Tag Archives: Stiff

Elvis Costello: My Aim Is True

My Aim_is True

On July 22, 1977, “Stiff” label released “My Aim Is True”, the debut Elvis Costello  album. It was recorded 1976 – 1977, at “Pathway Studios” in London, and was produced by Nick Lowe. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “My Aim Is True” at number 168 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; the same year, the TV network “VH1” named “My Aim Is True” the 80th greatest album of all time. In 2007, the album was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”.

Personnel:

  • Elvis Costello– vocals, guitar, piano, drumsticks
  • Nick Lowe– piano, bass, drumsticks, backing vocals,
  • John McFee– lead guitar, pedal steel guitar, backing vocals
  • Sean Hopper– piano, organ, backing vocals
  • Stan Shaw – organ
  • Steve Nieve– organ and piano overdubs
  • Johnny Ciambotti – bass, backing vocals
  • Andrew Bodnar– bass
  • Mickey Shine – drums
  • Steve Goulding– drums
  • Barney Bubbles – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Elvis Costello.

  1. Welcome to the Working Week
  2. Miracle Man
  3. No Dancing
  4. Blame It on Cain
  5. Alison
  6. Sneaky Feelings
  7. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
  8. Less Than Zero
  9. Mystery Dance
  10. Pay It Back
  11. I’m Not Angry
  12. Waiting for the End of the World

 

 

Ian Dury & The Blockheads: Do It Yourself

Do it yourselfel

On May 18, 1979, “Stiff” label released “Do It Yourself”, the first Ian Dury album credited with the Blockheads. It was recorded in 1978, at “The Workhouse” in London, and was produced by  Chas Jankel and Laurie Latham.

Personnel:

  • Ian Dury- vocals
  • John Turnbull- guitars
  • Chaz Jankel- keyboards, guitars
  • Mick Gallagher- keyboards
  • Davey Payne- saxophones
  • Norman Watt-Roy- bass
  • Charley Charles – drums
  • The Breezeblocks – backing Vocals

Track listing:

All lyrics by Ian Dury, all music by Chaz Jankel, except where noted

  1. Inbetweenies
  2. Quiet – John Turnbull, Mick Gallagher, Norman Watt-Roy, Charley Charles
  3. Don’t Ask Me
  4. Sink My Boats
  5. Waiting for Your Taxi
  6. This is What We Find – Mick Gallagher
  7. Uneasy Sunny Day Hotsy-Totsy – John Turnbull
  8. Mischeif – Norman Watt – Roy, Mick Gallagher
  9. Dance of the Screamers
  10. Lullaby for Francies

Madness: Keep Moving

Keep_moving

On February 20, 1984, “Stiff” label released “Keep Moving”, the fifth Madness studio album.  It was recorded in 1983, and was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley.

Personnel:

  • Suggs(Graham McPherson) – lead vocals
  • Mike Barson– keyboards, harmonica
  • Chris Foreman– guitar
  • Mark Bedford(Bedders) – bass guitar
  • Dan Woodgate(Woody) – drums
  • Luís Jardim– percussion
  • Chas Smash (Cathal Smyth) – lead and backing vocals, trumpet
  • Lee Thompson– saxophones
  • The TKO Horns: Dave Pleurs, Alan Whetton, Jim Patterson, Brian Maurice
  • Dave Wakeling, Ranking Roger– vocals
  • Afrodiziak– backing vocals
  • David Bedford – string arrangements
  • Tony Duffy – photography

Track listing:

  1. Keep Moving – Cathal Smyth, Chris Foreman, Graham McPherson
  2. Michael Caine – Cathal Smyth, Daniel Woodgate
  3. Turning Blue – Chris Foreman, Graham McPherson
  4. One Better Day – Graham McPherson
  5. March of the Gherkins – Lee Thompson, Michael Barson
  6. Waltz into Mischief – Cathal Smyth, Graham McPherson
  7. Brand New Beat – Lee Thompson, Michael Barson
  8. Victoria Gardens – Cathal Smyth, Michael Barson
  9. Samantha – Lee Thompson
  10. Time for Tea – Chris Foreman, Lee Thompson
  11. Prospects – Cathal Smyth, Graham McPherson
  12. Give Me a Reason – Cathal Smyth, Lee Thompson

Madness: One Step Beyond

Madness

On October 19, 1979, “Stiff” label released “One Step Beyond”, the debut Madness album. It was recorded in 1979, at “Eden” and “TW Studios” in London, and was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley.

Personnel:

  • Graham McPherson (Suggs) – lead vocals
  • Chris Foreman (Chrissy Boy) – guitars
  • Mike Barson (Monsieur Barso) – keyboards
  • Mark Bedford (Bedders) – bass
  • Dan Woodgate (Woody) – drums, percussion
  • Lee “Kix” Thompson– lead and backing vocals, saxophones
  • Cathal Smyth (Chas Smash) – lead and backing vocals, fancy footwork

Track listing:

  1. One Step Beyond– Campbell
  2. My Girl– Mike Barson
  3. Night Boat to Cairo– Mike Barson, Graham McPherson
  4. Believe Me – Mike Barson, Hasler
  5. Land of Hope and Glory – Chris Foreman, Lee Thompson
  6. The Prince – Lee Thompson
  7. Tarzan’s Nuts – Mike Barson
  8. In the Middle of the Night – Graham McPherson, Chris Foreman
  9. Bed & Breakfast Man – Mike Barson
  10. Razor Blade Alley – Lee Thompson
  11. Swan Lake– Tchaikovsky, Mike Barson
  12. Rockin’ in AB– Wurlitzer, Bazooka Joecover
  13. Mummy’s Boy – Mark Bedford
  14. Madness – Campbell
  15. Chipmunks Are Go! – Cathal Smyth, Brendan Smyth