The BBC’s recorded archive is something that can never be considered anything less than legendary in terms of its content. With recorded archives going to the 1950’s there are hidden gems within their vaults that have an appeal for all and sundry. Now the Universal Music catalogue has seen fit to add to their repertoire by releasing two more collections on a download only basis (how thoroughly modern).
The 26th February sees the release of the BBC sessions of two bands that made their mark in different fields during the 1990’s. Ocean Colour Scene best remembered for their early involvement in Britpop unearth no less than fifteen live cuts including the ‘Riverboat Song’, ‘Traveller’s Tune’ and arguably their most popular live song ‘The Day We Caught The Train’. As a band their brand of music was suited to the stripped down acoustic environment that BBC sessions often allow.
Speaking of the release Steve Craddock from Ocean Colour Scene said “We recorded so many sessions for the BBC over the last 10 years for the BBC, its great to pull out the old stuff and hear it again. The BBC has built a fantastic archive over the years and to be part of the drive to make it all available to download is pretty mad. We’re really chuffed.”
Also up for release are a collection of Therapy? tracks from 1991 to 1998, always a bristling live prospect any excuse to catch the Northern Ireland alternative metal three piece is welcome in this quarter. This new collection titled ‘Music Through A Cheap Transistor Radio’ includes previously unreleased versions of ‘The Sweeney’, ‘Lost Highway’ and ‘A Pile Of Bricks’. It comes complete with extensive sleeve notes and for the completist (of either band) these releases are something of a must.
