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Old 20-10-2005, 00:00
Ruby_
 
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I've just finished listened to Kirsty MacColl's anthology 'From Croydon to Cuba', and there's really not a weak track amongst the 65. So I'm wondering... how is it possible that an artist of such breathtaking versatility, lyrical wit and sheer pop genius could have remained so underrated throughout a 20 year career?

Was she too much of a musical chameleon? With albums of such quality, why did she have to keep changing record labels? What stopped her getting the recognition she deserved?

Last edited by Ruby_ : 20-10-2005 at 00:22.
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Old 20-10-2005, 00:18
oblivian
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A brilliant, brilliant singer that was so cruely taken from us when she had hit a bright spot in her career.
Such a distinctive voice and by all accounts a lovely person as well.
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Old 20-10-2005, 11:12
tinminer
 
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Always liked Kirsty.

Perhaps it's the quirkiness that I like - but Record Companies don't.

Very sad that she was taken from us so early - she had much more to give, and not just in a musical sense.

She is also musician's musician - as she has many fans amongst her peers.
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Old 20-10-2005, 17:24
rzappa
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I have also always liked Kirsty.

Why is she underrated?
Probably because she chose musical quality over popularity.
Yet as tinminer says she is a musician's musician.
Those who take the time to discover her are not disappointed.
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Old 20-10-2005, 17:32
Evie 2
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A beautiful voice,and one of the few artists able to cover a great song -The Kinks,Days - and make it sound even better than the original.
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Old 20-10-2005, 19:36
Reality Sucks
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Originally Posted by Evie 2
A beautiful voice,and one of the few artists able to cover a great song -The Kinks,Days - and make it sound even better than the original.
Totally agree with that, and what would the Pogues Fairytale of New York (My favourite Christmas song) be without Kirsty's contribution. Very sad that she died so young and tragically.
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Old 20-10-2005, 20:02
Evie 2
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Originally Posted by Reality Sucks
what would the Pogues Fairytale of New York (My favourite Christmas song) be without Kirsty's contribution. .
Nothing
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Old 20-10-2005, 20:14
Cornish Andy
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I got into Kirsty through her work with The Pogues, although I liked her singles before that, New England, Days, etc. She was indeed an extremely talented songwriter and singer. I saw her play at the Fleadh festival in Finsbury Park the year her greatest hits came out ("Galore"). What a performance. She brought much happiness.
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Old 20-10-2005, 20:54
oblivian
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Something that a few of you may not know but it was Kirsty that chose the order the tracks would go on the U2 album "The Joshua tree".
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Old 20-10-2005, 21:19
mistygal
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Originally Posted by Ruby_
I've just finished listened to Kirsty MacColl's anthology 'From Croydon to Cuba', and there's really not a weak track amongst the 65. So I'm wondering... how is it possible that an artist of such breathtaking versatility, lyrical wit and sheer pop genius could have remained so underrated throughout a 20 year career?

Was she too much of a musical chameleon? With albums of such quality, why did she have to keep changing record labels? What stopped her getting the recognition she deserved?
A Brilliant, Beautiful and Talented Female.
With the best Christmas No1 ever along with The Pogues (Fairytale Of New York).
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Old 20-10-2005, 21:20
Jamfocus
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I like Kirsty MacColl, and I always think shes great in Fairytale of New York which in my opinion is the best Crristmas song ever.
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Old 20-10-2005, 21:21
Keyser Soze
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Kirsty was superb - if you haven't heard much of her stuff, I'd highly recommend Galore for starters.
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Old 20-10-2005, 21:46
delboy85
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KIRSTY was a rare talent. I love her music so much. So very sad that her life ended so prematurely. My current fave song of hers is 15 MINUTES. Always brings a smile to my face remembering her perform it on the FRENCH & SAUNDERS show many moons ago.
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Old 20-10-2005, 22:20
Vicky8
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Originally Posted by Keyser Soze
Kirsty was superb - if you haven't heard much of her stuff, I'd highly recommend Galore for starters.
Galore is fantastic, every song on there is class

She has such a beatiful, melodic voice, great tunes and fantastic lyrics - what more could you ask for?

Such a shame she died so young
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Old 20-10-2005, 22:59
MadSmiths
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I heard 'England 2 Columbia 0' for the first time a few weeks ago and was blown away at how good it was.I also thought she worked well with The Smiths and Morrissey
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Old 21-10-2005, 10:14
StiniD
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Originally Posted by MadSmiths
I also thought she worked well with The Smiths and Morrissey
her cover of 'you just haven't earned it yet baby' almost rivals the original
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Old 21-10-2005, 12:19
mindyann
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Originally Posted by Vicky8
Galore is fantastic, every song on there is class

She has such a beatiful, melodic voice, great tunes and fantastic lyrics - what more could you ask for?

Such a shame she died so young
That's so true - the line from New England .. I put you on a pedestal you put me on the pill .. is one just about one of the best lines from a pop song.
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Old 21-10-2005, 14:03
Urban Bassman
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Originally Posted by oblivian
Something that a few of you may not know but it was Kirsty that chose the order the tracks would go on the U2 album "The Joshua tree".
Oh yes - a great story that I love telling a mate only the other week. It's because she was married to the album producer, Steve Lillywhite, at the time. I believe the band couldn't agree on the running order so went to the pub for lunch. When they came back she handed them her running order and they all agreed it was the best.
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Old 21-10-2005, 14:05
Chorlton Fisher
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"Fairytale of New York" just has to be the best Christmas record ever.
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Old 21-10-2005, 21:06
delboy85
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Originally Posted by mindyann
That's so true - the line from New England .. I put you on a pedestal you put me on the pill .. is one just about one of the best lines from a pop song.
That's my fave Kirsty lyric too. "A NEW ENGLAND" is a fantastic pop song.
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Old 22-10-2005, 01:25
Vicky8
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Originally Posted by delboy85
That's my fave Kirsty lyric too. "A NEW ENGLAND" is a fantastic pop song.
To give credit where it's due, Billy Bragg wrote A New England, although I don't know if it's a cover, or if he just wrote the song for Kirsty Either way, she sure made it her own
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Old 22-10-2005, 03:03
Ruby_
 
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Well, so far, only tinminer and rzappa have tried to answer my question.

Thanks tinminer and rzappa, but I'm not sure that quirkiness and musical quality add up to a full explanation for me. I'll have to keep on digging.

Oh dear... there's not even a single review of her biography on Amazon.
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Old 22-10-2005, 08:25
piranhaville
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Originally Posted by Vicky8
To give credit where it's due, Billy Bragg wrote A New England, although I don't know if it's a cover, or if he just wrote the song for Kirsty Either way, she sure made it her own
Originally for himself I think, though I've never heard his version of it, and then adapted for Kirsty MacColl.


Check out the differences in the lyrics:


Billy Bragg

Kirsty MacColl


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Old 22-10-2005, 11:38
Hayden
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Originally Posted by Ruby_
Well, so far, only tinminer and rzappa have tried to answer my question.

Thanks tinminer and rzappa, but I'm not sure that quirkiness and musical quality add up to a full explanation for me. I'll have to keep on digging.

Oh dear... there's not even a single review of her biography on Amazon.
Too esoteric, too much of a maverick?
Refusal to play the game -can't imagine her sucking up to the record companies. I bet she and she only decided what went on the albums or what the singles were to be.
The Titanic Days album had hardly any pre publicity or promotion and was allowed to gently fade away.
Unbelievable as it was a stunning piece of work.
I bet a good proportion of the people praising her to the hilt now ignored her work while she was alive- The Peel Factor I think it is called.
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Old 22-10-2005, 12:55
tinminer
 
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Originally Posted by Hayden
Too esoteric, too much of a maverick?
Refusal to play the game -can't imagine her sucking up to the record companies. I bet she and she only decided what went on the albums or what the singles were to be.
The Titanic Days album had hardly any pre publicity or promotion and was allowed to gently fade away.
Unbelievable as it was a stunning piece of work.
I bet a good proportion of the people praising her to the hilt now ignored her work while she was alive- The Peel Factor I think it is called.
I don't think that's the case - owned three of her albums before she tragically died.
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