19th March 1984
Edinburgh Coasters
Julian Cope’s first solo album was named World Shut Your Mouth – the apparent bravado of the title perhaps not truly reflecting Cope’s state of mind at this point in his life, following The Teardrop Explodes’ fractious implosion.
Cope, back at the time of the album’s release in 1984, was a long way from evolving into his present Arch-Drude persona, and was regarded by most folks as just the pretty-boy frontman for a not terribly successful New Romantic pop group. Consequently, sales for WSYM could best be described as indifferent, which was a shame as it really was (and remains) a beguiling collection.
The
opener Bandy’s First Jump (who the hell was Bandy?) rattled along powered by
some crashing chord work by guitarist/producer Steven Lovell. Much
of the lyric was typical Cope nonsensical wordplay, but anyone who has lived
with depression (either their own, or that of someone close) would easily
relate to the line:
“Face
the day, and start to climb”.
Kolly
Kibber’s Birthday was a relentlessly pulsating multi-tracked guitar driven
adventure, this time’s Cope’s lyric appearing partly autobiographical, rather
than showing any obvious link with the titular Graham Greene character. Another highlight was the introspective Head
Hang Low, which featured Kate St John’s plaintive oboe.
Indeed it is difficult to overestimate the contribution made by St John to this album, her input enriching both Lunatic and Fire Pistol and Quizmaster immensely.
Indeed it is difficult to overestimate the contribution made by St John to this album, her input enriching both Lunatic and Fire Pistol and Quizmaster immensely.
There
were also a couple of excellent singles released from the album, neither of
which charted: the ever so slightly Oedipal Sunshine Playroom, and the rather
more poppy Greatness and Perfection.
And
it was this latter release with which Julian opened his gig at Edinburgh
Coasters, to general acclaim. Immediately
thereafter though things became rather more challenging, as he followed this up
with Pussyface (the least accessible track on WSYM), a couple of as yet
unreleased pieces plus the first in what would be a selection of arguably
wilfully obscure cover versions. Namely A
Question of Temperature and I Must Be Mad by Sixties No-Hit Wonders The Balloon
Farm and The Craig respectively, (and No, I am not making these names
up!).
A third cover was Pere Ubu’s Non Alignment Pact – I had at least heard of this one, but it was hardly what could be described as mainstream.
A third cover was Pere Ubu’s Non Alignment Pact – I had at least heard of this one, but it was hardly what could be described as mainstream.
A
couple of Teardrop tunes were aired to perhaps smooth the passage of all the
unfamiliar stuff: Bouncing Babies and The Culture Bunker, which was more than
fine by me.
The
final encore saw one of the earliest renditions of what would become a staple
at future Cope live sets: Reynard the Fox.
The performance was a real tour-de force, showcasing an impressive array
of time signature changes held together by some fine drumming by Chris Whitten. The song, perhaps unfortunately, degenerated
into one of Cope’s slightly embarrassing rambling monologues, but was
nevertheless an impressive show-stopper.
Setlist
Greatness and Perfection
Pussyface
A Question of Temperature
Laughing Boy
O King of Chaos
Head Hang Low
The Culture Bunker
An Elegant Chaos
Non Alignment Pact
Quizmaster
Bouncing Babies
I Must Be Mad
Bandy's First Jump
Strasbourg
Reynard The Fox
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