It’s a brilliant song. Hectoring protest songs are easy to write and pointless. Conciliatory pleas are rarer and far harder to nail, and potentially much more effective (insofar as any song can have an effect).
So what’s his problem? What’s with the glasses and beard thing?
It’s nice to know he is still making music and felt moved to write a protest song. The beard and hair is intriguing because if you just heard his voice it conjures up to me the image of a guy in his 30’s, short-cut hair, cleanshaven and generally dapper. Probably as he was in the Steve McQueen days, So there is quite a disconnect when you see him.
And the reason for the I Trawl the MegaHertz album, inspired by his time listening to Shortwave radio when recuperating. It sounds nothing like Prefab Sprout and is one of my faves (and is popular round these parts).
I thought it was kinda awful. I used to love Paddy’s songwriting because it was so unconventional, idiosyncratic, quirky. Never the obvious rhyme or clichéd image. But that’s exactly what you get here. Still got a nice voice though.
I liked the song and his delivery of it, except for the fact it was at least one repeat too long. He’d already made his point and he seemed to have started labouring it.
I have to admit to being totally uncritical when it comes to anything new from Paddy. I’m just hugely grateful for the rare occasions when Paddy decides to share something new with the world. Unsurprisingly, I love the new track unreservedly.
Kaisfatdad says
Marvelous! Thanks a lot for posting that.
A new, very topical song by Paddy. That is something to get excited about. He certainly still has the magic.
Vincent says
Thank goodness. I worry about his health, but perhaps he is simply enjoying life as best he can.
Colin H says
It’s a brilliant song. Hectoring protest songs are easy to write and pointless. Conciliatory pleas are rarer and far harder to nail, and potentially much more effective (insofar as any song can have an effect).
So what’s his problem? What’s with the glasses and beard thing?
MC Escher says
He’s going blind, I think.
GCU Grey Area says
Has had two detached retinas, and has one of the macular degenerations.
Beard and hair because he can. . .
Carolina says
It’s nice to know he is still making music and felt moved to write a protest song. The beard and hair is intriguing because if you just heard his voice it conjures up to me the image of a guy in his 30’s, short-cut hair, cleanshaven and generally dapper. Probably as he was in the Steve McQueen days, So there is quite a disconnect when you see him.
fentonsteve says
He had the hair and beard when I saw the ‘Sprout at the Cambridge Corn Exchange in – it says here – April 2000.
fentonsteve says
And the reason for the I Trawl the MegaHertz album, inspired by his time listening to Shortwave radio when recuperating. It sounds nothing like Prefab Sprout and is one of my faves (and is popular round these parts).
Chrisf says
Also love that album – wasn’t there supposed to be a reissue later last year ? What happened to that ?
Gary says
I thought it was kinda awful. I used to love Paddy’s songwriting because it was so unconventional, idiosyncratic, quirky. Never the obvious rhyme or clichéd image. But that’s exactly what you get here. Still got a nice voice though.
Mike_H says
I liked the song and his delivery of it, except for the fact it was at least one repeat too long. He’d already made his point and he seemed to have started labouring it.
Kaisfatdad says
And there’s a new book coming out about Prefab Sprout! In Japanese.
http://www.sproutology.co.uk/sproutbait/a-new-prefab-sprout-book-toru-watanabe/
Charlie Barley says
This is from last year, but is still intriguing
http://www.sproutology.co.uk/sproutbait/paddy-spotting-late-september-2016/
dai says
Thank you. I enjoyed that.
monsignorbonehead says
I am sure many of you have seen this already, but a fine piece by Pete Paphides here:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2017/mar/06/paddy-mcaloon-america-prefab-sprout-frontman-returns
As for the song, I was unsure at first but it’s winning me over. A day spent rummaging through his archives would be heaven.
dai says
I hadn’t, thanks. The repetition of the plaintive “America” refrain gets under your skin (in a beautiful way)
Jayhawk says
Reinvestigating Jordan now, it really is a classic. Even Rev Mrs Jayhawk appears to be familiar with it surprisingly.
count jim moriarty says
I have to admit to being totally uncritical when it comes to anything new from Paddy. I’m just hugely grateful for the rare occasions when Paddy decides to share something new with the world. Unsurprisingly, I love the new track unreservedly.