This Is London

by The Times

Overview

Recorded after Ed Ball had left the Television Personalities (he and TVPs leader Dan Treacy had recorded together under a variety of names since 1977; the first Times album was recorded by the pair) and set up a mostly stable band on his own, 1983's This Is London is a far more assured and accomplished record than their charmingly ramshackle debut. Adding Ray Kent, a full-time keyboardist specializing in groovy Vox Continental organ sounds, Ball, bassist John East, and drummer Paul Damien straddle the line between 1966 Small Faces and 1967 Creation, with some Kinks and Who thrown in. The Carnaby Street era is clearly everpresent in Ball's mind, with lyrics and song titles deliberately evoking the days of Julie Christie and Terence Stamp. Ball is not entirely wrapped up in the past, however; "Whatever Happened to Thamesbeat?," a mocking ode to the short-lived mod revival scene in the manner of the Television Personalities' "Part Time Punks," is one of Ball's very best tunes. ~ Stewart Mason

Product Details

Release Date:	01/09/2007
Label:	Artpop!
UPC:	5013929361928
Rank:	182409

Tracks

1. This Is London
2. Goodbye Piccadilly
3. Whatver Happened to Thamesbeat?
4. If Only
5. Big Painting
6. Goodnight Children Everywhere
7. The Party
8. Stranger Than Fiction
9. (There's A) Cloud Over Liverpool
10. Will Sucess Spoil Frank Summit?
11. The Chimes of Big Ben
12. This Green and Pleasant Land
13. Here Come the Holidays
14. Three Cheers for the Sun
15. Big Painting
16. Whatever Happened to Thamesbeat?
17. This Is London
18. If Only
19. (There's A) Cloud Over Liverpool

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Times   Primary Artist
Joni Dee   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

John Bennett   Composer
Edward Ball   Composer