As arppegiated-jingle-jangle-paisley-'n'-polka-dot-wispy-wafto-pop-about-girls goes - I always prefered
The Dukes of Stratosphear - Vanishing Girl
And
The Pursuit of Happiness - She's So Young..
To this
Click here for the 'Vanishing' chords and lyrics, and if you don't already know the Dukes secret identity, but are keen to find out - click on the pic
I'm in complete agreement. I love She's So Young, so summery.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, talking of Liverpool bands, have you ever heard The Stairs, early 90s signed to Go Discs, released one album called Mexican RnB. If you want highly cool, melodic and funky around the edges 60s retro pop this is the one album you should track down.
I feel a post coming on...
Ah I've got She's So Young on repeat in my head now. I loved TPOH's first album, although the second was a bit samey and seemed to be a retread of the first.
ReplyDeleteI've only got them on cassette from years ago; looks like I'll have to track down a digital copy.
Yeah they were a great band - and I think the 2nd album (purple and green colours if I remember) wasn't anywhere near as strong..
ReplyDeleteThere's a couple more tracks on the other side - if you fancy. I've got it on CD somewhere, but a digital 'copy' is sure to be doing the rounds
Don't know The Stairs, but will dig them out..
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlBeSlDLxlA
ReplyDeleteYoutube has a few bits and pieces, plus the related videos on that particular page should all be up your street.
I suspect Edgar Summertyme, the Stairs frontman should be in the ball park of things you like, in a funky boho-mod sort of way...
Blimey that's like Magic Bus meets The Stones - right up my Carnaby Street -
ReplyDeletePS the Dukes album is well worth grabbing you can get both albums on one CD..
Here's another She's A Little Lighthouse
I had never really heard that "She's So Young," but that's a cool tune. I like it a lot. I definitely learn about a lot of bands I never knew about on your blog.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I'll update my banner Keith, cyberspace oddities and obscurities a speciality..
ReplyDeleteIt's almost impossible not to love the Dukes of Stratosphear!
ReplyDeleteVanishing Girl in all it's fab Hollieness is probably my favourie Duke of Stratosphear song and written by Colin...er The Red Curtain, not the other one. He also wrote What In The World, probably my 2nd fave. I somehow managed to miss TPOH but that's great too. And yes, they are both better than The La's.
ReplyDeleteThe Dukes are fab - apparently 25 O' Clock outsold both of XTC's most recent albums of the time..
ReplyDeletethis is well worth a peep if you want the background on both bands
I’ve read that too and I’ve never quite understood it because as much as I like the Dukes I prefer ‘real’ XTC. That book has been on my wish list on my Amazon account for a couple of years but Mrs Mick obviously decided ‘not at that price’ :(
ReplyDeleteI think if you go the XTC site or publishers Mick - they do autographed (by Andy and Colin) copies of Song By Song and Chalkhills and Children - Mrs PM picked them up for my birthday a couple of years ago
ReplyDeleteI’ll check it out. A teaching assistant at my kids school claims to know Andy Partridge. She told him this when he said his favourite songs were ‘Senses Working Overtime’ and ‘Towers Of London’. All my boys love XTC and I get full of pride when they sing along with the songs.
ReplyDeleteMy two terrors love XTC we always give it a wallop on Cotswold and Dorset hols - this is their fave (non XTC) tune of the mo' though - we have to cap it at five plays on the bounce
ReplyDeletePS mailed you some retro electro bits..
Ah, god bless The Dukes. XTC's best export, he said, cruelly.
ReplyDeleteI've got my "Chips" autographed by The Red Curtain and Sir John Johns.
Vanishing Girl is really cool. Haven't been around in a while, and this is a good one to hear upon my return.
ReplyDelete