I’ve finally moved to a permanent address, which means that I’ve finally unpacked my CD collection which has been in storage for about 7 years. Having set them up on shelves in the studio I’ve started playing through them in alphebetic order. So far I’ve got through:
The Adventure Babies: Laugh
The last album released on Factory Records and recorded at Mad Hat Studios in Wolverhampton. I was going out with an engineer from Mad Hat while it was being made and knew some members of the band and the engineer Mark Stuart. I met Steve Lilywhite, who produced the album (with Mark) at the Newhampton Pub one evening. I always liked TAB’s catchy tunes and clever, unorthodox lyrics, and it’s a good quirky, feelgood album
Aerosmith: Big Ones
I never consider myself a fan, but listening to this, it’s astounding how many great songs they crammed onto this. And you really can’t question the musicianship. Brilliant stuff and full of deserved hits.
AfroCelt Soundsystem: Vol 1 Sound Magic
The first Afro Celts album is still the best I think and it’s great to hear it again. Whirl-y-reel was briefly included in Rumpus and The Rhythm Maniacs set when we had Matt playing Bass, whistle and Sax. Still as good as ever, and – having recently seen the new Emerson fronted line up – it’s got the visual element of a record by a band I’ve seen live (although most of this line up wasn’t there). Great and ground breaking record.
All About Eve: best of
I’m not a big fan of “best of” albums, but this has nearly the whole first album on it – which is what I really wanted, but this was on offer for a fiver! Martha’s Harbour, Every Angel must die, Gypsy dance…amazing stuff. Shame they didn’t keep the magic going longer.
Alphabeat: This is
An Ok album if you can ignore the terrible lyrics, and the out of place cover of Public Image. You can hear why they made such an impact when they came out, but in retospect, you can also hear that they didn’t have enough substance to back it up with a second bearable album. Brainless fun for a party.
Altan: Best of
I know…another best of. Great band and this is one of my most played CD’s (it never made storage in the cellar and has been with me the whole way through!) Concentrates mostly on the early years and is thus more whistle dominated than later stuff. Which is no bad thing.
Tori Amos: Tales from a Librarian
Terrific songs from a terrific artist. Crucify should zap straight on to my Spotify “Greatest Songs Ever Written” playlist
Anthony and The Johnsons: I am a bird now
I bought this on impulse after hearing Anthony do one song on a tribute show (I can’t remember what show). I rather like his bizarre voice, the music is atmospheric and the theme of gender identity interesting…but a whole album is a lot to take at one time
Atomic Swing: In their finest hour
A great example of why the Swedish music scene has for years been one of the best. A real band playing real music with real songs about real things. The bass is beautifully abstract – he does exactly what you don’t expect all the time. Love this band. Shame they didn’t do more – I think this is a compilation of 2 albums. I knew Meat Swap Bossanova, from which many of the songs are taken, and I think they did one more. Weird in retrospect to hear Phil Spector singing on “So in need of a change”.
B52’s – Planet Clare
Early stuff from the great B52’s – most of this is from 1979, and is the same material by and large they played when we saw them 2 years ago. Good live band, and that live vibe is captured perfectly on record. You can’t help but love em!
I’ll keep you posted as I continue…