Galore > Reviews > I DON'T WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD..BUT KIRSTY DID

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	classic tracks in country,pop and hip - hop
Disadvantages:	no longer with us  .  .  .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I remember the day I bought Galore, it was in the January sales, 1997 and there I was in Woolies feverishly delving into the cassette "bargain bin". I couldn't believe I'd found something I actually wanted and paid something like a measly £2 for my cassette.

This has been played so much I'm amazed the tape hasn't snapped! I keep this at work and it cheers up a dreary day no end. I hadn't really heard many of Kirsty's songs other than New England and Fairytale of New York at that point and immersed myself in her sometimes witty, always worldly lyrics with relish.

Kirsty Maccoll was born 10 October 1959 in Croydon. For many years I believed her to be Irish, don't know why! Her mother Jean, a dance choreographer and her father the folk singer Ewan Maccoll, Kirsty wasn't into folk music and first stepped into music through the punk scene beginning her career in a band called Drug Addix in 1978.

In 1979 she brought out her debut single "they don't know .." which she originally wrote for Tracey Ullman - who had more success with this than Kirsty first time round. Throughout Kirsty's career she frequently appeared as a backing singer on albums for the likes of Morrissey, Alison Moyet, The Pogues and the Wonderstuff and often duetted. Kirsty wasn't really interested in the showbiz side of things, and took time out to spend with her children whilst they were small - born in 1985 and 1987 to her husband Steve Lilywhite. They divorced after 10 years of marriage in 1994 but remained friends.

Nearly 3 years ago, we lost Kirsty who was killed when a speedboat hit her whilst swimming in Cozumel, Mexico 18 December 2000. She was only 41, having recently made a comeback with the single "in these shoes?". Kirsty may not be with us any longer, but I still play her music on a regular basis and enjoy it. Particularly "Galore" which is 18 of her finest tracks, brought out in 1995 - where it reached No. 6 in the album charts. You can't really pin a style on Kirsty, sometimes she's pop, sometimes country and even hip-hop! Here are some of my favourites from it ...

Caroline ~ 1995

This was written by Kirsty herself and tells of a betrayal by a woman to her best friend (Caroline) with Carolines's lover. It's that chase your tail situation isn't it - where you fall in love with somebody you really shouldn't have and who falls for you but you both know it can't or shouldn't carry on. Kirsty tells of the anguish of our character, who can't face telling Caroline that she's actually been sleeping with her lover and the fact that she can't comfort her friend who knows her man is playing away. I love this song, it's all fairly jolly considering the subject matter!

"...I'm so ashamed of myself, but I still want you, what a terrible thing for a friend to do, I think I've gone too far this time, I leapt across that thin blue line"

dirty mare ...

My Affair ~ 1991

This reminds me of a salsa class! This has such a Latino feel, and a bit of a comedy edge to it. Kirsty sings of her controlling parents and her fight for independence, then of meeting her first love who she fell in love with and married and who later cheats on her when he gets a taste of the good life. In retort Kirsty throws herself into her single life, after her estranged husband's affair bites the dust and he's left high and dry. Haha. I love the wit in this and it makes me smile.

"..and then you met that girl, who left you with your money spent, and now it's no concern of yours, if I sleep with the President"

you go girl!

He's on the beach ~ 1985

Another cheery tune, this time about a male friend who moved away after going through a bad patch. It tells of how much Kirsty/the character misses his company but accepts that he needed time out and how happy he is in his new life. She thought he was only going for a holiday in France but realises he's gone to live in Sydney Bay! This starts off with a jangling guitar and is upbeat throughout.

" ...he was just a friend of mine, I'd run into from time to time, long before he moved away, we used to share a taste for wine, still I never knew that he was sad back then, he said the time had come for him to take a holiday"

A New England ~ 1984

This was the first song of Kirsty's I ever heard, and it's been a favourite since I heard it back when I was 12. It's an extremely catchy song, penned by Billy Bragg for her. It did really well in the charts getting to number 7. The melody bounces along in the background whilst Kirsty belts it out "..I saw 2 shooting stars last night, I wished on them, but they were only satellites, it's wrong to wish on space hardware, I wish..I wish.. I wish you'd care"

If you would like to find out more about Kirsty her fanclub is called "Freeworld" which can be reached at www.kirstymaccoll.com

Tracks:

1. they don't know
2 a new England
3. there's a guy works down the chip shop
4. he's on the beach
5. fairytale of New York
6. Miss Otis regrets
7. free world
8. innocence
9. you just haven't earned it yet
10. days
11. don't come the cowboy with me
12. walking down Maddison
13. my affair
14. angel
15. titanic days
16. can't stop killing you
17. caroline
18. perfect day

Seeing as it's nearly the Christmas season, no doubt we'll be hearing quite a bit of Fairytale of New York soon!

Thanks for reading