Back in the days of vinyl (i.e., “before music was free”), there seemed to be endless time to pore over the contents of a record album. However, truth is we invested the time, since budgetary restraints (and lack of YouTube) made it incumbent upon the listener to really make the most of each musical purchase.
As someone whose limitless appetite was often constrained by limited funds, I have a particularly fond spot in my heart for various artists compilation albums, particularly the ones that have a strong hit-to-miss ratio. In 1982, UK indie label, E.G. Records, issued one such album, First Edition (on E.G.’s Editions EG imprint) — a good-value gathering of offbeat songs that run the gamut from art-rock to ambient-pop.
How interesting to learn only now that Eno oddball track – “Seven Deadly Finns” – with its doowop touches and nice little yodel near the end, is a single that appears on no other album but this one (even then, only the American – not the UK version). This 45-only track enjoyed the picture sleeve treatment in Spain, Italy, France, USA, and Germany.
April 1974
Even more fascinating to discover this live television performance, where a still-glam Eno sings to a noticeably different backing track than the rambunctious mix on the First Edition compilation album:
“Seven Deadly Finns“
Brian Eno (1974)
Eno’s 70s take on the early 50’s rock sound fits right into Peter Doggett‘s narrative, as captured in his biography of David Bowie in the 1970s, The Man Who Sold the World —
[I]t seemed [in the early-mid 70s] as if everyone in British pop was remembering the 1950s and early sixties, from Elton John‘s “Crocodile Rock” to 10cc‘s “Donna” and Wizzard‘s “Ball Park Incident,” taking a self-conscious look back at an era they had originally experienced without a hint of irony.
Record World
February 28, 1970
My brother and I saw this concert film (at concert volume) at a Cincinnati cinema house in 1973-74.
*
Roots Rock‘s Reawakening –
Moving Forward (by) Looking Backward
Bob Dylan & The Band — Original Basement Tapes Sessions [1967]
The Beatles — “Lady Madonna” single [1968]
The Beatles Get Back Sessions [1969]
Bill Deal & the Rhondels — “May I” [1969]
Sha Na Na — Woodstock Performance [1969]
Various Artists — American Graffiti (film) [1973]
Various Artists — Let the Good Times Roll (film) [1973]
The Who — Quadrophenia Sessions [1973]
David Bowie — Pin Ups Sessions [1973]
Bryan Ferry — These Foolish Things Sessions [1973]
Rockin’ Ronny — “We Like Rock and Roll” [1973]
David Essex (et al.) — That’ll Be the Day (film) [1973]
David Essex (et al.) — Stardust (film) [1974]
Brian Eno — “Seven Deadly Finns” [1974]
John Lennon — Roots [1975]
*
See also:
“Rock & Roll Revival” (pp. 28-42) in Record World‘s January 24, 1970 edition
One Response
Odd that EG left off Killing Joke in favor of Adam & The Ants. Wardance or Requiem might have been good selections to add.