A Dream Of A Forbidden World

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

A Dream Of A Forbidden World (1:00:45) (GD) (M)

Cover Stories (September 2024)

Playing Up The Vamp (May 2023)

A Promise Of Heaven Or Hell In Your Song (January 2022)

Wild Wild Child Of The London Night

Adored And Explored was the lead single from Marc Almond's ninth album Fantastic Star, entering the UK singles chart at #25 in May 1995 and proving to be Marc's last Top 30 single to date. 

 

The video is very much of it's time, though it's an entertaining send up of pop celebrity, from the 'dad dancing' and 'hand harmonica' miming at the start, through to a multitude of costume changes, taking in Bowie, Bolan, The Village People, Elvis, Alex from A Clockwork Orange, Boy George and more. Almond is supported by a group of 'minders' straight out of Reservoir Dogs, who amusingly break into a cod pogo and other bad dancing in the closing section of the song. 

The harmonica on Adored And Explored is played by David Johansen and the song was co-written with John Coxon, better known (to me, at least) as one half of Spring Heel Jack and member of Spiritualized.

 

Marc has a new 6-track mini-album, Things We Lost, out next month. Much as I've enjoyed Marc's recent albums (2020's Chaos And A Dancing Star was a highlight), I won't be forking out £18.99 for the double vinyl. I'm also unconvinced that I want the expanded 3CD edition with Marc's full 37-song concert from The Royal Festival Hall in 2020, featuring Chris Braide and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, for £20.99 either. Here's hoping Things We Lost also gets a digital release at some point.