Various Artists (Ian Dury Related)

Various Artists - Brand New Boots and Panties: Tribute to Ian Dury - 2001 - East Central One

If you love Ian Dury, you might not be able to explain why -- his charms were that particular and idiosyncratic. Not inaccessible, though, since he had a big heart, a quick clever wit, and his own sense of style, all the more remarkable when you realize he was an old art school student-cum-teacher, stricken with polio at an early age, but never letting that keep him down. Anybody who witnessed the original Blockheads, either live or on illicit videos, will offer stunned, rapturous testimonials to the group's unrestrained power, but on record, that faded into the background and Dury's deft wordplay came to the front; not necessarily a bad thing, but the white disco that dominates his recordings might dissuade listeners who really come from the same vantage point as Dury. And that's why this tribute may offer a greater good than the average tribute, since it captures the spirit of Dury's distinctly British, wildly individual post-punk working-class poetry. This is still a very British record -- hell, he was a star in the U.K. while a barely noticed novelty in the U.S., so why shouldn't this not just be heavy on British celebrities, but have a British feel -- yet they wind up capturing the wonderful weirdness of Dury's body of work, particularly since most realize the joyous collequialisms and fun within his work. And there's a great deal of variety here, whether it's Billy Bragg capturing the off-kilter charm of Dury's rhyme on "Billericay Dickie" or Paul McCartney's pile-driving version of "I'm Partial to Your Abracadabra," recorded, like many of these songs, with the Blockheads. This is a tribute in the very best sense, because it captures the feel of Dury's records, but gives a personal spin from each artist -- a personal touch that has a real love for the artist. Dury still remains an acquired taste, but this will help the doubters understand why people love this man. Stephen © Thomas Erlewine © 2011 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/brand-new-boots-and-panties-tribute-to-ian-dury-r550833/review

[ If you're a fan of the late, great Ian Dury then you may (or may not) call this album a "tribute" to the great man. There are many people who appreciate the music of artists like Robbie Williams, Paul McCartney, Shane McGowan, and others performing on this album. The questions are: 1. Are these great songs enhanced or improved in any way?, and 2. Do the contributing artists do justice to the songs? I am a fan of many artists, and do not regard it as sacrilegious, as some people do, to cover certain other artists' songs. I genuinely love to hear good covers, and some covers I have heard have been complimented by the original artists for giving their compositions a new "twist". However, Sinead O' Connor does not capture the wry humour in "Wake Up & Make Love With Me", and at times she seems confused as to which "accent" to adopt. Billy Bragg decides to sing "Billericay Dickie" in strange key shifts, and with "Eastern" incantations. There are other "faults" that I could point out, but please make up your own mind. I have no doubt that all of the artists involved in the making of this album are admirers of Ian Dury, and I respect their musical integrity and good intentions, but despite all this, the songs lack sparkle. One redeeming feature of the album is that members of the Blockheads play on eight of the songs. Maybe I'm being biased and overcritical. The album has received many good reviews, but I still think that these songs have not been given the treatment they deserve, and could have been covered better. What's with Cerys Matthews singing 'If I Was With A Woman' ? (LOL). I enjoyed your "performance" in the "Bushtucker Trials" better, Cerys! I would love to hear your opinions on this album, and please try not to be as "impartial" as I am! (LOL)....A.O.O.F.C ] All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 88.7 Mb

TRACKS / ARTISTS


1 'Wake Up & Make Love With Me' - Sinead O'Connor & The Blockheads
2 'Sweet Gene Vincent' - Robbie Williams & The Blockheads
3 'I'm Partial To Your Abracadabra' - Paul McCartney & The Blockheads
4 'My Old Man' - Madness
5 'Billericay Dickie' - Billy Bragg & The Blokes
6 'Clevor Trever' - Wreckless Eric & The Blockheads
7 'If I Was With A Woman' - Cerys Matthews (from Catatonia) & The Blockheads
8 'Blockheads' - Grant Nicholas (from Feeder) & The Blockheads
9 'Plaistow Patricia' - Shane McGowan & The Blockheads
10 'Blackmail Man' - Keith Allen & The Blockheads

Tracks 1,2,3,6,7,& 8 composed by Ian Dury & Chaz Jankel: Tracks 4,5,9, & 10 by Ian Dury & Stephen Nugent

MUSICIANS

Sinéad O'Connor, Robbie Williams, Paul McCartney, Graham McPherson (aka Suggs), Billy Bragg, Wreckless Eric, Cerys Matthews, Grant Nicholas, Shane MacGowan, Keith Allen - Lead Vocals
Steve Howe - Guitar [The Blockheads]
Jools Holland - Piano
Dylan Howe - Drums, Zildjian [The Blockheads]
Steve Sidwell - Trumpet [The Blockheads]
Sam Leigh Brown - Vocals
The Blokes [Billy Bragg's band]
Madness [Graham McPherson aka Suggs' band]