All Hail The King Of Joy

Bill Drummond - The Man [CRELP 014 UK 1986 24-Bit FLAC]

I have only ever ripped the compact disc before, so after an extensive deep clean, I am happy to share my rip of this original Creation Records pressing on vinyl.

There can be no doubt as to Mr. Drummond's contribution to British music. This South African born Scotsman and honorary Scouser has been a band manager, a label owner, a producer, a singer-songwriter, a rapper (and hip-hop guru), an acid house disco king, and more recently a book writer. Forget ye all not that he also famously burnt a million quid in the Scottish Highlands, all for the sake of irony and 'publicity'.

The Man was released in the early days of Creation in 1986 and was championed by John Peel regularly on his late night radio show, most famously for the amusing Julian Cope Is Dead. If you haven't heard the album before, expect a witty mix of jingly Scottish guitar pop, tongue in cheek murder ballads, obtuse acoustic folk, gospel and a Burns recital. 

This album has been very much forgotten since Drummond's exploits as one half of the JAMS and KLF, but it really is a very entertaining listen. Some may struggle with Drummond's Ivor Cutler-style vocals, but you will laugh your pants off during Julian Cope Is Dead, you'll rejoice in the pop triumphs, The King Of Joy (a single) and I Want That Girl, and the poetic twang of I Believe In Rock & Roll. Those who know their stuff will appreciate the guitar and violin contributions of Robert McComb, brother of the late Triffids front man David McComb.. 

A1 True To The Trail

A2 Ballad For A Sex God

A3 Julian Cope Is Dead

A4 I Want That Girl

A5 Going Back

B1 Queen Of The South

B2 I Believe In Rock & Roll

B3 Married Man

B4 I'm The King Of Joy

B5 Son Of A Preacher Man

B6 Such A Parcel Of Rogues In A Nation