Echo and the Bunnymen - More Songs To Learn and Sing(Korova)

Track List CD: The Cutter, The Back Of Love, The Killing Moon, Seven Seas, Never Stop, Rescue, I Want To Be There (When You Come), Don't Let It Get You Down, Promise, Silver, People Are Strange, Do It Clean, The Game, Rust, Lips Like Sugar, Nothing Lasts Forever, Bring On The Dancing Horses, Hang On To A Dream, It's Alright, Stormy Weather

Track List DVD: The Cutter, The Killing Moon, Seven Seas, Bring On The Dancing Horses, Game, Lips Like Sugar, Nothing Lasts Forever, Rust

With the release of this record it gives a respected cult band another chance to gain the attention that a number of these songs deserve. Backed by a decent promotional campaign, this compilation is a timely reminder of the bands near legendary status.

The title of this record suggests that this collection picks up where the 80s compilation, Songs To Learn and Sing left off. This in fact is a more encompassing collection of their hits than that particular album. It is also more comprehensive than the 1997 retrospective Bedbugs and Ballyhoo, an album released to cash in on the Bunnymen comeback, after a near decade hiatus.

Released on the recently reactivated Korova label - More Songs, covers all points of the band’s Warner Brothers career and includes bonus tracks from their last three releases.

The band is still a going concern and these days and consists of guitarist Will Sergeant and the redoubtable singer Ian McCulloch. Sadly drummer Pete De Freitas is no longer with us, he died in a motorbike accident towards the first phase of the bands career. Original bassist Les Pattinson, has now retired and working in a boat yard in Lancashire.

The early classics make up the bulk of this compilation, with The Cutter opening up the proceedings for this twenty-track reflection of the great and the good of a long and winding career.

It is taken as read that the Mac-free Bunnymen (or the Bogusman as Mac branded them) songs are not included here, but it does include a couple of interesting selections alongside the obvious classics such as the Cutter, Seven Seas and the Killing Moon.

Included is the rare curio Hang On To A Dream, the Tim Hardin classic that popped up on the Internet-only release Avalanche and is given a full release here for the first time.

The comeback hit Nothing Lasts Forever still sounds as fresh as it did when it was released in 1997. It doesn’t stray far from the formula of the early classics such as the Killing Moon and Ocean Rain; a song surprisingly omitted from this collection.

The cigarette soaked croon of a mature Mac gives the song that classic status that would have seen Sinatra clamour to record such a finally crafted tune - if he was still around today.

One thing that is interesting to note is how the lyrics become less ambiguous as their career progresses. The lyrics become less Buffalo and Bison / Bison and Buffalo, and start to explore more personal themes as Stormy Weather from Siberia highlights - a song which chronicles a love gone wrong.

They may be something of a diehard’s choice these days, but the quality of the songs particularly on the last album show that it’s likely that the Bunnymen will be around for a few more years.

This album would be the perfect introduction for someone who has seen their name linked in reviews with the latest crop of bands that have been influenced by the Bunnymen’s sound.

This is a well thought out compilation and it is released, not just to cash in on the back of the inclusion of a song on a soundtrack or a reformation, but it pays tribute to the enduring qualities of the Bunnymen as a band.

If you catch it early this compilation includes a DVD of a number of the bands promos over time released on DVD for the first time.
Posted by Paul at 11:17 PM 0 comments Links to this post

They wouldn't let it lie

In what is seemingly going beyond parody the new year sees yet another Diana related front page from The Di-ly Express. 46 times a Diana related story appeared on the front page of the Daily Express in the last year alone - almost 10 years after her death.

The Express is a comic at the best of times and it isn't helped the proprietor of the Express Richard Desmond is a close personal friend of Mohammed al Fayed.

The ranting of al Fayed and his 'fuggin' conspiracy theory that the Duke of Edinburgh and a missing Fiat Uno are all part of some sinister plot to bump off The People Princess are endlessly lampooned in Private Eye.

Classic Daily Express spoof front covers have included recently DUKE BLAMED FOR HAMMOND CRASH SHOCK and the LIVITNENKO MURDER: SHOCK NEW THEORY - which included the quality quote from top Kremlinologist Professor Fayed, "He was murdered by the fuggin' Duke of Edinburgh, who put a white Fiat Uno in his fuggin' sushi."

It is now really beyond parody, but no doubt Monday we will see another Diana front page exclusive in the Express.

Coldplay
Manchester Evening News Arena, Monday 19th December 2005

It has been something of a roller coaster year for Coldplay. The bands third album was finally released in the summer after numerous delays – mainly due to apparent artistic tensions attendant in the recording sessions. Fractious moments in the studio – that nearly resulted in X&Y not being released.

There was also the added pressure the news that their record company EMI had posted a loss in profits as a result of the delayed release. When the record was finally released in some quarters the album was received with muted criticism from a number of critics. The fact that the band had become so big – was seemingly the main reason they had become more of a target.

You can certainly see why in the live arena that the band seemingly thrives away from the minutiae and resultant pressures of being one of the World’s biggest bands.

For all the criticism of the new album, Coldplay do cut the mustard on the stage and tonight’s triumphal gig was no exception. Be it headlining a festival or on a tour in their own right. Three albums in Coldplay have become the band that people will go to see without having purchased the new material. Mainly in the hope they will play the old stuff and the single they have heard on the radio. You could say they have reached U2-like status

This was something of a homecoming night in the vast space that is the MEN. For Coldplay it was a return to the city which they were first discovered at the In The City event - for tonight’s support act, Richard Ashcroft it was a return to his spiritual home of the north west.

Back in the saddle after a layoff to recuperate from the critical mauling his previous album received. He played a smattering of new songs from the soon to be released ‘Keys to the World’. Which sound on first hearing is a step in the right direction – but still weighed down by platitudinous lyrics that to some ears seems mystical, but more often than not sounds trite. The day was saved though as the newer stuff began to plod on - with a selection of his greatest hits from his Verve days.

‘Square One’ started the proceedings again as it had at the summer gig at the Reebok Stadium – this was given a greater sense of occasion given the indoor setting with the clock backdrop showing a countdown to the bands introduction. In fact there were very few surprises and amendments to the set but what was apparent was the verve and vigour of the band despite being nearly the eightieth date of the tour.

The energy of front man Martin was there to see as he raced from the stage to the back row of the first tier of seating during ‘In my Place’. He managed to make it back in time for the next number and was even forgiven for fluffing the lines to ‘Fix You’ on his return.

Next year will see more touring and a number of festival dates. When a new album will surface is difficult to tell. But given the lofty status of the band and the material that they can now omit. The wait for new material could be a long one.

Echo and the Bunnymen

Liverpool Carling Academy, Saturday 17th December 2005

Set list: Going Up, Show of Strength, Stormy Weather, Bring on the Dancing Horses, Seven Seas, The Disease, Scissors in the Sand, All That Jazz, The Back of Love, The Killing Moon, In the Margins, Never Stop, Villiers Terrace, Of a Life, Rescue, The Cutter, Nothing Lasts Forever
Lips Like Sugar, Ocean Rain

It’s Christmas, time for the now traditional seasonal Bunnymen hometown gig. This year sees a second night added.

It has been a good year for Bunnymen fans – it was the year, which saw the release of ‘Siberia’ – an album that has been described as a return to form and one that certainly evokes memories of the past.

It may well have something to do with the fact that Hugh Jones who’d previously produced ‘Heaven Up Here’, back on production duties. The talk of a classic Bunnymen album is probably not that wide of the mark.

Numerous reviews have alluded to a return to form – though this is seemingly always the case with new Bunnymen releases. It certainly has its fair share of magical moments that will keep the diehards happy. It is an album that has been described by Ian McCulloch as coming in from the cold hence the title ‘Siberia’. It’s a position that normally fires the band to record their best work especially when they are written off. It’s an album that sees the main protagonists on top form.

The so-called return to form is also a good recipe for the live dates and tonight sees the Mac and Will certainly on top of their game. There is certainly no feeling of going through motions after last night’s home gig.

The set list has a familiar ring to it. Though it may be a tried a tested format it is invigorated by the inclusion of ‘Going Up’ to start the proceedings. There is also the inclusion of a number of new songs from ‘Siberia’ that are not out of place amongst the list of classic Bunnymen tunes.

The two singles ‘Stormy Weather’ and ‘In the Margins’ plus ‘Scissors in the Sand’ are given an airing tonight. They are well received by the fans and certainly compliment the rest of the bands twenty-five year plus material.

Now with a collection of records going back over a quarter of a century there is always going to be the odd song omitted from the set list that disappoint the diehard. One song I was glad to see omitted was ‘Over Wall’ – my recently sprained ankle certainly would not have lasted another 8 minutes longer tonight – normally I would feel short-changed by its omission.

It was another cracking live experience to keep the home crowds happy for another year. Though on tonight’s form I think it would be advisable for the band to book a third night next year.

Half Man Half Biscuit

Thursday 13th October 2005, Live at the Liverpool Carling Academy

Set List: The Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train), Fuckin’ ‘Ell It’s Fred Titmus, CORGI Registered Friends, Running Order Squabble Fest, If I Had Possession Over Pancake Day, Restless Legs, Turned Up Clocked On Laid Off, For What Is Chatteris, Monmore Hare's Running, Them's the Vagaries, 99% Of Gargoyles Look Like Bob Todd, - Hallelujah/Vatican Broadside, C.A.M.R.A. Man, Shit Arm, Bad Tattoo, P.R.S. Yearbook, Quick The Drawbridge, Paintball's Coming Home, Tending the wrong Grave for 23 Years , All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit , Them’s The Vagaries , Letters Sent , The Len Ganley Stance , Footprints, Look Dad No Tunes , I Think We're Alone Now , We Built this City on a Trad. Arr. Tune, Everything's A.O.R., Twenty-Four Hour Garage People, A Country Practice. Encores: Venus in Flares, Joy Division Oven Gloves, The Trumpton Riots.

Has it really been seven years since the four lads that shook the Wirral ventured through the Birkenhead tunnel to perform in Liverpool?

The band would baulk at the use of the word career to describe what they do. They would no doubt be as shocked by that statistic as would they by the fact that they are now in the third decade of their existence as a functioning band.

Tonight was certainly a good night to reflect on what had gone before given that tonight was the culmination of day of celebration for the life of the late great John Peel who passed away last year.

Today up and down the country events were taking place to celebrate the life of the DJ that had enjoyed the music of Half Man Half Biscuit and had afforded the band numerous Peel sessions. In attendance tonight was Peel’s wife Sheila and family.

Tonight’s set covered all points of the bands career as well as including a number from the latest album ‘Achtung Bono’. Highlight were my personal favourites from the new album ‘Shit Arm, Bad Tattoo’ and ‘We Built this City on a Trad. Arr. Tune’.

The set also included the now traditional cover version – to some bands the selection would seem slightly ironic but for Half Man Half Biscuit there covers are always played in all seriousness. Tonight’s chosen tune was 80s pop starlet Tiffany’s hit – I Think We’re Alone Now’ – And to think I thought the fact they did Status Quo’s Caroline all them years back was strange.

All the ‘Twenty-Four Hour Garage People’ and ‘99% Of Gargoyles Look Like Bob Todd’ were wheeled out and sung word-for-word by the majority of the audience.

‘All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit’ was greeted with cheers especially by those resplendent in afore mentioned football kit. The band finished with ‘The Trumpton Riots’ and it is hard to feel disappointed by any song omissions from the set list. It certainly felt like a greatest hits set tonight

Here’s to the next Liverpool gig let’s hope we don’t have another seven years before we wait to see them cross the Mersey.

Kathryn Williams

The Eclectica festival St Helens, Victoria Square
Sunday 14th August 2005

She was perhaps the biggest name on the bill and kicked off the day’s proceedings at the un-rock and roll time of 1.00pm – like myself she had to be somewhere else later that day.

This was something of an un-rock and roll event, given that it was the first Eclectica festival organised by St Helens Council on a stage in front of the town hall. The council should be applauded for hosting such an event – though they were let down by the inclement British weather.

The weather was typically English grey with a threat of rain, though the line-up was atypically English and represented music from various nations.

As well as Kathryn Williams others on the bill who took part included Baka Beyond, a European and African band. Samuel Oyediji, a Nigerian artist, The Coal Porters, a five-piece country rock band and headliners Dreadzone fresh from their recent appearance at the Glastonbury Festival

Kathryn Williams born and raised in Liverpool, but now a resident in Newcastle gave a stunning performance with her band made up of an additional cellist and guitarist who helped beef up the sound.

She played a half hour set covering all points of her career. From the Mercury Music Prize nominated album ‘Dog Leap Stairs’ through to the latest album ‘Over Fly Over’.

‘Hallelujah’ the Leonard Cohen song popularised by Jeff Buckley was well received by the crowd who were more familiar of that particular song than others from her set.

Kathryn Williams is not just a performer – she is quite an engaging presence and in-between song banter is worth turning up for alone.

A good start to today’s proceedings – hopefully the weather and the turn out will improve. Sadly I have to be elsewhere.

Bamber Bridge (0) 2 Dundee United (2) 4 (Friendly)

Bamber Bridge made a game of it today in a keenly fought encounter with Scottish Premier League side Dundee United.

It was Brigs illustrious opponents that enjoyed the best of the first-half exchanges’.

On 23 minutes Brig’s Andy Reid brought down the lively Lee Miller on the edge of the box. Barry Robson curled the free kick around the wall and into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Three minutes later, Jim McIntyre made it two-nil when the ball rebounded to him unmarked and from 15 yards out he made sure.

Brig were more of a threat in the second period following a procession of changes at half time. One of these changes Dave Campbell’s knock down 54 minutes into the game found Greg Brickell, who unleashed an unstoppable shot from 30 yards past United’s Derek Stillie.

Eleven minutes later, Campbell levelled the score, as he slid in unmarked to steer home Lee Pryers cross from the left, following good work from the fullback.

United were rewarded with a third goal after 71 minutes. Lee Miller curled a free kick around the wall into the back of the net, almost identical to Robson’s effort in the first half.

United made certain of victory when from five yards substitute Derek Robertson converted James Grady’s cross.

Att: 265