I hadn't planned on posting another China Crisis selection so soon after the compilation of 12" mixes in July. However, I've been enjoying this year's China Greatness album so much that today's post was seemingly creating itself almost before I was consciously aware of it.
Starting off with one of their best songs, and only a B-side at that, it's mostly songs from their 1980s 'first phase' with a trio of string-laden re-recordings from 2024 woven in.
It can often be the case that revisiting past songs feels like gilding the lily, but China Greatness really surpasses all expectations, not least because Gary and Eddie's curation means that B-sides, non-hits and album deep cuts are picked, not just the greatest hits. And Last Night From Glasgow has done a fantastic job with the album, from production to sleeves to (coloured) vinyl. No imperfections here!
1) A Golden Handshake For Every Daughter (1983)
2) It's Never Too Late (For You And Me Mix) (2024)
3) King In A Catholic Style (Wake Up) (Single Version) (1985)
4) No More Blue Horizons (Fool, Fool, Fool) (12" Version) (1982)
5) Scream Down At Me (Single Version) (1982)
6) Gift Of Freedom (1985)
7) Black Man Ray ('China Greatness' Version) (2024)
8) Hampton Beach (1986)
9) Greenacre Bay (1983)
10) It's Everything ('China Greatness' Version) (2024)
1982: No More Blue Horizons (Fool Fool Fool) EP: 4
1982: Scream Down At Me EP: 5
1983: Christian EP: 9
1983: Tragedy And Mystery EP: 1
1985: Flaunt The Imperfection: 6
1985: King In A Catholic Style (Wake Up) EP: 3
1986: What Price Paradise: 8
2024: China Greatness: 2, 7, 10
The previous Dubhed selection, Exercise Your Every Right, can be found here.
Nice bench shot. John Medd outtake?
ReplyDeleteWell spotted, Adam! Yep, another view of the Severn Bore in Newnham, Gloucestershire. Four benches in a row, but you have to squint to spot them all.
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