How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Not applicable
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
A rich tapestry of eccentricity and good, but obscure music
Disadvantages:
A couple of weak tracks
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
This a budget-priced sampler to commemorate the ten years existence of the off-the wall reissue label Trunk Records. And of course, like all good samplers, it's main job is to entice you to check out the rest of the label's catalogue. Much of the stuff on here is from the current and ever changing, Trunk catalogue, but there is also some "previousely unreleased" tracks on here too. In fact, most of the music had never even been released, let alone 're-released' until it came out on Trunk.
The packaging is a standard jewel case, and the front photo is of a young boy, possibly label owner Jonny Trunk when he was merely a small box (do I hear groans at the back?)? Inside, yer man himself gives us a breathless gallop through the background to the label and the stories behing the music (and other) he has released. All very interesting stuff...
Now, the tracks themselves. The problem with samplers is that they tend to cover a lot of stylistic ground, so I'll just pick out the highlights. Lets start with the "Music" section. Lots to pick from here, the first being a Basil Kirchin demo track, a gorgeous electric folk song with some terrific "Crazy Diamond"-era style Dave Gilmour guitar and a young womans vocals. Magic. Next up is a library track by Sven Libaek, good cocktail lounge jazz with a slight attitude/energy, followed by a track by Jonny himself, a rather good affair that seems to be based around a sample (I think) from the 60's French TV version of Robinson Crusoe. (remember that classic?)
In fact, I'd say most of the music on here is excellent: synthy stuff from Delia Derbyshire (yes, that one, Dr. Who fans!) more folk, more sublime Basil Kirchin. And John Cameron with a track from the "Kes" soundtrack. Early 60's jazz from Michael Garrick, more chunks from various soundtracks (eg "Blood On Satan's Claw"). I don't think there is a music track on here that is duff. The overall mood seems to be a combination of pastoral jazz and folk and experimental boundary pushing. And considering that some of this is basically just library music, that says a lot for the good quality of those old music libraries. It genuinely is rather good. Best track for me? "Negatives" by Basil Kirchin.
Nostalgia: we've got excerpts from The Clangers soundtrack and also Bod. Yes, Bod. I can hear the brain cells firing up already in anticipation of that famous piccolo(?) sound we heard way back then. The Mike Sammes Singers also do their bit in this area, by giving us the Timex ad from the 60's (see my review of "Music For Biscuits" for a more detailed review). I suppose the only really unclassifiable track on here could be filed (just) under the 'nostalgia' heading. Original Bonzo Dog member Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell attempts to do musical things with a saw. And fails. Oh well.
Sex. If you'll pardon the expression. One of the jobs Jonny did was help run the fan club of his soft-porn actress sister and this is a cue for a rather sad and little ditty composed from one of the fan letters to her. An olde English tune supports an Elizebethan-sounding chap warbling about how he'd like to make his penis bigger. Quite funny in a sniggery, schoolboy way, if you like that sort of thing. "The Ladies' Bras", some of you may have heard before, as I gather that Danny Baker has played it on his radio show oft times. And to be honest, I've had it stuck in my since I heard it. It gets you like that. But that ain't all for the sex and I'll tell you about it at the end...
So, basically, that;'s it. I love this budget sampler. True, like all 'various artists' compilations it just has a couple of weak points, but overall it is a very appealing blend of the undeservingly obscure and the eccentric. It has fullfilled it's objective in that yes, I DO want to hear some more of some of the music on here, especially the Basil Kirchin material.
Go out and buy it when you can, for around £4.99 it's a bargain. If you are a fan of the off-the-wall and the eccentric you'll revel in most of the stuff on this CD, there's nothing else quite like it, trust me...
Oh, almost forgot. Remember I said we hadn't finshed with the sex? There is a 'hidden' track right at the end, after a silent gap. It's only a few seconds long, but is an actor reading a letter to a woman thanking her for the gift of a pair of soiled knickers and instructions what he'd like her to do to the next pair...
All I'm saying is just be a little careful who is around when you play it. Seriousely. Some people WILL be offended...
More details
How does it rate alongside the competition
Outstanding
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Good
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