Lots of songs have, over the years, been described as 'epic'.In truth very few of them are.
But this truly is:-
mp3 : Wah! - The Story Of The Blues (Parts One and Two)
Loved by millions in the UK back in 1982 where it reached #3 in the singles chart. And although much of its majesty is down to the backing vocals, the info on the back of the sleeve simply says
Played by Pete Wylie, Washington and Some Girls. Written and Arranged by Pete Wylie. Produced by Pete Hedges
The record label didn't believe it would be a hit, so there wasn't a promo video made. But here's an appearance from Top Of the Pops
I was so impressed with this that I rushed put and bought an imitation white silk scarf which I wore for weeks......
And here's yer b-side, a version of an earlier flop single released in 1980:-
mp3 : Wah! - Seven Minutes To Midnight (liveish)
This posting goes out to my dear friend and Sunday Correspondent John Greer who has always maintained that Pete Wylie was a musical genius.
16 comments:
My god was it really 1982!
Also remember "come back" and his big solo hit "sinful"
... the Peel Session - version of this is awesome too ...
Agreed. Song was genius and one the very literally spoke to me.
(I was unemployed and living in Liverpool around the time this came out. )
Wylie was genius of some kind, mouth as big as Liverpool. He also coined the word "Rockism"
Have all the early Wah! Heat singles which still sound blazing.
As has been said before, part time rock star, full time legend!
You inspired me (and saved me the bother of finishing off the posts I've been working on)
http://www.londonlee.com/2010/07/mouth-almighty.html
Right up there for me too. Should be feted as one of the greats, should be books written about him.
Another excellent choice. Sorry for your loss.
GForsyth
Earlier flop single? That's no way to describe '7 Minutes ...'! AGree with londonlee - the Wah! Heat singles still are superb. Pity there's just two! MInd you there's loads of versions of '7 Minutes' ...
This song inspires me as much now as it did in '82 when I was 21 and unemployed, living in Hulme- also inspired me to read Kerouac. I still play it every couple of weeks
As everyone has said the man is a musical genius.... and he is soon to return with some new material including the wonderful "the day Margaret Thatcher dies" (see and hear it on youtube)
As JC has reported before on the VV I was fortunate enough to see Pete Wylie play the Haddington Music Festival in East Lothian to a crowd of less than 40 people and even with such a small crowd he played a passionate and vibrant set. He then took time to sit and talk to us after the gig for over an hour.
I look forward to his long-awaited autobiography being published.( if it it ever sees the light of day)
Thanks JC for the posting.
John Greer
Wah Heat ! Sound band.
scary I've got a post coming up on the same song saying virtually the same thing (including the white silk scarf) , but not half as well
Didn't hear this until 1996, when I was 19, ity very quickly became one of my favourite songs.
Wylie was indeed a legend, and i have spent many hours trying to get my grubby mits on old 7"s
Pete Wylie is definitely a legend on all levels, music, opinion and drink! I had the honor to hang out with him in the summer of 1985(or was it '86) when he, along with the fantastic Josie Jones were in NYC re-recording and mixing down his solo album. I probably amused him no end with my fanboy ways...I was not shy to tell him how much Wah! meant to me, especially Story of the Blues and Hope... Nights upon nights were spent in NYC's Limelight getting pissed and walking out into the bright morning sunshine. Wylie is a regular guy and a fantastic artist!
Here's Wylie's lastest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcXi-VYy_Yw :-) Hope you don;t mind me posting the link JC
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