Live at The BBC with Janice Long
Paralyzing Hues
by R.C. Kola
This is the second Warner Philippines release from 1988. The humble days where cassette tapes ruled and cds were a luxury. Compilations like this were treated with amazement and excitement, played as weekend specials on High School and College radios bursting through speakers on hallways and classrooms. Students, school DJs, soundtrippers and musicians confident cheers and chants, pioneered on the New Wave front. Gentlemen on seven stars hairdos, sparkling wide-eyed ladies in between puberty, dressed and shoot to kill. Wayfarers and Banana Republics, Shambu, Arte Linea shirts, Tretorn, Vans, and Dragonflies shoes. Hanging out on billiard and bowling halls. On unguarded classrooms and offices. Boom boxes along corridors, walkways, and driveways. Every inch on every possible location. As loud as it could ever go.
Modern Rock was at its best if not at its peak, prompting the rise of new radio stations with this concept. When complete albums were hard to find locally, this was the most practical use of the New Wave language. New Wave was truly "New" and disgustingly "Good", take heed to Volume 2 and we'll drive unto for 3.
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The Swans Flew Sky High and Landed
by R.C. Avellanosa
It was a vacation we could never forget. I already heard this record. It is found on line if you know where to look. I even have their live performance on BBC Radio Station. Spaceflower, Bringing Home The Ashes, Incandescent, Magnitude and the EP. I have them all. I have a copy of Skyray and The Man In A Burning Anorak. What else is there? I'd say I'm worthy for a Wild Swans gig. I already have my ticket bought for me by my brother. I, my brother (Leo) and my cousin (Dong), flew for Cebu City to meet my older brother (Nonoy) and watch a band from Liverpool live. We even had the privilege to see them a day before the gig. Thanks to my brother Nonoy, we met and rubbed shoulders with The Wild Swans. We arrived at Diamond Suites just in time for the press conference to end. And as the questions and interviews ended, I could see that they are excited as we are for their gig. Ricky Maymi with the promoters and staff started selling t-shirts and CDs "The Coldest Winter For A Hundred Years". I bought the cd which cost a thousand five hundred pesos, sadly without the EP but it's worth the purchase because I had them sign on the cd sleeve front cover. Paul, Richard, Ricky, Mike and Les signed on the cover of my CD LP "The Coldest Winter for a Hundred Years". My brother had his Wild Swans shirt signed too by Paul Simpson.
We didn't have to leave the country. That made all the difference. It was like high school all over again. We were free. It was even my first time in the city. It is a vacation and I didn't have the time to look around. Though I could tell it's a busy one, more progressive than my hometown. The Wild Swans gig was what mattered. And as the night came for the gig, entering the grand ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel made it feel like home. Along with other Wild Swans fans and music lovers, beers, food & drinks everywhere, 'twas ethereal. I was almost smiling the whole time. New wave songs were played before the performance. So distinctively loud that it sounded like it's played by a different but better band. I hear Yazoo, The Care, Mighty Lemon Drops songs on the air. The front act was a Filipino band "Dead Pop Stars" who played The Smiths and Morrissey the whole set. They were great for a New Wave revival band.
September 30th of 2011, nine PM, they played the song "Bible Dreams" first. And other songs followed, my cousin and my brother beside me, were jumping, started to move forward. We saw a group of men sporting the same Bringing Home The Ashes shirts. And as the songs kept coming familiar and unfamiliar "Whirlpool Heart" "In Secret", everyone around almost became instant acquaintances. Dance, jump, shout, sing ...anyone not doing so do not belong there. My cousin and brother's beers kept flowing as the songs were playing. It was evident that the gig was ending when Paul tried to talk to a part of the crowd, urging them to come forward, stand and stop acting like zombies on their seats. We were at the very rear part of the ballroom but we tore down through the obstacles, chairs, ropes and people and ending up near the band on the stage. The VIPs sitting near the stage didn't know what's coming. Suddenly Wild Swans was so close by, we along with the other swans' fans were singing louder now that we're near them. "The Worst Year Of My Life" was played on and saying goodbye with the Care's "Whatever Possessed You".
So this record, their latest release, should be a part of a New Waver's collection. The Wild Swans still has that original sound. Paul's voice still echoes that lovingly, haunting experience he alone can give. "Liquid Mercury" was perfect. "Chloroform", "In Secret", my favorites. "English Electric Lightning" is a statement. All the songs are wonderful. The album came with the lyrics. And I was expecting "Tracks In Snow" EP too. The new Wild Swans lineup for this record; Paul Simpson (The Care/Skyray/Teardrop Explodes) on vocals, Les Pattinson (Echo And The Bunnymen)on bass, Ricky Maymi (The Brian Jonestown Massacre) on rhythm guitar, Mike Mooney (Julian Cope/Spiritualized), and Steve Beswick of Slipstream on drums.
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Band Link
Worn Down and Hardly Breathing
by R.C. Avellanosa
I can't remember the soundtripper that gave me this record. He traded it for "The Coldest Winter For A Hundred Years" leak I had. So we exchanged. And as I started to play it I realized this is one very rare find. Janice Long is a broadcaster still currently working on BBC Radio 2. From Sunday to Thursday nights, Englishmen could listen to her show from midnight until 2 AM. This particular program,, which aired May 15th of 2010, featured the long awaited return of The Wild Swans. Here, Janice introduced the new lineup which consists of Paul Simpson, Steve Beswick, Rob Hack and Richard Turvey. They played acoustically live on the BBC Radio.
It's almost ten years since Incandescent. The Singles "English Electric Lightning" and "Liquid Mercury" released by Occultation came a year before this. And the full length The "Coldest Winter For A Hundred Years" would later be released come 2011. This contained only three tracks and the fourth track is the complete interview and the songs. On the interview, Paul mentioned Les Pattinson (Echo And The Bunnymen) as their new bassist. And as Paul introduces every song before its played, any Wild Swans fan couldn't deny the same familiar feeling of a lovely Wild Swans song. Stellar and incomparable. And upon this music experience, the day has come for The Wild Swans to visit my country the Philippines.
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Band Link
This is the third of a series of compilation carefully drawn out and selected from the box called "The Favorites". The compilation starts with the The Wild Swans latest and ends up with The Colourfield's epic song "Confession". But within or in between these two amazing artists are nine equally great songs from well known and almost unknown artists from the new wave genre. Enjoy.
Bringing Home the Ashes is not only one of the best albums of the '80s, it's one of the finest recordings of all time. That may sound like hype, but it isn't. Vocalist Paul Simpson (ex-Care) and guitarist Jeremy Kelly (the Lotus Eaters) aim for the stars; this is heartmeltingly seductive and ethereal New Wave pop that will soar from your speakers like a phoenix. Songs like Archangels and Whirlpool Heart accelerate at hyperspeed, guitars jangling dreamily to the poetic imagery of Simpson's golden-voiced swoon. Bitterness is one of the most emotionally uplifting songs ever written; a smile is guaranteed. There's not one bad track on Bringing Home the Ashes; there's not even a song which is merely average. Once the Wild Swans take flight, it's an unforgettable ride. Filipino New Wavers of the XB, NU, and BM era have been singing the Wild Swans' praises for years; now it's time for everyone else to catch up. - Michael Sutton (XB_102FM@yahoo.com)
Tracks:The haunting voice of Paul Simpson injects every track with emotional weight; whether he is trying to convey joy or sorrow, his icy baritone chills to the bone. His vocals combine Scott Walker's lonely croon with the brooding angst of Ian McNabb from fellow Liverpudlians the Icicle Works.
(Michael Sutton, All-Music Guide)
The Wild Swans have not to date recorded any charting hits or albums, but they have enjoyed a degree of success and/or cult status in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and especially the Philippines. The Wild Swans also spun off two charting splinter projects; Care and The Lotus Eaters. Members of The Wild Swans have also been members of such Liverpool-based UK chart acts as Echo & The Bunnymen, The Icicle Works, The Woodentops and The Lightning Seeds.
