Sure Would For Rest

Julian Cope's last two conventional song-based albums (and I use the phrase lightly) were Robin Hood (2023) and Friar Tuck (2024).

Touted as a "Sherwood Forest Trilogy", we've yet to see the third and final album (Maid Marian? Little John?) and as it's been a couple of years, I thought I'd revisit the pair that have emerged via the popular format (in Casa K at least) of the Dubhed selection.

I've picked ha;f a dozen from the former, eight from the latter, jumbled them up a bit and created two sides, seven songs apiece. If you're familiar with the albums, a fresh way to enjoy some selected highlights. If you've never heard them, then hopefully this is strong evidence that Julian didn't stop writing good songs in the 1990s / 1980s (delete as applicable).

I still hold out hope that Julian will tour again as it would be great to hear these songs performed live. However, the now slower but still steady stream of releases from Head Heritage of new music, archive releases and the excellent Cope's Notes series is enough to feed the soul.

Side One

1) Four Jehovahs In A Volvo Estate (2024)

2) The Devil's Curse (2023)

3) You Gotta Keep Your Halfwits About You (2024)

4) An Oral History Of Blow-Jobs (Medley) (2023)

5) A Shipwrecked Song (2024)

6) I Was A Punk Before You Was A Hippie (2023)

7) Sol Invicto (2024)

Side Two

1) Four Mohammeds And A Funeral (2023)

2) Done Myself A Mischief (2024)

3) Wrong Side Of The Bed (2023)

4) In Spungent Mansions (2024)

5) Charles The Turd (2023)

6) Too Freud To Rock 'n' Roll Too Jung To Die (2024)

7) R. In The Hood (2024)

2023: Robin Hood: A2, A4, A6, B1, B2. B5

2024: Friar Tuck: A1, A3, A5, A7, B2. B4, B6, B7

Sure Would For Rest (Side One) (22:32) (GD) (M)

Sure Would For Rest (Side Two) (23:19) (GD) (M)