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Product details
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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The State I Am In | |||
| 2. Like Dylan In The Movies | |||
| 3. Judy and the Dream of Horses | |||
| 4. The Stars of Track and Field | |||
| 5. I Could Be Dreaming | |||
| 6. Seymour Stein | |||
| 7. Lazy Jane | |||
| 8. Sleep The Clock Around | |||
| 9. Slow Graffiti | |||
| 10. Wrong Love | |||
See all 14 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Live in Belfast | |||
| 2. Here Comes The Sun | |||
| 3. There's Too Much Love | |||
| 4. The Magic of a Kind Word | |||
| 5. Me and the Major | |||
| 6. Wandering Alone | |||
| 7. The Model | |||
| 8. I'm Waiting For The Man | |||
| 9. The Boy With the Arab Strap | |||
| 10. The Wrong Girl | |||
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See all 13 tracks on this disc
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For many hardcore fans, Belle and Sebastian's "BBC Sessions" will doubtless be the most eagerly anticipated release of 2008. This collection has been in the pipeline for a number of months now, but the final release has been delayed for various reasons.
Still...the wait is over, and "The BBC Sessions" is with us. With a live CD as an added bonus! Hurrah!
So, to the music :- We have here some marvellous renditions of the band's early material. On classics such as "The State I Am In" and "Judy" certain instruments need a tune up...guitar strings buzz occasionally and the odd vocal falls flat. Of course, these occurences serve to heighten the immense charm of these exquisite songs. To listen to the early sessions is akin to sitting in a rehearsal room with the band as they nervously execute these fragile masterpieces. It's a wonderfully intimate experience.
As the sessions progress, the band tighten up. "Seymour Stein" is great, and this is followed by a gorgeous, acoustic rendition of "Lazy Line Painter Jane". I actually prefer this version of "Lazy Jane" to the bombastic EP release. Stuart provides the entire vocal (with Stevie providing endearingly wobbly harmonies). The beat skips along gently, and the sounds are embellished by a twinkling xylophone and that old B+S staple: a muted trumpet. It sounds pure and untainted. It's great!
Another definite highlight is "Wrong Love" (known as "The Wrong Girl" in its studio guise). This is a "naked", beatless version and features a strong vocal from Stevie and a delightful cello motif. Once again, I believe this version is actually superior to the one on the "Fold Your Hands" album.
The tunes here that REALLY get the mouth watering, however, are the four final, previously unreleased numbers :- "Shoot the Sexual Athlete" is a playful tribute to The Go-Betweens and Stuart's softly spoken words rest on a bed of jangly guitars and more evocative cello work from Isobel Campbell. "The Magic of a Kind Word" is a cheerful burst of sunshine pop and the bouncy beats and three way harmonies are highly remeniscent of "Legal Man". "Nothing in the Silence" is a stunning lost classic with a whispered vocal from Isobel, further vocals from Sarah and a melodica and strings outro that aches with melancholy. "(My Girl's Got) Miraculous Technique" is a great closer, containing affected piano chords, a shuffling beat and a typically melodious vocal from our man Stuart Murdoch.
So, all in all, this is a great selection of tunes. Granted, the slightly ramshackle nature of some of these versions won't be to everyone's taste, and those who are new to B+S may be better off investing in the "Push Barman To Open Old Wounds" compilation. However, for those who want to be reminded how frail and seductive Belle and Sebastian's early music was, this is a must-have!
PS - Try to purchase the special edition of this release which features a bonus live concert performance from Belfast in 2001. The band are in fine fettle and one of the many highlights is an excellent version of The Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun". It sounds like the gig of a lifetime, quite frankly!
Still...the wait is over, and "The BBC Sessions" is with us. With a live CD as an added bonus! Hurrah!
So, to the music :- We have here some marvellous renditions of the band's early material. On classics such as "The State I Am In" and "Judy" certain instruments need a tune up...guitar strings buzz occasionally and the odd vocal falls flat. Of course, these occurences serve to heighten the immense charm of these exquisite songs. To listen to the early sessions is akin to sitting in a rehearsal room with the band as they nervously execute these fragile masterpieces. It's a wonderfully intimate experience.
As the sessions progress, the band tighten up. "Seymour Stein" is great, and this is followed by a gorgeous, acoustic rendition of "Lazy Line Painter Jane". I actually prefer this version of "Lazy Jane" to the bombastic EP release. Stuart provides the entire vocal (with Stevie providing endearingly wobbly harmonies). The beat skips along gently, and the sounds are embellished by a twinkling xylophone and that old B+S staple: a muted trumpet. It sounds pure and untainted. It's great!
Another definite highlight is "Wrong Love" (known as "The Wrong Girl" in its studio guise). This is a "naked", beatless version and features a strong vocal from Stevie and a delightful cello motif. Once again, I believe this version is actually superior to the one on the "Fold Your Hands" album.
The tunes here that REALLY get the mouth watering, however, are the four final, previously unreleased numbers :- "Shoot the Sexual Athlete" is a playful tribute to The Go-Betweens and Stuart's softly spoken words rest on a bed of jangly guitars and more evocative cello work from Isobel Campbell. "The Magic of a Kind Word" is a cheerful burst of sunshine pop and the bouncy beats and three way harmonies are highly remeniscent of "Legal Man". "Nothing in the Silence" is a stunning lost classic with a whispered vocal from Isobel, further vocals from Sarah and a melodica and strings outro that aches with melancholy. "(My Girl's Got) Miraculous Technique" is a great closer, containing affected piano chords, a shuffling beat and a typically melodious vocal from our man Stuart Murdoch.
So, all in all, this is a great selection of tunes. Granted, the slightly ramshackle nature of some of these versions won't be to everyone's taste, and those who are new to B+S may be better off investing in the "Push Barman To Open Old Wounds" compilation. However, for those who want to be reminded how frail and seductive Belle and Sebastian's early music was, this is a must-have!
PS - Try to purchase the special edition of this release which features a bonus live concert performance from Belfast in 2001. The band are in fine fettle and one of the many highlights is an excellent version of The Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun". It sounds like the gig of a lifetime, quite frankly!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
At the time of writing, Amazon has two identically titled products going for the same price, the difference being that this one here only has one cd, and the other has two! A whole bonus disc- 'Live in Belfast'. I just ordered mine, so this is not a review of the music or service, just a warning that currently for the same price, you can get a bonus disc by buying the other, identically titled, release.
Format:Audio CD
I've had this a fair while now, and my other Belle & records are falling into disrepair, because here, on this set of recordings, is the Belle & Sebastian that I really love.
I think I own most of the output they've done, and all of it I rate highly, thinking that recently there's been a bit of a return to form, with the slicker pop of later records showcasing that nous for song-writing that I fell for in the first place.
But here I can hear something that made me prick up my ears when I first heard B&S latte at night on Radio 1, 1998. I just think the reasons you love B&S are pushed to the fore here, that woozy, off-kilter, home-made charm. And the unashamed indie pop, shines due to this. This is a band making tunes to be adored, and here they are in their most adorable form.
I think I own most of the output they've done, and all of it I rate highly, thinking that recently there's been a bit of a return to form, with the slicker pop of later records showcasing that nous for song-writing that I fell for in the first place.
But here I can hear something that made me prick up my ears when I first heard B&S latte at night on Radio 1, 1998. I just think the reasons you love B&S are pushed to the fore here, that woozy, off-kilter, home-made charm. And the unashamed indie pop, shines due to this. This is a band making tunes to be adored, and here they are in their most adorable form.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Always Good
About Belle, we don't need to say anything else, but about this complitaton, ohhhh yeah, great sound increadible covers from old bands, perfect arrangements, brilliant!
Published 24 months ago by Frank Bozic Jr.
Brilliant
This is one of my favourite albums of all time. Definiately my favourite B&S album. There is a sense of unity throughout the tracks that you don't get with the other albums. Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2009 by Ms. Bl Kennedy
Well worth buying
I hadn't listend to Belle & Sebastian for years. This caught my eye and I thought I would give it a go. I really like it. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2009 by Mr. T. Goldfinch
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