Free delivery on many items.   Same-day despatch, no-question returns.   Authorised dealers - full technical support.   Online since 1997. Shop categories Information The SMITHS The Old Guard BBC Sessions (orange vinyl 2xLP) Alti Philosophi Germany

Cat: ALTIBB C. Rel: 24 Jul 23
Indie/Alternative

Side 1 - Track 1. Handsome DevilSide 1 - Track 2. Rusholme RuffiansSide 1 - Track 3. Still IllSide 1 - Track 4. This Charming ManSide 1 - Track 5. Reel Around The FountainSide 2 - Track 1. What Difference Does It Make?Side 2 - Track 2. Nowhere FastSide 2 - Track 3. Miserable LieSide 2 - Track 4. Sweet & Tender HooliganSide 2 - Track 5. This Night Has Opened My EyesSide 3 - Track 1. Accept YourselfSide 3 - Track 2. LondonSide 3 - Track 3. Half A PersonSide 3 - Track 4. How Soon Is Now?Side 3 - Track 5. Is It Really So Strange?Side 4 - Track 1. Back To The Old HouseSide 4 - Track 2. William, It Was Really NothingSide 4 - Track 3. Reel Around The FountainSide 4 - Track 4. I Don't Owe You AnythingSide 4 - Track 5. Pretty Girls Make Graves

It's common knowledge that versions of Smiths songs recorded for radio sessions were often considered superior to the official studio versions, so much so that the band would often include them as B-sides and created the compilation Hatful of Hollow to release many of the earlier ones. The Old Guard collects radio sessions originally recorded for the likes of John Peel, Janice Long and Kid Jensen from almost the entire run of their career. From a gutsy, lusty rendition of 'Handsome Devil' - which featured in live form on the flip of their debut single 'Hand In Glove' - to late period standalones like 'Is It Really Strange', 'London' and 'Sweet & Tender Hooligan', the song selection is top notch. Aficionados of Andy Rourke, the recently departed bassist player who often didn't get the credit his considerable contribution to their sound warranted, will revel in the enhanced twang of the 'This Charming Man' and 'Rusholme Ruffians' versions here, the latter seemingly held together by drum machine beats, a simultaneous first and last for the Manchester legends.