In 1996 Ocean Colour Scene, the four-piece band from Birmingham, would release “Moseley Shoals” one of British rock’s greatest records. It was the year football was coming home. Brit Pop was at its most triumphant. The Beatles were back in the charts. Take That had split and Oasis were sewing everything up.
In February The Riverboat Song exploded across the airways courtesy of Chris Evans, host to the biggest programme in the UK, the Radio One Breakfast Show. The impact was immense. The opening track on Moseley Shoals originated from one of Steve Cradock’s conquering riffs and was an apt introduction to one of THE albums of that year.
Fast-forward 15 years and Universal release the all-conquering “Moseley Shoals” as a covetable deluxe version with 2 CDs featuring all the b-sides, including fan favourite Robin Hood and an incendiary cover of Day Tripper from the Electric Ballroom, London in 1996 featuring Noel and Liam Gallagher, for the album’s Top 20 singles (three were Top 10, The Riverboat Song only reached number 15. As the first single from the album, it paved the way for what followed and has now become the band’s signature tune). The CD features a booklet featuring sleeve notes which include contributions from Paul Weller, producer Brendan Lynch, Gary Crowley and Mani, amongst others.
Ocean Colour Scene are touring in February and perform “Moseley Shoals” in its entirety (dates below). The band play the “Moseley Shoals” London show at Brixton Academy on December 10th 2011.
Moseley Shoals pays homage to the album art form. Connected. Thematic. Visionary. The music was explosive. Ballads sit beside rockers. A blended marriage; something old, something new, sometimes borrowed, the truth of the Blues. The title: a tribute to the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, 3614 Jackson Highway. The front cover: four faces looking out from under the Victorian monument shot in Jesphson Gardens, Leamington Spa. The album was flying out the shops. The record boasted four smash singles and jostled for the number one spot throughout 1996. Spending over a year in the chart, selling over 1.3 million copies, including an incredible six month tenure at number two. A year later, the top honour was bestowed upon Marchin’ Already. Very much Moseley Shoals’ sister release, but very much another story.
“An absolute Classic Album in every sense of the word. It set a bench mark for the writing of quality Rock and Roll tunes and it’s no surprise to me it has withstood the ravages of time and is still there as one of the great, true survivors of the brit pop era. Long may they continue doing the same! Big up the Brummies!” Mani – Primal Scream / Stone Roses
Tracklisting is: Original album: The Riverboat Song The Day We Caught The Train The Circle Lining Your Pockets Fleeting Mind 40 Past Midnight One For The Road It's My Shadow Policemen and Pirates The Downstream You've Got It Bad Get Away
CD2 B-Sides So Sad - from The Riverboat Song single Charlie Brown Says - Robin Hood - from You've Got It Bad single I Wanna Stay Alive With You - Huckleberry Grove - You've Got It Bad (Demo) - Here In My Heart - Men Of Such Opinion - Beautiful Losers - Mona Lisa Eyes (Feat. Jimmy Miller) - The Clock Struck 15 Hours Ago - from The Day We Caught The Train single I Need A Love Song - Chicken Bones and Stones - The Day We Caught The Train (Acoustic) - Travellers Tune - Justine - Mrs Jones - from The Circle single Cool Cool Water - Top Of The World - The Circle (Acoustic) - Chelsea Walk -Alibis - Day Tripper (live) -
Videos For iTunes Version ONLY The Riverboat Song The Day We Caught The Train You’ve Got It Bad The Circle
Moseley Shoals tour dates:
17 - Bristol, O2 Academy www.ticketweb.co.uk
18 - Leeds, O2 Academy 0844 338 0000 | www.bookingsdirect.com
19 - Liverpool, Guild Of Students www.ticketweb.co.uk
21 - Norwich, UEA www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk
22 - Nottingham, Rock City www.alt.tickets.co.uk
24 - Aberdeen, Music Hall 0871 220 0260 | www.seetickets.com
25 - Glasgow, Barrowland 0871 220 0260 | www.seetickets.com
26 - Birmingham, O2 Academy 0844 338 0000 | www.bookingsdirect.com
1 comment:
Love this album.. The circle being my favourite track am getting this and will sit nicely alongside my Stanley Road anniversary edition!
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