2 CI T Y H ALL
M AY 2 7 B R ISSOTL DO LO U0T 2 A C A D E M Y
M AY 2 8 C ASR
O LDDI FOFU TT R A M S H E D
L DOOUUTT H 0 2 A C A D E M Y
M AY 3 0 B O U R NSEOM
M AY 3 1 B I R M ISNOGL DH OAUMT 0 2 I N S T I T U T E
J U N 1 N O T TSI O
NLGDHOAU M
T ROCK CITY
3 R D N I G H T A D D E D D U E T O E XC E P T I O N A L D E M A N D
MANCHESTER 02 RITZ
MS AY 2 4 / JS OUL DNO U5
OLD OUT
T / JUN 6
LONDON ROUNDHOUSE
M AY
S O L D O2
UT 5 / JSU
O L DNO U T8 / JUN 9
GIGSANDTOURS.COM TICKETMASTER.CO.UK GARYNUMAN.COM
VALUE
ADDED
FACTS
Ian Shirley, Editor
Emeritus of the Rare
Record Price Guide,
answers your questions
STATESIDE
SOUND AND
VISION
I
was fortunate enough to study in New York
for a six-month period in late 1976 and
early 1977. I was a fan of David Bowie and
so bought Low as well as the single Sound
And Vision, which came in a colour picture
sleeve. I have your excellent Rare Record Price
Guide and so know that a Mint UK original of Low
is worth in the region of £100. But what are my
US copies of Low and Sound And Vision worth?
Barry Keene via email
Low, released in January 1977, is regarded as
one of David Bowie’s greatest albums. Of course,
back in late 1976, after it had been recorded
and delivered to his record label, RCA, there was
internal disquiet as to whether it might be a form
of commercial suicide similar to Lou Reed’s
Metal Machine Music (RCA CPL 21101, US,
1975, £50). Helmed by producer Tony Visconti,
with late input from Brian Eno, Bowie and his
live band had recorded music that ranged from Cash Box: “Bowie fans are going to probably buy Sales of Low were strong across the country.
the funktronic Speed Of Life, via the off-kilter the album regardless of what price is asked. If “Bowie’s follow-up to his ChangesOneBowie
Breaking Glass to an entire second side of the price was three dollars they’d buy it and if the greatest hit package has generated sales in all
instrumentals. In the UK, RCA sent out a one- price was $7.98 they’d probably purchase it.” major markets,” wrote Cash Box, listing Low as
sided 7” – From The New Album Low (BOW 1 E, an album that had broken out to big sales across
£2000) – containing excerpts from four tracks to America, “most impressively the west region.
warm up (or warn) critics to music that was a “RCA INTENDED TO Reports from Liquorice Pizza, Music Plus,
long way from Fame and Sorrow. Everybody’s Tower (SF), Odyssey, City One
Of course, Low immediately yielded a hit RETAIL LOW AT A NEW Stop… confirm Bowie’s west coast appeal.”
single in Sound And Vision, which went Top 3 in Low was to reach No 11 in the Billboard
the UK in February 1977. Critically well-received, HIGHER PRICE” charts, confounding the view that American
Low showed that Bowie was once again leading listeners preferred the bombast of KISS,
the pack, this time towards a new European On release, Low had positive reviews in both Aerosmith, or the FM fodder of Kansas, Santana,
sound at a time when the waves of punk crashed Cash Box and Billboard. Of course, these were George Benson and Bread. Saying that, since
against the established musical beaches. industry magazines whose advertising relied upon Low is now hailed as a classic, a Mint copy
Sound And Vision was not released Stateside the major labels so every album got a positive of a US pressing (CPL 12030) – with the inner
until April 1977. This was probably to allow review. Indeed, RCA paid for full-page adverts in sleeve and fan club insert – is worth in the region
RCA to lay down the promotional groundwork for both publications with the apt strapline: “Two of £50-60.
Low in January 1977. I actually took a look at sides of Bowie you’ve never heard before”. Cash As with the UK, the US Sound And Vision
original copies of Billboard and Cash Box to Box’s reviewer stated: “David Bowie still seems single (PB 10905) was backed with A New
examine the American industry perception and to stay out in space on one entire side of his Career In A New Town and released in April
promotion of Low. latest release which leans heavily towards 1977. Billboard stated: “This rocking single
What’s interesting is that the first mention of electronic effects. Synthetic strings, Arp and arranges myriad guitar and synthesiser effects
Bowie’s new LP came in an early January feature mini-Moog play prominent roles on a number of around a funky drumbeat, as well as featuring
about album prices. In keeping with similar tunes.” Billboard took a similar tack, stating: Bowie’s vocalising in several textures and
releases by major artists early in the year – “Bowie, the multi-instrumental master, emerges ranges.” Sound And Vision only reached No 69
Animals by Pink Floyd, A Day At The Races by on this disk. The emphasis is on mental journeys on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1977 – four
Queen and In Flight by George Benson – RCA into some brooding, mysterious lands. Bowie’s places higher than Bowie’s last single, TVC15,
intended to retail Low at a new higher price of singing is significantly downplayed here in favour from May 1976. The follow-up – Be My Wife/
$7.98. This was the same price as RCA’s of the overdubbed instruments including Speed Of Life (PB 11017) – got nowhere near
classical Red Seal line and, as one executive told synthesisers and other keyboards.” the Billboard Hot 100 when released in June
28 Record Collector
COLLECTING
1977. Thus, Bowie collectors like you, There was even a restaurant at
who own Mint copies of any of these Kothenerstrasse so hungry musicians
records, can expect to get between did not have to go out looking for food.
£10 and £15. Hansa studio boss Gerd Lemnitz proudly
Bowie was soon recording again – stated about this site: “Here, everything
with Visconti and Eno – in the same is under one roof. That means we also
musical vein. The first fruit Stateside have our own demo-studios in Hansa 4
was Heroes/V-2 Schneider (PB 11121, and independent copy facilities. With
£30) in September. Though a big hit in our 24-track system – which we had
the UK and other countries, it sold first in Germany – we’ll continue to lead
poorly in America. The album of the the field. We plan to build Germany’s
same name was mostly recorded – like first fully-automatic computerised
the final tracks and mixing of Low – at mixing facilities.”
Hansa Tonstudios in West Berlin. Though Bowie raised Hansa’s profile
In an amazing stroke of luck, the internationally, the studio was already
publishing company, Meisel & Co GmbH, which problem that there were too few studios in producing big-selling hit records by Hansa, other
set up, owned and operated Hansa, had their Berlin and we had constant problems in getting German artists and even the actor Telly Savalas,
50th Anniversary in January 1977. This studio time and bookings for our productions. best-known for playing Kojak on TV. “The fact is
prompted a gushing multi-page feature in It was also our aim to make Berlin attractive that top people work at the studios and visit the
Billboard which, as well as detailing bestselling to outstanding musicians from all over the studios,” stated Lemnitz. “At first, many people
Hansa artists Boney M, Ricky Shayne, Nino world.” thought our forward planning for the studios was
Rosso, Juliane Werding, Roland Kaiser, Fausto Many people who love Low and Heroes unrealistic, but in reality we just cannot go ahead
Papetti, Frank Farian, Toga and Giorgio assume that Hansa was one studio. In fact, quickly enough. Already the studios are steering
(Moroder), contained fascinating details about it was four. Studio 1 was located at towards an annual turnover of 2 Million
the now-legendary studio. Nestorstrasse 8-9. It had three recording rooms, Deutsche Marks [around £500,000 in UK 1977
Though Meisel set up their first recording up to 24-track recording facility as well as an sterling and £3 million today].”
studio in 1969, this was in their office in arrangers’ and producers’ room, kitchen and a Finally, contrary to popular belief, the studio
Wittelsbacherstrasse and it was not until 1973 colour TV in the reception area. Studios 2, 3 and building was near the Berlin Wall rather than
that they had a dedicated facility: Hansa. 4 were located at Kothenerstrasse 38. Studio 2 directly on it. Spookily, the other most influential
Thomas Meisel, who was behind this expansion, was large enough to record a full orchestra act of 1977 – the Sex Pistols – sang about going
told Billboard: “The Hansa studios were born whereas Studio 3 – completed at the end of over it in their fourth single, Holidays In The Sun,
out of an emergency. We were faced with the 1976 – boasted a 32-track recording facility. released in October 1977.
Record Collector 29
COLLECTING
30 Record Collector
HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF
ON TOUR IN MAY
nonesuch.com
Diggin’ For GOLD
Our regular look at the more arcane corners of record collecting. Includes Vintage Venue and Label Of Love
IN THE FAMILY WAY arranged and conducted by Lex de Azevedo, who became well known as a film
composer and musician, and who happened to be yet another cousin.
THE FOUR KING COUSINS The gushing sleeve-notes praise the album’s “vocal freshness, unique
vitality and a spectacularly complete kind of music-making for our times’ every
Introducing… (Capitol ST 2990, LP, US, 1968) £40 musical generation.” The tracklist pays tribute to several of the decade’s major
music figures. Bacharach and David are represented by Walk On By and This
The US entertainment scene has always had a rich tradition of family acts. Girl’s In Love With You; Lennon and McCartney are here, too, courtesy of
And around the time the Jacksons, Osmonds and Cowsills came along, there Good Day Sunshine and Here, There And Everywhere; and the girls pay tribute
were also The Four King Cousins, whose 1968 debut album is an appealing to The Beach Boys with God Only Knows. Boyce & Hart’s I Wanna Be Free had
synthesis of easy listening and sunshine pop. been on The Monkees’ first album, and there are two fine songs from the
Tina Cole, Cathy Cole, Carolyn Thomas and Candy Wilson were indeed partnership of Roger Nichols and Paul Williams (Love So Fine, I Fell).
cousins and the latest generation of a musical It’s a satisfying blend of ballad and upbeat, with
dynasty going back to the Mormon Driggs family of lots of brass and strings. In a recent interview, Tina
entertainers. William King Driggs had five daughters summed up the overall feel of the group’s sound as
who began performing in the 1930s as The King simply “the happiest music”.
Sisters, working with big band legend Artie Shaw The girls played the Hollywood Bowl, Dallas, New
and scoring a hit with Glenn Miller’s In The Mood. Orleans and Disneyland, as well as engagements in
They appeared in several Hollywood movies in the Canada, France and Japan. But their follow-up
40s, and were regulars on radio in the years that album was to be almost 10 years off. The Way We
followed. They were arguably the first female vocal Were (Playboy Records PB 2003, 1977), issued
group to sing in four-part harmony. only in Japan, was another mix of pop hits, including
In 1965, they hosted their own ABC TV series, Love Will Keep Us Together, Solitaire and Killing Me
The King Family Show. And the following year their Softly With His Song, alongside the title track and a
daughters joined the cast of NBC’s Kraft Summer treatment of that Glenn Miller classic In The Mood,
Music Hall, calling themselves The Five King a nod to the legacy of their mothers.
Cousins. The show was hosted by actor/singer John At the dawning of the 80s, the cousins semi-
Davidson and included a young Richard Pryor in its retired to raise families, but in 2013 came a third
line-up. A nationwide tour followed, though the album, More Today Than Yesterday: Classic Songs
departure of one of the girls reduced them to four. Of The 60s And 70s, not new recordings but tracks
They made countless TV appearances on some cut decades earlier for various King Family TV
of American TV’s A-list shows: Don Knotts, Pat specials. Also in 2013 came their first live
Boone, Donald O’Connor, Barbara McNair, Merv performance in 30 years, at the Catalina Jazz Club
Griffin and many others. They were seen frequently in Los Angeles.
on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, often joining him In 2006, Cherry Red/El released Introducing…
in comedy sketches. on CD. Declaring it to be “one of the most elusive,
Alongside their career as Cousins, they appeared sunshine pop/harmony vocal albums of the late
regularly with their mothers. And Tina Cole began to 60s”, the label placed it “between the romantic
pursue acting roles in shows such as Hawaiian Eye classicism of The Association and Harpers Bizarre
and My Three Sons. and the early 70s pop MOR of The Carpenters”.
Their first King Cousins vinyl credit came in 1968 Chicago online store Dusty Groove described the
courtesy of Capitol Records. Introducing… The Four album as “a sublime blend of vocals and lightly
King Cousins contained 11 songs, lending their snapping rhythms that’s totally outta sight!”
trademark four-part harmonies to familiar Definitely worth your attention.
contemporary hits. Several members of the famous David Pearson
“Wrecking Crew” of sessioneers were in attendance,
with Joe Osborn’s bass particularly audible. Keeping The most recent reissue of Introducing… is
things in the family, the album was produced, Capitol Records UICY 79468, CD, Japan, 2021.
32 Record Collector
COLLECTING
MOON UNIT
[NO CREDITED ARTIST]
Journey To The Moon
(Pickwick International MOON 1, LP, UK, 1969) £4
SAX APPEAL
STEVE DOUGLAS
King Cobra
(Fantasy F 9632, LP, US, 1984) £6
Record Collector 33
Diggin’ For GOLD
LABEL OF LOVE
25 HOUR CONVENIENCE
STORE RECORDS
Label boss: Gary Powell (The Libertines)
Q&A Interview: Charles Donovan
34 Record Collector
30 Berwick St, Soho
London W1F 8RH
BUY
SELL
Plastic Wax Records
222 Cheltenham Road, Bristol BS6 5QU
(10 Minutes from Temple Meads Railway Station, Bristol Bus Station and the M32)
OPENING HOURS
Monday 12noon – 4.30pm Tuesday - Friday 9.30am – 7.00pm
Saturday 9.30am – 6.00pm Sunday 12noon – 4.30pm
36 Record Collector
COLLECTING
IRON MAIDEN/MICHAEL
SCHENKER GROUP
Special DJ Copy
(Chrysalis PRP 8185)
£695
From 1981 and limited to
275 copies, a Japanese
JOHN MARTYN/
eight-track promo-only LP
BRONCO Poster £340
featuring material from the
Entitled Lady Day, from
first MSG album and two
an unknown artist.
songs from the first two
Advertising a concert
Maiden albums. Both
with John Martyn and
groups toured in Japan
Bronco as part of the
during the same year.
Island Tour at the
Supplied by 991
University of Surrey’s
Great Hall on
MILES DAVIS Painting $28,160 4 February 1972.
An untitled, stretched canvas oil painting from the 80s, signed lower left. Supplied by Omega
Supplied by Bonhams Auctions
Record Collector 37
COLLECTING
38 Record Collector
Formerly ‘Key Mail Order’, we advertised regularly in the
legendary publication you are holding now from 1989 to 2019.
We have come back to ‘RC’ to let you know we are still open
for business!
Keymailrecords Ltd
151A London Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3JY.
Email: [email protected]
Steve Harley
1951-2024
By Paul Bowler
A
s frontman for Cockney Rebel, the poorly, prompting Harley to write the catchy heights, Cockney Rebel released two more
singer-songwriter crafted one of the Judy Teen as a corrective. The single reached albums before Harley went solo, releasing the
glam rock era’s greatest singles in No 5 in the UK. Second album The LPs Hobo With A Grin (1978) and The
Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Psychomodo (1974) yielded another hit in Mr Candidate (1979). Both sold poorly,
Me). Born in south-east London, he Soft. Tensions within the band prompted a prompting a number of years largely spent
began his career as a trainee line-up change for third LP The Best Years Of away from the music scene though he
accountant with the Daily Express before Our Lives (1975), an artistic high watermark returned to the charts briefly in 1986, his
spending several years as a journalist on local full of brilliantly crafted songs, not least its duet with Sarah Brightman on the title song of
newspapers. Quitting in 1971, he briefly plied lead single Make Me Smile (Come Up and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The
his trade as a musician on London’s folk-rock See Me) which combined Harley’s scornful Opera reaching the Top 10.
circuit before forming Cockney Rebel the lyrics – aimed at his ex-bandmates – with Assembling a new line-up of Cockney
following year. Signed to EMI, their debut irresistible melodies, propelling it to the top of Rebel in 1989, he continued to tour and
album, The Human Menagerie (1973), sold the charts. Never regaining those commercial release albums into the 2020s.
Karl Wallinger, died 10 the group to concentrate on writing Like Today? For third album Bang!
March, age 66. The singer- his own material he formed World (1993), which reached No 2 in the
songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Party in 1986, also working on UK charts, World Party became a
was a member of The Waterboys Sinéad O’Connor’s 1987 debut three-person group with Wallinger
before fronting World Party. Born in album, The Lion And The Cobra. joined by guitarist Dave Catlin-
Wales, he played in several bands World Party’s debut album, Private Birch, and drummer Chris
as keyboardist before spending a Revolution, was released in 1987 Sharrock (drums). Fourth effort,
Photo: (Steve Harley) Ans van Heck
brief period as the musical director and contained the hit single Ship Egyptology (1997), was less
of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Of Fools, which reached No 27 in successful but contained the song
In 1983 he joined The Waterboys the US charts. Wallinger’s output as She’s The One, which became
as a multi-instrumentalist, playing World Party over the coming years a chart-topping single in the UK
on the folk-rock group’s second established him as a highly gifted when covered by Robbie Williams
and third albums, A Pagan Place songwriter of brilliantly crafted, in 1999. A brain aneurysm in
(1984) and This Is The Sea (1985), 60s-influenced pop-rock through February 2001 led to a five-year
the latter featured their biggest hit, singles such as Put The Message In recovery period, before Wallinger
The Whole Of The Moon. Leaving The Box, Way Down Now, and Is It returned to touring in 2006.
40 Record Collector
OBITS
Today, Saturday Night and Denver. released eight albums in total. the early 60s at producer Clement between 2006 and 2022; Ronnie
Their debut album, Presenting The Dodd’s Studio One, recording solo King, bassist and co-founding
New Christy Minstrels, won a Grammy Steve Lawrence, died 7 before forming the duo Winston & member of 60s/70s Canadian rock
Award for best performance by a March, age 88. The American Bibby with Winston Delano Stewart. band The Stampeders; Judi Pulver,
chorus and stayed on the Billboard singer was best-known as one half of Joined by Maurice Roberts, the US singer-songwriter best-known for
chart for two years while they were pop vocal duo Steve And Eydie. First group changed their name to The the single Dancing On The Moon,
regulars on US TV. Beyond The New meeting fellow singer Eydie Gormé as Gaylads. Seaton briefly left to join The and later a long-time sales executive
Christy Minstrels, Sparks helped boost a teenager, the pair began working Astronauts before rejoining the group for both The Hollywood Reporter and
the careers of emerging performers together on the Tonight Starring at the end of the ska era, a period Variety; Freddie Chavez, US singer
through his “farm group” called the Steve Allen TV show in 1954. which saw him co-write hits such as who recorded the Northern soul
Back Porch Majority including Steve Married from 1957 until Gormé’s Lady With The Red Dress, Hard to anthem They’ll Never Know Why; Jim
Martin, John Denver, Kenny Rogers death in 2013, the pair were hugely Confess, Over The Rainbow, and My Beard, US pianist and keyboardist
and Gene Clark of The Byrds. popular touring artists in the 60s and Jamaican Girl. Leaving the group in who worked with Wayne Shorter, John
70s and regulars on US talk shows. 1972 he resumed his solo career, McLaughlin, and Pat Metheny. He
Bobby Tench, died 19 As a solo artist known for his smooth, releasing hit singles like Accept had been a member of Steely Dan’s
February, age 79. The guitarist easy listening croon, he also scored My Apology and Lean on Me. touring group since 2008.
and vocalist played with the likes of hits of his own, topping the US chart Signed by Virgin Records, he became
Jeff Beck, Peter Green, Ginger Baker, in 1963 with the pop ballad Go the first reggae artist to be contracted All obituaries by Paul Bowler
and Van Morrison, his significant Away Little Girl. to the label. unless otherwise stated.
Record Collector 41
OPINION
davidquanticklikes
...to write a column for Record Collector. Yay
Baby, comeback!
The other day I was listening to some Art human face forever. And it’s a world
Garfunkel – as you do – when, in among where bands come back so often you end
the choice covers (I Believe When I Fall up keeping a spare bed made up for
In Love, Disney Girls) and total Ibiza them and always have their favourite
rave anthem bangers (Bright Eyes, I cereal in the cupboard.
Only Have Eyes For You, and some Once upon a time, a comeback was
other songs about eyes), there arrived a considered totally ill-advised. Remember
sudden clutch of doomy piano notes, not when The Doors made Other Voices, an
unlike the intro to Seven Nation Army, album which was OK but could easily
but doomier and more piano-laden. It have been called Other, Less Good Voices?
was the intro to My Little Town, the Recall if you will Sly Stone’s Heard Ya
song that Paul Simon wrote for Art in Missed Me, Well I’m Back, a record
the mid-70s, which became a one-off whose follow-up should have been called
reunion record for Simon & Garfunkel I’ll Get My Coat. And let’s never forget
(and as such appeared on both parties’ the endless reunions of punk bands with
solo album – now there’s a column: mildly different line-ups and identical
Songs Which Appeared On Both Parties’ beer guts, later to be followed by
Solo Albums. No, you go first). jumbled-up versions of ska bands (The
Beat AKA, Bad Selecter, etc), stouter
Remember when The indie bands, and most recent of all,
shoegaze bands: we live in a world where
Doors made Other there is nostalgia for Slowdive.
Voices, which could There have been great comebacks, of (except the Electric Light Orchestra, but
course. Roxy Music returned to their you never know. Maybe Roy Wood and
have been called Other, greatest pop success at the end of the Jeff Lynne might have a free afternoon)
Less Good Voices? 70s, while Scott Walker took a break from Girls Aloud to Dexys. Some bands
from recording Theme From The are splitting up just to reunite, and other
I love My Little Town because it Cowboy Man and The Inflammable bands have reunited 100 times, like
reminds me of the real 70s: not the Humpy Merkle to reinvent himself with Madness and Blur, who are basically
flares-and-disco, zany sideburns and genuinely terrifying solo albums at the Madness for students. Soon, bands will
curious-abundance-of-spliff fictional 70s end of the 20th century. And, in a move reunite before they have even split up,
but the dark, exhausted 70s of paranoia, that delighted fans of the unexpected and have comebacks before they’ve
disillusionment and cynicism. “I pledged everywhere, the two founder members of released their first song.
allegiance to the wall” is a brilliant line, Buzzcocks, Pete Shelley and Howard There’s an old joke, attributed to
bleak and sceptical, but it’s ponies and Devoto, reunited as Buzzkunst to record Billy Connolly, which I will now repeat:
balloons compared to the final chorus of a fantastic album in the early 2000s that “What’s the definition of a Scottish
“nothing but the dead and dying in my sounded as if the original band had boomerang? It doesn’t come back, it just
little town”. Vietnam rages, dreams continued into the modern era. sings about coming back.” The problem
don’t come true, and the only people Recommended if you can track it down, with rock music (and probably every
feeling groovy are bleeding cocaine from pop kids. other kind of music) is that it doesn’t
their nostrils. And sometimes it’s the comeback just come back, it keeps on coming back,
Sadly, it was a comeback single that that’s the fire and the spark. Look at and it keeps on singing, and there’s
didn’t lead to a comeback album: what a Mott The Hoople, who had officially nothing we can do about it. Band
grim classic that could have been, right decided to split up when Bowie heard reunions are like school reunions: they
up there with those late period Leonard about it and gave them All The Young should only happen once, they’re always
Cohen records. But it did raise the bar Dudes, thereby giving Mott their first hit a bit embarrassing, they go on too long,
for comebacks and reunions in general. and a new career. Then there’s Joy and you always end up stuck in a corner
We live in an era where the past is no Division who lost a singer, became New with that strange kid who claimed his
longer a foreign country: it’s this Order, got accused of being all kinds of dad was a test pilot when everyone knew
country, or rather a version of it where things, and rose again to great acclaim. he worked in Fine Fare.
heritage rock is nourished like a dying Or Manic Street Preachers, who suffered At least The Beatles are never going
great-great-grandparent, full of tubes and a similar loss and reinvented themselves to come back. Eh?
boxed sets. It’s a Remember The 90s magnificently. It can work.
Britpop Festival poster stamping on a But these days everyone is reuniting David Quantick tweets @quantick
42 Record Collector
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44 Record Collector
OPINION
ISOBEL CAMPBELL
Ex-Belle & Sebastian singer on
her latest solo foray
by which we measure our pain. But part of him was enjoying and gaining from that duets for us. I also lived in Eddie Van Halen’s
I’ll say it again.” experience. I used to love standing to one side, childhood home for three years. He showed up at the
Dying peacefully on your deathbed, listening to that rich, deep voice. On The Circus Is door one Sunday morning in October 2019. I was in
what’d you like to hear? Leaving Town, you could hear a pin drop. He felt very bed. My other half answered the door and didn’t invite
George Harrison, The Answer’s exposed, but he delivered night after night. Both of him in! The plaque on that home would be Eddie’s
At The End. those songs are very personal, very descriptive of me, and Alex’s!
my worldview, existential crisis and loneliness, and
Jeff Slate The Last Day Of Summer life’s experience. I remember working on Something Isobel Campbell Bow To Love blue, yellow LPs,
is on Schnitzel, 17 May. To Believe, gazing out of the lounge window at 90, 2CD are on Cooking Vinyl, 17 May.
Record Collector 45
OPINION
obin Guthrie, Cocteau Twins’ No, that’s your fucking journalistic
guitarist and custodian, is a master bollocks [laughs]. Heaven Or Las Vegas was
songwriter, producer, musician quite simply the next natural record to make
and sonic architect, one of the after Blue Bell Knoll in 1988. It was just a
pioneers of shoegaze/dreampop. new place and some new equipment and,
The eight Cocteau Twins albums “Let’s get back in there.” The albums all
that Guthrie, vocalist Liz Fraser and bassists 33 1/3 minutes seem like that to me. All the recordings
Will Heggie and Simon Raymonde recorded
between 1979 and 1997 eschew
with... I ever did, from when I was young to
the song I recorded this morning, all
conventional routes to beauty for a new feel like one long line to me. Same shit,
advanced form of studio sorcery.
Guthrie, now 61, lives in rural France
with his family, adding regularly to a large
Robin Gutrie different day.
“THINGS CAN
GO VERY
BADLY WRONG”
But not too often. The Iron Maiden singer, aviator, business mogul and award-
winning everyman, Bruce Dickinson, returns with a new solo album,
The Mandrake Project – Top 10 across the planet at the time of writing – and a
ton of anecdotes about his extraordinarily successful career. Just don’t try and
put him in a box. “I’m not a number, I’m a free man!” he warns Joel McIver.
ruce Dickinson and I are sipping Dickinson works so hard onstage during Ballet School when she was young, but my
Earl Grey and munching slices of Maiden performances that he loses several grandmother wouldn’t let her go. She got
cake in Rhythm & Brews, a pounds in water every night. pregnant with me and married Dad, who was
pleasant, rock’n’roll-themed café It’s a sign of his work ethic that the in the army at the time, and they went off and
that the Iron Maiden singer used release of the new album and this summer’s had a bit of a life while my grandparents
to frequent over the 30 years that supporting tour dates are sandwiched in looked after me. I went to primary school
he lived in Chiswick, west London. Some between two huge world tours with Iron while my parents were off doing a performing
bloke on a laptop on the next table appears Maiden, a band that is – like its undead dog act. There’s a photograph of Mum in a
to be eavesdropping on the Record Collector mascot, Eddie – a monster of mythical leotard holding up a hoop with this little
interview, but whatever he hears Dickinson strength. If anything, this 49-year-old yappy thing jumping through it and Dad
saying, he probably doesn’t believe a word. institution should be slowing down at this going “Voilà!” So yes, that’s probably where it
After all, how many people can honestly point, but Maiden seem to be getting bigger comes from, to a certain extent.
say that they’ve played arenas around the and bigger. I put it to Dickinson that most
world, flown jumbo jets, dropped a rock band people in his position would take a break Could you sing when you were a kid?
into a war zone (Sarajevo, 1994) and amassed between world tours. I have no idea, because I didn’t do any
a list of civilian, military, academic and He chuckles and simply says, “It’s time singing. When I was at school at the age of
scientific honours while still finding the time to make hay while the sun shines.” 10 or 11, we had to go to church and sing
for solo musical, writing and TV careers, hymns. I was taking the piss and singing
actively running an aerospace company and You were born on 7 August 1958 in really, really loud, and probably because he
holding down directorships on a dozen more? Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Was there was deaf, the vicar – whose name was
We’re here, alongside guitarist and music around when you were young? Reverend B.S. Sharp – came up to me and
producer Roy Z, to discuss Dickinson’s new Dad fancied himself as a beatnik when he was said, “You have a very fine voice, boy,” which
solo album, his seventh since 1990. Like younger, and there was a beat-up guitar lying stuck with me.
everything he embarks on, The Mandrake around that was unplayable. He used to have
Project is meticulously planned, accompanied a lot of records by Frankie Laine and people When did rock music come into the
by three graphic novels and a comic prequel like that. I mean, he was really cool – [the picture for you?
that comes with the vinyl release of its first 1957 western movie] 3.10 To Yuma is one of Well, this is interesting. For a lot of my
single, Afterglow Of Ragnarok. my all-time favourite soundtracks. It took me childhood, I lived in the basement of a hotel
We could easily discuss the occult and a while to appreciate what a genius Johnny that my parents ran. A pop band used to
philosophical themes of The Mandrake Cash was, too, but with maturity comes these come and stay on a regular basis; they were
Project, all afternoon, before we even things. Anyway, my dad was an incorrigible quite exotic, because they had long hair and
touched on the 44 years’ worth of work since singer in the pub when he was pissed, and he stack heels. They were called The Casuals
he first appeared on vinyl (Samson’s Head had a decent tenor voice, but there was no and they had a minor hit in 1968 with a
On album, 1980). musicality in the family whatsoever. track called Jesamine. They were playing
Sure, we might work our way through all clubs like the local Top Rank or whatever,
Photo: John McMurtrie
of Rhythm & Brews’ supplies of cake, but Your parents performed onstage in various and they drove around in a splitter bus, so
you doubt that would do him any harm. An capacities. Did you get the showbiz bug I was like, “Whoa!” One of them showed me
athletic fellow despite his 65 years of age and from them? how the electric guitar worked, and it was the
an episode of throat cancer a few years back, Well, Mum got a scholarship to the Royal most exotic thing I’d ever seen. And then
48 Record Collector
BRUCE DICKINSON
Points to prove: Dickinson
isn’t slowing down
any time soon
“It was the best thing I ever did” (this page, left to right): Dickinson makes his solo
bow for Tattooed Love Boys in 1990; in 1994, after leaving Maiden the previous year for our label, which I think
was RCA – the Recording
I got to boarding school, and that’s when I kids. I was one and my mate was Cemetery of America, you
heard all this music – ELP’s Tarkus LP and the other one, so we monopolised know: Elvis never out of
stuff like that. To this day, if I hear, “Take a all this stuff, and on a Wednesday stock... I noticed that in the
pebble and cast it to the sea”, I’m back in 1974 afternoon 20 or 30 of us would photos, I was prominently
in the prep room at boarding school, lonely as say, “We’d like to form a special unit,” and the five paces ahead of everybody else in the band.
fuck, and locked up away from normal people. teachers would say, “Jolly good, chaps.” So, I realised that this was now going to be “Samson
we’d say, “Right, let’s go and have a war” and featuring Bruce Dickinson”, and I thought,
What kind of kid were you? we’d take weapons with blank ammo and “I don’t want to be the solo bloke, I want to be
I was annoying. My history teacher accused me thunderflashes and shoot at each other in the in a band.” It was going nowhere fast.
of having a grasshopper mind, and I thought, woods for two hours.
“Why is that a bad thing?” I was quite into When did you first encounter Iron Maiden?
amateur dramatics, so I was in all the school You considered a career in the army after The first time I saw Maiden was at what was
plays. I used to play everything for laughs: if I leaving school. then the Music Machine in Camden. Samson
could get a laugh, I would. Actors take their Yes, I did army camps, and got thrown out of were headlining because our management had
craft very seriously, and I can’t really do that. helicopters, and did leadership courses and all bankrolled the gig and said, “We want the top
kinds of shit like that before I got kicked out of slot,” although we didn’t really deserve it. That
You went to Oundle, a private school in school, when I joined my local Territorial became obvious when Maiden came on, because
Northamptonshire, but you were kicked out Army as a private up in Sheffield. I was there the whole place was rammed. I’d heard rumours
for urinating in a teacher’s food. about six months and then I went to uni at about how good they were, and I thought I’d
It’s true. I also had two tons of manure delivered Queen Mary College in London. I went to an better see them. When they came out, I
to one of the masters. I couldn’t handle the fact officer training course, but I only lasted about thought, “I’ve never seen Deep Purple, but this
that everybody’s seniority was decided when three sessions, because they were a bunch of is what it must have felt like to see Deep Purple
they arrived, not on whether they were any good wankers compared to my TA unit up in in their prime, rocking up a storm.”
at anything. The Japanese have a saying: the nail Sheffield, who were steelworkers and
that stands up is always hammered down. I was bricklayers and so on. I think the army had a What did you think of Maiden’s frontman
always the nail that stood up, except they very lucky escape that I didn’t join them. Paul Di’Anno as a singer?
couldn’t fucking hammer me down. Mind you, He was OK, but he didn’t have a lot of flex to
I’d be jailed now for the shit we used to do at You joined the metal band Samson in 1979 his voice. I thought his voice had come as far as
that school. We were blowing stuff up with high and stayed for two years. How do you look it was going to get. I saw what the rest of the
explosives, because I was allowed to teach this back on those times? band were capable of straight away, and I
other kid in the armoury. We did all these crazy things. At one point we remember thinking, “Good God, I’d love to
fired our management in a very inept manner, front that band.” And as soon as they finished
What kind of school has an armoury? and got ourselves successfully injuncted and playing, everybody in the venue left and we
Any school that has 400 Army cadets. We had signed into a ridiculous amount of debt, which were headlining to about three people.
automatic weapons from World War Two – was great, because none of us had a pot to piss
Bren guns, rifles, live ammunition, two-inch in, or I certainly didn’t. They said, “You owe the What would you have done if Maiden’s
mortars, smoke grenades, smoke bombs, management £270,000,” and I thought, “I’m manager, Rod Smallwood, hadn’t asked you
everything. I rose to the exalted rank of under- finally fucking worth something!” At one point, to audition for them in 1981?
officer: there were only two of those out of 400 we did some photo sessions with Fin Costello I’d probably have joined another band or
started one with somebody. It would have been
music, definitely. I had burned all my bridges.
I mean, I had nothing, literally – no money, no
“GUNS, MORTARS, GRENADES... job. I was living in a squat. But that’s the best
time of your life, because you’ve got nothing
I’D BE JAILED NOW FOR WHAT to lose and everything to gain, with no
commitments. You can focus 100 per cent on
WE DID AT THAT SCHOOL” what you want, because there’s nothing else in
your life.
50 Record Collector
BRUCE DICKINSON
re-recorded by Iron Was it scary to step away?
Maiden, reaching No 1. Well, I asked myself, “What do I do if I’m not
Yeah. Ralph Simon at in Maiden? What am I?” I realised that I had
Zomba Music said, “Have no idea because I’d lost my identity. I’d literally
you got a song kicking lost my mojo. But there was a quote in the LA
around that we can use on Times, a “thought for the day”-type thing, that
this soundtrack?” and I said, I read when I was doing my second solo
“Oh, yeah!” lying through album, Balls To Picasso. It was by Henry
my teeth. I borrowed a Miller, and it ran, “All growth is an
mate’s guitar and started unpremeditated leap in the dark with no idea
playing it while he was off of where you’re going to land.” I thought,
taking a piss, and by the time “This is a sign. I’m leaving.” So, I phoned Rod
he came back from the toilet and I said, “I’ve got good news and bad news.”
I was singing, “Bring your And he said, “What’s the good news?” I said,
daughter to the slaughter...” “You’ve got two great artists to manage now”
Ralph said, “What’s it and he said, “Okay. What’s the bad news?” I
about?” and I said, “I dunno, said, “Well, I’m leaving the band.” It was right
but it’ll do for now.” A guy out of the blue, as much for me as it was for
from Columbia in America everybody else. You could call it artistic
Reunion of the beast: Dickinson (third from left) said, “Is there more stuff like madness, I suppose.
back in Maiden in 2000 that?” and I said, “Oh, yes!” and Janick and
I spent the next two weeks in his front room, No regrets?
When the single, Run To The Hills, was a writing the songs for Tattooed Millionaire. No. From the vantage point I have now, it
hit in 1982, did you feel that Maiden had At the time Janick was living right was the best thing I ever did, although
made it? underneath the Heathrow flight path – the I had no idea what the effect on people would
Oh, yeah. I mean, we sold a quarter of a wheels were virtually scraping the top of his be. I thought, “Maiden will just get another
million singles. And then The Number Of The roof – so when we were writing the songs, singer, it’s no big deal.” The reaction was a
Beast was a No 1 album, which was a step we’d have to stop every three minutes when complete surprise to me. People were like,
change for us. From there, it was like the a plane went over. “Oh my God!”
world’s biggest rollercoaster ride, but one that
never actually bothered to go back up again. Here’s a question you’ve never heard Balls To Picasso (1994) took a while to
It just went down and down for the next before... Why did you leave Maiden assemble.
three or four years. in 1993? I had three failed attempts at making a second
[Laughs] Yes, it’s like The Prisoner – “Why solo album. I’d done one with Myke Gray from
You released your first solo album, did you resign? I’ll never tell!” Well, I’d like to Skin, and another with Chris Tsangarides, and
Tattooed Millionaire, in 1990. say I had a plan, but I had no plan, and in a then I did a third one with Keith Olsen, who is
That was a good, solid, not very imaginative bizarre way that was why I left. I realised that a great producer, but the music was a bit too
rock album – a classic rock album, basically. I was in an institution, a very well-run one. slick. I was a big fan of Peter Gabriel’s solo
Janick Gers was my guitar player, who later career, particularly his second solo album, which
joined Iron Maiden. I covered Mott The Were you institutionalised, then? is very dark. I wanted to do something like that
Hoople’s All The Young Dudes on that Well, that’s the whole point – I didn’t know, – dark and scary – but Keith doesn’t really do
album, because I’d sung that song at a charity and I thought, “You’ll never know until you’re dark and scary. So, me and Roy Z got together
show with Fish. I’d never thought I could outside.” You can be temporarily outside – and started bashing out the tunes for Balls To
sing a song like that, but as it turned out, it like, “Oh, bless him, he’s going to do a side Picasso. It ended up with some great tracks, but
really suited my voice. project, but he’ll be back inside the institution we’re actually redoing that record the way it
soon and everything will be back to normal” – should have been. We’ve remixed some
You wrote the song Bring Your Daughter... but I thought, “Fuck that. I’m not some additional bits, and added a lot of bits to it that
To The Slaughter for the Nightmare On fucking commodity. I’m not a number. I’m a were recorded but never found their way onto
Elm Street 5 soundtrack in 1989, and it was free man.” Boom! it, like a shitload of heavy guitars. It’s still a work
in progress.
Scream idol:
Dickinson
helms Maiden
on the Book Of
Souls Tour,
Nottingham, 2017
Record Collector 51
Super fly guy: (above): Dickinson pilots Ed Force One as it takes off from Cardiff in 2016; (above right) Maiden in full flight onstage
in Mexico City in 2019 and (inset) Bruce dressed for a skirmish at London’s O2, August 2018
You released Skunkworks in 1996, a semi- though. They just assume that you have intention was always to put a team in that I
grunge album. shitloads of money. I mean, it’s purely could trust to do that. Anyway, I finally got
Skunkworks is a great record, but a record that relative, but when I found that Skunkworks much more focused on it, because it was
nobody listened to because they were still saying, had come to an end, I was thinking, “I’m costing a small fortune, and we turned it
“Oh my God, he’s left Maiden and he’s singing going to have to get a job.” And then Roy Z around. We’re making £400,000 net profit
in a different voice,” even though that different phoned me. We’d stayed in touch since Balls every month now, and we’re busy until the
voice made its way onto other things later on. To Picasso, and I’d met him in London not end of 2026.
long before this, when he said, “If you ever
When you rejoined Maiden in 1999, was want to make a metal record again, I’ve got Far from slowing down, Iron Maiden seem
your relationship different with the band? some stuff.” He said, “I’ve got a couple of to be getting bigger and bigger. Did you
It was different, but in a much better way than things I want to play you down the phone” expect that?
before. It was a very strange process, with and he played me these amazing songs. The I didn’t expect that, to be honest. I think it’s
everybody tiptoeing around and setting up very next day I was in LA, and we demoed six because we have a unique set of characteristics.
secret meetings. Honestly, it was like a spy or seven tracks in three weeks, and eventually There’s nobody else like us. When we get in a
exchange, and I felt it was unnecessary, like, they became Accident Of Birth [1997], which room together, it sounds like nobody else.
“Can’t we just get together and have a coffee?” was the big turnaround. I was really in my People try and copy it, but they can’t, even if
Anyway, so Steve [Harris, Iron Maiden bassist] comfort zone there: it was big storytelling, they’re the best cover band in the world. I’m
said, “Why d’you want to come back?” and I and I wasn’t referencing anybody else. not even going to try and analyse it, because
said, “Because I think it’d be great” and he said, you can’t. It just is.
“All right” – and that was that. I went off on You currently have 13 active directorships,
one in the press, though, because they were according to Companies House. That’s a lot You run around so much onstage that you
saying, “Oh, you’re just getting back together of meetings. lose a load of weight in water. How long can
for the money.” I said, “Fuck off. We’re getting No, it’s not – most of them don’t do anything. you keep doing that?
back together because we’re going to make a The main one is [aircraft maintenance experts] As long as I can find water to replace it
great record [Brave New World, 2000], and Caerdav, which is doing fucking brilliant. That [laughs]. I mean, Jagger’s still doing it. I’ve cut
then we’re going to do a great tour, and we’re was something I started, and about five years in down a little bit because both my hips have
going to be better than Metallica.” I said that I wished I hadn’t, but I stuck with it. I won’t been replaced. After all that jumping around
deliberately, to wind people up. Everybody go into the gory details, but it was a money pit onstage, they were fucked. I had one of them
went, “You can’t say that!” but I said, “I just for a long time. One of the reasons for that is fixed in February 2023. It was incredible. My
did. Tell you what, why don’t you buy a ticket that I was so busy working, trying to put wife Leana’s got footage of me standing
and find out?” I was a loudmouthed gobshite. money into it, that I wasn’t there long enough outside the hospital, dancing, within an hour
to make sure that people weren’t gaslighting of being in surgery. I had to have it done
Have you ever come close to running out me and ripping me off. My intention was because on the last tour in America, it was
of money? never to sit there at the office in Cardiff, getting to the point where I couldn’t walk after
Oh, fuck yes, absolutely. People don’t believe it, managing the company hands-on; my a show. I couldn’t even get up the stairs – it
was pathetic. I had to have a cortisone shot,
MAIDEN HEAVEN
FIVE SLABS OF BRUCE VINYL
Samson Head On
(GEM/RCA, 1980)
£15 The New Wave
Of Heavy Metal was a
blast at its best, with
the reliable
B-leaguers Samson
delivering energetic,
if unsophisticated, biker-rock to the
masses. Here’s Bruce’s debut, showcasing
the air-raid-siren pipes that made him a
star with his next band.
Iron Maiden
The Number Of The
Beast (EMI, 1982)
£40
“There’s nobody else like us” – Maiden in 2021 (l-r): Janick Gers, Steve Harris,
Middle America
Bruce Dickinson, Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, Nicko McBrain
soiled its collective
drawers at the creepy
and the guy said, “Don’t worry, we’re going to season as a display pilot at air shows. I can’t artwork, British
swap your hip out in February, so you don’t dress it up: it’s fucking dangerous, and my headbangers loved it and sent it to No 1:
need to have cortisone guilt!” appetite for doing dangerous things when you Iron Maiden’s third album was a metal
have people that rely on you, and people you masterpiece. The still-astounding Run To
You had throat cancer in 2015. Did that really care about, is not what it was. The Hills ushered in a whole new era of
change your worldview? loud music.
For the first couple of years after I had it, Your new album is a fully realised package,
people would ask me that question and I thematically and musically. How long has it Iron Maiden
would always say, “No, not at all – it hasn’t been underway? Powerslave
made a damn bit of difference.” But now, Ten years. Roy and I got together in 2014 (EMI, 1984) £40
when I look back at what I’ve been up to, and and said, “Let’s do a follow-up to [the 2005 Arguably Maiden’s
what I’m planning to do, I think to myself, album] Tyranny Of Souls.” We did about 60 definitive album,
“Don’t waste your fucking time.” I know I’m per cent of the writing and demos, and then Powerslave was
renowned for going off on tangents and doing I went off and did Maiden. Then I got throat packed with bangers,
millions of things, but I’ve stripped away a lot cancer, and then it was a mad Maiden year among them the
of that stuff. For now, I’m just going to focus after that, and then it was Covid – so it was epic, 13-minute Rime Of The Ancient
on the music and the comic. Having Leana in seven years before I got a chance to work on Mariner. Combined with the monstrous
my life has really helped as well, because I’m the new songs. The oldest song on the record World Slavery tour and the accompanying
no longer running around like a mad person. is more than 20 years old. Live After Death album, this was where
I’ve got stability, which I like. Maiden took on the world.
What makes you happy?
Are you still flying planes? I love what I do. That’s the key. If you don’t Bruce Dickinson
I don’t have time. I’ve got love doing something, don’t Skunkworks (Raw
the company that fixes the do it, unless you can Power, 1996) £100
big airliners, and that’s compartmentalise it and say, An underrated album,
great, so I concentrate on “I don’t actually enjoy this Skunkworks – also
that. I’d still like to fly little job, but I can do it.” People the name of the
planes around, but I’m should be fulfilled in what band intended to tour
acutely aware – having they do. When I’m not the project – failed to make an impact
flown 7,500 hours in my working, though, what because fans and industry couldn’t accept
life, 6,500 of those in big makes me happy is sitting Dickinson as a grunge singer. It’s aged
airplanes – how quickly and watching telly with the surprisingly well.
things can go very badly wife. I know it sounds
wrong if you’re not 100 per boring, but that’s what Bruce Dickinson
cent switched on. The most makes me really, really The Mandrake
dangerous guy to ride a happy. Mind you, I live in Project (BMG,
motorbike is the guy that France – so it’s all in bloody 2024) £30
used to ride a motorbike French, and I have no idea The new album isn’t
forever, but hasn’t sat on what I’m watching... RC just a musical idea,
Photos: John McMurtrie; Robert Sutton
54 Record Collector
KAREN CARPENTER
She’d only
n January 1979 Karen Carpenter label that something else could be done “Karen liked that sound – the 1970s
was dismayed at a downturn in with Karen’s magical voice. Her boss, disco era was an incredible time for
record sales. Though the Carpenters’ Herb Alpert, suggested Phil Ramone as women. It was that moment of realisation
1977 album, Passage, was home to producer, who in 1977 had produced Billy of our power and letting people know,
their captivating opus Calling Joel’s Grammy-winning 52nd Street. ‘I’m here to stay and my voice needs to be
Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft, Karen assumed that Ramone would come heard’,” recalls Stephanie Spruill, who was
it was deemed patchy and, compared to to LA and record at A&M Studios with to sing backing vocals on the Carpenters’
the statuesque harmonies of early ballads, the usual session musicians, but Ramone’s 1981 album Made In America and whose
the band were chasing trends rather than working methods were different, with the powerful soprano graces classic hits such as
creating their own timeless sound. emphasis on raw energy and live Donna Summer’s Hot Stuff and Gloria
Also, her brother Richard was in spontaneity. He persuaded her to travel to Gaynor’s I Will Survive. Karen’s decision
rehab in Kansas, trying to beat Quaalude New York instead and change her to cut free from the safe haven of LA
addiction, and that sent her into a restless approach. Though nervous about working showed a yearning to stretch herself as an
panic. “I was anxious to go back to separately from Richard, Karen agreed. artist, even though it was challenging. “I
work,” she said. Even though she had her “Doing something out of the family was was scared to death… I basically knew one
own mental health issues, struggling with important, a show of strength, of producer, one arranger, one studio, one
long-term anorexia, Karen kept driving independence,” said Newton-John. record company and that was it,” she said.
herself forward. Just before she flew to New York, on In 1979, New York was smelly, dirty
She decided to record her own album 30 April, she telephoned Richard and and crime-ridden, side streets piled high
– as well as offering something new to the started to cry. “I can’t do this without your with rubbish and subway cars covered in
fans, Karen wanted recognition as a solo support,” she admitted. Reluctantly, graffiti. But it had a distinct musical
performer. She noted how best friend Richard told her to go ahead. “Just identity. DJ Larry Levan span an explosive
Olivia Newton-John had reinvented promise me one thing,” he said, “Don’t dance mix every weekend at Paradise
herself after Grease, making a dramatic do disco.” Garage, the Danceteria had just opened,
transformation from soft country star to a But when she arrived in New York to playing new wave and British post-punk
vision in leather and skin-tight Spandex. listen to demos with Ramone, Karen alongside funky freestyle, while drag
This sparked Karen’s innate sense of went straight for the dance tracks. At 29 performers stalked through the Pyramid
competition – maybe she could explore a years old, she wanted to make a record Club in the East Village.
new direction? reflecting her autonomy and desires as a Rob Mounsey, a key arranger on
Initially, there was support for the woman. She was tired of being marketed Karen’s solo album, describes the New
project at A&M; there was a feeling at the as asexual and square. York sound as “chaotic and anarchic, more
Record Collector 55
high-energy and less manicured than
LA”. Phil Ramone chose Billy Joel’s
backing band for Karen’s solo sessions,
because he liked their full-tilt exuberance.
Fired up with a brash energy, drummer
Liberty Devitto, guitarist Russell Javors
and bassist Doug Stegmeyer were Long
Island natives who had played with Joel
since the mid-70s.
Karen had come from a sheltered
background, but she was willing to
experiment and enjoyed the camaraderie
of the studio. “We liked Karen a lot. She
was extremely smart and a very good
musician in her own right and
appreciative of what everyone did,” recalls
Mounsey. At first, though, she found the
rock’n’roll swearing a little challenging.
“She came from a conservative southern
California family and had trouble getting
away from that good-girl attitude. The
musicians could be a salty bunch of guys,
using unprintable language, especially the
F-bomb. Every time the F-word went by Rhythm queen (clockwise from above): Karen at
Karen was sorta bothered. She talked the kit in 1974; with Phil Ramone in the studio,
about it, ‘Oh, that word, I don’t like that 1979; the Carpenters recording circa 1972
word!’ We respected her, so the guys tried
to clean it up, but everyone thought that saw this as a sign that the sessions were
was funny.” working. “I was so proud her mother
Devitto distinctly remembers “not being hated my lyrics!”
able to say what we’d normally say with Billy Even though Karen stayed chirpy
and the guys, but her sense of humour was so during the recording sessions, it was
great”. One day it was Devitto’s birthday and clear there was underlying frustration
Ramone brought in a cake from an erotic – something that was conveyed in
baker with a large icing penis. Devitto held the habitual behaviour. Ramone’s brother-
cake up to Karen. “You wanna piece?” in-law, Doug Ichiuji, visited the studio
She gave a wry smile. “I don’t think I’ve and noticed that Karen always had
ever been that close to one of those before!” drumsticks. “She played them all the time. Run-D.M.C. to Slick Rick.
“That’s the kind of humour she had, she She’d be talking to Phil in the sound room and James had worked with jazz greats like
just fit right in with us,” laughs Devitto. hitting the sticks on the table. I think it was a Sarah Vaughan and he was at first optimistic.
One of the biggest ‘what if’ questions stress reliever.” “Karen had the jazz feel, no question.” But
around Karen’s solo work arises from the fact Karen’s incessant drumming hinted at a then she seemed a little overawed and
that Rod Temperton, a key songwriter on the nervousness about the project, as there was a conversation was minimal. Her mother’s
album, offered her the songs Off The Wall lot riding on the album. When lead arranger underwhelming response to early material had
and Rock With You. Much to Ramone’s Bob James joined the sessions, Ramone triggered Karen’s nerves. “She was struggling,
dismay she decided to pass, and they ended warned in advance that his role was to be “a her health wasn’t great, and the sessions were
up becoming big hits for Michael Jackson. kind of substitute Richard”. James was not in kinda awkward,” says James. He describes it as
Many now believe these tracks could have his comfort zone. “I loved the challenge that a fishing trip deal. “You don’t know what
been the hits to spectacularly launch Karen’s Phil was putting in front of me, with a firmly you’re looking for, so you try stuff and throw
solo career. Instead, she went for the subtler established superstar talent. It was a very big in a line. You might try a polka or a waltz, to
soul sound of Temperton tracks Lovelines deal and flattering to be asked,” he says. “But see what bites.”
and If We Try. what could I possibly come up with? There James got the impression that Richard had
What’s striking about Karen’s solo album was so much history and baggage. I knew we a silent psychological hold over the process.
is how many songs reference sex – from the were setting out to do something that the “Even though people perceived Karen as
snappy rhythms of My Body Keeps Changing Carpenters’ fans didn’t necessarily want.” having the ultimate talent, the voice that
My Mind to the club pop of Remember When A towering influence in jazz and fusion music, people fell in love with, she yearned for more
Lovin’ Took All Night. She was willing to James is one of the most sampled players in control over her art.”
express herself in a way that was at odds with hip-hop, with fragments from his songs By the time Karen completed her album
the Carpenters’ audience, and with songs Nautilus and Take Me To The Mardi early in 1980, the mood was jubilant. Ramone
aimed at the gay dancefloor. “The Carpenters’ Gras used as breakbeats by everyone from invited Javors along to the listening party in
image was America’s favourite, very Disney-
esque, but on this record she sounds mature,
less guarded,” says Rob Mounsey. “She’s not a
little girl anymore; she’s a woman.”
“She played them all the time. She’d
The risque lyrics sent out shock waves
when halfway through the sessions Karen went be talking to Phil in the sound room
to LA for a short visit and came back saying
and hitting the sticks on the table.
Photos: Getty
58 Record Collector
EINSTÜRZENDE NEUBAUTEN
Forming in West Berlin in 1980 and lixa Bargeld is not one for small
achieving their greatest notoriety talk. When I first encounter the
circa 1984, industrial noise-punks fearsome Einstürzende Neubauten
frontman, I ask him how he is. He
Einstürzende Neubauten have far complains that he’s sick. “I’ve got a
exceeded their projected life very bad cold,” he grumbles. “I’ll
expectancy. Founding frontman Blixa be gentle with you,” I splutter, and
immediately wish I hadn’t. Bargeld, the drill-
Bargeld traces the evolution of the wielding noise terrorist with a scream that
metalbashing pioneers. Jeremy Allen is could shatter the Reichstag Dome in the
all (suitably protected) ears Platz der Republik, sits stony-faced on our
Zoom call as silence descends and memories
of journalists previously devoured and spat
out no doubt enter his thoughts.
Once in flight, Blixa will be erudite and
polysyllabic. Nick Cave, who played with
Bargeld for 20 years in Nick Cave & The Bad
Seeds, remembered when he first entered
Blixa’s orbit, having moved to West Berlin in
1982: “I know he wouldn’t speak English to
me for a long time and I couldn’t speak
German at all,” said Cave, in an outtake from
the 2014 documentary drama, 20,000 Days
On Earth. Having assumed Bargeld was a
monoglot incapable of conversing with him,
he added: “And then one day he spoke
English; this beautiful, expressive English.
Blixa was always playing the long game.”
With an hour allotted for our interview,
and with pleasantries fizzling like damp
fireworks, we press on. Bargeld is here to talk
about Rampen (APM: Alien Pop Music),
Einstürzende Neubauten’s expansive,
kaleidoscopic new double-album, which is
sprawling and understated, driven more by
mood and texture than melody. There’s
tension, too, like an unexploded ordnance or
a praying mantis lying in wait.
Before long, however, we will be
examining Neubauten’s evolution, from feral,
speed-munching noiseniks crawling out of the
rubble of bomb-damaged West Berlin in
1980 – making ear-shattering music with
scrap metal, power drills and jackhammers –
through to the slicker, though no less
idiosyncratic, outfit they are today.
Now 44 years into a career that started
with an impromptu gig at the Moon Club in
West Berlin, with a makeshift lineup that
included Mania D’s Beate Bartel and Gudrun
Gut, Neubauten are in rude health creatively.
They’re always managed to shrug off
classification, being too industrial for punk
and too punk for industrial, and dismissive of
the avant-garde. But now, deep into the 21st
century, Bargeld has given Neubauten their
own genre term.
“In the early 1980s, I coined the term
Geniale Dilletanten [ingenious dilettantes],”
he tells RC, “and I just thought maybe it’s
time to make up a new genre. Pop music is
not normally something you would associate
with Einstürzende Neubauten, but in a way,
I think it is a form of pop music for the alien.
Not necessarily aliens in the sense of
extraterrestrial beings – though even that is
possible – but more in the sense of the
Photo: Getty
60 Record Collector
EINSTÜRZENDE NEUBAUTEN
LICENSED TO DRILL
10 Neubauten rarities
Tabula Rasa (Mute
Stahlmusik BETON 106, 1993)
(Eisengrau/Rip Off, £120
1981 ‘mass market’ Original vinyl copies of
edition) £80 this Neubauten classic
Debut C38 cassette are rare, and therefore
tape sold from the expensive.
Eisengrau shop in Berlin and distributed
by the Hamburg label Rip Off, it was Ende Neu Remixes
recorded from inside a motorway bridge. (Mute BETON 602,
1997) £40
“There were bets on how long I would continue Kalte Sterne A double 12” package
living”: Bargeld (centre) with Neubauten, 1990 (ZickZack ZZ 40, with remixes by Barry
1981) £50 Adamson, Jon
1981’s Kollaps, remains a compellingly harsh Double 7” put out by Spencer, Alec Empire and a pre-Too
listen, though through the dentist drill Neubauten’s first Many DJs Soulwax.
dissonance and decay is a detectable glimmer proper label, ZickZack.
of beauty, such as the impromptu cover of Berlin Babylon
Gainsbourg and Birkin’s Je T’aime… Moi Thirsty Animal (Not (Reihe EGO 1101,
Non Plus, played with a scything, distorted on label, 1982) £80 2001) £70
organ and renamed Jet’m. Less talked about is 12” self-released Vinyl version of the
the preceding 1980 cassette album, Stahlmusik, collaboration with soundtrack to this
sold at Eisengrau, a West Berlin clothes shop- Lydia Lunch and Neubauten
cum-meeting point run by Gudrun Gut and Rowland S Howard. documentary, with music specifically
Bettina Köster. composed for the film.
“That was something that I recorded with 2 x 4 (ROIR A-133,
Andrew alone in the inside of a hollow 1984) £10 Perpetuum Mobile
highway bridge,” he explains. “We found a Live recordings from a (Mute Stumm 221,
way through a hole into the inside of the variety of European 2004) £100
bridge. Because the whole thing is steel, you dates issued by Ridiculously scarce
could actually play the bridge itself.” I mention famous German double vinyl LP.
that I listened to it before our interview and cassette label ROIR.
was surprised by how much the whole thing Grundstück
sings. “There was an incredible sound in Heiner Müller – Die (Potomak 158681,
there!” Bargeld enthuses. “And, and when Hamletmaschine 2018) £35
trucks run over the bridge, it would make a… (Rough Trade RTD Neubauten’s first
[imitates the rumble of an articulated lorry].” 197.1208.1, 1991) fully-crowdfunded
In 1982, Neubauten signed with Some £50 album came out on
Bizzare, run by the maverick eccentric Stevo A musical soundtrack CD in 2005 with this vinyl/DVD
Pearce, a record producer and label boss who by EN to the subversive East German reissue in 2018.
managed to help bring acts like Soft Cell and playwright Heiner Müller’s best-
The The to prominence. Some Bizzare known work.
punched above its weight as an indie, but some
of Stevo’s methods to grab attention were not
always appreciated, and there’s been plenty of One thing is for certain, though; without three days later. Because Stevo is stopping us
rancour in recent years from artists who feel Some Bizzare, Neubauten would have wherever he can, and he still has not paid us.
they’re still owed money, including struggled to make resonant, panoramic And he’s still trying to fuck us wherever and
Neubauten. When Coil, whose principle albums like 1983’s Zeichnungen des Patienten whatever we do.”
members are now deceased, reissued their O. T., recorded at Trident Studios, or Halber In 1984, Neubauten, with cement mixer
1984 album, Scatology, in 2001, they retitled Mensch (1985) at Hansa Studios in Berlin. and drills in tow – along with like minds
it Stevo, Pay Us What You Owe Us! while Does Bargeld look upon that time as Genesis P-Orridge and Frank ‘Fad Gadget’
Neubauten have not kept their feelings of bittersweet, where the breakdown of a Tovey – achieved infamy and sparked a
enmity to themselves. I refer Bargeld back to contractual relationship is tempered by the number of headlines when their Concerto For
the 2022 Kentish Town gig, where he put a great work they produced? Voice And Machinery went rogue. The
punter in their place who was audibly “It’s not bittersweet at all,” he fires back, collective assembled drilled into the stage at
requesting Morning Dew, to which he “it’s pure animosity. Whenever we do the London ICA, and the show was pulled
retorted: “No, because then Stevo would get anything, such as load up a video on after 25 minutes, a mini-riot ensuing.
some money.” He chuckles. YouTube from 1986, it will be taken down Neubauten were simultaneously alienating
“I RECORDED IT INSIDE A
and being embraced, a young generation of
impressionable musicians taking notes.
Photos: Getty; Fritz Brinkmann
AN INCREDIBLE SOUND”
“collapsing new buildings” in German) based
on a rhythmic loop provided with the band’s
full cooperation. Test Dept, a crew of South
Record Collector 61
EINSTÜRZENDE NEUBAUTEN
TO A SCRAPYARD”
control problem.
“We had a couple of conventional
instruments like a bass guitar and a guitar that
we could actually transport,” remembers the ideas in a different context, in the company, a pioneering move at the time. They
Bargeld, “but it usually meant going straight context of pop.” eventually achieved it with the help of Bargeld’s
from the airport to a scrapyard, and then In the 90s, Neubauten – now signed to wife Erin Zhu, who wrote the code for a
when the concert was finished, we’d leave Mute Records – attained a certain crowdfunding website at Neubauten.org before
everything there. We played in the Danceteria respectability as Bargeld slipped out of his it was known as crowdfunding, and years before
[New York club] about five times in two years tatterdemalion garb and into a suit. Albums people were using social media. Rampen (APM:
and we just left all the junk in their backyard. like 1993 masterpiece Tabula Rasa Alien Pop Music) is the fifth and final instalment
And then when we played in Montreal, demonstrated a new-found maturity where of the supporter project, which Bargeld says has
Andrew figured out where Test Dept kept all more mellifluous elements would converge become too “elitarian and fanatical”. The group
their stuff, so we basically raided their gear.” with noise and fierce electronica. The fact are searching for a new model to maintain their
The noise was seeping into the Bargeld was still alive didn’t go unnoticed by synergistic relationship with fans, but Bargeld
mainstream: Depeche Mode, impressed by those who’d been certain – through his drug says they won’t be returning to a record
Neubauten’s innovative use of found sounds, consumption and general dissolute living – company any day soon.
borrowed ideas for 1983’s Construction Time he’d be in the ground before the 80s were over. In 2014, Neubauten were commissioned
Again. “I don’t know that, nobody knows “There were bets put on my head as to by the Belgian town of Diksmuide to
that,” says Bargeld, cautiously, “but we how long I would continue living,” he commemorate the outbreak of the First World
worked with Gareth Jones, the remembers with a macabre War with a performance, which they
producer of Fad Gadget’s Collapsing chuckle. “Nobody believed reconstructed in the studio for the record
New People, and later they asked that I would still be around, Lament, released via BMG. And then in 2020
Gareth if he would be interested in but I am. I am more healthy came their first album proper in 12 years, Alles
making an album with them, which than I was in 1984.” In Allem, which may well be their best,
meant Depeche Mode and Bargeld, surprisingly, likes landing at the worst possible time.
Neubauten had the same producer to share recipes on the “Oh, you’re rubbing it in now!” roars
in the same studio.” internet and has become Bargeld like a wounded lion. “We were so
Martin Gore confirmed what something of a gourmand happy when that record came out. We were
others had already assumed when he whose book, European high, really high when that record was
spoke to NME in 1984: “I think Crosswise: A Litany offers a finished. Finally, we had achieved something
really we have nicked a few of strange array of setlists and where we were 100 per cent happy with it.
Neubauten’s ideas,” he admitted. “I epicurean indulgences in the And then the pandemic came and everything
was at their ICA date when they did poshest restaurants across we had planned for it was dumped in the
the metal concerto and the power the continent. ground. For two years, nothing happened.”
and the excitement was brilliant. In the early 2000s, Talking of might-have-beens, let’s return
What we’re doing, though, is using Neubauten attempted to go it to the Moon Club, the scene of Neubauten’s
alone without a record very first ever gig, and ponder upon what
might have happened had Gudrun Gut and
Building blocks (clockwise Beate Bartel not left Neubauten to form Mania
from bottom left): EN in 1985 D? Would Neubauten sound very different?
(l-r): FM Einheit, Mark Chung,
“That’s not quite correct,” he remonstrates,
Alexander Hacke, N.U. Unruh,
Blixa Bargeld; Bargeld in 1986; “they were already in the process of forming
Neubauten today, with Bargeld Mania D when the first Neubauten show
bottom centre happened. I was asked to play a concert
at the Moon, and then I asked my
friends Gudrun, Beate and Andrew if
they would join me. And it wasn’t even
clear at that point that it was a band, and
certainly not one that would still be here
40 years later. Everything was in flux.”
A memory comes to him: “I recall
talking to Gudrun at the Dschungel,
the nightclub, and we’d just signed the
contract with Some Bizzare. Gudrun
said to me: ‘Are you going to continue
doing Neubauten?’ sounding surprised,
because in that scene everything
happened in a flash and then the next
week, you’d do something else. And it
was while talking to Gudrun that I
realised: ‘Okay, now this is a band…
a band that exists.’” RC
Photo: Getty
NME
“UNMISSABLE”
Mail On Sunday
11.09.24
O2 Shepherd‘s
Bush Empire
London
neubauten.org
64 Record Collector
BANANARAMA
e know where we’ve come from reputation elsewhere. The band also show a
and what we’ve done together,” serious side to their lyrics on Rough Justice,
says Sara Dallin of her lifelong a song inspired by the shooting of Thomas
friendship with Bananarama Reilly, brother of Siobhan Fahey’s boyfriend
bandmate Keren Woodward. Jim Reilly of Stiff Little Fingers, during the
“It’s very rare to actually go to Troubles in Northern Ireland.
school together, leave home together, work KW: It was still really early on in our career
together and still be friends.” when Cruel Summer went Top 10 in America.
Now in their early sixties, Dallin and That was a huge turning point. That was like,
Woodward have known each other since “How on earth are we in New York City with
they were seven-year-olds. This afternoon, a huge hit, appearing on American Bandstand
Record Collector finds them pouring tea in with Dick Clark?” And meeting Andy Warhol
their London hotel room, presiding over an was a moment in time. You thought, “Oh
extraordinary career that’s seen them rack up my God, Andy Warhol has just said we’re the
sales of over 30 million and earn a spot in the coolest thing in New York!” And everybody
Guinness Book Of World Records as the most wanted to know us in LA. A few years later
commercially successful female band we were walking back from a diner and Mike
of all time. Fun girl three: Siobhan Tyson was sitting there on the front of his
Bananarama’s journey to global Fahey, Keren Woodward limousine, singing Cruel Summer back at us. It
superstardom began in earnest when they were and Sara Dallin in 1983 was extraordinary.
invited to back Fun Boy Three on 1982’s It SD: Keren and I were huge fans of Robert
Ain’t What You Do (It’s The Way That You Hey Kiss Him Goodbye and Really Saying De Niro, so that’s where that song came
Do It). The following year’s debut, Deep Sea Something, featuring Fun Boy Three. Also from. It was about how teenage girls put
Skiving, scrambled preconceived ideas of what included is their version of Young At Heart, pictures of fantasy figures or pop stars on their
an all-girl band could be: post-punks with a later a No 1 hit for The Bluebells. bedroom wall. Not that I ever put Robert De
pop vision and strong DIY aesthetic. SARA DALLIN: We’d done our first photo Niro on my wall, but it’s kind of about hero
“We were shoot with worshipping. And it’s always much easier to
making our Derek Ridgers have that pretend boyfriend than actually
own career,
writing our
own music
“I DON’T THINK ANYONE on Brighton pier
[1981]. And we all
had moccasins on.
having a real one, with all the problems that
might involve. Robert De Niro actually
called us one night, while we were watching
and managing
ourselves,” KNEW WHAT TO DO WITH Terry Hall wore
those as well – that
Brookside. That was very strange, but we had a
fun night out with him in Soho.
SD: We performed Prove Your Love VIVA crying shame that, after a certain amount
in Japan and that’s where we first met (Fascination, of time, you don’t get your songs back that
The Prodigy. We were on the same 2009; LP 2019, you’ve written. You don’t own them, ever.
label, Avex, only we were headlining the £60) It’s disgraceful. Owning them was really
show. There was a big dinner and we Initially important to us, and that’s how In Synk came
all had to go up onstage and introduce conceived about. We’d written In Stereo over a period of
ourselves. I remember walking past their as a set of time, so it was like a mishmash of stuff.
table, expecting them to say something readjustments, KW: And there was Love In Stereo.
disparaging. But they absolutely loved their 10th We really liked it, we just didn’t know it
us, and they became such good friends. album is was a Sugababes song. Sara and I love
Keith Flint was lovely, nothing like the instead dominated by Hi-NRG originals. their voices.
Firestarter that people expected. He was KW: We were going to do an album of all
very gentle, very kind. covers to begin with. Bryan Ferry’s Tokyo
KW: Everywhere he went, everybody Joe is on there, and S-S-S-Single Bed
loved Keith. I know it’s a cliché, but he [originally a hit for Fox], which dates back
was genuinely the smile that lights up a to when Sara and I used to go ice-skating
room. He was just adorable. as teenagers. So that had always been at
the back of our minds.
SD: They used to play that song and Steve
Harley’s Come Up And See Me (Make Me
Smile) a lot, though we didn’t cover that
one. I think Viva probably started out as
a covers idea, but then we couldn’t resist
writing our own stuff.
KW: It ended up becoming something
else. It’s a bit like doing this new
compilation album, Glorious, deciding
to put one new song on there and then
getting carried away and doing more. MASQUERADE
That’s how it tends to work. Love Comes (In Synk, 2022, £20)
is a great song, and Seventeen has always A late-career highlight, pulsing with
been a special one for us. Extraordinary is electro-dance goodness. Several tracks
another one. are co-written with Dallin’s daughter,
SD: We’d also started working with Alice D.
DRAMA (A&G, 2005; LP 2019, £50) [producer/keyboardist/programmer] Ian SD: I still think In Stereo is a great album,
After the low-key release of 2001’s Masterson on Drama, but that became but for me, Masquerade is the one. It
Exotica (available only in France), more of a thing with Viva. That was a might have begun as an EP, then ended up
the duo decamp to Scandinavia for a collaboration that’s carried on ever since. being an album.
fabulous Eurodisco comeback. KW: Masquerade is different because it
SD: We absolutely loved doing Drama, IN STEREO was written and recorded in a shorter
which came about after a slower period (In Synk, period of time. And therefore, for me,
in our career, although we were still 2019, £20) it’s a bit like WOW!, in that there’s a vibe
creative. We suddenly found ourselves Their first that goes all the way through. As much
recording in Sweden with a Swedish team, new album as I think there were some great songs on
so it felt like a new lease of life. And I in 10 years In Stereo, Masquerade is a more cohesive
think that showed in the music. And it (on their album, one that actually sounds like it’s
gave us two Top 20 hits, which we hadn’t newly- come fully together.
had in a while. minted label) SD: Alice is a singer-songwriter in her own
KW: Drama sort of rejuvenated followed right and she initially became involved
everything for me, after being quite a spate of because we loved her song, Favourite.
unsure of where we were going. There international tours, an extensive reissue Her version is much slower, more R&B,
was no pressure with this at all. We didn’t campaign and successful reunion shows but we just gave that a go. Then as I was
even record it in a set time – we made it with Siobhan Fahey. writing, Alice happened to be in
in three separate periods throughout a SD: In the interim we’d done the Now Or my house, so I wrote a couple of songs
year. It meant that a little more time and Never EP [2012] and a couple of tracks with her. And it just worked really well.
thought went into it. And just a lot more for the States. And we did a tour of Hard Forever Young is about me and Keren.
joy. Rock cafés over there, a charity thing It’s quite a sweet song really, and it’s very
SD: We went to Sweden in each season [Pinktober, a breast cancer campaign]. personal for us. Since we were 18 or 19,
and bought UGG boots, which had just That was another highlight for me. we’ve been able to write and perform
become popular. You’re in big jumpers We took our band to America and had music and travel the world. It really has
and all cosy, just writing all these songs. such a laugh. been incredible. RC
It felt perfect. I was at my happiest then. KW: Even though In Stereo came out in
I love Move In My Direction. And Look 2019, Sara and I had been writing on and Glorious: The Ultimate Collection
On The Floor is probably in my Top 10 off. So, we already had quite a few songs is out now on London records.
songs of ours. ready for the album. Bananarama play London’s Mighty
KW: Working with them was really SD: That’s when we realised we could Hoopla on 1 June 2024, Leeds’ 80s
inspiring. And again, open to any kind of actually release it ourselves and set up our Classical on 20 July and Glasgow’s
experiment and trying different stuff out. own label. We just thought that’s the way Summer Nights At The Bandstand on 10
That’s how music should be. to go, as so many bands do now. I find it a August.
Record Collector 67
Being Soaring.
PET SHOP BOYS
Record Collector 69
wo hours?!” gasps Chris Lowe.
The idea that the next couple of
hours of his life might be spent
talking about his past and present
life as a Pet Shop Boy momentarily
throws him. With Neil Tennant
yet to arrive, it falls upon him to tell the
group’s publicist when the tea should be
served. “Bring it in halfway,” he decides.
And then, half-jokingly, he suggests we
should get AI to do the whole thing. Lowe
promptly pulls his phone from the pocket
of his black Adidas top and issues the
command for his AI app to “write an
interview with Neil Tennant and Chris
Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys for Record
Collector.’” Then, addressing your
correspondent, he adds, “I’ll send it to you
if you want, then you can use it. Save us
both a job!”
70 Record Collector
PET SHOP BOYS
At this precise moment, in the West Wing Over-chairing:
boardroom of Somerset House, a stone’s Chris and Neil in
throw from Waterloo Bridge, Neil Tennant 1987 and (below)
strides in. He removes his black greatcoat and on magazine
covers including a
drapes it over a chair. As he does so, paragraphs rare Tennant
of pristine copy fill Chris Lowe’s empty screen. ‘triumphant’ smile
72 Record Collector
PET SHOP BOYS
IT’S A SYNTH
All the PSBs albums rated. By John Earls
Nightlife (1999) **
Despite its clubbing title, Nightlife Nonetheless (2024) ****
showcases a multitude of genres. Featuring several atypical unabashed love
Made while writing their musical, too songs, Neil Tennant’s voice has never been
Photo: Eric Watson
many songs resemble pastiches more gorgeous. Among the generally lush
rather than heartfelt homages. mood, Bullet For Narcissus epitomises
PSB’s history/bangers Venn diagram.
Record Collector 73
Tennant, London was the had been [her producer and
Emerald City. He’d had his head boyfriend] Jellybean [Benitez]’s
thoroughly turned by David birthday party the night before.
Bowie, and Tennant’s attire – She had a hangover and she
heading to London’s self-styled arrived on the subway. I liked
“gayest nightclub” Chaguaramas her. She was chunky in those
in his women’s platform shoes, days. Very down to earth.”
where the DJ would play Walk By this time, they’d already
On The Wild Side and Papa Was recorded the song that would
A Rolling Stone – reflected that. “I give them their first No 1 single.
wanted to be a pop star,” he West End Girls grew fully
affirms, “My plan was to visit formed out of a couplet that
music publishers and play them landed in Tennant’s head just as
my songs, except I would have he was getting ready to go to
needed an electric guitar.” sleep. He had been listening to
Dowell, who contracted HIV Grandmaster Flash’s The
and died in 1989, would be Message. In his mind, the beat
pensively commemorated in Being kept playing and on top of it,
Boring from Pet Shop Boys’ 1990 the song’s vocalist Melle Mel
masterpiece, Behaviour. Dowell’s intoned, “Sometimes you’re
response to the news that his old better off dead/There’s a gun in
friend had started making music your hand and it’s pointing at
with another Chris – an electro your head.” Once you know, it’s
and hip-hop-smitten architecture impossible to miss. And yet, if
student from Blackpool, who he’d you didn’t, it sounded like the
met in a Chelsea hi-fi shop – quintessential evocation of
inspired another song that would London in the mid-80s. “I was
end up on that album, the sitting next to Paul Weller on
unflinching emotional reportage In bloom: Tennant and the plane during one
of Jealousy. The quality of the Lowe in 1990, posing for one of our endless promo
of the shots seen on the
duo’s first compositions together cover of Behaviour
trips to Italy,” recalls
tells you all you need to know Tennant. “He was
about the creative electricity that surprised that West
sparked between Tennant and Lowe from day unbelievable classic.” End Girls did so well
one. Forget everything you know about in America, because
What’s less well-documented is the pair’s Neil Tennant after West End Girls, and it was so English. I
initial uncertainty about how their new songs you can understand his uncertainty that said to him, ‘I think
would be best presented. Worried that he pop stardom was something he could they like us because
might not be up to the challenge of fronting plausibly carry off. This was January we’re English.”
this project, Tennant mooted a third Pet Shop 1986 – five years after the commercial For Chris Lowe,
Boy as singer. Incredibly, it was very nearly explosion of British synth-pop duos such as who constantly reminded his singer not to
Jimmy Somerville, soon to become lead singer OMD, Soft Cell and Yazoo (and three after smile or look “triumphant” on Top Of The
of Bronski Beat. relative latecomers Eurythmics broke through). Pops, the excitement of getting to appear on US
“This,” Tennant explains, “dates back to a But other factors came into play. In the “new TV’s Soul Train became so great that he forgot
period where Chris has moved up to Liverpool, pop” heyday of ABC, The Human League and his own rule. Interviewed by show host Don
but he and I are writing songs pretty seriously Frankie Goes To Hollywood – groups who all Cornelius, Lowe explained, “When we came to
and he comes down every weekend. He’s seemed to come with their own manifesto – New York to record the first time, we didn’t
staying with these guys in Ealing who are the the door was ajar to all sorts of unlikely have a name, so we took the name Pet Shop
original pet shop boys [Lowe had some friends aspirants. In Pet Shop Boys lore, Opportunities Boys for ourselves because it sounded like one
in Ealing, who worked in a pet shop]. Anyway, (Let’s Make Lots Of Money) is the song whose of those New York hip-hop groups that we like
that’s the connection – these guys know Jimmy ironic subtleties were lost on those who saw it so much.”
Somerville, right? as a celebration of Thatcherism rather than a “It’s great,” Tennant says, “because
“Yes,” Lowe elaborates. “He wasn’t there, critique of it. But perhaps by exaggerating [Cornelius] says, ‘You don’t look like a hip-hop
but one of them was going out with him.” something that’s already present, a song can be band to me’, and you go [strikes ‘gang’ pose],
Tennant adds: “Jimmy was in a film made about two entirely different things. Hiding ‘What do you mean?!’”
by something like the London Gay Teenage there in plain sight is Pet Shop Boys’ origin Why was it important to not look
Group that was shown at the ICA – Lost story. Aged 30 by this point, Tennant had to triumphant? Lowe recalls the time he saw
Youth, I think it was called. And Jimmy sings get a hustle on if he was going to make it. Boomtown Rats appear on the show the week
in his falsetto voice: well, it’s extremely “Oh, the whole thing was a hustle,” he they got to No 1 with Rat Trap, in the process
impressive. And I said, ‘Why don’t we get him says. “I’d never really thought about it like ousting John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
to be the singer, because he’s really good.’ that.” Another Smash Hits trip to NYC allowed after several weeks at the top. “I always
Chris was not going to entertain that idea him to study a singer whose beginnings in remember Bob Geldof tearing up the photo of
for a second!” music were one almighty hustle: “Madonna John Travolta at the start of that performance. I
Bronski Beat were a far more explicitly was very ambitious,” he remembers. “Actually, found it really annoying, and I’ve never liked
political entity than Pet Shop Boys. the article was pretty much about that. She was him since.”
“Well,” Tennant says, “I always used to say forthright about it, but also funny, and, of
Photo: Eric Watson
that Jimmy went into music to advance gay course, in those days, she was very street: she The handy thing about being a frontman with
rights. All the songs were a commentary or an arrived at the photo session with a hangover, a degree in history but equally at home
expression of various elements of being gay. she had the lollipop [photos at the time would deconstructing the arc of a pop star’s trajectory
And, of course, Smalltown Boy is just an often show Madonna sucking a lollipop]. It is that you can often draw parallels between
74 Record Collector
PET SHOP BOYS
the two. Less self-aware pop stars who achieve
commercial and critical dominance at the
same time only realise what they had when “We used to go to the Groucho club four
it’s gone. In interviews to support the release
of their 1988 album Introspective – whose hits nights a week. Robbie Williams might
included Left To My Own Devices, Domino
Dancing and Always On My Mind –
be there, Vic Reeves, Tracy Emin...”
Tennant acknowledged they were now in
their “imperial phase”. always going to be difficult, weren’t they?” and all the funerals – there were so many
Later, he would elaborate: “We felt, suggests Lowe. funerals in that period.”
making it, that we understood the essence of Recalls Tennant, “They asked us many But then, to quote the title track from
pop music and so we felt we could do what times to write a song. And Sarah [Dallin] said, 1996’s Bilingual, it seemed more important
we liked.” Writing for Pitchfork in 2010, pop ‘You’ve just picked something off the shelf, than ever to be seizing life: “Going out/And
theorist Tom Ewing further set out three haven’t you, and given it to us?’” He smiles. carrying on as normal.” London in the 90s was
criteria when it came to identifying an artist’s “She just knew. She’s clever.” a fine time to be doing just that. On the duo’s
imperial phase: “command, permission, and For most era-defining pop stars, the decade new album, perhaps the most magisterial
self-definition”. He defined ‘command’ as an after the one in which they broke through moment is A New Bohemia, an unabashed
artist’s ability to push the boundaries of their tends to be the most unforgiving. Perhaps requiem to the cultural renaissance that swept
medium in a way that produces lasting because they were self-aware enough to know through the capital in that decade. Tennant
change. ‘Permission’ covered the public’s that their legacy was secure, the 90s didn’t see explains that the song is “based on a
goodwill toward and interest in the artist’s Tennant and Lowe overly concerned with conversation we often have that: (a) we don’t
work – goodwill which, during this phase, is emulating past glories. Burrow into the albums go out often enough anymore and (b)…
pretty much inexhaustible. And ‘self- from this era: from Behaviour through to the Lowe: “…if we did, where would we go?”
definition’, argued Ewing, was the idea that raw emotional disclosure of 2002’s Release, Tennant: “One time it used to be the
future releases will be compared to those from recorded amid the streets where Tennant grew Groucho Club, four nights a week. This was
the imperial phase. up. In their canon, the latter is perhaps akin to the 90s. We used to see Damien Hirst all the
In Britain, by the late 80s, pop belonged to Marvin Gaye’s post-divorce 1978 confessional time, and that’s how we got to know Sam
Pet Shop Boys as thoroughly as it did to the Here My Dear and it reflects the duality of Taylor-Wood. Robbie Williams might be in
Bee Gees in America a decade previously. And their world. Songs such as This Must Be The there. Sarah Lucas might be downstairs, and
just as the Bee Gees did, the demand for their Place I Waited Years To Leave, Se A Vida E Vic Reeves. Tracey Emin…”
services meant that, suddenly, hits by other and The Survivors are all sculpted by fresh Lowe: “And absinthe had just become
singers – Liza Minnelli, Dusty Springfield and sorrow – the latter a particular moving available, so it
Eighth Wonder – were effectively Pet Shop memorial to Tennant’s Smash Hits colleague, did feel quite
Boys songs featuring guest vocalists. The sense Kimberley Leston: “She committed suicide,” bohemian.”
that they were almost coughing out albums at he says, “and her funeral was the starting point And you
this point isn’t dissipated by their recollection for that one. But, of course, surviving AIDS, thought it
of working with Liza Minnelli would last
on Results (an album that got forever?
its name from Janet Street- “No, no,”
Porter’s description of a dress replies
she was wearing on a night out Tennant,
with them: “It gets me emphatically.
results”): “We did the whole “The Pet Shop Boys never
album in 10 weeks. Which think everything lasts forever,
has never happened before but it was fun while it lasted.
or since.” Now there’s probably a similar
The feeling of having a scene happening somewhere
song turned down isn’t a else. And we don’t know where
common one for Pet Shop it is!”
Boys. It quite possibly It’s impossible to talk about
happened with one of the the movement that would
highlights of their new LP, a become known as Cool
purring slice of devotional Britannia without discussing
electro-pop called Feel, which Britpop. Perhaps surprisingly,
they initially earmarked for Pet Shop Boys were excited to
The Killers’ Brandon Flowers. interact with its most
“We sent it to him when he prominent exponents. Their
was making his solo album retooling of Blur’s Girls &
with Stuart Price, but we don’t Boys kicked off a continuing
know if it reached him – and trend for Pet Shop Boys
then, during lockdown, I read remixes – see also Hallo
a book about the spy, George Spaceboy with David Bowie;
Blake, escaping from prison. Sorry with Madonna; Cosmic
For some reason, it inspired Fringes with Paul Weller – that
me to return to this, so now effectively blurred the line
it’s about visiting a loved one Meet and Magritte: the Boys between remix and
Photo: Derek Ricgers
Record Collector 77
87 Parlophone 12R 6163 What Have I Done To Deserve This (with Dusty Springfield)/
A New Life/What Have I Done To Deserve This (with Dusty Springfield)
(Disco Mix) (12”, p/s) .........................................................................................£8
88 Parlophone R 6177 Heart/I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too) (7”, Neil or Chris p/s/)..........................£6
88 Parlophone 12R 6177 Heart (Disco Mix)/I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too)/Heart (Dance Mix)
(12”, Neil or Chris p/s/) ..................................................................................... £10
88 Parlophone 12RX 6177 Heart (12” Remix)/Heart (Dub Mix)I Get Excited
(You Get Excited Too)/Heart (Dance Mix) (12”, Neil and Chris p/s/).................... £10
88 Parlophone R 6198 Left To My Own Devices/The Sound Of The Atom Splitting
(7”, paper sleeve/outer sleeve, p/s/) .................................................................£5/£6
88 Parlophone 12R 6198 Left To My Own Devices (The Disco Mix)/Left To My Own Devices/
The Sound Of The Atom Splitting (12”, paper sleeve/outer sleeve, p/s/) ....... £10/£12
88 Parlophone R 6190 Domino Dancing/Don Juan (7”, p/s/) ...................................................................£4
88 Parlophone 12R 6190 Domino Dancing (Disco Mix)/Don Juan/Domino Dancing
(Alternative Mix) (12”, p/s) .................................................................................£4
88 Parlophone 12RX 6190 Domino Dancing (Base Mix)/Don Juan (Demo)/
Domino Dancing (Demo) (12”, p/s).................................................................. £16
89 Parlophone RS 6220 It’s Alright/One of The Crowd/Your Funny Uncle
(7”, Limited Edition with obi strip, p/s/) ..................................................................£8
89 Parlophone 10R 6220 It’s Alright/It’s Alright (Extended Dance Mix)
(10”, alternative versions, poster, p/s) ................................................................ £15
90 Parlophone R 6275 Being Boring/We All Feel Better In The Dark (7”, paper labels, p/s)......................£5
90 Parlophone 12R 6275 Being Boring (Extended Mix)/We All Feel Better In The Dark
(Extended Mix) (12”, p/s) ................................................................................ £12
90 Parlophone 12RX 6275 Being Remixed: Being Boring (Remix)/We All Feel Better In The Dark
(After Hours Climax)/We All Feel Better In The Dark (Ambient) (12”, p/s)......... £15
90 Parlophone R 6269 So Hard/It Must Be Obvious (7”, red paper or injection labels, p/s) ........................£5
90 Parlophone 12R 6269 So Hard (Extended Dance Mix)/It Must Be Obvious/So Hard (Dub Mix)
(12”, p/s) ...........................................................................................................£8
90 Parlophone 12RX 6269 So Hard (The KLF Vs Pet Shop Boys)/It Must Be Obvious (UFO Mix) (12”, p/s).... £15
91 Parlophone R 6301 DJ Culture/Music For Boys (7”, p/s) ....................................................................£5
91 Parlophone 12R 6301 DJ Culture (Extended Mix)/Music For Boys/DJ Culture (Part 2) (12”, p/s) ............£8
91 Parlophone 12RX 6301 DJ Culturemix /Music For Boys (Part 3)/Overture To Performance (12”, p/s) .... £12
91 Parlophone R 6306 Was It Worth It?/Miserablism (7”, p/s) ...............................................................£X
91 Parlophone 12R 6306 Was It Worth It? (12” Mix )/Was It Worth It (Dub)/Miserablism (12”, p/s)............£8
91 Parlophone R 6285 Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You)
(7” Edit)/How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously? (7”, p/s) ..........................£6
91 Parlophone R 6285 Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You)
(Extended Mix)/How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?
(Extended Mix) (12”, p/s) ...................................................................................£8
91 Parlophone R 6283 Jealousy/Losing My Mind (7”, paper or injection labels, p/s) ..................................£5
91 Parlophone R 6283 Jealousy (Extended Mix)/Losing My Mind (Disco Mix) (12”, p/s)..........................£8
93 Parlophone R 6356 Go West/Shameless (7”, p/s) .............................................................................£6
93 Parlophone 12R 6356 Go West (Mings Gone West: First And Second Movement)/
Go West (Farley And Heller Disco Mix)/Go West
(Kevin Saunderson Tribe Mix) (12”, p/s) .......................................................... £12
93 Parlophone R 6370 I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind Of Thing/Too Many People (7”, p/s) .................£6
93 Parlophone 12R 6370 I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind Of Thing (Extended Nude Mix)/
I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind Of Thing (Grandballroom Dub)/
West End Girls (Sasha Remix)/West End Girls (Sasha Dub) (12”, p/s).............. £12
93 Parlophone R 6348 Can You Forgive Her?/Hey Headmaster (7”, p/s) ................................................£5
93 Parlophone 12R 6348 Can You Forgive Her?: 4 Mixes (12”, p/s) ........................................................ £15
93 Parlophone R 6348 Can You Forgive Her? (7” version)/Hey Headmaster
(red or blue vinyl, factory custom press, p/s)...................................................... £600
94 Parlophone 12R 6386 Yesterday, When I Was Mad: 3 Mixes (12”, p/s) .................................................£8
94 Parlophone R 6377 Liberation/Decadence (7”, p/s)...........................................................................£6
94 Parlophone 12R 6377 Liberation (E Smoove 7” Edit)/Liberation (E Smoove 7” Edit)/
Liberation (Oscar G’s Dopeasdub Mix)/Liberation (Murk Dirty Club Mix)/
Young Offender (Jam & Spoon Trip-O-Matic Fairy Tale Mix)/Young Offender
(Remix No 2) (12”, double pack, p/s) ................................................................ £15
94 Spaghetti R 6382 Absolutely Fabulous/Absolutely Fabulous (Dull Soulless Dance Music Mix)
(7”, words and music from the BBC TV Series Absolutely Fabulous.
Produced and mixed by Pet Shop Boys, p/s ......................................................... £10
94 Spaghetti 12R 6382 Absolutely Fabulous: 4 Mixes (12”, words and music from the BBC TV Series
Absolutely Fabulous. Produced and mixed by Pet Shop Boys, p/s).......................... £15
96 Parlophone RLH 6414 Paninaro (7” Mix)/In The Night (7”, jukebox issue, plain sleeve) ............................£8
95 Parlophone 12RX 6414 Paninaro ’95 (The Remixes Part One): 4 Mixes (12”, p/s) ................................ £15
95 Parlophone 12R 6414 Paninaro ’95 ((The Remixes Part Two): 3 Mixes (12”, p/s) ............................... £15
96 Parlophone RLH 6431 Before/The Truck Driver And His Mate (7”, jukebox issue, plain sleeve) .............. £10
96 Parlophone 12RX 6431 Before: 9 Mixes (3x12” vinyl, Box Set, grey cover, inners)................................... £20
96 Parlophone RLH 6443 Se A Vida É (That’s The Way Life Is)/Before
(Single Edit) (7”, jukebox issue, plain sleeve) ..................................................... £15
96 Parlophone 12RD 6443 Se A Vida É (That’s The Way Life Is): 7 Mixes
(2x12”, yellow and green dayglow colour vinyl, p/s) .............................................. £25
97 Parlophone 12R 6460 A Red Letter Day (Basement Jaxx Nite Dub)/A Red Letter Day
(Trouser Enthusiasts Congo Dongo Dubstramental)/The Boy Who
Couldn’t Keep His Clothes On (The Far Away Dub) (12”, Limited Edition
red vinyl, stickered sleeve, p/c) .......................................................................... £15
97 PSB Fan Club PSB97 It Doesn’t Often Snow At Christmas
(CD, fan club issue in sealed silver bubble wrap)................................................ £125
97 Parlophone RLH 6470 Somewhere/Se A Vida E (That’s The Way Life Is)
(7”, jukebox issue, plain sleeve)......................................................................... £15
99 Parlophone 12R 6523 I Don’t Know What You Want But I Can’t Give It Any More: 6 mixes
(12”, inner, p/s) ............................................................................................... £15
00 Parlophone 12R6533 You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You’re Drunk: 4 Mixes
(2x12”, inners, p/s) .......................................................................................... £12
03 Parlophone 12R 6620 Miracles: 3 Mixes (12”, white vinyl, die-cut sleeve, inner)................................... £15
06 Parlophone R 6690 I’m With Stupid/Girls Don’t Cry (7”, picture disc, p/s) ...........................................£8
06 Parlophone R 6708 Minimal (Radio Edit)/In Private (7-inch Mix) (7”, clear vinyl, p/s) ....................... £20
06 Parlophone R 6723 Numb (New Radio Version)/Party Song (7”, Limited Edition, inner, p/s) .................£8
06 Parlophone 12R 6723 Numb (Album Version)/Numb (a capella)/Psychological
(Ewan Pearson Mix) (12”, Limited Edition, inner, p/s)............................................£8
09 Parlophone 12R 6772 Did You See Me Coming?: 3 Mixes (12”, inner, p/s) ......................................... £15
10 Parlophone R 6810 Love Life/A Powerful Friend (7”, blue Parlophone die-cut sleeve,
RSD issue, 1,000 only)..................................................................................... £25
12 Parlophone R 6879 Leaving/Leaving (Demo) (7”, 500 only, sealed, p/s)........................................... £20
78 Record Collector
PET SHOP BOYS
12 Parlophone 12R 6879 Leaving (Lost Her Remix)/Happy Sad Remix/
Happy Hour Remix (12”, 180g vinyl, inner, p/s) ................................................ £20
13 x2 0001 VL1 Axis/Axis (Boys Noize Remix) (12”, Limited Edition, die-cut back sleeve)............. £25
13 x2 0002 VL 1 Vocal: 8 Mixes (2x12”, Limited Edition, orange inners, p/s) ................................. £30
13 x2 0004 VL 1 Love Is A Bourgeois Construct: 8 Mixes (2x12”, Limited Edition, p/s) ................ £30
13 x2 0005 VL 1 Thursday: 3 Mixes (12”, Limited Edition, p/s) .................................................... £20
13 x2 0006 VL 1 Fluorescent (Indio Mix)/Fluorescent (Cali Mix)
(12”, 1-sided RSD issue, die cut p/s) ................................................................. £50
16 x2 0007 VL 1 Inner Sanctum: 4 Mixes(12”, inner, p/s) .......................................................... £10
16 x2 0009 VL 1 The Pop Kids: 5 Mixes (12”, white vinyl, p/s)..................................................... £12
16 x2 0012 VL 1 Say It To Me: 4 Mixes (12”, inner, p/s)............................................................. £10
16 x2 0012 VL 1 Lost EP: The Lost Room/I Will Fall/Skeletons In The Closet/Kaputnik
(CD, unreleased demos from Super Album, card p/s) ........................................... £60
17 x2 0013 VL1 Undertow (Tuff City Kids Remix)/Left To My Own Devices
(Super Version)/Burn (Baba Stiltz Remix)/Undertow
(Tuff City Kids Dub) (12”, inner, p/s)................................................................. £12
20 x2 0020 VL1 Monkey Business (Radio Edit)/Monkey Business
(Prins Thomas Diskomiks)/At Rock Bottom/Monkey Business
(Friend Within Remix) (12”, inner, p/s) ............................................................. £10
20 x2 0020 VL1 Monkey Business – Tracklisting as per 12” (CD, insert, p/s) ............................. £15
20 x2 0020 VL1 Cricket Wife/West End Girls (New Lockdown Version)
(CD, Limited Edition, insert, only available via the Pet Shop Boys Annually 2021
book, with/without book p/s) ....................................................................... £30/£60
24 Parlophone
5054197946363 Loneliness (Radio edit)/Party In The Blitz/Through You (Extended mix)
(CD, insert, p/s)...................................................................................................£8
ALBUMS
86 Parlophone PCS 7303 PLEASE (LP, 1st issue, EMI Pressing, glossy picture inner) ................................... £25
86 Parlophone PRG1001 DISCO (LP, 6 tracks, 1st issue, black labels)....................................................... £15
86 Parlophone PRG1001 DISCO (LP, 6 tracks, reissue, picture labels, inner) .............................................. £12
87 Parlophone PCSD 104 ACTUALLY (LP) ................................................................................................ £15
87 Parlophone PCSDX 104 ACTUALLY (LP, with US import 12” Always On My Mind, stickered sleeve).............. £25
88 Parlophone PCS 7325 INTROSPECTIVE (LP, inner) .............................................................................. £18
88 Parlophone PCSX 7325 INTROSPECTIVE (LP, 3 x clear vinyl 12”, factory custom pressing
with wraparound paper strip, 10 copies only).................................................. £1,500
88 Parlophone PCSX 7325 INTROSPECTIVE (LP, 3 x black vinyl 12”, with picture labels and wraparound
paper obi strip)................................................................................................. £50
90 Parlophone PCSD 113 BEHAVIOUR (LP, red inner).............................................................................. £18
91 Parlophone PMTV3 DISCOGRAPHY (2LP) ....................................................................................... £50
93 Parlophone CDPCSD 143 VERY (CD, custom made “Orange relief” jewel case, booklet,
hidden track Postscript)........................................................................................£6
93 Parlophone PCSD 143 VERY (LP, ‘European issue’, yellow cover, inner).................................................. £45
93 Parlophone CDPCSDX 143 VERY RELENTLESS (2CD, Limited Edition,
transparent plastic bubble-embossed wallet, sealed stickered sleeve, inners).......... £12
94 Parlophone PCSD 159 DISCO 2 (LP, inner).......................................................................................... £40
95 Parlophone PCSD 166 ALTERNATIVE (3LP, printed inners, catalogue booklet, lenticular sleeve)................ £60
95 Parlophone CDPCSD 166 ALTERNATIVE (2CD, booklet, lenticular sleeve) ................................................... £10
96 Parlophone PCSD 170 BILLINGUAL (LP, inner) .................................................................................... £60
96 Parlophone CDPCSD170 BILLINGUAL (CD, jewel case with frosted front, 1st issue with circular sticker, insert) ... £8
99 P’phone 724352185719 NIGHTLIFE (LP, inner, postcard, stickered sleeve)................................................ £40
99 P’phone 724352185788 NIGHTLIFE (Minidisc, insert, stickered case) ....................................................... £25
99 P’phone 724352185726 NIGHTLIFE (CD, 24 page booklet, stickered jewel case) ..........................................£8
02 Parlophone 538 1501 RELEASE (LP, white marbled vinyl, lyric inner, stickered sleeve) ............................ £45
02 Parlophone 538 5982 RELEASE (CD, Limited Edition 1st issue, available in a choice
of 4 metallic flower design colour slipcases: Blue Daisy/Red Orchid/Grey Poppy/
Pink Rose, inserts)..................................................................................... £20-£25
03 Parlophone 724358146 DISCO 3 (3LP, red and black inners, 1,000 only) ................................................ £40
03 Parlophone 593 8841 POPART – THE HITS (3LP, individual photo sleeves, in spot varnished/foiled box) . £200
03 Parlophone 593 8841 POPART – THE HITS (3CD, in spot varnished/foiled cardboard box, inners,
stickered sleeve) .............................................................................................. £12
05 Parlophone 874 4502 TENNANT/LOWE: BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN (CD, slipcase, stickered sleeve) ........... £10
06 P’phone 946 36285917 FUNDAMENTAL (LP, lyric inner)......................................................................... £30
06 P’phone 946 36285917 FUNDAMENTAL (2CD, Limited Edition, inc Fundamentalism
bonus remix disc, inner) .......................................................................................£8
06 Parlophone 377 4602 CONCRETE (2CD, jewel case, inner) .....................................................................£8
07 Parlophone 506 0461 DISCO FOUR (Remixed By Pet Shop Boys) (2LP, ltd. ed, inners)........................... £90
09 Parlophone 695 3471 YES (LP, lyric inner) .......................................................................................... £35
09 Parlophone 695 3452 YES ETC. (2CD, special edition tri-fold card sleeve, inner) .......................................£9
09 Vinyl Factory VF 003 YES (11 X 12” in smoked Perspex box with gold-plated ‘tick’ on cover,
with art print, signed and numbered by both band members, 300 only)............. £1,500
11 EMI/ART VINYL AVLP6 INTROSPECTIVE (LP+CD, originally only available via Art Vinyl
or from John Lewis, stickered sleeve,inner).......................................................... £25
12 Vinyl Factory VF 090 x2 ELECTRIC (Box set 5 x 12”, 45RPM, coloured vinyl in acrylic box, 12-page booklet) £1,000
12 Parlophone C955 7162 FORMAT: B-SIDES AND BONUS TRACKS 1996 –2009 (2CD, box, booklet) ......... £10
13 x2 0003 VL1 ELECTRIC (2LP, 180g vinyl, inners) ................................................................... £18
16 X2 008 VL1 SUPER (LP, hand numbered w/l, signed by Chris Lowe & Neil Tennant, 8 copies only) ....£230
16 X2 008 VL1 SUPER (LP, inner)............................................................................................ £20
16 x2 0008 CD1 SUPER (CD, pink stickered jewel case, insert)........................................................£6
17 Parlophone
0190295944049 RELEASE (LP, 180g remaster, lyric inner, stickered sleeve) .................................. £20
20 x2 0018 VL1 HOTSPOT (LP, inner, gatefold sleeve, initial copies were available
with a limited signed print) ......................................................................... £20/£80
23 Parlophone 197618833 RELENTLESS (LP, reissue, Ltd Edition yellow 180g vinyl, inner) ............................ £40
24 P’phone 0190295021962 SMASH (THE SINGLES 1985-2020) (6LP, box set, printed inners) ...................... £90
24 P’phone 0190296459368 SMASH (THE SINGLES 1985-2020) (6LP, white vinyl, box set, printed inners).... £300
24 P’phone 5054197296215 SMASH (THE SINGLES 1985-2020) (3CD/2BR, box set, 60pp booklet, mispress
with ‘censored’ US version of Being Boring promo)............................................... £30
24 P’phone 5054197590665 SMASH (THE SINGLES 1985-2020) (3-cassette box set, website exclusive)......... £80
24 P’phone 5054197903540 NONETHELESS (LP, black vinyl) ........................................................................ £25
24 P’phone 5054197903588 NONETHELESS (LP, grey vinyl, indie exclusive).................................................... £30
24 P’phone 50541979035 NONETHELESS (LP, clear vinyl, Amazon Exclusive) .............................................. £30
24 P’phone 50541979035 NONETHELESS (2LP, white vinyl + bonus four-track 12” EP Furthermore
– website exclusive) .......................................................................................... £40
Look out for a special “Collecting the Pet Shop Boys” feature in a future issue, where we will be investigating PSBs
rarities and curios.
Record Collector 79
62&.,7
',6&,76
:+(17:275,%(6
9,1</$1'&'
( $1'&$66(77( )
:(1772:$5
Fight club:
Frankie Said
Surrender
To Mammon
War power:
Eric Watson
FORMAT WARS
ream, if you can, a courtyard. An album sales and promote 28 artists at once.
ocean of violets in bloom. The labels were like toddlers with a Sherbet
Alternatively, a 1984 record shop Fountain and went giddy with it. The year
and all its pristine treasures. Close ended on Now 4, and CBS-WEA’s fast-
your eyes, let’s go there together. following Hits.
What do you see? From chest-level Flaccid single sales turned into a ski-jump.
down – vinyl. Chest to eye-level – cassettes, One single went platinum in 1982, one more
pressed tight against the wall like teenagers at in 1983, then half a dozen in 1984. Frankie
a school disco. High above those – picture Goes To Hollywood’s Two Tribes was a
discs, promo displays, collectibles, charts, and million-seller by summer and Relax did the
a menu of new releases. same on 7” alone. Careless Whisper and I Just
What do you hear? Music, some wonderful Called To Say I Love You, ditto. Ghostbusters
sounds, but also the soft slap of record sleeves and Last Christmas/Everything She Wants
being browsed, and perhaps, from the classical both sold a million without bothering to
corner, an unfamiliar sound, the metronomic reach No 1.
clack-clack-clack of CD jewel cases. The year closed with Band Aid. The
The UK recording industry hadn’t spent Special AKA’s Free Nelson Mandela (an
1983 in the rudest of health. Brian Southall at urgent, drum-tight four minutes) and Bronski
EMI, interviewed on the BBC in March: Beat’s Smalltown Boy (extended for one of the
“Over the last two or three years it’s dropped decade’s great 12”s into a patient, plaintive
between 20 and 30 per cent overall. The prime nine) had turned our attention outwards. After
area for loss of sales has been the LP. Singles BBC coverage of the Ethiopian famine
have remained static over the last couple of mobilised a thick slice of the UK and Ireland’s
years but that’s significantly lower than it was pop stars, we bought three million copies of
four or five years ago. And the pre-recorded Do They Know It’s Christmas? in four weeks.
cassette market has consistently increased.” Dave Lewis, now an author and sometime
The pattern held for most of the year. RC writer, then a staffer at WH Smith in
Nineteen eighty-four opened with the first Bedford, sold 1,000 of those in the first seven
Now That’s What I Call Music at No 1; a days. He remembers 1984 as “the last great
Virgin-EMI collaboration designed to pump blast of vinyl” (and the year he married Janet,
after meeting her over the
counter). He built a
destination record
department to compete
with HMV, Andy’s
Records, Boots, and
Woolworths – five healthy
outlets for a population of
100,000. He kept
customers loyal with all the
single formats, a full slate of
12”s, indie picture sleeves,
club mixes, and imports.
“You could watch 1984
as much as listen to it,” he
Record Collector 81
says. Top Of The Pops was a call to prayer for a deep catalogue store in the middle of
every Thursday evening. Record shops London, what Gennaro Castaldo, who was
knew that the line-up they were shown working for HMV in the mid-80s, calls
on Wednesday would ring the tills on “Spotify in physical form”. British
Saturday; Lewis remembers Nena’s first customers still flicked through sleeves and
performance of 99 Red Balloons lighting picked up their records at the counter (the
a rocket. The Tube on Friday evening masterbag system) but HMV’s megastore
was a different animal. Nowhere else would have enough space – 50,000 square
could you find a 16-minute Style feet – to put the records on the racks.
Council set, a first look at The Smiths, a John Manship was running Tracks in
discussion about picture discs with style 1984, five independent stores from Melton
commentator Peter York, and an hour- Mowbray to Nottingham, selling
long feature on Einstürzende Neubauten collectables, chart releases, every indie and
and the Berlin music scene. Other shows punk single going, and home video: VHS,
put pretty pictures to music; The Tube Betamax, and Philips V2000. Nineteen
made music culture dance barefoot on eighty-three’s The Making Of Michael
white hot coals for us. Jackson’s Thriller had kickstarted music
Every week, Record Mirror offered a video sales. As the LP faltered, he says,
halfway house for Smash Hits and record companies turned to Harvard
Number One readers, and three papers MBAs for cost-cutting schemes. Some
dug deep: NME, Sounds, and Melody started shipping thinner LPs to save a
Maker. Each expressed penny a disc. “Polydor were the worst,”
its DNA in their critics’ Manship says. “Their vinyl went down to
choice of Album Of really low grade.” (He may be right. In a
The Year: NME’s statistically slight experiment, UK LPs
contrarian The Poet II from Level 42, ABC, and Visage, all on
by Bobby Womack; Polydor or related labels, started losing
Ocean Rain by Echo & weight in 1983 and were down around
The Bunnymen for 5 per cent by 1985).
Melody Maker; Prince’s In the final reckoning, record labels
Discs and tech: Oxford Street
Purple Rain in Record HMV was “Spotify in physical
gave collectors far more than they took away.
Mirror; Sounds went form”; left, the mighty Walkman; Singles as gatefolds, double packs, picture discs,
R.E.M.; and Smash Hits below, picture disc heaven coloured vinyl, 12”s, more 12”s. Fans could
readers chose Duran vote five or six times for their favourites; a self-
Duran’s Seven And The It’s a lightning year-end review, but it’s not imposed loyalty program. The Thompson
Ragged Tiger. the story. Twins’ You Take Me Up came as a jigsaw of
There were first albums – some popular, three shaped picture discs and no one was
some just promising – from Sade, The Blue ',*,)<28:,//7+(3,&785(',6& buying only one of those. David Sylvian’s Ink
Nile, The Pogues, Everything But The Girl, Cassettes were building up and up. Sales were In The Well 12” offered a free T-shirt. The Pet
Prefab Sprout, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, solid. Solid as a rock thanks to car stereos and Shop Boys’ original West End Girls, which
The Smiths, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. the Walkman. Orange foam did nothing to reached No 133, kept it simple, just 7” and 12”
Second albums from R.E.M. (Reckoning), stop sharp black plastic edges from torturing picture sleeves. And their singer Neil Tennant,
Metallica (Ride The Lightning), and Talk Talk our ear lobes, but we loved them. Headphones Smash Hits’ news editor, wasn’t the only
(It’s My Life) suggested some staying power, turned our music mobile and mixtapes gave us journalist to cross the divide.
and Queen and U2 started scoping out bigger self-expression.
venues. 4AD grazed the charts with Cocteau We took to the streets for new releases. 6(;&5,0( 1,1(7((1(,*+7<)285
Twins’ Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops and Treasure, Monday was launch day and record collections Trevor Horn had hired NME journalist Paul
and Rough Trade with The Smiths and Mute were built during and after school and work. Morley into ZTT on a very long leash. “By
with Depeche Mode’s Some Great Reward Fans congregated at 363 Oxford Street in writing about music I had stored up a lot of
competed on terms with the majors. London for HMV’s in-store signings and ideas about how to package and make available
The second British pop wave had crashed monumental window displays: Bruce my favourite kind of music,” Morley told The
over the States in 1982 and 1983, and the Springsteen three-stories high, six-foot-square Quietus in 2014, “and because I had written
backwash arrived in 1984. A beefcake, hit- album sleeves scaled up by students from Saint about a certain kind of music for the NME,
making edition of Bruce Springsteen, Lionel Martin’s School of Art. Tower Records stood I had a kind of ideological commitment to
remodelled and Tina reborn, and a reflowered up David Byrne’s jumbo suit in making pop music stranger, cleverer, more
Madonna writhing around on the first MTV a New York store window beautiful, more surprising, and record sleeves
Video Music Awards. Run DMC released the to promote Stop and associated paraphernalia more
first rap album to go gold. They would be the Making Sense; entertaining and provocative.”
only act from the class of 1984 to make it into HMV’s Managing
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the first Director Brian
time of asking. McLaughlin
But Prince was the phenom. He produced might have
an Oscar-winning, 111-minute music video, seen it when
the critical and commercial album of the year, he visited the
and four singles. Chaka Khan rode his I Feel US to see how
For You to the top. The US saw only five No 1 Tower
albums all year: Michael Jackson’s Thriller until worked.
mid-April, a few weeks of Born In The USA, McLaughlin
Footloose and Huey Lewis, then it was Purple came back
Rain from August on. with a vision
82 Record Collector
FORMAT WARS
:,//7(//
our eyes, Frankie would be No 1 for more A CD player would set you back upwards of
than a quarter of it. The album came out in £500 and each CD cost twice as much as an
America with an order form for T-shirts, LP or cassette. Who would pay that?
enamel badges, temporary tattoos, overnight Record Collector gave Frankie a three-page Well, classical music buffs. It’s a stereotype,
bags, socks, and boxer shorts. But America spread in its year-end issue. Band history, the but it’s not far off. Philips targeted classical fans
proved uniquely immune to Frankie. story of ZTT, records broken: all-time biggest- – it also held a big stake in Deutsche
Only Relax made the Top 40 and the album selling 12”, picture disc, and cassette single. Grammophon – so Herbert Von Karajan and
stalled at 33. There were already enough variants to interest Kiri Te Kanawa became the early CD pin-ups.
Were we living in a land where sex and collectors. The article ended: “Will the bargain Allders department store on Sutton High
horror were the new Gods? Or were we under bins of tomorrow be full of alternate mixes of Street in 1984: ground floor perfumery,
the boot of a censorious state that showed just Two Tribes? Only time will tell.” stationery and leather goods, wigs and
how on-the-money George Orwell had been? Time has told. A reminder of what Frankie haberdashery, kitchenware and food; third
It depends who you asked. The BBC banned put out in 1984: Relax, 7”; three 12”s sharing floor audio and video. The shop floor was all-
Relax, after playing it 90 times and putting it one catalog number – a 16-minute Sex Mix, in-one hi-fis, tape decks, video laserdiscs, and
on Top Of The Pops, and the Two Tribes 8-minute Sex Mix Edit, and shorter US Mix; wall-mounted record players; in the back
(Godley & Creme-directed) video – Reagan picture discs, 7 and 12; cassingle; Two Tribes room, audiophiles could take a CD player for a
and Chernenko beating seven shades out on 7”, 12” Annihilation Mix, Carnage Mix, spin with Roxy Music’s Avalon and assorted
of each other – debuted on The Tube WAR, then Hibakusha Mix, cassingle “limited” classical and ambient electronic exercises. But
at midnight. to 40,000, 7” and 12” picture discs; The Power the popular bellwether was the Argos catalog,
There was certainly broadcaster Of Love wrapped in pink envelopes and a the nation’s wish-list for Christmas 1984. Page
squeamishness, but savvy labels welcomed it. gatefold and two picture discs; The double- 218 was Walkman copies: Philips, Cathay, or
In 1985, four “Washington Wives”, including album in vinyl, cassette, and picture disc. Crown, starting at £14.99. Four pages of
Tipper Gore, wife of future Vice President Al, Today, the full set, 27 near mint items, will set cassette players, four more of blank cassettes,
would campaign for censorship around a list of you back around £230. Scarcity drives value. storage, headphones, four of car stereos (all
songs that showed how corrupting music The Hibakusha version is top of the tree: 5,000 played cassettes). Six record players. Not six
Record Collector 83
FORMAT WARS
pages, six record decks, four with cassette decks
built in. Not a single CD player.
7+(%(676(//,1*8. 9,1</ /362)
Chad Kassem pegs 1984 as Year Zero for ARTIST ALBUM SALES RELEASED
the compact disc. “Sure,” he says, “one came
1 LIONEL RICHIE CAN’T SLOW DOWN 1,150,000 1983
out in ’82, 100 came out in ’83, but you didn’t
start seeing them in stores until ’84.” They were 2 THE HITS ALBUM SERIES THE HITS ALBUM 1,130,000 1984
sold as the finest expression of recorded music, 3 BOB MARLEY & THE LEGEND 1,100,000 1984
but were “emotionless, brittle, sterile, cold.” It WAILERS
was also Year Zero for the vinyl comeback; after 4 WHAM! MAKE IT BIG 960,000 1984
all, it was 1984, and “Doublethink means the
power of holding two contradictory beliefs in 5 NOW SERIES (UK) NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL 940,000 1984
MUSIC! 3
one’s mind simultaneously and accepting both
of them”. 6 MICHAEL JACKSON THRILLER 910,000 1982
When others started going right, Kassem 7 SADE DIAMOND LIFE 800,000 1984
went left. He turned 21 in 1984, got sober and
8 NOW SERIES (UK) NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL 800,000 1984
moved from Louisiana to Kansas with his MUSIC! 4
record collection and not much else. He
worked on the lightbulb production line for 9 BILLY JOEL AN INNOCENT MAN 780,000 1983
Philips North America, the parent of the 10 FRANKIE GOES TO WELCOME TO THE 750,000 1984
compact disc. “I went to one of my friends’ HOLLYWOOD PLEASUREDOME
houses and he showed me some audiophile
records and I told him I already had some of and streaming were coming. Tracks’ John says. “And we’re currently about 10 per cent of
those and I wasn’t that impressed,” he recalls. Manship would eventually move his stores and world consumption.” That’s British artists’ share
“He shot me down, told me to shut up and stock of four million records and compact discs of global music sales and streams, one in 10.
listen. And he taught me how to listen and online. He now sells 30 LPs for every CD, Impressive, but in February 1985 the BPI could
what to listen for. And then he played me a many to a young audience looking for tactile, boast at the Brits, “One in every four records
few. And that’s when the lightbulb moment beautifully presented, retro vinyl. sold anywhere has a British connection.”
happened for me in ’84.” Vinyl made more money than any other Before we slip 1984’s grip and come back to
His local record store in Salina, Kansas, the physical format in 2023. We know how unlikely the present, let’s pop into a betting shop and put
House Of Sight And Sound, punched above its that once looked. Vinyl sales grew 10 per cent in money on the Stones, Pretenders, and Duran
weight for a small town, stocking out-of-print 1984, and another 3 per cent in 1985, but then Duran making it onto 2023’s Now That’s What
audiophile LPs that already fetched hundreds of it was all downhill and cassette sales overtook I Call Music 116. Grab some goodies off the
dollars – direct-to-disc from Sheffield Labs, LPs in 1986, according to data from the BPI, shelves and, eyes closed, swirling time tunnel,
Nautilus Half-Speed Mastered, Mobile Fidelity the recording industry’s trade association. There and ... we’re back. Blink the light in. You left the
Half-Speed Masters. Kassem went all in. He were more million-selling singles in 1984 than cassettes and CDs behind, right? There are
bought five, sold three; bought another eight, in the whole second half of the decade. exceptions, of course. If you grabbed a single-
sold six; and built an income that let him quit In 1984, the agenda at the BPI included sided cassette of Primus’s self-released 4-track
the factory and start Acoustic Sounds, a mail- combatting piracy – “home taping is killing demo Primus, well played: that’s £1,000. A tidy
order business. Then he began producing music” – and promoting British talent vinyl haul would have been the Japanese promo
audiophile records himself, starting with Cat worldwide. Forty years on, its agenda looks 7” of Iron Maiden’s 2 Minutes To Midnight
Stevens’ Tea For The Tillerman. Today, his 150 similar. The resurgence of vinyl has brought (PRP-1136), Samhain’s LP Initium (PL9-04),
staff take vinyl all the way from recording – he the counterfeiters back, pumping out good- The Crew’s 7 Seconds LP on blue-green vinyl
converted his local church to record old looking fakes in China and Eastern Europe. (BYO 005), and Su Tissue and Arspenlian
bluesmen like Pinetop Perkins – through Legitimate factories retool for after-hours runs Reeves’ US LP Salon De Musique (SMLP 3263).
mastering, plating, pressing, printing labels and of Adele’s non-existent Greatest Hits. British Around £12,000 the lot.
inserts, and designing the jackets. Chad music now competes in a global streaming What did you leave behind? Personally,
Kassem’s Quality Record Pressings plant market where governments have realised there’s I would go back just to take the original Two
produces a million audiophile records a year. value in supporting local creative industries and Tribes 12” out of its sleeve and study the relative
K-pop marketers have mastered the ZTT strengths of the US and Soviet nuclear arsenals,
&20(%$&. “gotta-have-’em-all” playbook. “We’ve always while hearing that air raid siren for the first time
Looking deeper into the entrails of 1984, it’s punched above our weight. We’re 1 per cent of all over again. RC
the year JANET – the UK’s local branch of the the world’s population,” Gennaro Castaldo,
very early internet – was turned on. Downloads now the BPI’s Director of Communications, Further reading: www.untilitsbillwithers.com
7+(%(676(//,1*8.6,1*/(62)
TITLE ARTIST PEAK YEAR
1 DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS? BAND AID 1 1984
2 I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU STEVIE WONDER 1 1984
3 RELAX FRANKIE GOES
TO HOLLYWOOD 1 1984
4 TWO TRIBES FRANKIE GOES
TO HOLLYWOOD 1 1984
5 CARELESS WHISPER GEORGE MICHAEL 1 1984
6 LAST CHRISTMAS/
EVERYTHING SHE WANTS WHAM! 2 1984
7 HELLO LIONEL RICHIE 1 1984
8 AGADOO BLACK LACE 2 1984
9 GHOSTBUSTERS RAY PARKER JR 2 1984
10 FREEDOM WHAM! 1 1984
84 Record Collector
37 Hill Ave. Amersham, Bucks. HP65BX
New and Second-hand Vinyl Records
Bought & Sold
ROCK, JAZZ, BLUES, FOLK, SOUL,
COUNTRY & CLASSICAL
CDs, DVDs, Musical instruments,
Sheet music & Accessories
Near Metropolitan Railway station
FLEETWOOD MAC
Record & CD FLASHBACK RECORDS GUITAR MEN
FROM ALBATROSS TO PENGUIN:
TWO-
COVER
SPECIAL
20,000+
FLEETWOOD MAC BEFORE 1975 FOR
FLIP THE MAG OVER
Cash Paid
HOW AMERICAN MUSIC WAS
REBORN IN THE UK
$7KH5KLZ%ULGJHQG:DOHV&)%/
Van Halen 1984 Bronski Beat The Womack & Womack Love Wars (Elektra E
(Warner Bros Age Of Consent 9799, 7”, UK, 3/84, No 14) £1
92-3981-5, LP, UK, Forbidden Fruit BIT Lifted from the 1983 album: the Womacks’
1/84, No 15) £10 LP1, LP, UK, 10/84, knack for setting marriage counselling to slinky
Lubricated MTV No 4) £5 grooves charmed all. Live that year, they were a
pop-rock which After Smalltown Boy sight to behold.
spawned a blockbuster boldly challenged
in Jump as well as the, homophobia, Jimmy Somerville’s falsetto Dennis Edwards ft. Siedah Garrett Don’t
er, of-its-time Hot For Teacher. soared on their disco-fuelled debut LP. Look Any Further (Motown TMGT 1334,
12”, UK, 4/84, No 45) £5
Queen The Works Change Change Of Sampled frequently ever since, the former
(EMI WORK1, LP, Heart (WEA WX 5, Temptations’ vocalist’s seductive gem perfectly
UK, 2/84, No 2) £10 LP, UK, 4/84, No 34) expressed R&B’s new temperature, which was,
Any album rendering £5 without doubt, sultry.
the irresistible Radio Jimmy Jam and Terry
Ga Ga and I Want Lewis were entering Chaka Khan I Feel For You (Warner W9209
To Break Free cannot full imperial phase T, 12”, UK, 10/84, No 1) £3
be ignored. here as this smooth glider for the Italian/ After late ’83/early ’84’s Ain’t Nobody cleared
American post-disco outfit verified. the way, this Prince song was a double-
The Cure The Top Grammy winner. Fascinating fact: Patrice
(Fiction FIXS 9, LP, Ashford & Simpson Rushen had turned it down. She should have
UK, 5/84, No 10) Solid (Capitol EJ 24 sent a forget-me-not.
£20 0250, LP, UK, 9/84,
The Cure’s trippy No 42) £4 David Bowie Blue Jean (EMI America EA
fifth divides even fans The Motown writer 181, 7”, UK, 9/84, No 6) £2
but doesn’t forsake couple surfed a post- Nobody’s claiming Tonight was Bowie’s best
darkness and paranoia. The Caterpillar, in disco wave with the album, but the lead single (like Loving The
context, counted as light relief. eponymous anthem. Alien) was a consummate flash of the old magic.
“It’s just a piece of sexist rock’n’roll,” he winked.
Siouxsie & The Friends Again
Banshees Hyaena Trapped And April Showers Abandon Ship (Chrysalis CHS
(Wonderland SHE Unwrapped 12 2787, 12”, UK, 6/84, N/A) £120
HP1, LP, UK, 6/84, (Mercury MERL 43, Half-forgotten twee-pop jewel from a
No 15) £25 LP, UK, 11/84, N/A) Glaswegian duo, the late Beatrice Colin and
From the opening £12 Jonathan Bernstein, which trembles with
orchestral sweep of The Glasgow-formed feeling. Produced by Anne Dudley.
Dazzle, their sixth “post-Postcard” group
soared with invention. Multi-tasker Robert wooed with singles like Honey At The Core, The Sisters Of Mercy Walk Away
Smith served as guitarist/co-writer. even if the hype machine had moved on. (Merciful Release MR 033T, 12”, UK, 10/84,
No 45) £15
Xmal Deutschland Tom Verlaine Cover Building up to the First And Last And Always
Tocsin (4AD CAD (Virgin V 2314, LP, debut album, the goth gods fanned the flames
407, LP, UK, 6/84, UK, 9/84, N/A) £5 of anticipation with this jet-black jaunt.
No 86) £20 Post-Television,
The German Verlaine pursued new Flesh For Lulu Subterraneans (Polydor
priestesses of post- sounds and stimuli FFL1, 2x7”, UK, 5/84, N/A) £5
punk reached their top rather than retreads. If you were young, gothically inclined and
goth-adjacent gear on His fourth solo partying in the city in ’84, this is what you
this intoxicating bonfire of sonic cathedrals. caught fire, and universal critical acclaim. thrashed about to after dark.
88 Record Collector
MAMMOTH RECORD FAIR READING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNION
Shinfield Road, RG6 6EH
READING VinylRecordCollectorsFair
Bank Holiday Monday May 27th
(August 26th date now cancelled)
-- 46th Year -- Reading is 70 mins from London by car (M4)
or 20 mins by rail from Paddington
UK’s biggest Record Fair 160 tables (9am–3pm) - entry £4
USR RECORD FAIRS [email protected] 07788 800141. usrfairs.co.uk (all fairs except Reading and Frome 10-4pm)
9,1</%$1.
Records & CD fairs
Record & CD Fairs Across the South West & Wales
CHELTENHAM
Saturday 20th April
Most fairs 10am-3pm (unless otherwise stated on website). Admission £1
Facebook/Instagram @vinyldazerecordfairs, [email protected]
Please check www.vinyldazerecordfairs.co.uk for any updates prior to travelling
The Town Hall
GL50 1QA CAERPHILLY Saturday 20th April, Twyn Community Centre, Twyn Square, 1 The Twyn, CF83 1JL.
BRIXHAM Sunday 21st April, Scala Hall, New Road, TQ5 8TA.
HEREFORD Saturday 27th April, Baptist Church, Commercial Road, HR1 2BP.
COVENTRY
Saturday 18th May
NEWPORT Saturday 4th May, The Dolman Theatre, Emlyn Walk, NP20 1HY.
CIRENCESTER Saturday 11th May, Ashcroft Church Hall, Ashcroft Road, GL7 1RA.
CHEPSTOW Sunday 12th May, The Palmer Centre, Place De Cormeilles/ High Street, NP16 5LH.
Central Hall DURSLEY Sunday 19th May, Kingshill House, Kingshill Lane, GL11 4BZ.
TAUNTON Saturday 25th May, Comeytrowe Community Hall, Pitts Close, TA1 4TY.
CV1 2HA HAY-ON-WYE Monday 27th May, Butter Market, HR3 6YG. Free admission.
WEYMOUTH Sunday 2nd June, Royal Hotel, 90-91 Espanade, Weymouth, DT4 7AX..
ABOVE FAIRS: 10AM – 4PM £1 ADMIN. (UNDER 14S FREE)
ABERGAVENNY Saturday 8th June, Castle Street Methodist Hall, NP7 5EG.
For info - www.vinylbank.co.uk
or phone Karen - 07881415683 CARDIFF Sun 9th June, St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Rd., Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 2EA.
MALVERN Sunday 16th June, Elmslie House, 8 Avenue Road, WR14 3AG.
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'RQFDVWHU'RPH'13' Free Entry (unless otherwise stated)
EAGLES
Eagles’ Paul McCartney to Glenn a
contributions to the Eagles, and takes
around?). Joel McIver digs into Henley’s any ex-Eagle ever had...
career
dive into the longest-sustained solo
ONE OF
THESE NIGHTS
wicked winds
of full moon fever,
“Across its setting and releases
desires, it captures
and demons and the blues”
eternally true as
a feel which is as
by Chris Roberts
I
EVERY ALBUM
we
“It was a dark time...
we
thought, ‘How can
with
write something
that flavour... capture
the spirit of the times?’”
REVIEWED IN DEPTH
FULL DISCOGRAPHY
RARITIES UNEARTHED FROM 60s CURIOS TO 2000s
THE 40 BEST COLLECTABLES SINGLES AND BEYOND
7,0(/(66)/,*+7 SUBSCRIBERS
+2:7+(%,**(67%$1'2)7+(V0$'(,7
90 Record Collector
REVIEWS
Deep Purple: the bell
boy would not be
getting a good review
on Trip Advisor
the critics would kill me.” He was a good friend – we I’ve been unhappy. I was happy in the first period
talked about doing an album together. [1969-73], very happy actually, until the band
expanded and became a bit Spinal Tap. Perfect
Do you still play the songs differently every Strangers [the 1984 reunion album] was brilliant,
time, all these years later? too, I loved it. And the early days with Steve Morse
Well, there’s a structure. You can’t fool about with [from 1994], because he is a very singular person
people’s concepts of what the songs are about, or whose background was not high-energy British rock
they’ll be disappointed. They don’t want a whole but laid-back American Southern rock. I’m very
programme of new material, but they also want an happy now, too. There’s been lots of happiness,
edge to it, and that’s what we want, too – to keep and a few hiccups along the way, but they’re all
it alive – so to say that we play them differently forgotten now.
every night would be stretching a point. The trick to
keeping it fresh is to keep the bits that people know, How is it possible to sing in a band of this size
but change the solo sections up. for 50 years and remain sane?
Follow your nose. I didn’t smoke my first joint until I
When was it most fun to be in Deep Purple? was 38 years old – maybe that had something to do
I’ve been happy in Purple a lot more times than with it. As told to Joel McIver
Record Collector 91
From The Vaults
JAZZ album much overlooked by some of
Jarrett’s most earnest fans.
Anyone who’s read ART PEPPER’s
Alternating between flute and two
saxophones, Lateef journeys through
different musical landscapes, from
in CD form. It’s an incredible archival
discovery giving the listener a front-row
vantage point from which to admire
ABBA half-speed master. The follow- Butthole Surfers a major label despite their PCPPEP. It doesn’t provide
Waterloo up to their 1973 debut Ring Psychic... Powerless... vulgar name and arsenal of a full recreation of the
+++ Ring, Waterloo was originally Another Man’s Sac unhinged sounds. Before sensory overload that was the
Polar Music 5577719 (LP) released in March 1974 and ++++ then, they’d created a Butthole Surfers’ in-person
Pop royalty’s second record while some of the songwriting Matador OLE 2056 LP (LP) remarkable series of indie experience. Nevertheless, it’s
turns 50 on the album hasn’t aged too Rembrandt Pussyhorse records including 1984’s still wonderfully demented.
ABBA’s famous well (see: the gloriously daft ++++ debut studio LP Psychic... JR Moores
1974 Eurovision King Kong Song), it has plenty Matador OLE 2057 LP (LP) Powerless... Another
winner Waterloo of early sketches of the band’s Live PCPPEP Man’s Sac which was Ron Carter
turns 50 this brilliance. Highlights include +++ packed with garage-psych Where? (Original Jazz
summer, just the glorious poppy funk of Matador OLE 2062 T (LP) riffs, transgressive lyrics Classics Series)
in time for the annual song My Mama Said, the soaring Texan noise-rock nutters and dizzying distortion. ++++
contest which is, happily, taking Honey Honey and the folky reissued 1986’s darker Rembrandt Craft Recordings CR 00718 (LP)
place in the pop icons’ home (and often underrated) Suzy Once upon Pussyhorse pinched piano Bass legend’s debut plucked
country of Sweden. Despite Hang Around. The Swedish a time even chords from Neil Young, from the vaults
the fact the UK famously gave version of Waterloo is here, the weirdest deconstructed The Guess Still active at
the song nul points, the song too, but other than that, bands could Who’s American Woman 86, Carter
was ABBA’s breakout hit and it’s quite an underwhelming become and had guest vocals from is a prolific
the album of the same name revisit. Thankfully, much better relatively well-known. Take a growling pit bull. Also Detroit double
now receives a special 50th- was to come. Butthole Surfers, who by remastered is the rougher bassist listed
anniversary re-release with a Elizabeth Aubrey 1993 were bankrolled by concert recording, Live in the Guinness Book Of
92 Record Collector
REVIEWS
Records as the most-recorded an enthralling spiritual jazz BBC Saturday Club appearance.
jazz bassist of all time. He manifesto. Joined on stage Add two unreleased tracks by
started as a cellist, but with by seven other musicians, bassist Derek Cleary’s group
few opportunities for African including saxophonists Friendly Persuasion and it’s a
American musicians in the Pharoah Sanders and Archie tale of a band who really should
classical music world, he Shepp, Coltrane offers a have stayed. Nick Dalton
John Entwistle
switched to the bass and mesmerising version of Journey
jazz. This, his 1961 debut In Satchidananda, dominated The Cure
for the New Jazz label, which by clouds of swirling harp, as Paris
stylistically walks a tightrope well as radical deconstructions ++++
between avant-garde music
and hard-bop-tinged chamber
of two of her husband’s tunes:
Leo and Africa, the latter
Fiction/Polydor 5875797 (CD, 2LP)
Robert Smith & co at their
OX
jazz, features Eric Dolphy,
flitting between alto sax, flute,
a 28-minute explosion of
sustained sonic turbulence.
zenith in the French capital
Deep into the DELUXE 6CD SET
and bass clarinet. Dolphy Awe-inspiring. Charles Waring 111-date Wish
shows more restraint than on Tour of 1992,
his solo recordings from the Creation Rebel which remains
same period, but his presence High Above Harlesden their longest-
is still scintillating, exemplified 1978-2023 ever excursion, The Cure were
by his rangy flute solos. Even ++++ nothing if not match-fit when
so, with his impeccable bass On-U Sound ONUCD 159 (6CD) they recorded Paris during a
and cello work, Carter is the Revisiting London dub three-night stint at Le Zénith.
star performer. Charles Waring reggae collective Originally released to raise
From their north funds for the Red Cross and
Tina Charles west London Red Crescent – charities this
The CBS Years perch, Creation reissue continues to support
1975-1980 Rebel, with a – it preserved for posterity a
+++ young Adrian strong line-up which included
Cherry Red CRPOP 2 D 277 (2CD) Sherwood on the mixing desk, arguably the band’s greatest As () " #&'&$()$(' )'#(#'& ) &$ through
Retrospective of late 70s UK helped map out the foundations drummer in Boris Williams and the sixties, "#)#$'%$!( (nick-named ())
disco diva not just of future dub but post- finest guitarist in Porl Thompson showed that he was a $&!(#$()%"# '$( as well as
Ably assisted punk, the craters, the reverb, (within a year, they would both being a formidable musician. Entwistle had been
by Biddu, who the sense of deep space. It is leave the band). Its one hour '$'#)%"#%)&#)&'#)("% of them at home,
scored a big hard to credit these sounds runtime barely longer than
and by the end of 1970, he had enough material for
hit working on were made over 40 years ago. a Cure encore these days,
Carl Douglas’ Released in 1978, Dub From Paris, remastered by Robert
an album, the first CD in this 6CD box set.
Kung Fu Fighting, the Creation featured Dennis Bovell Smith for its 30th anniversary,
unassuming Tina Charles on engineering duties, a double is nevertheless an enjoyable This !&%(!!)")%($ includes #$'%$!(%)%')%"!")
enjoyed a string of disco hits whammy of mixing genius time capsule. The rejigged &!%: Smash Your Head Against The Wall, Whistle
in the late 70s. At the time, alongside Sherwood. Close tracklisting is augmented by Rymes, Rigor Mortis Sets In, Mad Dog, Too Late The
she might have seemed as Encounters Of The Third two rediscovered cuts, Shake Hero and The Rock, plus )"#%)$ &%! The
banally ubiquitous as prawn World, a vinyl rarity, was mixed Dog Shake and Hot Hot Hot!!!, albums feature guest appearances from "() &!%)
cocktail. Retrospectively, by Prince Jammy. Starship but the standout is still an epic ($( ) & $"#)')!!") "'()&%()
however, hits like I Love To Africa, from 1980, is the rendition of their most bleakly
'()"%"#) ') & )and)&)$& (.
Love can be appreciated for group’s masterpiece, an brilliant song, One Hundred
their orchestration, lush detail astonishing collage of backward Years, with Smith sounding
The albums are presented in )&%''!(%)"))
and the pop immaculacy, the taping and layered dub, while especially listless and forlorn $()" ''#&!)&$("!)&#)'#''&!)%!(((%,
plasticity, of Charles’ vocals. 1981’s Psychotic Jonkanoo on the famous opening line, “It and the 28 page booklet contains all the ('$%
Inevitably, across the long haul features John Lydon on backing doesn’t matter if we all die...” and !!)&##"$&$'"# by Alan Robinson.
of Take All Of Me and Love Me vocals. 2023’s brilliant, Simon Price
Like A Lover, the formula palls. righteous comeback, Hostile SMASH YOUR HEAD
Just One Smile attempted to
shift with the times, with its
Environment, rounds off this
excellent collection.
Dadawah AGAINST THE WALL
Peace & Love
ABBA-esque epic flourishes David Stubbs ++++ WHISTLE RYMES
and electric guitars, but the
game was up for the game The Cryin’ Shames
Cherry Red DB 2 CD 135 (2CD)
Reggae gem reissued
RIGOR MORTIS SETS IN
The first three albums are also available
Charles, until the decades-long Please Stay Ras Michael’s
on coloured vinyl, in their original gatefold sleeves,
nostalgia circuit beckoned. ++++ 1974
for the first time since their original release.
David Stubbs Tea Chest TCT 2 CD 11 (CD) masterpiece
A shame that they’re not still – originally
Alice Coltrane with us released by
The Carnegie Hall Concert Liverpool beat Wild Flower, later on Trojan – is
++++ combo with a rarely spoken of in the same
Impulse! 5882869 (CD, LP) psych-garage hushed terms as Heart Of
Much-bootlegged gig gets edge who didn’t The Congos or Two Sevens
an official release quite match Clash, but it’s up there – a
Continuing the The Beatles’ output but their devotional album of Nyabinghi
mission her two singles, for Joe Meek, rhythms and righteous Rasta
husband John springboard this 51-track set. proclamations. Four stretched
began towards The title track, a Drifters’ cover, out near-hypnotic mixes,
the end of was, in 1966, Meek’s final produced by Lloyd Charmers,
his life, Alice Coltrane began hit, backed by What’s News make it reggae’s answer to
her career by exploring modal Pussycat, all chugging guitar those magisterial Isaac Hayes
jazz in tandem with South and squealing harmonica. albums from the same period.
Asian music. Her pilgrimage Sourced from Meek’s Tea Special shout out for guitarist
to India in 1970 inspired her Chest Tapes, there are covers Willie Lindo whose curly licks
greatest album, Journey In (including Them’s Gloria), their add so much to the heady
Satchidananda, which she audition tape and four versions brew. The extra disc here can’t
promoted with a Carnegie Hall of second single Nobody Waved quite compete – it’s a selection
gig in February 1971. After Goodbye. Offshoot Paul And of lightweight dubs by Charmers
languishing in Impulse’s vaults Ritchie And The Crying Shames’ – but it ensures centre stage
for 53 years, a recording of only single, September In The for the main course. A bona AVAILABLE FROM
that performance has finally Rain and psychotic B-side fide classic and an important
been unearthed and proves Come On Back are here plus a reissue. Johnnie Johnstone
From The Vaults
Funkadelic as she screams, “His eyes Soul: Consolidated Productions CHAKA KHAN’s Chaka (++++
SOUL are like balls of fire.”
Beehive Breaks (++++
Vol. 1 (++++Numero) is a
satisfying introduction to his work. The
Rhino) is her 1978 debut, recorded
with producer Arif Mardin in New York’s
COLLECTOR Numero) is an excellent guide to
late 60s to mid-70s rare sister funk
Deb Tones and The Del-Reys knock it
out of the park with their ecstatic girl
Atlantic Recording Studios and notable
for US R&B No 1 I’m Every Woman,
collated from the Numero label’s group take on Eddie Floyd’s Knock On written by Ashford and Simpson. But
By Lois Wilson reissue archive. Tracks include Sandy Wood and BB Carter’s Cool It Baby is also ripe for rediscovery are her cover
Gaye’s Watch The Dog That Brings a demonstrative call and response. of Stevie Wonder’s I Was Made To
Bruce Watson set up Bible & Tire in The Bone, written by Richard Marks The aforesaid Del-Reys on Walk Proud, Love Her and the gospelly ballad Roll
2019 to reissue ELIZABETH KING’s of Funky Four Corners fame and a meanwhile, channel the silky, slippery Me Through The Bushes.
early 70s gospel sides on Juan D combustible mesh of thundering tones of Smokey Robinson and the This Is Mod (++++ Kent) and
Shipp’s D-Vine Spirituals label. He also bass, scratchy guitar and brazen Miracles and Billy Williams’ So Called This Is Street Funk 1968-1974
persuaded King, then 79, to come brass and Gaye’s screaming vocal. Friend summons a mood evocative of (++++ Kent) fanfare the arrival
out of retirement to record Living Also included are Betty Wright’s Mr a woozy late night. of Ace records’ new ‘this is…’ genre
In The Last Days, her long overdue Lucky, a funk noir with gunshot sound CEDRIC BURNSIDE honed his specific vinyl compilation series at
debut album – she’d spent the past effects on Solid Soul from 1967; craft playing drums in his grandfather a budget price with tracks culled
five decades raising her 15 children. Marva Whitney’s Daddy Don’t Know RL Burnside’s band and like him, he from the label and its associated
Working out of Delta-Sonic Sound About Sugar Bear, a raw, forceful makes hypnotic hill country blues – catalogues. The first named includes
in Memphis with Watson and the shout on the Forte label from 1972; he calls himself the “inheritor” of the such choice cuts as Clarence Carter’s
four-piece Sacred Soul Sound Section Oklahoma City high school outfit The genre. Hill Country Love (++++ Looking For A Fox; The Ikettes’ Camel
behind her, King hit the ground Trinikas’ Remember Me, a 1969 Provogue/Mascot) is the follow-up Walk, Hank Jacobs’ Elijah Rockin’ With
running. Her vocal was deeper than it yearning lament pinned to a propellant to 2021’s Grammy Award-winning Soul and Mary Love’s Lay This Burden
was in her youth but still immensely backbeat on Pearce and Houston’s I’ll Be Trying and every bit as good Down. The second Millie Jackson’s
powerful and totally commanding, kept Fay Cooper’s Closer Together from as its predecessor. It was recorded Hypocrisy and the Fame Gang’s Grits
in shape by Sunday morning singing 1970 on Kris which brings dynamical live with no overdubs over two days And Gravy.
in church and captured again in R&B and a bluesy keen to the funk. in an abandoned legal office filled Also out: CYMANDE’s Promised
2022 on the great I Got A Love. Soul Producer, songwriter, singer with trash cans – it had initially Heights ++++ Partisan), their third
Provider (++++ Bible & Tire), her Mel Alexander started out with been earmarked to be turned into album, produced by John Schroeder
third album in four years, is once more Consolidated Productions in 1961 Burnside’s jukejoint – and it’s and originally issued on Contempo in
driven by King’s mighty energetic life and never stopped, over the next buoyed by positive energy and good the UK, and featuring Jimmy Lindsay
force. She’s joined by her daughters three decades launching imprints vibes. With his three-piece band, on lead vocals. High point: Brothers
on backing vocals on Tables In The such as Ajax, Angel Town, Car-A-Mel including producer Luther Dickinson, On The Slide. CANDI STATON’s
Temples, which mines the same and Kris which made few commercial he delivers covers of Mississippi Candi Staton ++++Kent) is her
gospel funk territory that the Staple inroads but based in LA and taking Fred McDowell’s You Got to Move 1972 third album for Fame, produced
Singers did while on Stretch Out, a Motown as the blueprint – his slogan and RL’s own Po Black Maddie by Rick Hall at Fame Studios and
song dating back to her early days. was ‘Sounds Of Success’ – created alongside originals such as Love You including her classic reading of In The
Fuzz and wah-wah guitar summon gorgeous out-on-the-floor dancers and Music, which touches on African Ghetto plus Lovin’, You, Lovin’ Me and
a more apocalyptic feel, redolent of proto-quiet storm ballads. Eccentric desert blues. Do It In The Name Of Love. JAMES
BROWN’s Please Please Please
(++++ Waxtime) is the soon-to-be
godfather of soul’s first album on King
from 1958. The title track and Try Me,
both singles, set out his stall, drop to
his knees yearning ballads, they’ve still
not been beat.
DONNIE ELBERT’s What Can I Do?
1957-1962 (+++ Jasmine) is just
that; named after his debut solo single
on Deluxe which hit the US Number
61, it includes everything he put out
during the timeframe on labels such
as Vee Jay, Red Top, Jot and Jalynne.
Toumani Diabate & both versions have photos by released by Warner Records, that will be different every felt like the final
Ballaké Sissoko broadcaster Lucy Durán. four other CDs fill the gaps time it’s screened. The word on Faust’s
New Ancient Strings Tony Burke with the singles, covers (The accompanying soundtrack conveyor belt
++++ Smiths’ Please, Please, Please remains the same every play, of outtakes,
Chrysalis Records CRV1637 (CD, LP) The Dream Academy Let Me Get What I Want) and, though; and is a fascinating and that seems
Jawdropping collaboration Religion, Revolution & most notably unheard tracks attempt to capture the essence to be the case with III and
between Malian geniuses Railways such as the pounding House Of of Eno’s 50 years on a single IV largely repackaged from
Originally +++ Heartbreak and ethereal These CD/double LP: by including previous comps such as 71
released in Cherry Red QCRCDBOX 136 (7CD) Walls, predating shoegazing. 17 tracks from 14 different Minutes and BBC Sessions+.
1999 on Joe Expansive set documenting Irina Shtreis albums, it makes quite the fist Some names have been
Boyd’s Hannibal “impeccably lush” 80s of it. Productions for others are changed (Jean-Hervé Peron’s
Records, New popsters Brian Eno left aside, but collaborations Party 10 chanson is now Ma
Ancient Strings was seen as a With classically Eno (Original Motion are included (probably the only Trompette) but most tracks
follow-up to the 1970 album trained multi- Picture Soundtrack) album to have Cluster and Fred will be familiar to Faust
Ancient Strings – a collaboration instrumentalists +++++ Again.. on it). It hangs together nuts. That doesn’t take away
between singer Toumani and Kate St John, Universal Music Recordings 5584958 extremely well – the new from the magnificence of
kora player Ballaké’s fathers, Gilbert Gabriel (CD, LP) material sits sweetly with the the material on offer here,
Sidiki Diabaté and Djelimadi and songwriter Nick Laird- Celebrating an influential old. Daryl Easlea with Don’t Take Roots from
Sissoko. It was recorded in one Clowes on board, The Dream icon’s half century III ably demonstrating why
night with no overdubs in a Academy’s MO was to deliver It was highly Faust Faust are the Monty Python
makeshift studio in the marble- impeccably lush arrangements unlikely that Momentaufnahme III of noise rock, while Das
floored Palais de Congrés and baroque pop harmonies when Brian ++++ Meer on IV perfectly balances
overlooking the Niger river, and with wistful undertones, a Eno finally was Bureau B BB 450 (CD, LP) Werner “Zappi” Diermaier’s
it captures two artists at the somewhat retro approach that involved in a Momentaufnahme IV machine-like precision
peak of their powers. Consisting contrasted with the futuristic career-spanning film, it was ++++ drumming and Rudolf Sosna’s
of eight timeless instrumentals stylings of like-minded new going to go out at 10.30pm Bureau B BB 456 (CD, LP) beautiful Debussian melodies,
of traditional Mande music wave explorers of the time. This on a Friday night on Channel More odds and sods from exemplifying essentially two
– some dating back to the box set captures them in their 5. Appearing in cinemas this legendary krautrockers bands trying to fight their way
13th century, along with more element. Following the material spring, Eno is a generative The 2021 releases out of the same sack.
recent Malian variations, from the three albums originally documentary by Gary Hustwit Momentaufnahme I and II Jeremy Allen
94 Record Collector
Marc Bolan: laughing
REVIEWS
at the idea that Tanx
was the last great
T.Rex
Tanx
++++
Edsel ESDL 0193 (2CD)
COLLECTING… TANX
Tanx a whole year before Annus Glammus Festivus (I think he
(EMI/T. Rex BLN 5001, LP, with printed inner and poster, means the glam xmas of 1973 – Ed). Unlike the following
UK, 1973) £40 year, it was still thought that, like The Beatles before him,
Simply put, this was the last T.Rex album that was bought festive wishes were the preserve of fan clubs and flexidiscs.
and played in significant order, so of course, that means perfect copies are
increasingly scarce. Whereas the fold-out poster can still be found in the Tanx
package, to find it without drawing-pin holes is rare. (Odeon, EOP-80777, LP, Japan, with obi-strip, printed inner,
poster, plastic cover, Japan, 1973) £100
Children Of The Revolution/Jitterbug Love/ As with all Japanese releases of this (or any) era, finding
Sunken Rags them in mint condition with all parts in tact is something of
(Stateside TSS 4141, 7”, Turkey, 1972) £30 a challenge. Copies of this have sold beyond £200, and one to aim for if
Recorded at Ascot for the Born To Boogie film, the track – completism is your scene.
with Elton John on piano – was released in September 1972, and kept off
the UK No 1 spot firstly by Slade’s Mama Weer All Crazee Now and then Złoto Ułatwia Nam ycie (Solid Gold Easy
– horror of horrors – David Cassidy with How Can I Be Sure? Released on Action)
Stateside in Turkey, this yellow-label version of arguably the ultimate T.Rex (Przedsi biorstwo Wydawniczo-Poligraficzne RSW Prasa
single is a delightful curio. Ksia ka Ruch R-0410, 5” flexi, one- sided, card-backed,
Poland, 1973) £25
Christmas Time/Wanna Spend My Christmas The pocztówka d wi kowa (sound postcard), was a popular format in
With You/Christmas/Everybody Knows It’s Christmas Poland in the 1970s. Made from plastic-coated paper, they were virtually
(Lyntone, fan-club only 7” flexi, with letter on brown envelope/without, unplayable, and made a flexidisc feel like a 180g pressing. Credited to
UK, 1972) £45/£30 ‘M.Belan’ a copy of this version Solid Gold Easy Action, although not
Always pioneering, Bolan released his entry into the Christmas market bank-breaking, can be hard to acquire, especially in decent condition.
Record Collector 95
From The Vaults
with Felix Pappalardi who’d produced to heavy, jazzy and instrumental 666 (+++Sugar Candy Mountain)
PSYCH Disraeli Gears by Cream. Their next
step together was to form a power-
material, Part Of The Dance is a
powerful nine-minute jam. The band
showcase the group’s sophisticated
and varied forms of kitsch. Some
Flowered Up extended mixes. returned. There was woozy rock) for the big-chorused it’s Hersh alone, generally
A Life With Brian Terry Staunton brass (Fortress), shimmering Run Baby Run and Why Do eschewing the ferocity of the
+++ Street Legal-period organ You Love Me, while Shirley Muses on the likes of Houdini
London LMS 1725047 (2CD, 2LP) Robert Forster (Rock’n’Roll Friend), and Manson’s lyrics move into Blues, her unique vocals
The return of a curious Beautiful Hearts low-end R&B (Half The Way evocatively dark territory, gleaming like a twisted blade
cultural touchstone +++ Home recalled peak Mitchell taking in subjects like self- catching the sunlight. The
Arguably even Needle Mythology NEMYLP 014 and Green). It proved to be harm (Bleed Like Me), male bonus material here includes
more than (CD, LP) Forster’s last outing before his violence (Boys Wanna Fight) strings-only versions of tracks
contemporaries Warm Nights reunion with Grant McLennan. and sexual puritanism (Sex like A Loon, the disquieting,
the Happy ++++ Johnnie Johnstone Is Not The Enemy). With dramatic Hysterical Bending,
Mondays, Needle Mythology NEMYLP 013 17 B-sides, remixes and which recalls acoustic Led
Camden’s Flowered Up (CD, LP) Garbage alternate takes on the more Zeppelin – and, hey ho, a
unwittingly became shorthand Go-Betweens founder’s Bleed Like Me expansive available versions, brilliant slide version of Zep’s
for the hedonism of the late solo efforts revisited +++ this version gets to call itself When The Levee Breaks.
80s/early 90s rave scene. Instead of BMG/Stunvolume 4099964004069 definitive. David Pollock David Stubbs
Much of the mythology facing the (2CD, LP/2LP)
grew up around their ‘third album Shirley Manson and co’s Kristin Hersh Davy Jones
single Weekender and its syndrome’ head hard-won fourth Hips And Makers Davy Jones
accompanying 12-minute on, Robert Garbage’s ++++ +++
promotional film, but this, Forster embraced his writer’s 2005 fourth 4AD 4 AD 0652 LPX (2CD, 2LP) 7a Records 7A57 (CD, LP)
their sole long-player, is block, seeking inspiration album Bleed Throwing Muses Cloy boy ploy from singer
more than just a footnote through his interpretations Like Me was frontwoman’s solo album of Cuddly Toy
to their story. Hearing A Life of others’ songs. Originally the one which By 1994, What happens
With Brian again some three entitled I Had A New York almost broke them. After Throwing to a pop
decades and more later, the Girlfriend, Beautiful Hearts, a decade of hard-grafting Muses’ Tanya idol when
impression is of a series of from 1995, was a curious success, initial recording Donelly was the idolatry
snapshots of London’s pubs, selection of covers, with the sessions brought band friction striking out in a passes? This is
clubs and grimy streets, a more traditional material such and burnout to a head, until more pop direction with Belly. where Davy Jones was after
kind of kitchen sink odyssey as Guy Clark’s Broken Hearted a four-month break and the For her debut solo outing, The Monkees’ break-up, cast
with a dance groove. Ecstasy People and Bill Anderson’s involvement of producer Hersh opted for a more out into pop’s wilderness.
clearly informs the pulsating sublime Three A. M winning (the first time they’d used sombre, deeply personal This superbly curated album,
Sunshine and Mr Happy out over shaky renditions of one) John King and stand- tone, reflecting the gravitas the 1971 follow-up to 1965’s
Reveller, more mannered Spirit’s Nature’s Way and in drummer Dave Grohl on of contemporaries like Bob David Jones, is exactly as one
soulfulness elevates Take Martha & The Muffins’ Echo the straight-up rock opener Mould with her use of Jane would expect it to be. Imagine
It (with lyrics co-written by Beach. The following year’s Bad Boyfriend reset their Scarpantoni on cello. Your Pepper, Paris 1968 and
Joe Strummer), while a Edwyn Collins-produced musical dials. The results Ghost features the arguably Woodstock hadn’t happened.
second disc digs deep into Warm Nights was starker are a mainstream pop-rock extraneous guest appearance Davy Jones was an artist who
previously unreleased and but the confidence had sound (with an emphasis on of Michael Stipe; thereafter never missed the mark. Like
96 Record Collector
Broadcast: putting
REVIEWS
a spell on you
Transmission Tests
Entrancing compilation of Trish Keenan’s
unreleased demos and dry runs.
By Chris Roberts
Broadcast
Spell Blanket – Collected Demos
2006-2009
+++
Warp WARPLP 372 (CD, 2LP)
Micky Dolenz, his closest to Asia and his pre-fame essential item album Slim Harpo
compadre in The Monkees, beginnings. Disc three, playing at the time, imminent, Sings Raining In My
showbusiness was his scene. the better-known ELP material it was also here’s a Heart
This collection is superb fun. with later solo bands, is the frustratingly reminder ++++
Incredible musicianship, too, least essential disc, but lesser- incomplete. that her Blues Joint 8014 (LP)
Jones’ unmistakable voice, known cuts with Mike Oldfield Were several songs missing main band ranked among Bee-fixated bluesman’s
covering material by writers and, intriguingly, the Buddy to fit the mould of Pixies the most vital live acts of debut stings again
of the calibre of Neil Sedaka. Rich Orchestra, entertain. A albums lasting under 40 their time. Released in With his
As on The Monkees’ albums, DVD documentary completes minutes? Here, finally, is the 1998, Roseland captures smooth,
there are moments where it the four-disc package. The complete picture, with its Portishead in 1997 with an honeyed vocal
all gets simply too much – slipcased small-format components now arranged in orchestra, their players laser- delivery, Slim
Welcome To My Love is like 200-page autobiography chronological order, as they locked on the expressive Harpo was
Cuddly Toy to the power of a is a worthy, detailed but should be. The thrilling cuts fluctuations in Gibbons’ voice. the antithesis of hollering
hundred. This writer needed rather downbeat read, the follow the live-in-the-studio The abrasive scratch’n’cackle bluesmen like Howlin’ Wolf
to listen to some acidic denouement of ELP – with spirit of debut LP, Surfer Rosa. of Cowboys and brittle and Muddy Waters. Originally
post-punk afterwards just to the members not on speaking The full set provides greater luxuriousness of All Mine from Lobdell, Louisiana,
cleanse the palate. terms – particularly sad. No sense of the band’s journey snap and shudder, locating Harpo, who played a mean
Daryl Easlea discography, alas. Palmer, and development. Towards the a nerve’s-edge poise that harmonica as well as the
74, plays on today with a end emerge bittersweet hints holds you rapt – little wonder guitar, pioneered a rural
Carl Palmer keyboardless band – and of the impending dissolution. the strings tremble in awe swamp-blues style with a hint
Fanfare For The while his headline-making The penultimate Peel session of Over. For this reissue, a of rock and roll that influenced
Common Man heyday is long behind him, is performed alone, by Black desolate Roads and stylishly The Rolling Stones, the
++++ this set pays ample tribute to Francis, and includes a Beach haunted Sour Times are Yardbirds, and Them, who all
BMG 4050538869842 his talents. Boys cover destined for his reinstated from the right covered his songs. This album,
(3CD/Blu-Ray) Michael Heatley first solo album, under the concert. Undenied and Numb whose title track was a Top 20
Progressive percussionist adopted alias Frank Black. are rhapsodic additions to CD/ US R&B hit, first appeared on
is profiled Pixies JR Moores vinyl, before strings gather the Nashville Excello label in
This box set Pixies At The BBC like harbingers of doom for a 1961 and is revamped here
retrospective ++++ Portishead magisterially uneasy Western with eight bonus tracks. The
of drummer 4AD 4AD 0635 (2CD, 3LP) Roseland NYC Live 25 Eyes, “aching at the view” track with the biggest sting
Palmer’s career Overdue anthology from The +++++ of a world gone wrong: a is I’m A King Bee, which the
gives its first Beatles of alt-rock UMC 5568929/5568931 (CD, 2LP) sharp-edged lament from a Stones covered on their debut
CD over to Emerson, Lake & Pixies At The BBC was Bristol veterans’ fraught band on piercingly peak form. LP. Other standouts include
Palmer’s more percussion- released in 1998, five years majesty preserved Any chance of a Third tour I Got Love If You Want It and
heavy material, the second after the group split. An With Beth Gibbons’ solo recording next? Kevin Harley Buzz Me Babe. Charles Waring
Record Collector 97
From The Vaults
Solar Flair
Incredible lost studio project and two
stunning unheard concerts testify to
jazz game-changer’s mind-blowing
genius. By Charles Waring
Sun Ra
Inside The Light World: Sun Ra
Meets The OVC
++++
Strut STRUT 288 (2LP, CD)
Sonny Rollins you into the heart of the flute and vocals, Live! catches Status Quo Ling’s sleevenote adds
A Night At The Village Vanguard and giving you, as Smith at the height of his The Early Years necessary perspective, while
Vanguard: The producer Joe Harley says, jazz-funk success. In fairness, 1966-69 a BBC Sessions disc rounds
Complete Masters “the best seat in the house.” the funk component of this is +++ things off in style – though
+++++ Rollins, just 27 at the time, better than the jazz, with the BMG CAT 900 BOX (5CD) avids will have them on the
Blue Note 1581 (3LP) is on fire, spewing out a guitar soloing on Sorceress, Pre-denim, very now-hard-to-find 2010 Beeb
Toned up hard bop classic torrent of melodic invention for example, affording little matchstickable... box set. Nothing new, then,
Originally a that justifies his “Saxophone more than an opportunity to It’s a stretch but comprehensive as far as
single LP, Colossus” tag. He’s brilliantly go get a cup of tea. However, from the mid- it goes: the two ‘transitional’
Rollins’ 1957 supported by bassist Wilbur Liston Smith’s trademark 60s band albums from 1970-71 will
masterpiece Ware and drummer Elvin whirlpool electronic keyboards, covering presumably be next.
has been Jones, who helped to create on Prelude or the Stevie Shirley Michael Heatley
expanded into a deluxe a night to remember. Wondrous Watercolours, for Bassey and the Bee Gees
three-disc Tone Poet version. Charles Waring example, remain a thing of to the boogiemeisters of Tina Turner
Amazingly, the original tape, eternal beauty, dark droplets the 70s, so buyer beware. What’s Love Got To Do
recorded on a 7.5ips tape Lonnie Liston Smith of limpidness. Meanwhile, This is highly produced pop With It
machine at the venue, was Live! there’s no resisting the mixed with some trendy +++
+++
Photo: (Sun Ra) Charles Steck 1988
never used to master the soulful, irresistible, electric psychedelia, pure and Rhino 5054197555558 (4CD/DVD)
LP; instead, engineer Rudy Ace HIQLP 100 (LP) velocity of Expansions, with simple. But if you want Fulsome reminder of what
Van Gelder transferred it Reissue of keyboardist’s Donald Smith in full throated to know the roots of Quo, we’re missing
onto a bigger 15ips tape only 70s live album top form. Smith isn’t quite this box is keenly priced While we
reel. Now, for the first time, Featuring his up there with Miles Davis and intelligently presented await a more
the original recording has band Cosmic or Weather Report but Live! (despite naff artwork), and considered
been located and used for Echoes and contains the essence of a includes the bonus tracks posthumous
mastering. The results are his brother music no longer practised. from the first two albums’ overview
staggering, transporting Donald on David Stubbs 2003 deluxe reissues. Dave of Turner’s entire career,
98 Record Collector
REVIEWS
Status Quo: to relieve
some tension every
this expanded 30th an exciting hard rock outfit now and then, they’d
anniversary edition of her who never really fulfilled have a boating knot
biopic soundtrack is a fine their potential. Vices (here competition
placeholder. The parent augmented by six bonus cuts)
album boasts re-records was a good start but didn’t sell
of earlier hits (Nutbush enough to keep the Chrysalis
City Limits, A Fool In Love) executives happy; fortunately
alongside contemporary Music For Nations were on
tracks, including a fiery holler hand to pick up Waysted’s
on the live favourite cover of self-titled mini-album and
Trammps’ dancefloor classic following full-length The Good,
Disco Inferno. The Bad And The Waysted
Two discs, plus a DVD, which featured former UFO
are given over to a full colleague Paul Chapman on
concert from 1993 for much guitar. With a new singer,
grittier versions of the songs, Danny Vaughn, a new label
plus a properly sleazy take (Parlophone) and more polish
on Robert Palmer’s Addicted 1986’s Save Your Prayers
To Love. It’s this part of the should have been massive
package that best serves but wasn’t, and the band split
as a tribute to Tina the shortly afterward. A recording
charismatic performer, as of the band’s support slot
does the singles edits and to Iron Maiden in Cardiff in
remixes disc’s a capella glory October 1984 completes the
of John Fogerty’s Proud Mary. story. John Tucker
Terry Staunton
UFO
VARIOUS
Covenant + Sharks
+++
ARTISTS
Cherry Red / Hear No Evil Congo Funk! - Sound
HNE3CD215 (3CD) Madness From The
Noughties’ albums Shores Of The Mighty
re-issued Congo River
UFO purists (Kinshasa/Brazzaville
were delighted 1969-1982)
when guitarist ++++
Michael Analog Africa AALP 0098 (CD, 2LP)
Schenker Another crack compilation
rejoined the band for 1995’s from Analog Africa
Walk On Water, although The 1974
he was gone again by the Ali-Foreman
end of the year. Two further fight (and
short stints with the band – the Zaire ’74
boasting founder members music festival
Phil Mogg and Pete Way, featuring James Brown) had a
together with drummer massive impact on Congolese
Aynsley Dunbar – resulted music. Out went established Slimelight, Los Angeles’ Club obvious that DJ Started at
in Covenant in 2000 and European record labels Fuck and Toronto’s Bovine Notoya would Glasgow’s Sub
Sharks two years later. and in came a indie labels Sex Club would resonate to a have another Club in 1997
Covenant is the better, still recording rhumba/jazz/funk and confluence of the gnarly end of rummage by DJs Keith
boasting some of that early shimmering electric guitars, Techno and the bleepy end of through ‘JD Twitch’
UFO swagger in tracks like with Radio Brazzaville and Télé- Goth, the Venn crossover twixt Japanese catalogues for McIvor and Jonnie Wilkes,
Love Is Forever and Midnight Zaïre beaming the new music the two being EBM (Electronic WeWantSounds. Electric Bird – the Optimo (Espacio) club
Train, while Sharks is a bit across Africa. After collecting Body Music), as epitomised a sub-label from King Records night ran on Sundays for 550
of a plodder and hardly a 2000 tracks during two visits by Nitzer Ebb, one of whose – was set up in 1977 to cater nights, and still takes place
fitting end to Schenker’s to Kinshasa and Brazzaville, totemic monsters gives its for the booming Nippon jazz once a month. It’s arguably the
career with the band. Ten Analog Africa’s Samy Ben name to this album. As well funk audience that King, as the biggest influence on the city’s
cuts from the Walk On Water Redjeb distilled them down to as such obvious candidates Japanese licensee for labels at music scene in the last two-
tour show at Blind Melon’s, 14 songs by the new generation as Meat Beat Manifesto, Blue Note and CTI, had grown and-a-half decades, inspiring
Cheektowaga, in September including Petelo Vicka Et Son Front Line Assembly, Ministry for years. Funk Tide offers a everyone from Franz Ferdinand
1995 (some of which was Nzazi; Groupe Minzoto Ya Zaïre and Laibach, the depth of potent mixture of Japanese to Hudson Mohawke, and this
originally released as a and Orchestre Celi Bitshou. curators Michael Sefton and and American artists such as anniversary collection (not
bonus CD with Covenant) Comes with a superb booklet. Richard Anderson’s knowledge Yasuaki Shimizu, Shunzo Ohno, a ‘greatest hits’!) released
completes the package. Tony Burke is displayed by lesser-known Bobby Lyle, Toshiyuki Honda on four x 12” vinyl (two for
John Tucker names like Esplendor and Ronnie Foster. Honda’s each part) illustrates what an
Control I’m Here: Geometrico, Hunting Lodge, Living In The City – with Paulinho Optimo clubber might expect,
Waysted Adventures On The Executive Slacks and Screaming Da Costa on percussion – from from the out-there, ambient
Won’t Get Out Alive: Industrial Dancefloor Trees. No, not that Screaming his 1980 album Easy Breathing opening disc, which cycles
Waysted Volume One ++++ Trees. A sampler-wielding aggro- is a standout: the mid-paced through psychedelic funk,
Photo: (Status Quo) Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo
1983-1986 Cherry Red CRCD 3 BOX 165 (3CD) Acid duo from – where else? summer groove evoking trippy electronica, post-punk
++++ The punishing flipside of the – Sheffield. Simon Price youthful sweetness. Katsutoshi Afro rhythms and blunted dub
Cherry Red / Hear No Evil HNE 4 BOX second Summer Of Love Morizono’s Space Traveller – a (Brainticket, Robert Rental,
172 (4CD) A cavalcade of Funk Tide: Tokyo remake of James Vincent’s cult African Head Charge, Smokin’
Early years round-up for close-cropped Jazz-Funk From classic from 1976 – is located Cheeba, Idjut Boys) to the
post-UFO outfit men in muscle Electric Bird 1978-87 at the sweet spot where funk electro-disco energy of the
Having quit UFO vests sternly Selected By meets yacht. Daryl Easlea second, featuring Chris &
in 1982 bassist working up DJ Notoya Cosey, Divine and the song
Pete Way a sweat to songs about ++++ Optimo 25 which named the night,
initially created vivisection and dictatorship, Wewantsounds WWSLP 81 (CD, LP) (Parts 1 & 2) Liquid Liquid’s Optimo.
Fastway with Control I’m Here does a fine A superb opening of an +++++ For dancefloor or head
ex-Motörhead guitarist Fast job of recreating that late 80s obscure door Above Board Projects OPTIMO 2501 listening, Optimo 25 (Parts 1 &
Eddie Clarke but left within a period when darkly disreputable After the success of 2021’s (4x12”) 2) is just sublime.
few months to form Waysted, nightspots like London’s Tokyo Glow collection, it was Celebrating feted club night David Pollock
Record Collector 99
New Albums
Victory Lap
Cult British singer-songwriter seizes his second chance
and makes a modern masterpiece… By John Earls
NEW
OF T ALB
HE M UM
ONT
H
Pete made me think of the pivotal moments That one’s mostly true. In sobriety, your emotions dates and anniversaries come and go because
in my life. I started telling him a story and I flood back like a newborn baby. At first, I was I’m always busy.
thought: “If I can write the same way I’m telling a rabbit in the headlights. Without being too A mate recently asked me about a song on
this, it could work.” A decade ago, I wouldn’t dramatic, when you’re integrating back into Pacific Street and I had to say: “If someone said
have been ready, but since then I’ve made society just by going to the shop, making eye to me ‘Here’s £1 million, play it,’ I’d have to tell
Adios Senor Pussycat, which has led to these contact is harrowing. them to keep their money, because I couldn’t.”
two records. I’ve also got married, I’ve got a After a while, it becomes natural again. But But it made me listen to it again and it sounded
connection with my kids: those things need when things aren’t going well, the power of great. I thought: “Who the fuck did you think you
to be written about. somebody smiling at you, it takes over your whole are, going: ‘Let’s have an orchestra,’” but I was
body. You think: that smile was just for me. adventurous as a songwriter when I was 20.
Has writing the book fed into the new album? I’d written most of You Smiled At Me, then I met
They’ve fed off each other. I’d write the book in my wife. She made it complete. It’s a love song, Last year saw …Here’s Tom With The
my kitchen. For a break from that, I’d go upstairs and it simplifies things – on how a smile has so Weather become the first Shack album to get
to the attic where my guitar is and songs would much depth and meaning. reissued. Are there plans for any more?
start formulating. Writing the book opened my Our John said to me early on with that reissue:
mind, so that when I went upstairs I was ready to It’s 40 years since The Pale Fountains “Have I got your blessing to do this?” I told him:
write songs, because the stories in the book are released their debut album, Pacific Street. “Of course, I’m behind you 100 per cent.” He did
Photos: John Johnson
content to formulate into songs. How much of a milestone is that for you? a lot of work on the bureaucracy there always is
For the last decade, people have told me, “It’s for bands getting their songs back and he wants
In You Smiled At Me, you fall for a stranger 25 years since this” or “It’s 20 years since that.” to do more. So I’m going to go with yes.
on a train. Is it true or a short story? Forty years since the Paleys, that’s “Wow!”, but As told to John Earls
And Also The Trees A Christian alongside Soup Unit create than their
Mother-Of-Pearl Moon missionary’s Dragons and background debut. It leans
+++ daughter who Teenage Fanclub music designed generously into
AATT AATTCD 14 (CD, LP) rebelled and (the former’s to be listened their strengths:
Trees of a different timbre became a goth Sean Dickson to intentionally. gorgeous
The arty, off- in her teens, Birch, now 41, mastered this record), new That might sound like a Americana folk married with
kilter Brit combo has lived all over the world but work from gentle Scottish indie contradiction, but the idea gentle country and just a hint
who’ve worked now resides in sleepy Somerset, maverick Duglas T Stewart’s is nevertheless interesting. of the blues. Their harmonies
with admirers where she’s rediscovered her BMX Bandits is always welcome Though their brand of not-quite- are especially impressive and
The Cure during muse. Birch seemed to lose her – but a decade-in-the-making post-rock (or perhaps post- recall early 70s Fleetwood Mac,
their long, productive and way after her promising 2010 album about the life-giving post-rock) never quite reaches like on tender fingerpicked
generally under-the-radar career debut Bible Belt but now the qualities of being an outsider the energetic exhilaration of, ballad Mother. Headache is a
return with their most out-on- Michigan-born singer/pianist idealist arriving after a period say, Three Trapped Tigers or country ballad straight out of
the-edge album yet. Always is firmly back on track with a of personal health problems the emotional resonance and vintage Nashville while Muzzle
one for tinkling guitar and tremendous collection of self- feels garlanded in an extra beauty of Sigur Ros, there builds into a thrilling blues solo:
beguiling rhythms this, however, penned songs in a 70s singer- sense of triumph. The odd, are moments when these think Jack White losing it on
is closer to movie soundtrack songwriter vein that reverberate bleeping internal monologue My eight songs truly come alive. his Gretsch. Many of the songs
enigma. Created from, we’re with evocative echoes of Joni Name Is Duglas (Don’t Listen That might be the space-age explore how we find strength
told, lonely guitar improvisations Mitchell’s bittersweet lyricism, To What They Say) aside, it’s atmospherics of When Do We in our shared outsiderness
during lockdown, the faraway Laura Nyro’s heart-on-the- classic Bandit country, from the Start Fighting?’s second half or and the best example here is
doodlings of guitarist Justin sleeve earnestness and Judee lush, vintage orchestral style of the delicately nuanced strains perhaps the cinematic, string-
Jones meld with the drifting Sill’s Biblical imagery. Working the title track and Things You of closer The Dogs Are Barking led Love Is Real. At 14 songs
vocals of brother Simon in ways alongside guitarist/producer Threw Away, to Setting Sun Again, but while those passages long, it could do with an edit,
that at one moment seem Paul Stacey (who’s worked and The World Was Round’s are stunning, too often the but it’s nonetheless a special
pastoral, at another far more with Black Crowes and Noel breezy beatpop, the halogen-lit execution isn’t quite there, and second album. Elizabeth Aubrey
mystical. Elsewhere the elegant Gallagher), Birch has crafted ballad Home Before Dark – In these songs remain trapped
Englishness – Cure-like in its a sublime, career-defining The Industrial Zone and the in the background, sadly lost Ganavya
pop innocence with delicacies record, its highlights including Simon & Garfunkel-like whimsy inside themselves. Like The Sky I’ve Been Too
such as This Path Through the soulful Jukebox Johnny and of Hop Skip Jump (For Your Mischa Pearlman Quiet
The Meadow and the darker, dreamily infectious Moto Moon. Love). David Pollock ++++
spoken-vocal Field After Field – Outstanding. Charles Waring Ferris & Sylvester Native Rebel Recordings NRR 8 LP
sideslips into something more Dog Unit Otherness (CD, 2LP)
exotic, evident on the languid BMX Bandits At Home +++ Indian-American vocalist
title track. Nick Dalton Dreamers On The Run +++ Archtop ARTLP 101 (CD, 2LP) shows her versatility
++++ Brace Yourself BYREC 56 LP (CD, LP) British folk couple craft a Born in New
Diane Birch Tapete Records TR 513 (CD, LP) London four-piece unleash stirring second York and raised
Flying On Abraham A Scottish indie-pop original their post-post-rock debut. Husband-and-wife duo Issy in Indian Tamil
++++ returns to the fray On their debut full-length Ferris and Archie Sylvester’s Nadu, singer
Legere Recordings LEGO 319 (CD, LP) Formed nearly 40 years ago album, London-based second album feels like much and composer
US singer-songwriter soars amid the seminal Bellshill scene instrumental shapeshifters Dog more of an assured arrival Ganavya’s latest album finds
her rich vocals paired with a Theres’s a higher proportion of Lenny Kravitz big deal about Anderson,
variety of musical textures. grumbling and griping – This Blue Electric Light breaking up, conductor
Rooted in classical South Indian Ain’t Rock’n’Roll sets the ++++ only to return a Charles
music tradition but capable of standard – while the Brian BMG 4050538939286 (CD, 2LP) few years later, Hazlewood,
working in a variety of settings, May-propelled Precious kicks Let Len rule! The king curator the unexpected Paraorchestra
her ethereal voice adds a sense up a duststorm that will be on majestic form return of Les Savy Fav is a and various guests connected
of deep spirituality throughout, noticed all the way to Memphis. Kravitz’s radio- breath of fresh air. Not that through songs about death in
drifting beautifully around the Close your eyes and you can friendly fusion of the artful Brooklyn indie-punks many guises. Ranging from la
delicate strumming of a harp on easily forget this fella is 84. rock and soul ever called it a day, but it’s petite mort to mortality itself,
the Alice Coltrane-esque Forgive One thing’s for sure: he is still has served him been 14 years since their last the result unfurls as a warmly
Me My, the chirping electronics a contemporary artist. ’Unter’s well over 11 album, Root For Ruin. A lot luxurious tribute to kinship
of the Floating Points-assisted back on the ’orse… and that’s previous albums, and it’s by no has happened in that time, and influence, mounted with
First Notebook Of Songs, the a fact. Michael Heatley means intended as derisory to but while older and greyer, Les poise and drama. Echo & The
ambient jazz wash of El Kebda, call Blue Electric Light more of Savy Fav’s fun, raucous and Bunnymen’s The Killing Moon
and the courtly plucked strings Iron & Wine the same. This is a man who occasionally silly sound remains shudders with anticipation,
of a west African ngoni on final Light Verse knows his wheelhouse inside largely intact. Whether that’s Anderson’s voice attuned to its
track I Walk Again, Eyes To ++++ out, and continues to craft the acerbic staccato, slow- silvery ambience. An imperious
The Sky. Having recently been Sub Pop SP 1615 (CD, LP) robust material that wears its motion stomp-punk of opener Nadine Shah is a magnificent
tapped up to work with the Singer-songwriter makes a bygone influences on its sleeve Guzzle Blood, the spoken word crooning partner for Anderson
likes of Quincy Jones, Shabaka stunning tenth yet manages to sound melancholy of Dawn Patrol, or on a gently lapping cover of
Hutchings, Esperanza Spalding Having served intriguingly up to date. As Lenny the (funnily enough) Oi!-inspired Mercury Rev’s Holes, while the
and Sault, Ganavya is a vocalist two decades as accompanies himself on a Oi! Division, these 14 erratic, Paraorchestra’s mellifluous
set to make a significant impact the brainchild succession of instruments, the wonderful and unpredictable backing on Nightporter
on the musical landscape. of Iron & Wine, sly groove of It’s Just Another songs are a powerful reminder honours the song’s twilit tread
Paul Bowler Sam Beam Fine Day takes its cue from of what’s been missing. judiciously. Standouts include a
found his inspiration had dried Aaron Neville’s stone cold Mischa Pearlman dreamy Wonderful Life, a stately
Hawkwind up during the pandemic. It classic Hercules, Paralyzed Enjoy The Silence (featuring
Stories From Time And took two years, via an EP of stomps like a séance with Marc Ministry Gwenno) and a surging take
Space Lori McKenna songs and an Bolan and John Bonham, and Hopiumforthemasses on Suede’s She Still Leads Me
++++ acoustic tour, for his muse to the power ballad title track +++ On, before Anderson wrings My
Cherry Red CDBRED 901 (CD, LP) return. Light Verse is the result holds a flickering Zippo up to Nuclear Blast 4065629701611 Death for a spirit of carpe-diem
Space rockers continue their – an album that straddles Iron Prince. Naysayers might dismiss (CD, LP) affirmation: “So let’s drink to
cosmic course & Wine’s earlier, stripped-down it all as derivative, but who Al Jourgensen’s industrial that,” indeed. Kevin Harley
Time and work and his later, more layered cares when it’s despatched with mischief-makers return
space, indeed: tunes. The gorgeous Sweet Talk such confidence and an innate The first wave of Pet Shop Boys
Dave Brock’s and All In Good Time (which understanding of pop’s rich industrial rock Nonetheless
ever-changing features sumptuous backing grammar? Terry Staunton acts typically ++++
crew have vocals courtesy of Fiona Apple) dealt in Parlophone 5054197903649
been orbiting for 55 years. are particularly reminiscent of The Lemon Twigs Cassandra-like (CD/2CD, LP/2LP)
And, like an eclipse, we know the former, while Tears That A Dream Is All We Know foretellings of mechanised Business as usual for
what’s coming but it’s always Don’t Matter is Beam at his ++++ warfare and eco-destruction. infallible synthpop legends
impressive. The opener, Can’t most dynamically majestic. It Captured Tracks CT 375 LPC 2 (CD, LP) Ministry’s strain was always Pet Shop Boys
Last Forever, starts with a folk- took a while, but this album is Luscious Medium Wave laced with a certain dark glee, are seemingly
like tinkle reminiscent of earliest certainly worth the wait. melodies from US brothers as if some of the sicko humour incapable of
Hawkwind but rises with choral Mischa Pearlman Initially pitched of Al Jourgensen’s side-hustle, making a bad
vocals and wild guitar then The in some Revolting Cocks, was seeping record. On
Starship (One Love One Life) Mark Knopfler quarters as through. What, now that we’re their 15th attempt, producer
thunders hypnotically for seven One Deep River harbingers of yet actually living in the dire James Ford rides the faders
minutes while What Are We +++ another glam- dystopian future they once and filters to shape Chris
Going To Do While We’re Here, EMI/British Grove EMIV 2113 (CD, 2LP) rock revival, Hicksville NY’s predicted, is Ministry’s angle? Lowe’s synths into the perfect
another seven-minute barrage, More Tyne tales from Dire Lemon Twigs, centred around Surprisingly sincere and on-the- balance of modernity and
is topped and tailed by curiously Straits don the fraternal duo of former nose (at least, if the last half- timelessness. Nonetheless is
jazzy sax. The line-up, featuring None of the child actors Brian and Michael dozen Ministry albums passed as sumptuous and graceful
experimental keyboard player 10 solo studio D’Addario, turned out to be you by.) Opener B.D.E. takes as any of the previous 14,
Thighpaulsandra, is the same albums Mark something subtly different: aim at teenage incels in thrall with the instantly-euphoric
as last year’s The Future Never Knopfler’s shamelessly nostalgic purveyors to the likes of Andrew Tate. Just Why Am I Dancing and the
Waits; there’s a floating eeriness made have of sun-dappled 70s AM radio Stop Oil is an unironic satirical The Schlager Hit
to The Night Sky while near-title equalled the impact former pop, with a gorgeously gooey, endorsement of that campaign. Parade reminders that nobody
track Traveller Of Time & Space band Dire Straits made in ice-creamy production and Aryan Embarrassment, to which does this stuff better. Neil
is a dreamy, wistful wonder. their 80s heyday, a period in a sentimental, philanthropic Jello Biafra brings some Tennant remains our most
Nick Dalton which his band were one of streak a mile wide. Their fifth declamatory DK energy, targets emotionally intelligent lyricist,
the biggest selling acts on the album contains traces of Todd the resurgent Far Right. One writing with exquisite empathy
Ian Hunter planet. Yet still he stubbornly Rundgren, Squeeze, Ben Folds thing which has barely changed about non-obvious subjects.
Defiance Part 2: Fiction ploughs his furrow – and while and, above all, The Beach Boys, since their Psalm 69 peak is On Bullet For Narcissus, he
++++ One Deep River is unlikely to most notably on In The Eyes Of the Ministry formula of chugging imagines the inner monologue
Sun 5047807321 (CD, 2LP) make many new converts, it The Girl, a collaboration with metal machine grooves, of a bodyguard for a right-
Mott man plus heavy friends will more than satisfy his loyal Sean Ono Lennon. A Dream Is newsreel samples and stuck-pig wing blowhard politician. On
Ian Hunter’s army of fans. His observational All We Know flows seamlessly, screaming. But, when it works, Dancing Star it’s the culture
career has themes have not really with no snags disrupting its they can still make the shock of the newly-defected
been more changed: Ahead Of The Game mellow mood-tapestry, right up apocalypse sound fun. Nureyev. On Loneliness it’s a
stop-start than is a loping, countrified first until final track Rock On (Over Simon Price pensive Ringo Starr skimming
most. Tinnitus cousin of Sultans Of Swing, And Over) throws us a curveball stones on a canal. And on
had removed him from the substituting Nashville for South by actually glamming out, Paraorchestra with New London Boy, featuring
road before Covid struck, but London, while the title track Bolan-style, as if to say, “Here’s Brett Anderson and a West End Girls-style rap,
his response was to assemble finds him once again taking what you thought we were Charles Hazlewood it’s his own teenage self: a
two albums of brand new inspiration from his native about”. Superb. Simon Price Death Songbook Roxy/Bowie-obsessed Glam
material. Defiance Part 2 Newcastle. The moving Black ++++ Rocker running the gauntlet of
follows its similarly named Tie Job, a standout, tells of his Les Savy Fav World Circuit 4050538978049 skinheads and navigating the
2023 predecessor in treading journalist past doorstepping the Oui, LSF (CD, 2LP) capital’s gay scene.
the ‘all-star’ route – Cheap bereaved. He may have left the ++++ Suede singer and friends’ The duo’s ongoing quest
Trick, Lucinda Williams, Taylor Money For Nothing days behind Frenchkiss FKR 1211 (CD, LP) death’s-head party for a dud disc has once again
Hawkins and Jeff Beck, among him, but Knopfler can still Chaotic art-punks return with Socially distanced across a ended in abject failure. Maybe
others – but sounds altogether plumb new inspirational depths. long-awaited aplomb Cardiff stage circa lockdown, next time.
looser and more assured. Michael Heatley In a time when bands make a Suede frontman Brett Simon Price
Relative
Success
Redemptive fourth from the
cult South London reprobates.
By Jeremy Allen
Fat White
Family
Forgiveness Is Yours of the live performances. 2019’s Serfs narrative delivered in intimate sing-speak. The
++++ Up! was a step in the right direction, latter song recounts singer Lias Saoudi’s tale of
Domino WIGLP 467 (CD, LP) though with the departure of main encountering Yoko Ono whilst on ketamine and
musical ideas man Saul Adamczewski, being told by the legendary artist that he has the
Fat White Family are a band who’ve consistently and members channelling their efforts into other look of her late husband. Musically, it’s as weirdly
snatched defeat from the jaws of victory over ventures, the signs didn’t necessarily look good for dreamlike as you’d hope, very nearly tipping
the years. Founded in Peckham, London in the long term. into new-age-y at times, but when set against
2011, the self-destructive tendencies they’ve As contradictory as ever, then, Fat White Saoudi’s sardonic lyric, it instead seems to take us
become notorious for seem oddly anachronistic Family have shaken off an integral member to somewhere we’ve never really been before.
a little more than a decade later. The six-piece become the band they’ve always promised to be, There are two spoken word tracks, too; the
gives the impression of being the last great pooling their resources to make everything more opener The Archivist, which comes on like a Fast
rock’n’roll survivors, living up to very 20th century multidimensional and unpredictable. Forgiveness Show buried gem, and the remarkable Today
expectations in the service of Dionysus. The Is Yours is without question the band’s best album You Become A Man, which takes on unusual
landscape has changed and everything feels safer to date, full of surprising diversions and even more subject matter, namely Saoudi’s older brother’s
these days, and more to the point, nobody really surprising musical ideas that sometimes border circumcision in Algeria. It’s a terrifying, hysterical
forms bands anymore (and if they do, record on the sophisticated. Even though there’s little four minutes, as hilariously dark as The Velvet
companies are unlikely to touch them). uniformity, it hangs together nicely and is always Underground’s The Box and as avant-funky as
The Fat Whites are a reminder of how we once intriguing, like a series of vignettes or short stories. Miles Davis’ On The Corner. As you may have
were, which can be uncomfortable for some. It’s Bullet Of Dignity sounds like the Happy guessed by now, the title of the album is grimly
perhaps a factor in why they’re not yet as huge Mondays, had they discovered Dabke, while John mocking, taking a swipe at the endless need in
as they could be. More importantly, while they’ve Lennon eschews any notion of pastiche, employing modern discourse for everything to have some kind
made some excellent, forward-thinking music, it’s doughy electronica and Kruder & Dorfmeister-style of redemptive arc. Nevertheless, Forgiveness Is
never quite lived up to the energy or the danger flutes carried along by a quickening pulse and the Yours, and victory is theirs… should they want it.
Pinhdar and multi-instrumentalist/ vocals are swathed in Tarenzi’s Abysses. One of the year’s rare have since supported Coldplay
A Sparkle On The Dark producer Max Tarenzi follow swirling sonic pyramids gems. Kris Needs and Metronomy, which is a
Water 2021’s Howie B-produced of synths, guitars and decent indication of where
++++ minimal lockdown classic electronics, enhanced by Bruno Porij their polished dance music
Fruits de Mer/Friends of the Fish 78 Parallel with a more expansive Ellingham’s production. Lyrically Teething sits. Singer Eggy is in the
(CD, LP) sound bringing out their innate reflecting on post-pandemic ++++ lineage of Tracey Thorn and Neil
Milan triphoppers dazzle on bared soul emotion and planet Earth’s multi-tiered PIAS PIASR 1474 (CD, LP) Tennant for precise enunciators,
second flight melodic drama. disintegration, darkly poignant Irksome spellers but very imperiously narrating the type
Trailered by Those singles, Human Murders Of A Dying God, classy ravers of radio-friendly drum & bass
stunning singles and Little Light, evocatively house-driven Cold River and Meeting at initially popularised by Kosheen,
videos directed encapsulate Pinhdar’s unique ravishing In The Woods ripple Manchester recently back in vogue via hits
by Mexico’s magic, harnessing spectral with meticulously channelled Royal College from LF System and Venbee.
Telavaya dreampop textures to trip hop passion, flaring to orchestral Of Northern Marmite and Sweet Risk are
Reynolds, singer Cecilia Miradoli beats as Miradoli’s impassioned heights on desolate ballad Music, Porij especially convincing in their
frantic call to the dancefloor, ballad that is likely to pop up Robed In UB40 Jane Weaver
while the mournful Slow Down on TV idents all year. A lesson Rareness, UB45 Love In Constant
is reminiscent of Lamb in its to singer-songwriters that “First Exotic Birds ++++ Spectacle
perfect comedown evocation. thought best thought” really can Of Prey: the SRG SRG 1069 (CD, LP) ++++
Their name might reflect their pay off. John Earls titles of these Firm-footed new material Fire FIRELP 682 (CD, LP)
roots and imply tedious student companion mini-albums (the and faithful retreads Tangled webs from alt-pop
japes await, but in capturing so Lucy Rose former released just this past The title shapeshifter
many club moods, Porij are one This Ain’t The Way You Go October) alone express what alludes to the 2021’s Flock
of heartfelt pop’s best recent Out Shabazz Palaces has become anniversary of saw the Widnes
examples. John Earls +++ under Ishmael Butler’s sole the band’s first genre-blender
Communion COMM 576 (CD, LP) reign, encapsulating the recordings, twisting her
Billy Reeves A defiantly solid return allure of Butler’s aesthetic, highlighting the album’s psychedelic
Steve (A Weekend In Rose’s fifth the singularity of his vision contents being split equally and electronica tendencies
Egham 1966) album follows a and, in that word “prey”, the between new songs and re- into pop and dance shapes.
++++ five-year break, instinctual way in which he recordings of past triumphs. Her 12th album retains that
Last Night From Glasgow LNFG 145 during which pursues it. As with Robed In Certainly, the opening Home rhythmic panache, but insists
(CD, LP) time she was Rareness, the music here is shares obvious DNA with the on engaging with actual
Educated, catchy pop for the sidelined by both the pandemic insular, at times verging on the politically-driven contents of emotions, too. She works with
knowing elders and a severe back injury after claustrophobic, though Butler debut long player Signing Off, an outside producer for the
An eloquent sort giving birth. Knuckling down again looks out to his wider leading neatly into that record’s first time, and John Parish
in his late 50s, to work with fruitful sessions network, granting features on killer double punch of Food For seems to understand the brief:
Billy Reeves is at Paul Weller’s Surrey studio all but one of the collection’s Thought and King. it always sounds like Weaver,
a stand-up gent spawning several songs a day, seven tracks, and, on the likes Thankfully, Robin Campbell whether leaning into exuberant
of pop. As well This Ain’t The Way To Go Out of the squelchy Angela (which and buddies have resisted or taciturn, but gently explores
as being a much-loved BBC is partly a chronicle of those addresses female gang crime) the temptation to rework the adjoining neighbourhoods.
football correspondent, he is obstacles. “Life could be so and the frenetic Well Known oldies too much, save for Fuzzy motorik beats still
from the skewiff Tony Newley/ simple but it’s full of pain,” she Nobody (conflating politics the occasional multi-tracked feature, while her words
Syd Barrett end of Britpop, first sings on the contemplative with celebrity culture, in order saxophone, and they serve as a interact with the wooziness,
coming to prominence as the Dusty Frames, typical of the to dismiss both), finding a template for the newer tracks. the slightly off-centre ambience
guitarist/writer of theaudience. record’s elegant pop with folk world beyond the zero-gravity Shining out among those is a (which moves towards
Along with many other things, and jazz flourishes. Over When strip club Robed In Rareness respectful lovers’ rock cover minimalism later on). The title
he can be credited as the It’s Over flirts with the dance appeared to have been made of Bill Withers’ Hope She’ll Be track hovers as if suspended
man who gave Sophie Ellis floor while the hushed Whatever for. “We will walk the fine lines Happier and the shanty town in mid-air. It’s accessible
Bextor her big break. Inspired You Want is worthy of Tapestry- between the realms of the shuffle of the self-penned Fool though,ss and Perfect Storm
by Finnish dreampop, Steve (A era Carole King, as a driven and worlds, sounds born in the Men Once. Terry Staunton and the slinky Emotional
Weekend In Egham 1966) is articulate artist confidently finds blind spots,” Butler seemingly Components welcome you in
Reeves’ first album under his her feet again. Terry Staunton intones over the landing- Vampire Weekend with groove and grace. This
own name, and bristles with spaceship synths of Synth Dirt, Only God Was Above Us both feels and swings.
warmth, humour and invention. Shabaka perfectly expressing how, at ++++ Chris Roberts
Reeves’ vocals have an Perceive Its Beauty, its best, the Shabazz Palaces Columbia 19658886892 (CD, 2LP)
endearing untechnical delivery, Acknowledge Its Grace experience is an invitation to Preppy pop heroes sharpen The Zutons
being able to imbue songs like +++ have your senses tweaked. their bite on fifth album The Big Decider
the sweet bossa of Ten-Bob Impulse! 6504311 (CD, LP) Jason Draper As the cover’s ++++
Milko with a music hall charm British jazz doyen creates an canted subway Icepop ICELP 01 (CD, LP)
(especially using vocabulary idyllic sonic space Slim Chance car and grim It’s almost like they never
such as ‘florin’ and ‘Unigate’). Shabaka Live At The Greystones newspaper went away
Catchy choruses, smart turns Hutchings’ ++++ headline Fifteen years
of phrase and joyous winks twin groups The Last Music Company LMCD 238 suggest, Vampire Weekend’s since their
abound. Recommended. The Comet (CD) fluent and richly fretful fifth last album,
Daryl Easlea Is Coming Ronnie Lane’s old muckers album occupies a world gone Liverpool’s
and Sons Of Kemet are on joyous form wonky. With New York as loose-limbed
Maggie Rogers renowned for their crackling Over 50 years its locus, Only God… was popsters with pleasingly gritty
Don’t Forget Me energy and propulsive cut and ago, Ronnie recorded between London, LA, funk undertones are back in
++++ thrust, but here, on the multi- Lane left Manhattan and Tokyo, tracing business, and it’s business
Capitol 5819953 (CD, LP) instrumentalist’s solo debut the Faces fractured global trajectories. Ice as usual. The Big Decider
Country-pop star doesn’t album, he’s in a reflective to pursue Cream Piano finds Ezra Koenig spins and struts with the joie
hang around mood, revealing his hitherto a rootsier path with Slim declaring “Fuck the world” de vivre of old, statements
Having broken unexplored meditative side. Chance, touring his Passing amid brash mêlées of distorted of intent provided by crunchy
through with Assisted by a stellar supporting Show and recording stellar guitars, tipsy pianos and frantic opener Creeping On The
the Top 10 cast – including slam poet albums before succumbing to strings; throughout the album, Dancefloor and Pauline,
success of her Saul Williams, harpist Brandy Multiple Sclerosis in 1997. vibrant melodies and guitars another groove-infused witty
second album Younger, bassist Esperanza Thirteen years ago, his old come accompanied by gnawing ode to a difficult woman, cut
Surrender in 2022, country- Spalding plus vocalists Eska bandmates Charlie Hart, Steve doubts and dense, agitated from the same cloth as Valerie.
pop crossover Maggie Rogers and Lianne Le Havas – Bingham and Steve Simpson settings. Even the dreamy The chief difference from
hasn’t overthought how to Hutchings fashions a series revived Slim Chance to play Capricorn wears its soundscape the three albums released
capitalise. Writing two songs of pastoral soundscapes his classics and their originals like a shroud, while Hope’s between 2004 and 2008 is
a day in just five days, Don’t dominated by breathy flutes. in celebration of their fallen plea for release evokes The discipline: the arrangements
Forget Me was recorded It’s not all a case of sonic stasis comrade. Their fifth album National at their most elegantly are more robust, the playing
equally quickly with new co- and folky bucolic minimalism, Live At The Greystone catches fraught. Best of all, Gen-X sturdier, most likely due to
producer Ian Fitchuk (Kacey though, as Body To Inhabit the current lineup featuring Cops sets a post-punk clip for the presence of Nile Rodgers
Musgraves, Maren Morris) at proves, lit up by rapper Elucid’s veteran keyboardist Geraint a take on cursed generational in the producer’s chair. It’s
New York’s Electric Ladyland. verbal fireworks. The album’s Watkins, sax titan Frank Mead inheritances: “Blacken the sky especially evident in the title
Many of the vocals are first killer cut is the Steve Reich- and drummer Brendan O’Neill and sharpen the axe,” sings track’s dizzying carousel of
takes too, yet the results evoking I’ll Do Whatever I live in Sheffield in May last Koenig, nailing the extremes of harmonies and a hook that’ll
sound far from rushed. Drunk Want featuring Floating Points’ year, tangibly relishing classics a dark and whip-keen return to squat in your head until you
and Sick Of Dreaming carry somnolent synth work. Music to including The Poacher, One duty. Kevin Harley opt for surgery. Terry Staunton
over Surrender’s sophisticated dream to. Charles Waring For The Road, Kuschty Rye,
playlist-friendly infectiousness, You’re So Rude, Ooh La La
with Never Going Home’s
pared-back Nashville mood still
Shabazz Palaces
Exotic Birds Of Prey
and ever poignant Debris
before a rousing Goodnight
NEXT MONTH
as accomplished as it is catchy. +++ Irene. Thankfully, the tapes Bernard Butler Camera Obscura
Written and recorded last, Sub Pop SP 1612 X (CD, LP) were rolling to capture this Paul Weller Pavement
the wholly self-produced title Ishmael Butler widens focus magical evening. Luther Vandross Bat For Lashes
track is a stunning full-throated on quick-fire follow-up Kris Needs
heartening read about devotion time. Christophe Dallach’s Spanning more than 700 Howard – he of the revived romance, realism, and wit in
to music, womanhood and oral history of everything pages, it’s a dense but post-Kid In A Big World a story that’s both complex
camaraderie. Irina Shrteis kosmische works well fascinating read, featuring career, and already the and intriguing. Howard’s eye
because it came out in extensive, in-depth pieces author of several excellent for detail is strong, as is his
Germany first, meaning the about the history, music autobiographies – and be sense of humour and his
interviewees get to express and musicianship of the able to report that it’s good. ability to seek out the
themselves without, in most band during their A novel about people who emotional aspects of a story.
cases, the obstacle of trying 1965-1974 lifespan, and disappear in and out of time, One hopes for more of this
to be erudite in a second plenty of imagery to set Across My Dreams With Nets sort of thing in the future.
language (Katy Derbyshire the scene. Of Wonder combines David Quantick
provides a pristine Brief tribute words from
translation). Dallach was Robert Plant, Bill Drummond,
inspired to write this almost David Bowie and the former
exhaustive account when it Archbishop of Canterbury
occurred to him that many of Rowan Williams appear, and
these musicians wouldn’t be Billy Connolly fascinatingly
with us much longer, and so contextualises the 60s
it has transpired with artists Scottish folk scene, boldly
like Holger Czukay and Jaki claiming ISB were as
Liebezeit of Can, Dieter influential as Dylan. There
Moebius of Cluster and Klaus are interviews with
Dark Luminosity: Schulze, solo artist and early bandmembers and
Memoirs Of A Geezer member of Tangerine Dream. collaborators, new words
Jah Wobble Neu Klang only falls down from fans Neil Tennant and
★★★★ – and this is all that prevents Alasdair Roberts, and even a
Faber & Faber, £12.99 it from gaining those coveted quiz, a crossword and an
ISBN 9780571375356, 448 pages five stars – because the appendix entry about the
Bass master updates his chapter about Kraftwerk is a band’s extensive
autobiography little too slight (perfectly instrumentation.
This expanded edition of understandable given the Throughout, ISB’s legacy
Wobble’s 2009 memoir secretive nature of Kling as part of their era’s musical
features a lengthy Epilogue, Klang). Nevertheless, there cutting edge is reinforced, as
updating the story. On one are fascinating chapters on The Rolling Stones and Paul
level a cautionary tale about figures you might not McCartney looked to them
the pitfalls of the music ordinarily be able to access and they were decades
business and the perils of information about, like the ahead of the game in
alcoholism (which brought him shadowy Ohr mogul Rolf- seeking out world music for
close to suicide), it also Ulrich Kaiser, and the Faust inspiration. This vast,
functions as an indispensable chapter is a laugh-out-loud authoritative document is the
socio-cultural history. masterpiece of slapstick next best thing to being
The author’s life took such comedy. Jeremy Allen there. David Pollock
odd turns that the story seems
almost surreal at times. For
instance, after taking flight
from the chaos and poison of
PiL, Wobble had to choose
between working for a courier
company or hopping into the
studio with half the members
of CAN. Later, he would be
bumping into awestruck fans
while working as a ticket
collector on the Northern Line.
Films (Jack O’Connell) as jumping-
off points for the creation of
the likes of Rehab, Love Is A
Losing Game and Back To
Black itself, without any
in-depth examination of
Then, between jobs as a Back To Black her subject.
delivery driver, he was being ★★★ Writer Matt Greenhaigh
ferried around NYC in a limo In cinemas has form in this area of
before contributing bass parts Workmanlike but filmmaking, having provided
to a Ginger Baker album. Be Glad For The occasionally sparkling screenplays for biopics of
It is a riotous life-affirming Song Has No biopic Lennon (Nowhere Boy, also
read and as much a tale of Ending: An Across My Amy Winehouse’s formidable directed by Taylor-Johnson)
(spiritual) redemption as it is of Incredible String Dreams With Nets talent made her a star, but and Ian Curtis (Control), but
violence, marriage breakdown Band Compendium Of Wonder the songs on the album that his portrait of Winehouse
and depression, although Adrian Whittaker (ed.) John Howard gives this movie its title were seems less considered, more
there’s plenty of that, too. ★★★★ ★★★★ written and recorded in the superficial. The script is
In the end Wobble always Strange Attractor Press, £25 Fisher King, £12 white heat of a tempestuous littered with clunky,
fought his way through the ISBN 9781913689506, 704 pages ISBN 9781914560941, 352 pages relationship that also made exposition-serving dialogue
bullshit. As Jon Savage testifies An updated 20-year reprint Fantastic fiction from cult her a tabloid fixture. that all too often stumbles
in the foreword, John Wardle for this vast, authoritative singer-songwriter Consequently, as much as into cliché, while big-name
“is who he says he is”, and it is ISB history Books by musicians are rare the filmmakers stress how support from Eddie Marsan
the unflinching honesty of his “The Incredible String Band enough – and most of those they wanted to tell the and Lesley Manville as the
self-examination that really were arguably the most are autobiographies – but the singer’s story through her singer’s dad and grandmother
makes the book sing. multi-faceted group in British subbest sub-genre of all music, the more troublesome only intermittently conveys
Johnnie Johnstone popular music, and this book must be novels by musicians. aspects of her short life can’t the concern her family has as
attempts to mirror the There’s the work of Kinky be ignored. she threatens to careen off
Neu Klang: The complexity of their story,” Friedman, of course, and Marisa Abela portrays Amy the rails.
Definitive History writes editor Adrian Whittaker Bruce Dickinson’s The as a driven figure resisting That said, Abela is
Of Krautrock in this new, updated edition Adventures Of Lord Iffy music biz attempts to magnificent in the lead role;
Christophe Dallach of his long out-of-print Boatrace, and from time to package her into something her nuanced approximations
★★★★ collection of writing on ISB, time there’s a children’s more instantly sellable (“I of Winehouse’s singing voice
Faber, £25 and it’s hard to imagine a book by megastars like ain’t no fuckin’ Spice Girl,” impress in a series of well-
ISBN 9780571377671, 500 pages more comprehensive or Madonna or Paul McCartney, she declares early on), yet staged musical sequences,
One for the motorikheads lovingly-made book about but as a rule musicians leave that single-mindedness second only to the subtlety
There have been several a band. the fiction for either their arguably contributed to the she brings to the offstage
absorbing histories of Originally published in memoirs or the lyric drama of her private life. Amy, spinning between
krautrock (Julian Cope, David 2003, the book compiles collection. This is probably a Director Sam Taylor-Johnson headstrong and vulnerable.
Stubbs), but here’s the first research and documentation good thing: not quite as bad delivers snapshots of It’s a genuinely affecting,
written entirely from the by the near-30 strong group as authors making records, Winehouse’s on-off romance awards-magnet performance
perspectives of those who of writers at the ISB fanzine but close enough. So it’s a with bad-boy beau and future that ultimately deserves a
made it or were there at the BeGLAD, founded in 1992. relief to read a novel by John husband Blake Fielder-Civil better film. Terry Staunton
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CLIFF RICHARD, Congratulations 6 Songs Europe (EMI) EX 11.00 LP THE MISSION, Serpent’s Kiss – Wake 45 GALLAGHER & LYLE, Every Little Teardrop (A&M AMS 7274)M 3.00
MIXED POP / PROG LPs RSV, Naked & Savage CHOP 6) EX-M 23.00 45 GALLAGHER & LYLE, I Had To Fall In Love (A&M AMS 7300)M 3.00
BAD COMPANY, Straight Shooter (Island) M 7.00 LP BAUHAUS, The Singles 1981-83 45 GALLAGHER & LYLE, Showdown (A&M AMS 7332) M 3.00
BAD COMPANY, Bad Co (Gatefold, Island) M 7.00 (Beggars Banquet BEG 100, 1981) EX-M 28.00 45 GALLAGHER & LYLE, You’re The One (A&M AMS 7356) EX 3.00
THE DOORS, Waiting For The Sun (Orig. Elektra) EX 60.00 2LP FIELDS OF NEPHILIM, Earth Inferno 45 GALLAGHER & LYLE, Living On The Breadline
THE DOORS, Strange Days (Elektra) VG 15.00 (Beggars Banquet BEGA 120 w inners, 1991) EX-M 35.00 (PS, Mercury MER 33) M 5.00
FLEETWOOD MAC, Tusk (2LP, W.B.) EX 12.00 LP FIELDS OF NEPHILIM, Laura (Conte 196, 45 GALAXIES, The Big Triangle (Capitol CL 15158) M 10.00
LEE HAZLEWOOD, Requiem For A Lady (Reprise) EX 15.00 ‘85 clear vinyl, nude LP slv) EX-M 26.00 45 PATSY GALLANT, From New York To L.A. (EMI 2620) EX 4.00
MAN, Be Good To Yourself Once A Day (U.A.) EX 25.00 LP THE SISTERHOOD, Gift (Merciful Release SIS 020, 1986)EX-M 25.00 45 PATSY GALLANT, Are You Ready For Love (PS, EMI 2714) EX 4.00
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THE ROLLING
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REVOLUTION IN THEIR MINDS
ONE DAY
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COMPREHENSIVE RAY AND DAVE RETURN
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SABBATH AND THE DEVIL’S MUSIC SABOTAGE BOX SET REVIEWED FAN PROFILES
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EVERY STUDIO ALBUM REVISITED INSIDE FANS’ COLLECTIONS
South By South Records were visibly touched Fever Ray guitarist, Marc Ford, and the Georgina Jackson’s
West FestivaI by a heartfelt performance, London Hammersmith musical chemistry sizzled in Sass & Brass
Various venues, and she dueted with Lauren Eventim Apollo a deep-in-the-groove, Eastleigh Concorde Club
Austin, Texas Morrow on a beautiful, 2/3/24 cherry-picked set: 13/3/24
13-16/3/24 sensitive version of John Singer Karin Dreijer, pressed Rock’N’Roll Heart, Drunken Ronnie Scott’s Jazz
Ash made their return to Prine’s Hello In There. The tightly between two female Angel, Stolen Moments, Car Orchestra trumpeter/
SXSW with three showcases, Lottery Winners’ songs seem crew, began with the recent Wheels On A Gravel Road. vocalist Jackson delivered
plus the fringe Music For to come from a place of Shiver, an intimate mise en High-quality music proving a rip-roaring Pennies From
Listeners. With bassist Mark carefree joy, though scene, with a street lantern, that Williams has plenty yet Heaven, then velvety vocals
Hamilton back, the three- songwriter Thom Rylance suggestive of David Sylvian, in the tank. Paul Davies on a mix of swing, blues,
piece punched out a seven- spoke of mental health and intensely passionate. ballads and standards, over
song set featuring hits, Girl catharsis via their catchy, Genre-/gender-bending in Lust For Life Band sizzling brass. She lit up the
From Mars and Goldfinger. hook-filled tunes. A church neon lights, Dreijer and co Glasgow St Luke’s audience with blockbusters
With a female bassist/rhythm hall was the ideal setting played Coconut from their 2/3/24 from Frank Sinatra, Peggy
guitarist, and hailing from the for Emily Barker’s delicate, 2009 eponymous album, A stellar line-up of Glen Lee, Louis Armstrong, Duke
Isle Of Wight, comparisons soothing songs, while all five in cloaks a la the Matlock (Sex Pistols), Ellington, Count Basie,
with Wet Leg are inevitable Cornwall’s William The Shaking The Habitual tour. Clem Burke (Blondie), Cole Porter, Ella Fitzgerald
for Coach Party. They Conqueror enjoy an A powerful, transformative Kevin Armstrong (Iggy Pop), and Billie Holiday. Two
deployed punky power-pop effortless, organic chemistry performance, leaving the Luis Correia (Earl Slick) and electrifying sets included
without the quirkiness and that creates a remarkably audience speechless, but Florence Sabeva (Heaven Fever, Fly Me To The Moon,
double-entendres. In two solo understated groove. far from motionless. 17) performed Iggy’s Lust That’s Life, Cry Me A River,
acoustic shows, Kathleen Climaxing SXSW, at Stubbs, Irina Shtreis For Life. Katie Puckrik Misty, It Don’t Mean A Thing
Edwards reminded us why her The Black Keys produced provided vocals, her and What A Wonderful
decision to return from coffee a superb, 17-song greatest Mike Scott feminine take combining World, all accompanied by
shop ownership has proved hits set that had the crowd London Rough fruitfully with giving it her all. the Mighty Mini Big Band
so popular. All at Waterloo in rapture. Paul Dominy Trade East Glen provided a rousing and piano maestro, James
23/2/24 Pretty Vacant, and Kevin Pearson. They rounded
musical friendship? Race The Night? given her singular bass was accentuated on Slippery People and the
After 32 years, Ash is a second It’s like going for a drive at recordings, though her Keep It Together. An encore Jackson Sisters’ I Believe In
family. We have time apart, night, no cars about, and you strong vocal belies the of favourite, Babies Are Miracles, Funky Nassau by
then we get together again, and put your foot down to test how travails of a stroke. She A Lie, preceded the closing, Beginning Of The End and
it’s like time hasn’t passed. fast you can go. was backed by The Buick 6, pulsating new track, Get The Clash’s Magnificent 7.
including ex-Black Crowes Back. Jake Templeton Magnif, indeed. Daryl Easlea ➤
OCTOBER 2024
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CARRY ON!
AN AUDIENCE WITH...
18,24/3/24 Baba O’Riley ended with Graham Heaney. The poetic remains the ultimate metal
The opening night of the a merry dance led by violinist Two Views elegance of One Hill Further icon, his voice in fine fettle.
annual Teenage Cancer Trust Katie Jacoby. Simon Wright 10cc and Malin Gales were Parkinson’s sufferer, Glenn
concerts offered a big double- Manchester tremendous, as was the Tipton, kept defending the
bill, with Squeeze opening for The Korgis Bridgewater Hall expressive power of Empire. faith, coming on for encores
an hour, their greatest hits London Camden Forge 19/3/24 With shining interplay, the of Metal Gods and Living After
just perfect. Every tune was 21/3/24 A triumphal celebration saw evocative Trawbreaga Bay Midnight. An Invincible Shield,
catchy and memorable, Chris The 80s hitmakers presented 10cc return home, with was beautifully delivered and no less. Mark Taylor
30) Paul _ (5) 24) Dave Stewart & The Spiritual _ (7)
28 29
31) Sinitta 1987 single (1,1,1) 28) _ Summer (5)
32) Louder Than _ (5) 29) _ Gillespie (5) 30 31 32
NORTHERN
SOUL VINYL
Featuring classics from the North-
ern soul and mod all-nighter scenes
from the likes of Tom Jones, Ronnie
Jones, Sonny Childe, Billie Davis,
Tony Newman, Bats and many APRIL Solution
more… This superb double (or-
S E T K S B
ange) vinyl set is out now via Decca S P E N C E R V I E T N A M
Records. To be in with a chance of winning one of two copies of The E E N E M R N
Northern Soul Scene, please tell us the correct title of the Billie Davis B L A M E T I N R A N D Y
track: a) Billy Talent, b) Billy Sunshine, c) Billy Don’t Be A Hero? L Y C G A Y A
M E N T H E H E R D I P N
D R A T C L D
MARCH WINNERS M E E T S J A P A N
SOUL SALSA: Mark Craze M D E S D S B
MOTORHEAD: Simon Wilkins, Phil Newall D A N C A P T A I N D R Y
X C U E A C O
All entries with your address to [email protected] or to Record Collector Competitions, P I L O T L E E P L U T O
2nd Floor, Saunders House, 52-53 The Mall, Ealing, London W5 3TA, by 16 May unless otherwise M M A L L O H
stated. Only enter once per competition – if submitting via post please include your phone number. S U B U R B S B E T W E E N
M S C T N R
UNDER THE
RADAR
Artists, bands, and labels meriting more attention
“It’s the work of someone who knows what found it needed to be 3/4 and not 4/4 time. I
they are doing, who found a way to realise had no language to articulate these things
their vision.” So said Heidi Berry to RC then, but I learned very, very quickly.”
about one of her musical heroes, Bridget St The exquisite, pealing piano on Houses
John. It’s an observation which could very Made Of Wood was provided by Martin
easily apply to her own music. Duffy, a connection provided by another of
Born in 1958 in Boston, Massachusetts, her early supporters, Lawrence (Hayward) and Scott Walker’s Climate Of Hunter) and
into a creative, musical family with Canadian from Felt. “Lawrence was incredibly her brother Christopher on Love (1991)
roots (and as a distant relation of Jack supportive of me, offering me support slots at delivered a particular beauty with its slow
Kerouac), her early years were divided Felt gigs,” she says. “They were my first live funk-folk tug and pulse on Washington
between bucolic New Hampshire and the shows. I asked if I could have Martin, who Square and a sublime cover of Bob Mould’s
fertile atmospheres of New York’s Greenwich was so young, but so talented. They used to Up In The Air.
Village. The family relocated to London in call him ‘Professor Shorthair’!” Berry worked with Hugh Jones on her
1973. Those domestic musical skills meant Being part of the Creation ‘family’ 1993 eponymous album, which saw a deeper
she “wouldn’t have dared” pick up a guitar at introduced her to many of that scene’s dive into acoustic textures, altered: check
home but, despite this, she began to write her luminaries. “Pete and I lived near the studio Follow/Ariel and marvel. The Appalachian
own songs, composing lyrics and melodies, Creation used so people were always swing of 1996’s Miracle emerged just before
stored in notebooks and in her head. dropping by: Lawrence, Bobby Gillespie, 4AD was recalibrated by US parent Warners;
Determining that “if I couldn’t make a noise, Kevin Shields, Pat Fish [The Jazz Butcher]; it this saw Cocteau Twins signing to a major,
I’d make a mess” she attended art college, was a very friendly scene, we were all young and other acts being set aside, Berry among
studying at Chelsea, Hornsey (where Gina and supportive of each other.” them. An album recorded in 1999 with
Birch of The Raincoats was a classmate) and Patrick Fitzgerald (of Kitchens Of
Goldsmiths. “It was a very friendly Distinction) under the name The Lost
While at college she met Pete Astor, Girls went unissued until 2014; their lone
whose bands The Loft and The Weather
scene, we were young and single, Needle’s Eye, would surface on her
Prophets had already recorded for Alan supportive of each other” final 4AD release, a CD-only best of,
McGee’s fledgling Creation Records. On Pomegranate (2001).
learning that she wrote her own songs he She decided the second album would be Some hard times followed, with attempts
asked to hear them and, with some more firmly under her control, the better to to record a new album stymied by personal
reluctance, Berry sang them for him. “He realise her musical vision. Below The Waves difficulties. She survived, and found great
found a little book and said, ‘What’s this?’ so (1988) was indeed a leap forward in terms of success in professional music teaching,
I had to confess, and Pete said, ‘Sing me all performance, arrangement and vocal delivery. mentoring many young musicians, satisfying
your songs’ and I was so nervous about it. I She recalls it being created “one musician at a work which continues to this day. She is
spent a whole afternoon in his shared house time and built up layer by layer, very currently embarking on a fresh creative
in Crouch End singing all the songs and he methodical”. The atmospheric video for phase, with a new album recorded and plans
said, ‘You know, these are really good.’ It was Northshore Train has been remastered and to design the artwork herself.
the first time anyone had said anything like can be seen online. Both albums speak of a But first, the Creation albums are being
that to me.” great emerging talent, subtly blending folk reissued by Glass Modern. How did she feel
Shortly afterwards, a Weather Prophets and indie sensibilities, crowned with a serene, about revisiting her back pages? “A few years
studio session finished a day early, leaving a expressive vocal style. ago, I might not have been able to return to
free, paid studio day. Astor called Berry and Deciding against a third Creation album, the Creation stuff, as I kept seeing what I
told her to get down to the studio. That day 4AD beckoned: “Ivo Watts-Russell had seen didn’t achieve with it, rather than what I did
The Weather Prophets backed her on a demo me supporting Felt in Camden, and he achieve,” she admits. “Now I appreciate what
of Nobody Tells You caught on four-track invited me to 4AD’s offices for a discussion – we did, what is actually down on there.”
tape: this remains unissued but, she says, “I he was so English and circumspect that he Her early recordings did indeed achieve
still have it on a reel-to-reel; I daren’t touch was talking for 45 minutes before I realised much, and her new songs promise more. Her
it, it’s so fragile”. Berry wanted it kept dark he was trying to offer me a record deal.” fine melodic touch and lyrical deftness
but the studio engineer took it to Alan Watts-Russell initially invited her to sing delight, while the voice is like aural
McGee; delighted, he was straight on the on the final This Mortal Coil album, Blood moonlight, sometimes warm and harvest-
phone offering her the chance to make a (1991), on a spectrally disembodied version hued, sometimes winter-night clear,
record. The result was the six-track mini- of Rodney Crowell’s ’Til I Gain Control inhabiting a space where June Tabor, Nico
album, Firefly (1987), reissued on last year’s Again. Afforded creative freedom, and game- and Sandy Denny meet.
Record Store Day. “I was a novice, learning as changing vocal tuition from Tona De Brett,
we went,” she recalls. “For example, I knew her 4AD albums are distinctive, immaculate Words: Pete Mills
Houses Made Of Wood didn’t sound how I and sensual. Working with Peter Walsh (who Firefly and Below The Waves have been
was hearing it in my head, and eventually we produced Simple Minds’ New Gold Dream reissued on coloured vinyl by Glass Modern.
Record Collector 127
THE
ENGINE
ROOM
The unsung heroes who
helped forge modern music
BIRTH! SCHOOL!
WORK! DEATH!
Drum legend Chester Thompson… on the soundtrack to his life
Buddy Rich & Max Roach Rich Versus Roach Elvin Jones Merry Go Round
(Mercury MMC 14031, LP, UK, 1959) £15 (Blue Note BST-84414, LP, US, 1972) £10
I started playing in seventh grade [age 12]. My I saw Elvin Jones live before I heard this album. I
brother’s friend found out I was learning drums and started playing the [Baltimore] clubs when I was 13; by
offered to give me lessons. He would put an album on the time I was 15, I was in a couple of jazz groups, but
and teach me how to play along with it. This was one of them. They were I was never a purist. I would go to these jam sessions and learn the jazz
polar opposites: Buddy Rich was bombastic; everything is chops and repertoire and there were never less than two a week in Baltimore. Really
going for it, while Max Roach is much more rhythm, a bit tastier in my good players would come out and I got to learn. I was pretty young: I was
opinion. He left space where Buddy Rich didn’t leave any. the kid who got the chance to meet his heroes.
Ahmad Jamal Trio Poinciana from But Not For Mahavishnu Orchestra Inner Mounting Flame
Me: Ahmad Jamal At the Pershing (London Records (CBS S 64717, LP, insert, UK, 1972) £15
LTZ-M 15162, LP, UK, 1959) £20
This was my first real introduction to Billy Cobham.
This was the first album that really grabbed me. My He’d played on several other recordings, but when I
oldest brother was a real jazz fan. I heard Poinciana by heard Mahavishnu, I was wrecked. For a drummer, it
Ahmad Jamal and just fell in love with it. I was 13 at the time. Even now, was mind-blowing. I saw them play live from the side of the stage, on tour
it’s still one of my very favourites. It’s so perfectly executed; it builds in a way with Zappa. I had to keep walking away, it was so intense. I’d never seen
that totally makes sense. At that age, it wasn’t that easy to play, to actually anyone play like Billy before. He’s built like an American football player
show off. I never got see [drummer] Vernell Fournier, and I wish I was more and I fully expected the toms to go down through the floor as he was
familiar with the other things he did, but man, he was brilliant on that. hitting them so hard.
Miles Davis Filles de Kilimanjaro Frank Zappa Apostrophe (’) (DiscReet K 59201,
(CBS S 63551, LP, UK, 1969) £50 LP, UK, 1974) £20
This album is out there for a lot of people, but it was I was going to go back to music school to go deeper
my first time checking out and really getting Tony into what I was doing. Before that happened, I got the
Williams. Tony never played the obvious. He never call to audition for Frank. I thought, this is what I’m
went where everybody else went. I ran into Tony in Paris, and he invited going to be going to school for! I heard Apostrophe (’) and had to learn a
us down to see the show that night. Miles had passed, but they kept that lot of it. The whole band scared me half to death. Frank was a brilliant
band and called it VSOP. One of my favourite places to play is Paris teacher; he just knew how to take you to that next level.
because they might be the most educated audience there is. We were
playing Cinema Show on that Genesis tour, and the audience was Wayne Shorter Native Dancer
clapping along in seven. We saw Tony that night and it was unbelievable. (CBS 80721, LP, UK, 1975) £20
He commands a whole different level of response.
I’m new in Weather Report and we’d been rehearsing
Sly & The Family Stone Stand! a few weeks when Wayne Shorter had a listening party
(CBS 63655, LP, UK, Direction label, 1969) £20 at Joe Zawinul’s house. He had this phenomenal
sound system. I was captured. It’s supposed to be a co-album between him
This was the freshest thing ever when it came out. I’d and Milton Nascimento, the premier Brazilian composer. It goes back and
never heard anything quite like it. Its grooves were just forth with their compositions. The atmosphere that it set and the sound of
unreal, and it was such an eclectic bunch of people. it . . . I’d never heard anything quite like it.
I grew up on the east coast, so the whole California thing was pretty new
to me. Soon I ended up in Frank Zappa’s band. My first impression was Stevie Wonder Songs In The Key Of Life
that I was in a room full of hippies, yet they were all just amazing (Tamla Motown TMSP 6002, 2LP/7”, booklet,
musicians. Sly was just so fresh. I got to meet Greg Errico [drums] but gatefold, UK, 1976) £30
never got to hear him play live. He was in Weather Report for a bit. They
tried him because they loved what he did. Between Weather Report and Genesis, I ended up
doing The Wiz. During that period, Songs In The Key
Photo: (Chester Thompson) GianRock Photography
OF THE BEST
This month: Bruce Hornsby on his collaborations
Don Henley The End Of The Innocence Mavis Staples Celestial Railroad (from Bruce
(Geffen GEF 57, 7”, UK, 1989) £3 Hornsby & The Noisemakers Rehab Reunion, 429
Records FTN 16141, CD, UK, 2016) £5
I received a call out of the blue from Don asking
to write a song together, so I recorded a musical I originally wrote this for The Staples Singers in 1994.
idea I had that hadn’t been fully realised. Don When I supported Bonnie Raitt later that year, Mavis
came to my house, I played it for him, and he later called me from came up to me, singing Celestial Railroad, so I instantly loved her. She
his car – he had one of the giant early cellphones. He exclaimed that told me: “We worked on that song, but Pop never felt like he was getting
he seemed to be writing half the song in his car on the drive back it.” Years later, making my dulcimer record Rehab Reunion, I figured it was
from my house. In general, I find it fascinating to step into other a simple enough song even I could play on dulcimer. I flew to where
people’s worlds and seeing if I can enhance it. Mavis lives in Chicago, and it was joyful. She’s one of the most lovable,
endearing people I’ve met in my entire life.
Bob Dylan T.V. Talkin’ Song (from Under
The Red Sky, CBS 467 188-1, LP, UK, 1990) Bon Iver U (Man Like) (from i ,i, Jagjaguwar JAG
£10 350, LP, UK, 2019) £25
A classic example of the spontaneity that can I don’t hear much from Justin Vernon lately. He’s
happen on a Dylan record. We’d recorded Born deep into his own zen mode, which I respect
In Time then, after a break, Kenny Aronoff started playing a beat. completely. But on a spiritual, creative, sympatico
Me, Robben Ford and Randy Jackson were jamming on it when level, it’d be natural for us to make an album together. We have a few
Bob walks in, with a bunch of lyrics. He spread them out on the other songs lying around that are semi-notable and could be developed,
table, listens to us for a minute, looks around at the lyrics, picks one but I’m not calling Justin going: “Hey, man, how about it?” When Justin
up and starts singing: “One time in London, I’d gone out for a got back with DeYarmond Edison in Raleigh to play the wedding of the
walk…” He did it straight away, from top to bottom, and that was chef Ashley Christensen, I joined in. I was on tour nearby and I’m an easy
it, that’s T.V. Talkin’ Song. mark for Justin because I always have a great time with him.
Jerry Garcia Barren Ground (from Bruce Danielle Haim Days Ahead (from Bruce Hornsby
Hornsby & The Range A Night On The Town, ’Flicted, Zappo ZAPPO 0031, LP, US, 2022) £25
RCA PL 82041, LP, UK, 1990) £8
I love Haim and thought Danielle would crush this
I was never intimidated working with Bob Dylan song. She did, and her part encompasses possibly two-
or Jerry Garcia, maybe through the false plus octaves. When I was coming up, I was suddenly
confidence of the young. By this time, I’d opened for the Grateful working with my heroes, like writing Go Back To Your Woods with
Dead for four years and Jerry had become a friend. Barren Ground Robbie Robertson, who was a semi-deity to me. Now I’m the elder, it’s
is the first song of mine Jerry played on, which was recorded at Dave the greatest gift that younger musicians are interested in what I do. It
Stewart’s house in Encino. Jerry’s playing made the track sing, and it started with Justin Vernon shouting my name out. That opened the door
remains a favourite solo on my records, along with his work on to a room where I’ve found many other young musicians waiting.
Across The River on the same album.
Ezra Koenig Sidelines (from Bruce Hornsby ‘Flicted, Zappo ZAPPO
Bonnie Raitt I Can’t Make You Love Me 0031, LP, US, 2022) £25 (see sleeve above)
(Capitol CL 639, 7”, UK, 1991) £5
Ezra reached out to be a guest on his podcast, Time Crisis. I kept doing it
Bonnie is my musical big sister: she gets what I’m and we became friends. Whenever I went to LA, I’d hang out with Ezra
going for. We met at a party Elton John threw in and his friend, the producer Ariel Rechtshaid, who worked on Sidelines
Bel Air and hung out most of the night. Nobody and Days Ahead for me. I heard Ezra’s voice in my head for Sidelines and
knows what will be a hit, so all I can say is that this session was short I love what he does on this semi-obtuse song about the Covid shutdown.
and effortless. Bonnie sings it beautifully, but then she could sing the He even created his own Beach Boys-esque a cappella section, which is so
phone book beautifully, too. It’s a classic, timeless ballad, but did you strong and creative. I owe him a writing credit for it.
hear anything like it on the radio? No. It’s kind of like The Way It
Is: it’s its own thing, nothing like the standard hit mode of the day. yMusic Platypus Wow (from BrhyM Deep Sea
Vents, Zappo ZPP 51, LP, US, 2024) £25
Chris Whitley Radar (from Rocket House,
ATO UTLP 040, 2LP, Germany, 2001) £60 I met yMusic when we both played at Bon Iver’s
festival, Eau Claire. Rob Moose asked if I’d like to
Chris is an unsung great; every singer-songwriter write a song with them, which became Deep Sea Vents’
I know adores him. When Here Come The title track. Our collaboration then hit warp speed during lockdown.
Noisemakers was out, Chris called me at 1am to Around November 2020, when everyone was reeling, they started sending
say: “The Valley Road makes me cry.” We laughed about that, then me tracks. Their instrumental for this was titled Duck Soup, whose
Chris told me he’d just finished an album, he wished I could play on beginning had a certain quack factor. I thought: “What’s an interesting
it. I said: “Send me the mastered version and I’ll piss all over it.” I mammal in that mode?” and began singing about a platypus.
sent Chris a bunch of Wurlitzer and piano ideas, and he used one
on Radar’s outro. I literally got in under the wire to work with such As told to: John Earls
an original, hugely missed talent. Deep Sea Vents is on Zappo. Hornsby’s Meltdown show is 18 June.
130 Record Collector
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