Do you ever find a record and ask yourself, how in the world did this get here? Shockingly, I found both of these EPs in two different shops right here in Seattle last year. I like to think I know a bit about Scottish bands, especially of a certain era, but I somehow missed Jesse Garon & the Desperadoes until they appeared on Cherry Red's excellent 2013 box set 'Scared to Get Happy.' Since then, I think indie-pop fans all over the globe have become familiar with the Edinburgh band because they have continued to have a good run with the label, appearing on the 'C86' and 'C87' box sets in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Well, I have fallen hard for them. How can you not love a band that names themselves after Elvis' still-born twin? Brilliant.
Both of the above EPs are from their later years. In fact, along with sole album 'Nixon' via Edinburgh's Avalanche Records, the 1990 six-track 12" of "Hold Me Now"/"Grand Hotel" would turn out to be the band's final release. The four-track 12" "You'll Never Be That Young Again" preceded it by two years. The sound of Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes is a bit hard to pin down. The early years are a nice bit of jangle and right in my wheelhouse. By the late '80s, I hear some 10,000 Maniacs in there, and maybe just a little of my pals the Popguns too. Then they turn it way up on "Grand Hotel," a moving song about the '84 IRA Brighton bombing, and I'm back to square one when trying to describe them. All I know for sure is I dig 'em at any speed and volume. Hope you enjoy them too.
Hold Me Now
Grand Hotel
You'll Never Be That Young Again
Friday Night Music Club Vol 80
27 minutes ago
6 comments:
Heard them on Peel the first time back in '89, Brian, a tune called 'I'm Up Here'. Check it out, it's fantastic as well!
Hi Dirk. That’s the song that appears on C87. You’re so right. I like that one more than anything I have presented here today.
coming up soon on the a-z rundown over at my place....I might just steal your words young man!
You have been a busy bee, JC. It's always a pleasure when you stop by, and I appreciate you chiming in. Thanks for all of the comments. I hope you are well. Your post today is heartbreaking.
Are you still there, mate? Or are you already frozen ... ?
I discovered this band lately (and downloaded all their Narodnik/Velocity period stuff), they are fantastic!
Hope they release sooner or later a legit comp with all their early output, they deserve it!
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