Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Memphis Isn't All That Big...


Today's choice from 1987 is The Colourblind James Experience, with the unique, idiosyncratic sounds of the wonderful I'm Considering A Move To Memphis. How could you not fall in love with lyrics like "I'm considering a move to Memphis, Memphis Tennessee. It worked for Elvis Presley. Why can't it work for me". Even managed to reach the much sought after Number 47 position in the Festive 50, a position also held by such illustrious acts as Camper Van Beethoven, Robert Wyatt and Echo And The Bunnymen. Over six and a half minutes of genius. Would probably make it onto my Desert Island Discs, if I was ever asked to appear...

Considering A Move To Memphis

14 comments:

  1. Yes, a great tune from an overall great album: much underrated!

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    1. Hi Dirk, sadly another one of those albums that is almost forgotten about nowadays, pity as it is a great album..

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    2. The album's on Spotify and Youtube
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lSJhXcL3A4&list=PL0LQNjcm6AK882ztSp55a141s9eYteQ6v
      The last 4 tracks are actually from their 1st Peel session
      More on their Facebook page

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  2. Sounds like it really was a great year and scene for you - and what memorable gigs on your list!
    Whilst I'm not so keen on the song as a whole I'm afraid, yes I do love those lyrics.

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    1. Hi C, I was just very fortunate that so many of my favourite bands were playing Glasgow at that time and I was just the right age to really appreciate them...

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  3. Goes a bit off the rails when he talks about eating Polish food and bowling alleys...and of course he doesn't mention getting mugged outside of Graceland. Ha

    The sound is somewhere between The Thinking Fellas Union Local 282 and Wesley Willis.

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    1. Hi Erik, think it is the off the rails element that makes it more appealing..

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  4. Lamacq wheels out this tune from time to time and I always enjoy it. As far as I remember, it's the only thing I've ever heard by the band.
    The early gigs, much like the earliest records, stay with you forever.

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    1. Hi Swede, there is just something extra special about those early gigs. Would love to have seen bands like The Ramones about ten years previously, but was still fantastic at 18 to see them perform at The Barrowlands...

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  5. I thought this was going to be a new one to me, but the second I started playing it I knew I had heard it before. Hmm, I wonder where? Lyrics are great, but I like the vibes even more. We are the same age, and I began going to shows at about the same time, but I grew up in the sticks. The great shows were three hours away. So, I didn't have the same great pedigree in 1987. Things turned around for me when I finally decided to go to college in 1989.

    Erik's mention of Wesley Willis got me thinking of Cut the Mullet. Best use of "numbskull" in a song. Perhaps the only song to ever use it, come to think of it.

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    1. Hi Brian, living so close to Glasgow all my life has given me the opportunity to see so many great bands over the years. It's rare, even today, that Glasgow is not on most band's schedule when touring. Off to see a newish band tonight, Hinds (until recently Deers) in a great wee venue called Broadcast. Have a feeling that me and Rik will be the two oldest people there..

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  6. The Hinds in Broadcast's basement, after about three or four songs, conversation along the lines of........
    "I'm liking them, what do you think?"
    "It's 4 Spanish girls in their 20's playing very lo-fi DIY guitar pop in a sort of Velvets/Shangri-La way - What's not to like, ha!"

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  7. The Hinds in Broadcast's basement, after about three or four songs, conversation along the lines of........
    "I'm liking them, what do you think?"
    "It's 4 Spanish girls in their 20's playing very lo-fi DIY guitar pop in a sort of Velvets/Shangri-La way - What's not to like, ha!"

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    1. Hi mate, so glad I went along. Didn't really know what to expect but had a blast. Equal parts Velvets/60's Girl Groups/The Slits. I thought they were genuinely exciting, which is a rare commodity at live shows these days.

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