Be Seeing You

No, not my final ever post, you may be relieved or dismayed (or indifferent) to hear, but a nod to The Prisoner, a TV series that ended over half a century ago yet continues to intrigue, confound and inspire.

Likewise, the Welsh village of Portmeirion, the location of The Village in the series, has also been a go-to for music video shoots. I've included a selection here, including a couple filmed for legendary music show The Tube, produced by Channel 4 in the 1980s, which was also where I watched - and fell in love with - The Prisoner for the first time.

 

First up is The Times with I Helped Patrick McGoohan Escape from 1982. Edward Ball wrote and first recorded the song as a single in 1980 as Teenage Filmstars. The Times' video was directed by Nick Morris and a recreation of The Prisoner, including what many may argue is a more satisfying ending that the TV series' controversial final episode.

 

In 1987, The Tube had a special episode, titled "The Laughing Prisoner", filmed in Portmeirion. Jools Holland was the titular character and the opening of this clip features Jools and Stephen Fry, the latter performing possibly the worst umbrella lob committed to video.

The main feature is Siouxsie & The Banshees' cover version of The Passenger. I was (and still am) a huge fan of the band and their music so it was always a thrill to see them on TV. I'm not sure I'd heard Iggy Pop's original and frankly unbeatable version at the time. Either way, the Banshees' version may have been deemed worthy of a single but it's not their finest moment. The band look super cool though.

I'm not sure I've even seen the 1982 promo for See Those Eyes by Altered Images before. If I did, I completely forgot that like The Times, this was also directed inspired by The Prisoner. Much as I enjoy seeing Ed Ball in action, I didn't have a crush on him as a pre-teen, so Clare Grogan is going to win every time, no contest.

Fast forward to 1995 and Supergrass won me over with their cheeky chappy song and video, Alright. As impressive as the lads racing around Portmeirion on Chopper bicycles is, nothing can top Gaz Coombes' mutton chops, the likes of which I'd not seen since Amos Brearly was pulling pints in The Woolpack on Emmerdale Farm.

Back to 1987 and The Tube who, prior to "The Laughing Prisoner" special, filmed XTC performing a couple of songs in Portmeirion. The Meeting Place has Colin Moulding on lead vocals and full McGoohan garb, bar his hairstyle. I think Billy Ray Cyrus was paying close attention to the latter.

I'll confess that I've never heard of Ulysses before "researching" today's post. Even more galling to discover that they're from Bath, a reasonably short jaunt from Casa K. Situation Man was a released as a single from 2019 album On Safari (sadly, not a tribute to another classic TV show and presenter, as far as I can tell). If you like what you hear, you can find the album and other Ulysses releases on Bandcamp.

Ironically, this chap released a single in May 1989 called The Prisoner and even named the 12" version "The Portmeirion Mix". Was it enough to get him a free pass to Portmeirion? Hell no.

When You're Down, Keep Looking Up

Today's selection highlights 20 of my favourite albums from 2022. I know I probably should have tried to stretch it to 22 from '22, but time constraints meant that I only managed 10 last year so this is a big improvement and fits neatly into a mock-CD running time.

 

As with last year, I've not ranked or scored the albums, just sequenced the selected tracks in a way that I hope makes for a satisfying playlist. Again, I'm a bit tight for time, so the commentary is minimal.

I had a very long shortlist so a mention to several albums that didn't make today's selection but are excellent nevertheless: Midnight Rocker by Horace Andy; Ibibio Sound Machine's Electricity, produced by Hot Chip; Alright by Luxxury; any of the other 5 albums released by SAULT this year; The Album Club's self-titled album; Memoria by Trentemøller, the list goes on. And so many that are still on my 'must buy' list.

 

Several albums, by Andy Bell, Katy J Pearson and Confidence Man, were contenders from the moment I first heard them and have remained playlist staples ever since. A couple - Orbury Common and Tomberlin - came on the back of support slots for other artists featured in this selection that I got to see live in concert. 

 

Julian Cope and Blancmange were back with new albums, whilst Altered Images surprised me with a comeback album full of pop hooks that firmly proclaimed that they were no heritage act. A very welcome return for all.

 

Cathal Coughlan teamed up with Jacknife Lee as Telefís for not one but two albums in 2022. The news of Coughlan's death in May was - and still is - a shock, one of far too many tragic losses this year. Telefís was proof, if any needed, that Cathal was on a creative roll and had so much more to share.

 

Quite a few were late entries, the common thread being that they're all on the Late Night From Glasgow label. I invested in an annual subscription in December and, as a result, received digital copies of the year's releases including In The Forest, Monica Queen, The Bathers, André Salvador & The Von Kings. My first vinyl order/delivery from LNFG has just been dispatched. If it arrives before year end and ignoring my earlier comments about not ranking or scoring, the package will contain what will undoubtedly be my album of the year. 

 

After a gig-less 2021, I finally got back out this year. Just the four, but what a four: Madness (Westonbirt, June), Katy J Pearson (Bristol, September), Blancmange (Stroud, October) and Angel Olsen (Bath, October). All very special in their own way and with great support acts. 

 

Time prevents me from waxing lyrical about every selection but a special mention for Andy Bell, whose album Flicker came out in February and has been followed by a steady stream of singles, cover versions and remixes. These have been collected on a trio of themed EPs - I Am A Strange Loop, The Grounding Process and Untitled Film Stills - plus a compilation/companion, Strange Loops & Outer Psych. And this isn't counting Andy's remixes as GLOK! 

 

Given that Flicker itself is a double album and deservedly so, the sheer amount of quality music that Andy Bell has offered up in the last 12 months is nothing short of phenomenal. I think Flicker would otherwise be my album of the year on a list of excellent albums by Weyes Blood, Pye Corner Audio and Unloved.

 

More tomorrow.

 

1) idkwntht: Tomberlin (i don’t know who needs to hear this...)

2) Fight For Love: SAULT (11)

3) Break It Bought It (Album Version): Confidence Man (Tilt)

4) Hot In Her (Album Version) (Cover of Nelly): Mr. Oizo & Phra (Voilá)

5) Sex Bunting: Telefís (a hAon)

6) Reduced Voltage (Album Version): Blancmange (Private View)

7) Haberdashery: Orbury Common (The Traditional Dance Of Orbury Common EP)

8) Saturation Point (Album Version): Pye Corner Audio (Let’s Emerge!)

9) Waiting For The Call: In The Forest (These Four Walls)

10) Big Time (Album Version): Angel Olsen (Big Time)

11) I Want You To Stop, You're Killing Me: Monica Queen (Stop That Girl)

12) Turn Of The Screw (Album Version): Unloved ft. Raven Violet (The Pink Album)

13) Changing My Luck: Altered Images (Mascara Streakz)

14) Cape St. Vincent: The Bathers (Summer Lightning)

15) Howl: Katy J Pearson ft. Orlando Weeks (Sound Of The Morning) 

16) January: Momus (Smudger)

17) All The Yin-Yangs That Give it Away: Julian Cope (England Expectorates)

18) Dieu Du Ciel: André Salvador & The Von Kings (Draped Apes)

19) Jenny Holzer B. Goode: Andy Bell (Flicker)

20) Twin Flame: Weyes Blood (And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow)

When You're Down, Keep Looking Up (1:17:22) (Box) (Mega)

I Could Be Happy (Last Goodbye)

What an emotional rollercoaster the Euro 2020 final was. I think Altered Images have said it all...

 

1) I Could Be Happy (1981)

2) I Don't Want To Know (1983)

3) Change Of Heart (1983)

4) Love To Stay (1983)

5) Stand So Quiet (1983)

6) Leave Me Alone (1981)

7) Thinking About You (1983)

8) Who Cares? (1981)

9) Last Goodbye (1983)

1 dance mix by Martin Rushent, 12" single A-side

2 bonus track from the cassette edition of the album Bite

3 & 4 produced by Mike Chapman, from the album Bite

5 & 7 produced by Tony Visconti & Altered Images, from the album Bite

6 produced by Steven Severin, bonus track from the cassette edition of the single Dead Pop Stars

8 produced by Steven Severin, from the B-side of the single A Day's Wait

9 produced by Mike Chapman, from the B-side of the single Don't Talk To Me About Love

I Could Be Happy (Last Goodbye) (35:58)