IN PRAISE OF THE COMPILATION ALBUM : DIVING FOR PEARLS VOLUME 1

Most compilation albums have at least one song that you find yourself skipping over.  Not this gem from 1989 released by Dino Entertainment Ltd with the catalogue number of INDLP 1.

Here's all the songs along with the sleeve notes:-

SIDE 1

mp3 : Department S - Is Vic There?

From 1981. A No.1 indie hit and also spent 10 weeks in the Gallup chart when Demon picked up the rights, getting to No.22. They released two more singles and then disappeared never to release an album

mp3 : Stone Roses - Sally Cinnamon

This single made in 1987 has recently been re-released and went Top 10 on the indie chart. This is not on their great debut album and is one of the biggest tracks in their live set. Last Christmas they were little known outside Manchester. They recently sold out in Blackpool to 3000 fans and have just sold out Alexandra Palace in London

mp3 : Paul Quinn & Edwyn Collins - Pale Blue Eyes

This Velvet Underground track was recorded for the Swamplands label and went into the Gallup chart in 1984.  The ex-Orange Juice and Bourgie Bourgie team created a great buzz for their debut album but it never came

mp3 : Kirsty MacColl - A New England

This track was a top 10 hit for Kirsty in 1985 and is her biggest hit to date. Written by Billy Bragg and released by Stiff it never appeared on an album until 'Diving For Pearls'. Kirsty is back in the public eye with her new album for Virgin

mp3 : Everything But The Girl - Night And Day

Their very first single for Cherry Red before signing to Blanco Y Negro and having a string of hit albums. Recently promoted on CD single.

mp3 : Red Guitars - Good Technology

A No.1 indie hit from this great band from Hull. Championed at the time heavily by the TUBE T.V. how that later led to a major signing by Virgin Records.

SIDE 2

mp3 : Sugarcubes - Birthday

Another band to watch for in the nineties. This was the single that not only took them to the top of the indie chart but also into the Gallup chart twice. All record companies chased with open cheque book but they have resisted to retain full artistic control.

mp3 : Spacemen 3 - Hypnotised

Recently seem on the Chart Show. A top ten indie hit this month and a band on the ascendancy. Again this track was not on their album, Watch out for a tour and a Sonic Boom solo album

mp3 : Mari Wilson - Cry Me A River

The Compact Organisation struck a deal in 1982 with the reactivated London label. This quirky label gave us Miss Beehive and a classic single that hit the Uk Top 30 in that same year. What is she doing now? Who knows but also featured in the band was Julia Fordham

mp3 : The Monochrome Set - Jet Set Junta

Another track from the vaults of Cherry Red who gave us the brilliant compilation 'Pillows And Prayers'. They later signed to W.E.A.

mp3 : The Au Pairs - It's Obvious

An indie chart topper and featured on their debut album which went top 30 in the UK charts. A great album and we may see another Au Pairs' track on volume 2

mp3 : Robert Wyatt - Shipbuilding

This track topped the indie charts in 1983 and got to No.35 in the UK charts. Written by Elvis Costello and Clive Langer about the Falklands War. It closes the album and gives us our title 'Diving For Pearls'

Now I know many of these tracks have appeared on TVV before today, but what you're getting with this post are the versions ripped from the vinyl version of this compilation as picked up in a second hand shop during a recent trip to London.

Oh and despite the optimism in the notes that accompanied The Au Pairs track, there wasn't ever a Volume 2.

Happy Listening.