As I said last month, I'm still at a loss to understand why Friends Again never cracked it. A brilliant live act and in James Grant and Chris Thomson, two of the most talented songwriters that Scotland has produced - and for a wee country of about five million folk, we've produced more than our fair share.This was the farewell single. Lifted from the astonishingly excellent Trapped And Unwrapped LP, both of which were released to complete indifference from the record buying public in October 1984.
mp3 : Friends Again - South Of Love
mp3 : Friends Again - Bird Of Paradise
Here's the bonus track from the 12" release:-
mp3 : Friends Again - Why Dont You Ask Someone
Someone has done the world a favour and shoved up the only TV appearnce by the band that I can recall:-
Slightly ruined by the addition of unnecessary backing vocalists but it brings back loads of great memories....
Happy Listening.
6 comments:
Wow - I didn't know that footage existed. Thanks so much for sharing via TVV! Three songs in one - and "Honey at the Core" to finish it off. Wonderful. Thank you - you're simply a peach.
Love love love them. And Love And Money. Just recently found out a friend of mine sings backing vocals on the first Love And Money album funnily enough.
Some of us older us were fortunate enough to see them in 1983 at Stirling University's freshers night thing. Accompanied by James King and his Lonewolves among others...
Excellent stuff, you're on a bit of a roll at the moment aren't you! What with A House, Carter and Belle & Sebastian, still have all the Friends Again singles in the attic, can't bear to part with them!!
Fabulous, and Chris Thomson should be listed as a national treasure
I've often wondered if the reason Friends Again never got much attention is that their recordings are overproduced - too slick and airy. I had the opportunity to see them in 1984 and came away from it believing I'd seen greatness - James Grant's guitar playing stood out, and I might add, was distorted and slightly out of control. I've heard that hint of true brilliance in their songs but I wish I could hear the almost ecstatic unrestrained sound. Yeah, I know that the production values of the 80s leave a lot to be desired, but some groups(Orange Juice perhaps) managed to overcome that. The video just makes me wish I could hear (and see) James Grant more. They are just a bit too contained and controlled when I want to "hear" the sweat and passion.
Post a Comment