That First Collaboration

Back in July 1981, in the midst of their Situation Two series MacKenzie and Rankine dropped in on Richard Jobson and Russell Webb at Brittania Row Studios in London. Jobson and Webb were beginning work on "Joy" - the final Skids album. MacKenzie added multi-layered vocal effects and harmonies and Rankine contributed some very Sulky guitars to the song "Fields".

The track also featured the stick work of soon-to-be Simple Minds drummer, Kenny Hyslop and the flute of Virginia Astley. The single "Fields" was released a few weeks later in August 1981 in 7" and 12" mixes. When the "Joy" album finally emerged in November 1981 it featured yet another version of "Fields".

The "Joy" album was a huge departure from the traditional Skids sound and the album bombed as the 1981 Stuart Adamson-less train wreck Skids couldn't tour it and Virgin barely promoted it. Adamson did return for one last time to contribute to the beautiful "Iona" track on "Joy" which was recorded at Highland Studios in Inverness and released as a single in October 1981. "Joy" is probably one of the most unusual albums to have come out in 1981, possibly a very rich cake to swallow at one sitting for the first time... but the album settles down very nicely indeed given time. I recommend it highly and I have a cassette of it in my carcassette rack at all times. So seek out a copy today, dust down your turntables and prepare to be amazed. Twenty eight years after I first heard it "Joy" still cuts the mustard big style.

"Sow...carry on!"

All the best

Sid Law

The End Of An Old Song

My other (and better) half comes from a wee village just outside Dundee. We first met and fell for each other in Edinburgh eighteen years ago. I was intrigued when she told me her parents (Jean and Jimmy) lived just down the hill from Billy MacKenzie. I met them and we got on great. Later on when we were out for walks up Craigowl past Scotston, we'd occasionally see Billy out with his dogs. I often thought of bringing up some of my record collection and asking him to sign them but I was too shy to say anything but an occasional "Hello" in the passing. A bit silly of me really.
Widowed in 1997, Jean's life was transformed by the (very) unexpected arrival of a grandson in 2001. Jean doted on my boy and got the chance to spend a lot of time with him as he grew.

Jean died peacefully at home on Tuesday morning after a year's struggle with oral cancer. 2009 has been a mountain for all of us. A mountain for a happy wee 8 year old boy who watched as his lovely granny became barely recogniseable. A mountain for my other half who had to watch on as her mum lost the ability to eat, speak or hear. A mountain for Jean whose strength of character, determination and iron will meant she was able to stay on in her own home till the end came. A mountain for myself to see three people I loved in such a terrible situation. There was only ever going to be one way that the suffering could possibly end, mercifully her daughter was present when it did. With Jean's death the last family ties with Dundee are severed. The council will get their house back and next week Jean will join her beloved Jimmy in the churchyard.

Not much more to add really. The end of an old song.

Billy's song "The Mountains That You Climb" seems an apt post at the end of a sad week. It never saw the light of day on any posthumous releases and although this version is a demo, it is a beautiful performance.

I also really like this Youtube Video filmed around Auchterhouse and Dronley. The music isn't actually by The Associates but it is a rather brilliant six minute extended twist on the atmospheric one minute long "Heaven's Blue" instrumental which lurks on the Temperament Mix Heart Of Glass 12".




All the best


Sid Law