APPROACHING THE AGE OF FIVE (Part 24)

Personal circumstances prevented me trying to organise Paul Haig Day III back in April.  I'm quite sorry about that as Days I and II on 6 April 2009 and 2010 respectively were by far the most exciting days I've had as a blogger as folk the world over used their spaces on the interwebby thing to post a track featuring the very talented Mr Haig, whether it was from his early career with Josef K, his solo career or his collaborations with other musicians including the late and great Billy Mackenzie.

It was also a huge thrill for me that PHD II saw his manager get in touch and offer the opportunity to post an exclusive mix of one of Paul's songs.

Relive those great days by clicking here and here.

I couldn't possibly let the run up to the 5th Birthday go past without featuring Paul Haig.  For PHD III the plan had been to post an entire LP from back in 1988, one that has a few rare tracks and different mixes.  So instead, I'm delighted today to feature the 12 tracks that made up the vinyl version of European Sun - Archive Collection 1982-1987.  After each mp3. there's a short description of each song as described on notes on the back of the sleeve:-

mp3 : Paul Haig - Running Away
7" version of the first solo single, recorded in Brussels 1982.  Written by Sly Stone, produced by Paul Haig

mp3 : Paul Haig - Chance
Short version of B-side from Heaven Help You Now.  Written and produced by Paul Haig

mp3 : Paul Haig - Justice
Unreleased 7" version, recorded Summer 1982.  Written and produced by Paul Haig

mp3 : Paul Haig - Swinging For You
Unreleased 7" version, recorded in Brussels 1987. Written and produced by Paul Haig (A different version would appear on the 1989 LP Chain)

mp3 : Paul Haig - Shining Hour
From the unreleased second solo album, November 1984. Written by Paul Haig.  Produced by Alan Rankine

mp3 : Paul Haig - Fear And Dancing

From the unreleased second solo album, November 1984. Written by Paul Haig.  Produced by Alan Rankine

mp3 : Paul Haig - Psycho San Jose

Spaghetti Western home recording, Summer 1987. Written and produced by Paul Haig (on 8 track)

mp3 : Paul Haig - Ghost Rider

cover version of Suicide's road classic, with help from Malcolm Ross and David McClymont in December 1983, with Paul Haig and Alan Rankine co-producing. B-side of Big Blue World 12" single.

mp3 : Paul Haig - Torchomatic

12" single, recorded in Brussels in 1987. Written and produced by Paul Haig

mp3 : Paul Haig - Endless Song

b-side of Big Blue World 12" single. Written by Paul Haig and co-produced by him and Alan Rankine

mp3 : Paul Haig - Closer Now

outtake from 1985 LP The Warp Of Pure Fun. Written by Paul Haig and co-produced by him and Alan Rankine

mp3 : Paul Haig - The Executioner

collaboration between Paul Haig and Cabaret Voltaire.  Recorded in 1984 but never released.  Produced bu Paul Haig, Richard Kirk and Stephen Mallinder

Now I will be the first to admit that a number of these tracks aren't up there in terms of the best Paul Haig has ever recorded, but the whole point of originally starting up TVV was to make available songs which might otherwise be hard to obtain (I know.....it's changed a lot since the early days).   But today's posting is intended to be in the spirit of those distant pioneering days when nobody cared or visited.......

Happy Listening