Martin McAloon (prefab sprout)

[Twincam]

Was just listening to some prefab sprout which I do like, I think they had a fair few great and memorable songs. But some imo average filler stuff too.
Great band non the less, possibly underrated and should of had a bit more success maybe?
I was way too young in the 80s to notice them so I'm just guessing that.

Anyhow one thing that struck me is the bass. Its not overplayed, is very fitting and has a imo great tone.
Pretty much all there well known tunes have a great bass line.
Amyone else appreciate Martin McAloons playing? I don't think I've seen him mentioned much if at all on here.

[Twincam]

Wal in action

https://youtu.be/-IpBRMm_QAg

[Twincam]

And a Rik in action.
https://youtu.be/QeZkLV3ZjeI

[RhysP]

I'm a huge Prefab Sprout fan & love Martins bass playing.
He used a Musicman Cutlass a lot too.

[SICbass]

Some P-bass (if the video is to be believed) action here on Cars and Girls. One of those tunes that has such lovely bass movement in relation to the melody.


http://youtu.be/jEJdfDD4dVg

[Conan]

"When love breaks down" is one of my favourite bass lines (and tones) It's a Rick in the video, but sounds very much like a Musicman to me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeZkLV3ZjeI

Yes - Cutlass-tastic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0PkIO1SmO8

Edited November 17, 2016 by Conan

[Geek99]

Wasn't cars and girls intended as a rebuke to Bruce Springsteen ? I read it somewhere

He is very underrated and Wendy smith was my dream woman at the time

[JapanAxe]

I saw them live in a pub in Durham in 1980 when I was a student. They were a guitar/bass/drums 3-piece then with very quirky original songs.

[TheGreek]

I thought that "Steve McQueen" was one of the best albums of that era - was still selling long after the hits had ceased to be in the charts.

[yorks5stringer]

Have to take gentle issue around 'average filler stuff' ! They were doing material with quirky arrangements, haunting vocals and meaningful lyrics at a time when it was not fashionable, the British Steely Dan?
Just looking for my copy of one of their CDs. I believe they were signed to the Kitchenware label initally and based in the NE.

Hot dog, jumpin frog, Albuquerque!

Edited November 17, 2016 by yorks5stringer

[mikel]

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1479398865' post='3176261']
Have to take gentle issue around 'average filler stuff' ! They were doing material with quirky arrangements, haunting vocals and meaningful lyrics at a time when it was not fashionable, the British Steely Dan?
Just looking for my copy of one of their CDs.[b] I believe they were signed to the Kitchenware label initally and based in the NE.[/b]

Hot dog, jumpin frog, Albuquerque!
[/quote]

They are from Co Durham, hence the "Langley Park to Memphis" Album title.

[Twincam]

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1479398865' post='3176261']
Have to take gentle issue around 'average filler stuff' ! They were doing material with quirky arrangements, haunting vocals and meaningful lyrics at a time when it was not fashionable, the British Steely Dan?
Just looking for my copy of one of their CDs. I believe they were signed to the Kitchenware label initally and based in the NE.

Hot dog, jumpin frog, Albuquerque!
[/quote]

Indeed. Maybe filler was not the correct word. Some of there stuff isn't as strong but that's probably because there better stuff is so so good.

There one of those bands I think you could place them in other era's and they would come up with great stuff.

[Twincam]

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1479400210' post='3176276']


They are from Co Durham, hence the "Langley Park to Memphis" Album title.
[/quote]

Way off topic but I used to date a lass from Langley park. So the title sometimes makes me think off her.

[RhysP]

Paddy McAaloon is one of the finest songwriters ever IMO.

Edited November 17, 2016 by RhysP

[machinehead]

Yes, a great band with interesting songs and arrangements. I haven't listened to them for many years - must dig out some LPs.

Frank.

[SpondonBassed]

Phew! I thought for one horrible moment that 2016 had claimed one of the Sprouts!

Loved them. I was lucky enough to have friends who were cool and played their albums before anyone else got them.

[White Cloud]

Truly great band...
https://youtu.be/L-8t2h57yBA

[yorks5stringer]

On a totally separate but nevertheless related theme, I also like Sprouts

[simes]

Tenuous claim to fame......I was once on a course with Martin's wife and Wendy Smith taught me music therapy :-)

[SpondonBassed]

[quote name='simes' timestamp='1479440106' post='3176576']
Tenuous claim to fame......I was once on a course with Martin's wife and Wendy Smith taught me music therapy :-)
[/quote]

You should send that in to Shaun Keaveny's "Small Claims Court" on BBC 6Music's breakfast show. Perfect for the feature.

[Twincam]

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1479417736' post='3176470']
On a totally separate but nevertheless related theme, I also like Sprouts
[/quote]

Some prefabs are cool too. Lol

[RhysP]

Swoon would be in my top 10 albums of all time, possibly even top 5.

[BrunoBass]

Paddy McAloon is one of my favourite songwriters, criminally underrated I think.

[blacier]

Adding a late comment to an old thread...Swoon and Steve Mcqueen are amazing albums. The bass and drum tracks on Steve Mcqueen are fantastic in their funky simplicity... Paddy is a wonderful songwriter.

 

[SICbass]

Like most people contributing to this thread, I‘m a huge fan. I just spontaneously googled Paddy Mcaloon and he now looks like Terry Pratchett‘s long lost half brother. Not a bad thing, merely an observation.