Robyn Hitchcock wants to go backwards: Part 1 · Oct 26, 10:14 PM by Don
One week before Robyn Hitchock comes to Milwaukee to play Shank Hall, I get my I Wanna Go Backwards box set in the mail. The set includes Black Snake Diamond Role, I Often Dream of Trains, Eye, and (the real reason for buying) a 2-disc rarities set titled While Thatcher Mauled Britain. For more info on the box set, go here.
Here’s the introduction to a piece I did in ’96 on Hitchcock just after the release of Moss Elixir for Josh Modell’s Milk magazine.
For nearly two decades, England’s Robyn Hitchcock has been writing and singing odd folk-based songs that reflect not only his influences – Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Syd Barrett, John Lennon – but also his own personal taste for playfully obscuring the emotional centers of his songs. Three years have passed since his last album (and his last with his longtime band, the Egyptians). Robyn is back, though, with a new record deal with Warner Bros., a fine new album, Moss Elixir, and even a new film in the words (a documentary directed by Jonathan Demme).
I’ll wrap up with live versions of songs found on the newly reissued albums.
mp3: Robyn Hithcock – Brenda’s Iron Sledge/Funkytown by Lipps Inc :: live at the Bottom Line in San Francisco on October 31, 2003 (late show); original version on Black Snake Diamond Role (1981)
mp3: Robyn Hithcock – Flavour of Night :: live at the Mitchell Theatre in Glasgow on May 13, 2000, with Yo La Tengo and Sonic Boom; original version on I Often Dream of Trains (1984)
mp3: Robyn Hithcock – Queen Elvis :: live at Maxwell’s in Hoboken on November 14, 2004; original version on Eye (1990)
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Songs in the MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 format are offered for a limited time only. Songs that are no longer downloadable from Timedoor can be streamed for several weeks courtesy of Hype Machine. Dead mp3 links take you to the top of page one.
Support your favorite artists by buying their music at your local independent record store or eMusic.
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Mac McCaughan testifies before the U.S. Senate on "The Future of Radio" Robyn Hitchcock wants to go backwards: Part 2