Hey. Now that's more like it. I was hoping the way, way better version of Heart of Glass as performed by the the Associates (allmusic) would turn up.

And whaddayaknow.. it did.

Associates - Heart of Glass [good version] (2.51 MB mp3: right-click and Save As to download)

This one is from vol. 2 of the posthumous collection Radio One Sessions 1981-1985 which appeared on Strange Fruit records in 2003.

The difference between this, and the later single version, is the difference between night and day. Massively-talented Alan Rankine's influence is utterly tangible in the markedly better production, and dig that intro belying MacKenzie and Rankine's origins in the cabaret-style band Caspian. Hear Billy MacKenzie actually live up to his reputation as a vocalist of note, with this idiosyncratic and charismatic performance. Hear the Associates do the cover thing right as they make this song their own. Joy!


NP: Nadja & Fear Falls Burning - We Have Departed The Circle Blissfully (Conspiracy records)

Labels: Friday farce, music