Music of the Day: XTC

XTC are my favourite band of all time. More than that, I have aged as they have, and as their music has changed over the years, so my own taste has widened. From their first album ('White Music') way back in 1977, to the eclectic musings of their leader Andy Partridge today, their music has always been with me.

When I first heard 'Science Friction' at my friend's house in the late 70s, I was amazed by the combination of power and melody behind these punk 'wannabees'. When I rushed out and purchased their album, I was enthused even more, and in particular by one of the tracks that appeared on side 1.

'This Is Pop' is to me the perfect pop single, and as I played it again this morning, I was amazed by how fresh and immediate it sounded over thirty years later. In the interim, XTC have given me a whole range of musical genres to discover.

It was on this album that I first heard Bob Dylan's 'All Along the Watchtower' (even the Hendrix cover seems tame compared to this!). Their next album 'Go 2' was their progression into 'new wave'. This was one of the best album covers ever, with a cynical comment on the ever-increasing force of marketing on the music industry, cheekily printed with a section missing so that you would have to match the inner sleeve to the corner of the piece to read it in its entirety. The album also came with a free EP of 'dub' tracks that were remixed from the original album so as to become almost unrecognisable!

The third album 'Drums And Wires' cemented the band into my affections and should have been the album that launched them into the mainstream. Unfortunately around this time, Andy had a nervous breakdown live on stage, which ended XTC's career as a touring band, and from that they never recovered.

In the years that followed they transformed musically through pop, psychedelia (via their alter-ego's the Dukes Of Stratosphear), rock, and even traditional English folk music, but although critically acclaimed nothing seemed to attract Joe Public. It hadn't helped that their only Top 10 single to date had been the gimmicky 'Senses Working Overtime' way back in 1982. 'Dear God' was a college hit in the States, a song that always sends a chill down my spine, but after the release of 'Wasp Star' in 2000, Colin Moulding, the other leading force in the group, parted company with Andy and the band faded away. Andy started his own record label APE and released many XTC demos, out-takes and unreleased tracks on the label, as well as signing some creditable acts, but none have (to date) made any mark pm the charts. Andy has produced and appeared on many albums over the years and his consistent talents have always impressed.

Musically, he is my ultimate hero, not least because of his songwriting talents. Whilst others were writing of 'loves' and 'losts', he was composing songs about transport, buildings and politics - and you have to have talent to do that with any credibility. It's why he's seated on my immediate left in my 'last supper' picture (above) - the first invite tp what would be a great party!

BEST ALBUM: DRUMS AND WIRES (1979)

BIGGEST SINGLE: SENSES WORKING OVERTIME (1982) (lastfm)

FAVOURITE TRACK: `MAYOR OF SIMPLETON' (youtube)- from album ORANGES AND LEMONS (1989)

STARTING POINT: ENGLISH SETTLEMENT (1982)

Music of the Day: Joan Armatrading

I've just been listening to one of my favourite artists, Joan Armatrading.
Vastly underated over the years, I have made a compilation of all her singles from her first album "Whatever's For Us" from 1972 to "Into The Blues" made 35 years later, and what an enjoyment it's been.
I think what I like best about Joan is her subtleness. Having said that, my favourite track was the pop classic 'Drop the Pilot' from 1983, which is about as subtle as a sledgehammer, but most of her other work displays an intelligence and distinctiveness that sets her apart from most female singers.
Best known perhaps for her first (and to date, only) top ten UK hit "Love And Affection", it's this song that set the tone for what has been an outstanding career taking in blues, jazz, folk and pop.

BEST ALBUM: THE KEY (1983)
BIGGEST SINGLE: LOVE & AFFECTION (1976) (youtube)
FAVOURITE TRACK: THINKING MAN (lastfm) - from album SECRET SECRETS (1985)
STARTING POINT: ME MYSELF I (1980)

And so it begins...

So why start a blog if nobody is listening?

I know there are millions of blogs out there wittering on about the music they love, so why can't I be one of them?

Having compiled compilation albums that sold in their millions, and having had a regular column published in a well respected music magazine for several years, I am probably more entitled to air my opinions than most. My music tastes are wide and varied, and if I manage to keep the blog going, I should be able to cover some of the wide variety of music I listen to.

From the pure pop of the 70s & 80s, to the chart fodder that is excreted through modern media. From classical composers of the past to the contemporary electronic ones of today. The world music from every country on the atlas, to local bands in London and the south of England.

My music collection has grown to around a quarter of a million recordings from all genres, on mp3, CD, vinyl, tape and shellac. Some of this lot might be of interest to others???

Along the way I'll make a note of those who depart this world, and probably add a few comments on those who should....