Golddiggas, Headnodders & Pholk Songs [CD]

We needn't have worried.

The Beautiful South have really bounced back with this album; twelve cover songs all sounding different but all having that typical BS quirkiness put on them. The CD opens with 'You're The One That I Want' (yes, the one from 'Grease'), a much less sprightly affair than the original. But somehow it is pulled off marvellously with Paul Heaton and new vocalist Alison Wheeler providing the heartfelt vocals as they always successfully do.

Following on from this is 'Livin' Thing', originally done by ELO. Here, Dave Hemingway takes charge on lead - is it me or is he getting even better? Onwards we go to hear covers of songs by the likes of The Zombies, Willie Nelson and The Ramones amongst others. My personal favourite track is a cover of 'Ciao!' by the long forgotten (and may I state underrated) Lush. Jaunty and bold, this track really opens your eyes.

My favourite cover however is a different story. How The Beautiful South have taken S Club 7's 'Don't Stop Moving', turned it into a dark and bitter affair and make it work is beyond me. But that's what I love about The Beautiful South - they can take anything and make it sound wonderfully original, and that's why this cover album works so well.

Closing with the touching 'I'm Stone In Love With You', you finally feel that after a few years in the wilderness The Beautiful South are back to their best. All I can hope for now is that their next studio album is a brilliant affair and I hope that this album has given them the inspiration to once again provide that BS sound over a variation of songs.

If you bought 'Gaze' and were disappointed, do not be afraid to buy this album! 'Golddiggas, Headnodders and Pholk Songs' is simply brilliant, and even if you don't know the original versions of these songs, The Beautiful South sound is well and truly back and nobody else can match it. A wonderful addition to any CD collection!

The big plus point is, of course, that they have, by and large, sung and played these songs as if they were their own, and some they have twiddled with radically. It is right, and rather strange, to have "You're The One That I Want" slowed right down to a smooch; it's no less camp for it. ELO's "Livin' Thing" is turned into a Western jazz/country swing number, though they've retained some very ELO strings in the background. Lush's "Ciao!" becomes an upbeat chugger - the "Ying Tong (Tiddle-I-Po)" notation in the booklet is very apt. I love the new rumbha version of Blue Oyster Cult's "Reaper", and on "Rebel Prince" they give the best impression of Sting I've heard in a long time.

I suppose it was expecting a lot for all twelve tracks to be as innovative. "Don't Stop Moving" repeats the trick done on John and Olivia, and the lyric doesn't really match; it sounds funny once, but does it bear repetition? Similarly they take the old Brrok Benton / Ray Charles warhorse "Till I Can't..." uptempo like "Ciao".

"This Old Skin", a relatively obscure number, sounds just like a Beautiful South song, and the Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop" is
also done as a BS number. Which leaves "Stone In Love With You"; I confess this never has been a favourite of mine and nothing changes here, because they sound just like the Stylistics, or Johnny Mathis in tight pants.

The musicianship and production is, as ever, excellent, and they sound suitably laid-back and as if they had fun recording it. On the whole I like it, but not as much as I was expecting, based upon their brilliant track record. You do get the impression they had to get an album out and had a bout of writer's block so did some covers instead; it is very unlikely they will get away with it again.

My favourite track by far is 'This Old Skin' where Hull meets the Deep South beautifully. This is the best harmonised and most skillfully crafted track I have ever heard (by any artist) and I can't stop listening to it !!

Just one thing though Mr.Heaton on some early Housemartins demo's I have there's a track called 'I bit my lip'....you just have to release this with the South.

Please please more uptempo country like 'This Old Skin' with guest vocalists....SUPERB STUFF !!!