AFTERS

HATFIELD AND THE NORTH existed from 1972 to 1975 before disbanding and they released two studio albums over that time. So it's seems a little curious that their label would release a compilation album in 1980 when the band only had two recordings. Well a closer look reveals that this record has 16 tracks and of those four are from their self titled debut, and seven songs from "The Rotters' Club". The opening two tracks are alternate versions from the debut recorded the year after in 1974. Then we get three live tunes including "Halfway Between Heaven And Earth" recorded live in London in 1972 plus "Oh Len's Nature!" recorded live in France in 1975 and then "Lything And Gracing" live in France in 1974. Of course the band is beyond amazing and a legendary four piece with maybe the best keyboardist I've heard in Dave Stewart, plus Phil Miller guitar, Pip Pyle drums and Richard Sinclair bass and vocals. Not worthy! Guests include The Northettes, Mont Campbell and his french horn, Jimmy Hastings sax and flute, Robert Wyatt vocals, Lindsay Cooper bassoon and oboe and Tim Hodgkinson clarinet.

So "Afters" is well worth it in my opinion and man how can you not give anything this band has done anything less than 4 stars? So melodic and humerous and yet challenging. Distortion!