Customer Reviews

She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The 3rd full album from the Blow Monkeys (following Limping for a Generation and Animal Magic and an EP), saw some ever so slight changes in musical direction for Dr. Robert, pushing him into what I view as a more mainstream sound. Blow Monkeys were always this moody, edgy, alt jazz band that nobody seemed to understand. I don't know -- SWOaGD seems to me to be a concerted effort to get more mainstream play. Don't get me wrong - there are some wonderful songs on this album, especially the main single 'It Doesn't Have to Be This Way' with a remix and a dub, entitled 'Grantham Grizzler'. The song 'Cash' is a bit more raw and is my fave, but it might be more at home on their first album. Overall, a fun album, but the last good album of theirs, I'm sad to say.

I owned the original CD of "She was only a Grocer's daughter." I purchased this one because it contains two tracks not included on the original CD - (Sweet Murder, and the Celebrate- Unity Mix). Sweet Murder dates back to the "Animal Magic" days, and different mixes of it can be found on that album and the vinyl and cassette only EP, "Forbidden Fruit." The Unity Mix of Celebrate seems somewhat similar to the "Paul Weller Mix" of the same song, found on the "for the record" compilation (the best of MANY compilations).
Now - I have only listened to the intro's to all of the songs, but i was VERY pleasently surprised to hear that this album contains some (subtley) differnet mixes from the original album! Not all are different from what I can tell, but more of them are different then are the same! So, if you already own this album, and are looking for a fresh spin, by all means get this CD - Just make sure it is the 2002 release.
Sadly, they did not include the full liner notes found in the european CD, but just included a folded insert with some pics.
As for the Music? This is great album, The best album they released in the States, and is rivaled only by the difficult to find "Whoops! There goes the Neighborhood." This is Doctor Robert's Rant against Thatcherite Britain of the mid 1980's. It contains scathing lyrics and bitter humor, all set to a luscious arrangement of brass and strings . . . . and blue-eyed, british Funk! The album title itself refers to Thatcher, as do the Song titles "Out with Her" and "(Celebrate the Day) After You. - which was banned in Britain! Curtis Mayfield guests on Celebrate, lending some credibility to an 80's pop band. The Songs are great, almost all of them are strong, and despite the anti-thatcher lyrics, the album lifts your spirits as the songs are almost all upbeat.
Now, as for similarities? This band hands down wanted to be the Style Council, as Dr. Robert wanted to be, and still wants to be, Paul Weller. Is it a coincidence that this album came out two years after TSC's "our favourite Shop featuring the song: "She was only a shopkeeper's daughter." In my opinion, however, for shear listening enjoyment and smart lyrics, The Blow Monkeys surpased the Style Council with many of their efforts.
Finally, though this album may have seemed dated for a while, it's relevance is once again becoming apparent. After all, lyrics like "You can send your sons away, to fight for the money-makers, but the only money made, belongs to the undertakers" is perhaps even more relevant today than it was 15 years ago. Brilliant.

The original release of this album had to be prior to 1986, if my memory serves me correctly. Hearing it again is like being transported back to my basement bedroom, where the walls were plastered with Duran Duran, Michael J. Fox, and Corey Haim pinups from "Teen Beat" magazine. I once owned the album on real, honest-to-goodness vinyl. This import CD re-release is beautifully mastered, crisp and well-balanced. The horns of Dr. Robert's orchestra have never sounded better. Though it does not contain the Blow Monkeys' one mainstream hit, "Digging Your Scene," fans of that single will likely enjoy this album most of all the Blow Monkeys material available on CD.

The 80s produced the occasional brilliant singer/songwriter with a voice of pure gold. The Blow Monkeys' Dr. Robert joins Simply Red's Mick Hucknall in the elite cadre of 80s white boys with soul to spare. "Beautiful Child" drips sophistication and sincerity without being smarmy, and I can't think of a modern-day singer who could deliver it honestly.

From the "if you like...." desk: If you like Scritti Politti, the Pet Shop Boys, the Communards, the Housemartins, Power Station, Simply Red, or Everything But The Girl, you will likely enjoy the Blow Monkeys - at least this very strong album.

What keeps me from giving "Grocer's Daughter" 5 stars? Other compilations of Blow Monkeys singles demonstrate a much wider range of musical styles, all deftly managed without sounding contrived. "Grocer's Daughter" is a strong period piece, with little experimentation - but you don't need to when your formula works.

I remember recording this record with our mutual producer Michael Baker. Had alot of fun doing it. Shortly after, I was signed to RCA and wound up guest singing at one of their shows in my Dad's hometown - it was The Hammersmith Odeon in Hammersmith (London) England. I was over there, writing my first album. Cheers, Dr. Robert!