Wednesday, February 23

Lush - The North London Poly Years

The North Poly Years @ www.lightfromadeadstar.org

Lush - The North London Poly Years
by David Baker

A college mate of Miki and Chris, Dave Baker, has written a 46 page photo book about the early days of Lush. In addition to Dave's wonderful recollections, it includes photos from Lush's road trip in the student union van to their first gig outside London, along with an afternoon on Brighton beach before the show; Miki's handwritten lyrics and guitar tabs for a few songs; postcards from Miki and Chris on the road; flyers hand drawn by Miki; and much more.


What an absolutely wonderful little bio by Dave! Forget all the rubbish from the press. I really appreciate his recollections of what a lovely bunch Miki and Chris and all really were.

After you have a read, be sure to write webmaster Bill to thank both him and Dave... It's people like themselves who help keep the band alive in spirit for us all ;)

Emma & Miki to be on Formative 5

Hot off the presses... or as in this case, the Web...

We're excited to let you know that two of our all-time favourite songwriters, EMMA ANDERSON and MIKI BERENYI of LUSH have kindly agreed to be special guests for the 'Formative 5' segment (for "The Golden Age of Piracy" show) on RRR 102.7FM (Melbourne, Australia) in March!

Emma's no stranger to Australian community radio, completing many interviews in support of the "Sing-Sing & I" album release a few years back, but it's been a while since Miki has graced the airwaves down under!

'Formative 5' features recording artists who share their thoughts on five different songs that helped shape, influence or inspire their writing, or sound. Hosted by Tristen Harris. Tonight's guest is Andy Bell of Ride (23rd February).

Keep checking back at www.facebook.com/rishpublicity for details - we'll let you know when it's in the can and an air-date has been confirmed.


hmmm... this link doesn't seem to be working though :/

Tuesday, February 22

Lush: The Black Sessions


Lush: The Black Sessions @ captainsdead.com

The unofficial yet excellent recording of Lush playing live on French Radios’ Black Sessions. Recorded at Studio 105 in Maison de Radio, Paris on 28th June 1994. The last three tracks are bonus tracks later added to the original French release. There was also an introduction before the song tracks, but this has been omitted.

TRACKLIST
1 Blackout
2 Lit Up
3 For Love
4 The Childcatcher
5 Kiss Chase
6 Lovelife
7 Desire Lines
8 De•Luxe
9 Sweetness and Light
10 Hypocrite
11 Sunday Girl
12 Starlust
13 Babytalk
Total duration: 56:51



Ciao :P

Saturday, February 19

Lush: The John Peel Sessions 1990

It takes a little patience to track down anything regarding Lush on the Peel Sessions. To be honest, I still haven't uncovered what I've really been after, the complete works. Do know that the date for the recording was February 19, 1990 and broadcast broadcast March 22 1990, which included "Hey Hey Helen, "Leaves Me Cold" and "Breeze."

There may have been another Peel recording made later on, or maybe not – one which included "Blackout" (from Split in 1994) which which has been mislabled as being of the '90 session... or maybe this has been incorrectly associated with Peel all together... See why my head is starting to churn from sorting this out?

Such a shame these were never released together as an EP (though one song, "Breeze" I think, is included on one of the many Peel Sessions compilations - "The New Season" is one containing 20 British bands). No doubt such an offering would have been in every Lush fan's arsenal if it had.

However, I do have a few free downloadables below to share; three vids through youTube, the others are mp3s of "Hey Hey Helen, "Leaves Me Cold" and "Breeze", which are slightly cut off, obviously recorded off a broadcast. These are simply lurvely renditions of the three songs recorded as only the late great John Peel could do. Not at all like "remixes" of the album versions, but still totally Lush sounding. Full guitars thrumming, yet they're still etheriel, a bit more like the band would naturally sound live with maybe a little hint of dare I say a 'darker' feel as with "Leaves Me Cold." And both "Breeze" and "Hey Hey Helen" are arguable as good as the original studio versions.

Sure would love to have heard the whole segment in it's entirety, though.



'Breeze' on Peel




'Blackout' on Peel, would this have been from a later session from the three recorded in March 1990?




All three recordings from the 1990 Session, if you don't mind the funky "home-grown" graphics *smirk*




And finally . . .
Lush: The Peel Sessions, Feb 19 1990 @ filestube.com

TRACKLIST
1 Hey Hey Helen
2 Leaves Me Cold
3 Breeze


I wouldn't share this link if these songs were official releases. To the best of my knowledge they are not (unfortunately). With that said, I will not post any full studio song much less full-length album for free distribution, this is NOT the way to promote your all-time fave band... it's just not Proper!

So... don't let me catch you doing it :P


update:
I found a few extra details and a correction to add concerning the tracks and dates.

Lush - Peel Session, in 1991 (Feb. 1990 is likely the correct date)
recorded Breeze, Hey Hey Helen and Leaves Me Cold

There are some recordings currently in circulation online which are incorrectly attributed as being from another Peel Session in 1993 (Blackout, Childcatcher, Kiss Chase and Lit Up). Lush only had one Peel Session. These other tracks were not recorded for John Peel, but were live recordings for The Evening Session with Steve Lamaq and Jo Whiley in June 1994.

The Lush/J&MC Connection


Miki and Emma onstage for a bit of impromtu backing vocals for the Jesus and Mary Chain during their Lollapalooza '92 tour together.

Really wish someone had video to share of this performance!!









Some 15 odd years later, the Jesus and Mary Chain pulled back together for a world tour in 2007, this time with former-Lush Phil as their permanent bassist. Phil was first courted to join the band in 1998, returned for the 2007 tour and continues to play with them to the present.

It's a small world, indeed.




More photos of Phil's new gigs:
Music Snobbery review

Amniisia's J&MC set on Flickr

Friday, February 18

Miki's "We Will Drink Wine" on Private Practice

Okay, okay... I know that this isn't going to be a big deal to most, but I always get a twinge of a WTG smirk when my kind of music can bubble its way up to the surface of commercially acceptable *koffkoff* pop-culture. The very first time I saw the Volkswagon commercial using Lush for their background music I hit the roof ;P

Anyway... I got this tip from the Seinking Ships Facebook page:
"ABC has a hit show called PRIVATE PRACTICE. I (we) have a song "We Will Drink Wine" from the Seinking Ships record that is going to be in the episode that airs tonight (last night). Miki from LUSH as guest vocalist. Check local listings."
This clip goes right to the track.