An hour in the company of Marc Almond is never going to be dull, and today's selection is further evidence of this fact.
Exploring Marc's deeper, longform cuts, this is not for the faint hearted: the shortest song comes in at 5:51 and the Long Version of Split Lip is exactly that, over 17 minutes of Marc magic.
And the madness of opening song The Beautiful Light Of Madness is that this 1995 demo never made it onto an album or EP, only appearing years later on rarities collections or deluxe reissues. It says a lot about Marc's prolific songwriting that gems like this would not be polished up for a commercial release.
As ever, Marc's songs weave a wondrous web of intrigue, narratives that could comfortably be collected for a discomfiting fireside read. And, to close, a slice of French sleaze, originally written and recorded in 1972 by "La Chanteuse De Minuit" Barbara.
I've just realised that it's just over a year and a week since I last saw Marc perform live at the Beacon in Bristol, which seems a good excuse to reactivate my previous Marc Almond selections. Too much is never enough!
1) The Beautiful Light Of Madness (Early Demo) (1995)
2) A Lover Spurned (12" Version ft. Julie T. Wallace) (1990)
3) She Took My Soul In Istanbul (Album Version ft. Suraya Ahmed) (1988)
4) Split Lip (Long Version) (1984)
5) Demon Lover (Extended Remix) (2015)
6) Lord Of Misrule (Album Version ft. Ian Anderson) (2020)
7) Worship Me Now (Starcluster Remix ft. Jarvis Cocker) (2014)
8) Incestuous Love (Amours Incestueuses) (Cover of Barbara) (1993)
1984: You Have EP: 4
1988: The Stars We Are: 3
1990: A Lover Spurned EP: 2
1993: Absinthe: The French Album: 8
2002: Little Rough Rhinestones, Volume 1: 1
2014: The Dancing Marquis (bonus tracks): 7
2015: Demon Lover EP: 5
2020: Chaos And A Dancing Star: 6
Cover Stories (September 2024)
Playing Up The Vamp (May 2023)
A Promise Of Heaven Or Hell In Your Song (January 2022)
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