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  1. 2023/4 Albums Thing 412 - Wild Flowers “Dust”

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    The Wild Flowers formed in Wolverhampton in the early 80’s. The original line up included Dave Newton on guitar who left early in the story to go form the Mighty Lemon Drops. Those two bands along with Balaam & The Angel and Pop Will Eat Itself formed the vanguard of bands that came out of the West Midlands in the 2nd half of the 80’s that would swiftly be followed through the opened door by The Wonder Stuff and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin.

    Their sound was definitely of the Indie variety but coloured by the Americana of the likes of the Long Ryders and Green On Red. “Dust” was their second album and is of particular interest for me because of the inclusion of the towering single “A Kind Of Kingdom” which is as good an Indie Rock single as you will ever hear. But that’s not all they had, oh no. The jangly “Ain’t So Easy” was another great single. “Core Of My Heart” and “Where My Heart Lies” are a belting pair of songs over on Side 2.

    The copy I have is a sleeveless white label test pressing acquired in a collection of stuff I bought from one of Brum’s leading promoters of the period. If you like your Indie of the jangly variety, touched by a hint of America and gruff of voice then the Wild Flowers might just be right up your street.

    A Kind Of Kingdom - https://youtu.be/XwJAGHJuh3I?si=5qLyCuRqdp7zqkZP

  2. 2023/4 Albums Thing 411 - The Who “Who’s Better, Who’s Best”

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    Yes, I own two Who singles compilations, is there a problem ? 

    “Meaty, Beaty, Big And Bouncy” rounds things up until 1971 but The Who released singles after that. So where “M,B,B & B” includes “The Seeker”, which this one doesn’t, “Who’s Better, Who’s Best” includes essentials like “Won't Get Fooled Again”, “Pinball Wizard” and “Join Together” which “M,B,B & B” doesn’t. It’s that simple…

    Pinball Wizard - https://youtu.be/hHc7bR6y06M?si=O-xb2xI29ptYmfdo

  3. 2023/4 Albums Thing 410 - The Who “Meaty, Beaty, Big And Bouncy”

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    A 1971 collection of The Who’s singles compiled by Pete Townshend. The title refers to the 4 members of the band (Meaty is  Daltrey; Beaty is Moon; Big is Entwistle; Bouncy is Townshend). 

    I wanted a compilation of Who singles and this is just that. I still regard “I Can’t Explain” as one of the greatest singles of the 1960’s. “Irish" Jack Lyons (remember him ?) said of it “Nobody spoke to Mods until Pete Townshend wrote “I Can’t Explain”…”I feel hot and cold way down in my soul”, that’s Elgar on speed!”

    I’m not going to say anything else about it. If you can’t hear most of these songs in your head anyway where have you been ?

    I Can’t Explain - https://youtu.be/voMja9C-coI?si=obF6g8_cPYlLiDEK