Deacon Blue "Our Town - The Greatest Hits" 1987-1994(Orig) 1994(Comp)***

This album was my introduction to Deacon Blue. When I want to get into a band, I start either with a Best-of or with their most famous album. I guess you can also start with a couple songs on youtube or even download a whole album from piratebay, but if I'm even remotely interested in a band, I have to have a CD (or LP, of course). My first impression of the band was that it reminded me of (fellow Scotts) the Waterboys, so I wasn't surprised to learn they used to tour together in the 80's. Further listening of his compilation revealed Deacon Blue (named thus after a Steely Dan song) to be a more pop/soul oriented band. Prefab Sprout or Dexys Midnight Runners would be a better comparison. "Our Town" compiles almost all of the singles and adds 3 previously unreleased songs. I'll present them in chronological order, starting with their 1987 debut "Raintown", which obviously refers to their native Glasgow. I know because I was in Dutch class with a Glasgow girl and distinctly remember her response to us Mediterranean fellows complaining about the Dutch weather. She said "What are you talking about? At least here it doesn't rain every day!" "Raintown" is a short of concept album relating to everyday life in an urban working-class neighborhood. Hence come songs on love, longing and difficult relationships like the Waterboys-like folk of "Chocolate Girl" and soul of "When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)", songs of strife and social inequality like soul/R&B "Loaded" and of chasing your dreams: DB's greatest hit "Dignity" is about a man hard at work, saving for a small boat and dreaming of the good times he can have with it. From 1988's "When the World Knows Your Name" we get the pop/soul "Queen of the New Year", the Springsteen/U2-like "Love and Regret" and the upbeat hits "Real Gone Kid", "Wages Day", and Van Morrison-influenced "Fergus Sings the Blues".

   

The album reached No.1 in the UK, while follower "Fellow Hoodlums" (1991) went to No.2. It continued on the same direction, mixing a soul rhythm section, folk-ish acoustic guitars and fiddles and expressive, soulful vocals. From here we get "Your Swaying Arms" and "Cover from the Sky", a folk/pop number featuring Lorraine McIntosh on lead vocals. The album's high point was the effervescent "Twist and Shout", a catchy combination of pop and Cajun zydeco reminiscent of the Talking Heads. From EP "Four Bacharach and David Songs" we get pop tearjerker "I'll Never Fall in Love Again". Despite the success of their previous albums, "Whatever You Say, Say Nothing" (1993) saw a change in direction towards alternative rock and even dance music (probably as a result of hiring Paul Oakenfold as a producer). "Your Town" and "Only Tender Love" seem to use U2 as a role model while "Will We Be Lovers" is more dance-oriented. Of the 3 new songs, "I Was Right and You Were Wrong" continues in the new alternative rock direction and was released as a single, while "Bound to Love" and "Still in the Mood" are two nice songs in the familiar folk/soul style of their earlier records. I'm satisfied with this collection, but still not convinced to delve further: these 4 or 5 songs from each album must certainly be the cream of the crop. Who knows if the rest of the album is worth buying? Maybe I should look it up on youtube, or even download from piratebay, just to make sure...

**** for Dignity, Real Gone Kid, Fergus Sings the Blues, Chocolate Girl, Twist and Shout

*** for Wages Day, Your Swaying Arms, I Was Right and You Were Wrong, I'll Never Fall in Love Again, When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring), Your Town, Queen of the New Year, Only Tender Love, Cover from the Sky, Love and Regret, Will We Be Lovers, Loaded, Bound to Love, Still in the Mood