Marijuana And Madness

Fantastic Voyage follows 2011 s hugely-successful Jazz Noire collection by letting the same team return to those sleazy dives and bars, this time homing in on the dope, drink and dubious characters to provide a vivid picture of high-seeking low life between the 1930s and 1950s. The music on Drink Up Light Up! evokes that time when orchestras swelled, brass sections exploded like fireworks and blues dripped off piano keys onto booze- and tear-stained barroom floors, staggering cast including names like the Reefer Man and Snuff Dippin Mama, but the themes are just as relevant to today s recession-hit climate: the desire to escape by getting high (and the often unfavourable repercussions on relationships).

The album begins with ''Beauty,'' and it is Wilko Johnson, loud and clear. This song is bound to connect with fans of earlier Wilko compositions like ''Slipping and Sliding,'' ''Going Home'' (with Roger Daltrey) and, most of all, ''Sneaking Suspicion.'' They could almost be the same chords with different vocal lines (but they are not exactly). In fact, if you play ''Sneaking Suspicion'' and then ''Beauty,'' the two songs are almost interchangeable – but maybe that is the point. This track is familiar as old slippers yet solid and rocky, the lyrics are crystal clear and the chopping guitar sings out the chords. ''Beauty'' is a great rock number with that feel-good factor we have come to expect from Wilko Johnson.

Deluxe CD and download souvenir (TWI 082) of Les Disques du Crépuscule's ambitious multimediaDialogue North-South package tour in February 1982, featuring exclusive live tracks by Antena, The Durutti Column, Rhythm of Life (Paul Haig), Richard Jobson, The Names and absurdist emcee Wally Van Middendorp (of Minny Pops). Available on CD and digital (MP3 or FLAC). To order CD please first select correct shipping option (UK, Europe, Rest of World) and then click on Add To Cart button below cover image. Digital copies are delivered to customers via link sent by email.