Today's thirty minute mix clocks in at closer to forty such is the embarrassment of riches in Julian Cope's back catalogue combined with my inability to rein it in at half an hour- and my decision late in the day that Andrew Weatherall's remix should be added onto the end. This mix jumps around all over Cope's post- Teardrop Explodes career, not doing much more than scratching the surface and wobbles between Julian in stripped down, voice and acoustic guitar mode and some fuller sounding, full band/ remix mode.
The opening song is classic Cope, the Archdrude musing on the role psychedelics played in prehistory and since over organ and drum machine (from Revolutionary Suicide in 2013. It's one of his very best albums I think- CDs on the internet are sold at silly figures so it could really do with a re- issue). It's followed by a 7" only version of Paranormal In The West Country (originally from 1994's Autogeddon), a camp fire recording with children and revellers audible, recorded by the famous Avebury stones. The song was only available on CD single if you'd first purchased the Queen Elizabeth 2 album and sent a sticker from that off to Cope's Head Heritage website. Julian H. Cope is laugh out loud funny, one hundred miles an hour stuff, from 1992's Jehovahkill. I Have Always Been Here Before is a rollicking garage band cover/ complete rewrite of a Roky Erickson song recorded for a tribute album (and since included in the deluxe re- issue of Jehovahkill). Love L.U.V. is a Hugo Nicolson remix of the sublime Beautiful Love (which I really meant to include on this) and Try Try Try was the only single from 1995's 20 Mothers. Self Civil War was the title track on his 2020 album, a folk/ krautrock blast of brilliance. Revolutionary Suicide comes from the album of the same name. Rock Section is by the fictitious Dayglo Maradona from Julian's One Three One novel, a gnostic- hooligan road trip that switches between the neolithic and the 1990 World Cup in Sardinia. You know who Andrew Weatherall is.
- They Were All On Hard Drugs
- Paranormal In the West Country (Avebury)
- Julian H. Cope
- I Have Always Been Here Before
- Love L.U.V.
- Try Try Try
- Self Civil War
- Revolutionary Suicide
- Rock Section (Andrew Weatherall Remix)
I had to check I hadn't overslept by 8 months and woken up to my birthday. What a treat!
ReplyDeleteAn excellent selection, Adam, looking forward to multiple plays today and the coming week.
I got the Paranormal In The W. Country EP on CD, the caveat being that you first had to purchase the Queen Elizabeth 2 album, remove a sticker and post it to Head Heritage. The CD itself eventually appeared, unpackaged, with my name and address printed on the flip of the sleeve, with a space for the 2nd class stamp! There's a lovely version with the Leone Quartet, but this one is my favourite, just because it's so loose and everyone seems to be having such fun. Also, it's the only version that doesn't drop the F-bomb, so invariably get played more with kids and sensitive ears present...
And the Weatherall/Cope mix was a perfect marriage waiting to happen. Glad you included a Hugo Nicholson remix as well, though, the golden thread connecting the two artists. His other remixes of East Easy Rider and Head are simply stunning.
Great work, Adam.
Thanks Kahayem- I stand corrected about the Paranormal Avebury release- I remembered as soon as you posted your comment. Hope you enjoy the mix. I did think of you when I was putting it together.
ReplyDeleteAnother perfectly curated mix, well done Adam. Cope's the gift that keeps on giving isn't he?
ReplyDeleteYou heard Matt Gunn's recent edit of TWAOHD I assume? Also, some chancers did a dub/trip-hop edit of Safesurfer last year, but I'd give that one a miss if I were you.
ReplyDeleteActually Jesse, I haven't heard Matt Gunn's edit. But the Safesurfer edit is a keeper despite what you say.
ReplyDeleteThe edits by Matt Gunn and Jezebell are really good. It was a previous Bagging Area post about Paisley Dark that got me switched on to their releases and box set edits. Oh, and another great artist recording as 10:40 ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe Cope mix is hugely enjoyable, to state the obvious. Thanks!