On his recent radio appearance with Heidi, posted here if you missed it, Andrew Weatherall dropped the news that back in 1993 when questioned for the NME's end of year poll Mark E Smith's nomination for Wanker Of The Year was Andrew Weatherall. He didn't go on to say what had gone down between them other than that he (Weatherall) had been lined up to produce an album for The Fall and then for reasons unspecified it didn't happen. If you want to dip in, it's at around forty five minutes into the show.
Then Weatherall played this from 2005's Fall Heads Roll, the centrepiece of that album led by a filthy, churning, propulsive bass guitar riff and chugging drums. Mark speaks into the microphone of walking bass, Aristotle Onassis, Jane Seymour, Calvary and cavalry, Prestwich, Deansgate and Moscow Road, eight minutes that once again proves Mark E Smith and whoever was playing with him at that time were indeed The Fall and that they were capable of coming up with moments of genius.
Blindness
One of the few constants in the live set of late period Fall and always a highlight. Thought the bass was going to sink the Renfrew Ferry on a few occasions.
ReplyDeleteBeen thinking about Weatherall and the Fall. I'm not sure the partnership would have worked over a full album but carefully chosen remixes yes. What could he do with Hip Priest or Green Eyed Loco Man but definitely not Blindness, perfect as it is. There are at least 3 different studio versions, The UK album release, the US album one and the Peel Session.
Ah what... Your man there and Mr E. Smith. What disaster/miracle/book and then movie that would have made.
ReplyDeleteI've just found a 9 minute version and the Peel session on my hard drive.
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