I am in a good mood. I don’t know what to make of it. I’m sure it will pass soon enough. April is fast approaching after all. However I will celebrate my new found lack of surliness by posting a variation on my third favorite song of all time, and two decent remixes of a decent tune by a decent band.
Ian Dury & The Seven Sea PlayersSpasticus Autisticus (Version)
In case you didn’t know, Spasticus (Autisticus) is one of the greatest songs of all time. It’s definitely the greatest song ever written by a man with polio angry at the patronizing views of the disabled. The song originally appeared on Dury’s 1981 album Lord Upminster, which you can download right here (it’s still out of print in America so I have no qualms in sharing this vinyl rip). This version is not as good as the original, it’s very dub-like and cuts down on the lyrics, which is what made the song so damn good in the first place. However, this version is freakishly rare, and was only ever released as the b-side to the single, which is where I got it. How this UK-only 12” single ended up in Pittsburgh is beyond me. But I’m happy as hell it did.
For more information on the awesomeness of Ian Dury and Spasticus, watch this video. Also, did you know they made a movie about Ian Dury? They did! It stars Gollum! Seriously! Any of my UK readers get to watch it yet? I’m stoked about it. Ian Dury is my hero.
Cibo MattoMoonchild (D’s Funky Space Reincarnation)
Moonchild (Jazzy Dub #1)
I’m sure there are many interesting things to say about Cibo Matto. I, however, know nothing about them. Instead I will direct you to this video, which was how I was first exposed to them some 16 years ago (Holy shit that was 16 years ago!?!?! I’m old!). Are there remixes of “Know Your Chicken?” I must have them now!!
I'm a UK reader, and I've seen the Dury film, and it's absolutely fantastic. Gollum *is* Dury, an absolutely stunning performance. See it as soon as you can!
There ARE remixes of Know Your Chicken. I worked at a college radio station in the late 90's, early 00's and I clearly remember having a promo single of said mixes. I played that song pretty much every time I worked. Don't remember how I even came across it back then, but I loved it. haha Now I must seek them out.
Your misguided attempts at patting yourself on the back never fail to amaze and amuse me. "Spasticus Autisticus (version)" is neither "freakishly rare" nor was it "only ever released as the b-side to the single". It was released on the first "Disco Not Disco" compilation, making it somewhat less rare than you'd like to believe.
Okay, great. It's on Disco Not Disco, the compilation that isn't available digitally and goes for over 70-100 bucks on Amazon. So sorry. You go buy it then and shut up Mr. Anon-my-ASS.
The movie was brilliant. And thank you for the upload of Upminster 🙂