South East Side Story

Chris Difford | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 19, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Luna Records
• ASIN: B000HEWG7O
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,243 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Difford looks back without becoming maudlin., September 28, 2006

By 

Smacky (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: South East Side Story (Audio CD)

If you're reading this, you likely already know Chris Difford was the lyric-writing half of the Difford and Tilbrook partnership that was Squeeze. This collection is Difford's take on the Squeeze catalog, including some hits and some obscurities. His unique vocal style (best remembered from "Cool for Cats") is bolstered by harmonies from a female singer and the other guitarist. Chris and his backing musicians (two, sometimes three acoustic guitars and a pedal steel guitar) perform warm covers of 10 Squeeze songs on the CD. Sometimes the tempo is altered, changing the original mood of the song, but it never sounds "gimmicky."

I also want to point out that this $13.99 domestic release version includes the same DVD as the $40 import release, even though Amazon doesn't list it in the description. The DVD is wonderful, capturing a December 2005 performance of the same band that plays on the CD, and includes live performances of 16 songs:

1. Up The Junction

2. Labelled With Love

3. Cowboys Are My Weakness

4. Slap & Tickle

5. Goodbye Girl

6. Lamas Fayre

7. Another Nail In My Heart

8. Tempted

9. Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)

10. Take Me I'M Yours

11. Hourglass

12. Black Coffee In Bed

13. Cool For Cats

14. Encore: Slaughtered, Gutted & Heartbroken

15. Cool For Cats

16. Take Me I'M Yours

Between songs, Chris tells stories about the songs, or the circumstances during which they were written.

The final overall feel of the CD and DVD is a little bittersweet, as Chris mentions in the liner notes that this is his way of closing a chapter in his life (ending rumors of a Squeeze reunion any time soon), but his obvious affection for the songs comes out in the performance, making this a celebration of the band's history, and definitely not a "greatest hits" package designed to make some quick cash.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chris Difford Is Back In Business, January 9, 2007

By 

Dennis Molfese - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: South East Story (Bonus Dvd) (Pal) (Audio CD)

I was pleasantly suprised to see and hear this wonderful concert. Chris is vastly underrated as a performer and singer in his own unique style. Chris's voice captures the old Squeeze sound and Dorie Jackson does a remarkable job doing Glenn Tilbrook's part. While some songs really do miss drums and keyboard, the concert itself is very entertaining. Its just a shame that Glenn and Chris can't continue to perform together and realize all their unfilled commercial goals.

4.0 out of 5 stars A welcome revisit and revision of his earlier songs, March 12, 2011

By 

Viktor Nehring (LAX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: South East Side Story (Audio CD)

This won't set the world on fire, but it's great to hear these Squeeze songs re-imagined as acoustic country/americana staples. Chris has great taste, and the set nevers veers into maudlin. If you are a Squeeze fan and are ready for a bit of an adventure, then I recommend it. After all these years, you don't trust him?