MIDWEEK CRISIS, you're reeling, come to WEDNESDAY CLUB we've got The Smiths and they have 15 minutes just for you. Wednesday Club, we've got all day!
THE SMITHS - Reel Around the Fountain (1984)
Being in Saudi Arabia you never got the news, you never had radio to hear music. Looking back I don't know how we managed to keep upto date, but we did. I got a copy of NME, it was probably a month old but I was so excited to read about the latest music. I was a fan of NME since the early sixties.
'The Smiths' that was new!
I loved the reviews, it sounded exactly what I wanted, needed. I had to hear something by them. It was in my mind constantly.
I was due to go back to the UK, my first trip back after six months (not so bad my family came over after a couple of months). Anyway, I arrived in UK early in March (1984) 0630 in the morning. I was meeting some ex work friends at 1200, so I had some time to kill. I got the tube to Picadilly Circus and headed for Pettycoat Lane. I have no idea why? I had a full English breakfast (double bacon), bought a leather jacket, it was bleeding freezing and a scarf (I still have it, it's a favourite) my brother in law pinched the jacket (it was too big anyway, fat bastard).
I also bought 'The Smiths' first album, in tape, because thats what we played in Saudi. I did not have a player with me so I was holding that cassette desperately waiting to hear it. I just had that feeling and I can't explain why!
I met the guys during their break, but all I could think about was hearing the Smiths. I was staying with a friend before visiting my family in Inverness. On the way to his place I asked him to play my 'new' cassette. Reluctantly he turned off the music he was playing (trying to impress me). I wanted 'The Smiths', I had to hear 'The Smiths'.
Why did I build it up so much? What exactly was I expecting? I had been through it all, Elvis, The Beatles, The Stones, Dylan, Bowie, Hendrix, Joy Division, The Clash. Why! why! The Smiths, what sort of name was that anyway?
I was stunned, it was better that my sub-concious actually really expected. The start, the drums, the organ, the voice, I loved it. The whole album just blew me away. I could not wait to share it with everybody, in the whole wide world. Thats music! A magic moment! To take to the grave..
I acknowledge they have done mabe many better stuff but it has a special little place in my heart.
'People see no worth in you, but I do'
'You're the Bees Knees'!
For more Wednesday Club, you don't have to 'Ask'!
THE SMITHS - Reel Around the Fountain (1984)
Being in Saudi Arabia you never got the news, you never had radio to hear music. Looking back I don't know how we managed to keep upto date, but we did. I got a copy of NME, it was probably a month old but I was so excited to read about the latest music. I was a fan of NME since the early sixties.
'The Smiths' that was new!
I loved the reviews, it sounded exactly what I wanted, needed. I had to hear something by them. It was in my mind constantly.
I was due to go back to the UK, my first trip back after six months (not so bad my family came over after a couple of months). Anyway, I arrived in UK early in March (1984) 0630 in the morning. I was meeting some ex work friends at 1200, so I had some time to kill. I got the tube to Picadilly Circus and headed for Pettycoat Lane. I have no idea why? I had a full English breakfast (double bacon), bought a leather jacket, it was bleeding freezing and a scarf (I still have it, it's a favourite) my brother in law pinched the jacket (it was too big anyway, fat bastard).
I also bought 'The Smiths' first album, in tape, because thats what we played in Saudi. I did not have a player with me so I was holding that cassette desperately waiting to hear it. I just had that feeling and I can't explain why!
I met the guys during their break, but all I could think about was hearing the Smiths. I was staying with a friend before visiting my family in Inverness. On the way to his place I asked him to play my 'new' cassette. Reluctantly he turned off the music he was playing (trying to impress me). I wanted 'The Smiths', I had to hear 'The Smiths'.
Why did I build it up so much? What exactly was I expecting? I had been through it all, Elvis, The Beatles, The Stones, Dylan, Bowie, Hendrix, Joy Division, The Clash. Why! why! The Smiths, what sort of name was that anyway?
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I was stunned, it was better that my sub-concious actually really expected. The start, the drums, the organ, the voice, I loved it. The whole album just blew me away. I could not wait to share it with everybody, in the whole wide world. Thats music! A magic moment! To take to the grave..
I acknowledge they have done mabe many better stuff but it has a special little place in my heart.
'People see no worth in you, but I do'
'You're the Bees Knees'!
For more Wednesday Club, you don't have to 'Ask'!
WEDNESDAY CLUB - The Smiths - 'Reel Around the Fountain'
4/
5
Oleh
sfw
4 comments
Tulis commentsFantastic - both post and band!
ReplyGreat story, Old Pa. For this listener, The Smiths first album will always be the favourite. They achieved a beautiful balance of northern darkness and wit on that one that did slowly turn into self-parody at times on later albums (IMHO). I well recall waiting for this one to hit the shops. I happened to be in sunny Crewe when it came out and it seemed just perfect wandering along the grey, depressing streets of that semi-slum with that album tucked under my arm. When I got slapped on the 'music centre' it was just perfect. Not a dull moment on the entire record.
ReplySB I agree there best album....oh! the days with the L.P. under the arm....your badge! your identity! all on display...love the the image the grey and the bright colours of the Smiths.
Reply'I dreamt about you last night and I fell out of bed twice', with that sweet piano hook....Sensational song despite being a late comer to the Smiths. Excellent post too, describing beautifully what music is all about and having the urge to share that joy with someone....anyone!
Reply