Various - Park Lane Archives

  by Fiona Hutchings

published: 8 / 10 / 2009

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Review

The Glasgow-based studio, Park Lane Studios, played host to many up and coming Scottish bands in the 80's. This collection features demo or alternative versions from the likes of Del Amitri, the Bluebells, Gun, Deacon Blue and Texas. As well as many lesser know tracks, the album offers a rare opportunity to hear more famous tracks in their original state. 'Young At Heart' by the Bluebells minus that (to my mind) infernal violin is a revelation. Rockier and electric it is about as far removed from the over produced pop ditty it became. The lyrics take on a much more realistic vibe. 'I Don't Want a Lover' by Texas is even raunchier in the raw. Sharleen Spiteri's vocals (slightly changed for commercial release) growl with a seduction potent enough to bring the toughest of 'weegies to their knees. In the main the lyrical changes of the eventual release do flow better. Alongside the success stories are tracks from the bands that never quite got the attention they deserved. Of this select group stand out tracks include the Primevals' 'Diamonds A Fur Coat Champagne'. It thunders like a Bond theme sung by Ian Curtis with a Billy Idol sneer. I also love 'Sixteen Reasons' by the Jazzateers. I was momentarily confused because the wonderfully funky and lazy vocal of singer Paul Quinn sounds uncannily like Edwyn Collins. Its a track that sounds wonderfully coherent and lacks the dumbing down sheen of over production. Picking apart the links between the artists featured on this album is like playing six degrees of Scottish pop separation. For example Mark Rankin, lead singer of Gun, is a cousin of Sharleen Spiteri. Johnny McElhone was a bassist for Altered Images, Hipsway and Texas and has the rare accolade of having scored top 20 singles with all three bands. It doesn't take too much imagination to envision the likes of Justin Currie from Del Amitri sneaking out for a cheeky cigarette between recording sessions and comparing gigs. The CD will also feature a 12 page booklet, not available at the time of review, which promises 'photos, stories and notes by those who were there.' All in all this is not just an album for fans of any specific contributor but for anyone with an interest in the growth of Scottish prominence in the world of pop music.

Track Listing:-

1 Bourgie Bourgie- Breaking Point (Demo Version)
2 Bluebells- Young At Heart (Demo Version)
3 Texas- I Don't Want A Lover (Demo Version)
4 Del Amitri- Hammer And Peach (Previously Unreleased)
5 Primal Scream- Velocity Girl (Alt 7" Mix Version)
6 Altered Images- Now That You're Here (Demo Version)
7 The Jazzateers- Sixteen Reasons
8 Hipsway- Broken Years (Demo Version)
9 Love And Money- Candybar Express (Alt 7" Mix Version)
10 Deacon Blue- Ribbons And Bows (Demo Version)
11 Kevin McDermott- Wheels Of Wonder (Demo Version)
12 Gun- Better Days (Demo Version)
13 Slide- Life Of Our Own (Previously Unreleased)
14 Kissing Bandits- The Only Thing That Keeps Me Alive
15 The Petted Lips- Somebody (Previously Unreleased)
16 Rutkowski Sisters- Riverman (Previously Unreleased)
17 Painted Word- Independence Day (Alt 7" Mix Version)
18 AC Acoustics- Bluff Drive By (Previously Unreleased)
19 Whiteout- Jackie's Racing (Alt 7" Mix Version)
20 The Smiles- God Only Knows (Demo Version)
21 The Primevals- Diamonds A Fur Coat Champagne
22 Nectarine No. 9- Curdled Fragments