Began in 1985 in the febrile, incestuous world of Edinburgh’s emerging indie
community, Jesse Garon & the Desperadoes achieved almost legendary
status in the burgeoning Scottish music scene of the time.
Their first new release for more than 35 years arrives via the group’s sole
BBC radio session, recorded for the much-missed Janice Long and now
let loose upon the world again as part of the acclaimed Precious Recordings
of London series.
Named after Elvis Presley’s stillborn twin brother and a throwaway line
from The Young Ones – “I’m a fugitive, a desperado!” – the Desperadoes
released their earliest singles, produced by Douglas Hart of the Jesus and
Mary Chain, on the nascent Narodnik label, run by Eddie Connelly of Meat
Whiplash.
Throughout 1986 the Desperadoes toured extensively with the Shop
Assistants – singer Alex Taylor was a big early supporter – joining them on
their first nationwide tour. It was during this quixotic adventure that the
Desperadoes stopped off at the BBC Maida Vale studios in October ’86 to
record their one and only radio session.
Brilliantly capturing the spirit of the indie times, this ‘four songs in under
ten minutes’ effort was best remembered for two reasons – production
duties being dextrously handled once again by Douglas Hart (much against
BBC policy), and the deployment of the name of a much-loved children’s
TV presenter as the punchline of a rather laboured joke.
Released on ten-inch vinyl and featuring a host of unseen images, the
Janice Long session represents Jesse Garon & the Desperadoes in their
first flush of youth, debut single ‘Splashing Along’ just released, well before
their debut album A Cabinet of Curiosities. As a later single would so elegantly articulate, 'You'll never Be That Young Again!'
community, Jesse Garon & the Desperadoes achieved almost legendary
status in the burgeoning Scottish music scene of the time.
Their first new release for more than 35 years arrives via the group’s sole
BBC radio session, recorded for the much-missed Janice Long and now
let loose upon the world again as part of the acclaimed Precious Recordings
of London series.
Named after Elvis Presley’s stillborn twin brother and a throwaway line
from The Young Ones – “I’m a fugitive, a desperado!” – the Desperadoes
released their earliest singles, produced by Douglas Hart of the Jesus and
Mary Chain, on the nascent Narodnik label, run by Eddie Connelly of Meat
Whiplash.
Throughout 1986 the Desperadoes toured extensively with the Shop
Assistants – singer Alex Taylor was a big early supporter – joining them on
their first nationwide tour. It was during this quixotic adventure that the
Desperadoes stopped off at the BBC Maida Vale studios in October ’86 to
record their one and only radio session.
Brilliantly capturing the spirit of the indie times, this ‘four songs in under
ten minutes’ effort was best remembered for two reasons – production
duties being dextrously handled once again by Douglas Hart (much against
BBC policy), and the deployment of the name of a much-loved children’s
TV presenter as the punchline of a rather laboured joke.
Released on ten-inch vinyl and featuring a host of unseen images, the
Janice Long session represents Jesse Garon & the Desperadoes in their
first flush of youth, debut single ‘Splashing Along’ just released, well before
their debut album A Cabinet of Curiosities. As a later single would so elegantly articulate, 'You'll never Be That Young Again!'
TRACK LISTING
1. Laughing, Smiling And Falling Again (BBC Session Version)
2. Leave You Behind (BBC Session Version)
3. Up On The Big Wheel (BBC Session Version)
4. Hank Williams Is Dead (BBC Session Version)