The BBC Sessions

Belle and Sebastian | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: November 18, 2008
• Label: Matador
• Copyright: 2008 Matador Records
• Total Length: 56:50
• Genres: Alternative Rock/Indie & Lo-Fi
• ASIN: B001IUMFBS
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,477 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a tie breaking review, November 22, 2008

By 

R. Demerjian - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The BBC Sessions (Audio CD)

The other two reviews for this new belle and sebastian release appear to represent completely opposing viewpoints. I think the truth about this release requires a little more balance. If you are a big belle fan you would probably enjoy the bbc sessions release because first of all, there are 7 previously unreleased tracks (some live on disc 2 and some bbc session tracks on disc 1) and secondly, big fans of any band usually welcome a chance to hear different takes of songs (be it live or otherwise). With that said, both reviewers spoke some truth. The live performances are, at times, strained or labored. The band's version of the Beatle's Here Comes the Sun lacks the clarity and peaceful energy of the original. It feels as though they were either nervous or too tired to perform because it has the sound of distraction and preoccupation with something other than the song at hand. However, big fans may simply enjoy hearing the cover!
The Magic of a Kind Word is a very fun, poppy song reminiscent of some of Belle and Sebastian's b sides that ended up on Push Barman to Open Old Wounds (see Legal Man as a late sixties reference and Jonathan David as an energy reference).
The fact that some of disc two's performances are lacking in sheer execution/ feel (and by the way, a cover of The Boys are Back in Town helps to validate any suspicion of 70's rock influence on the Life's Pursuit) is made up for by solid bbc sessions that recall some of the band's earlier trademark sound.
Overall, if you enjoyed the b sides B & S released in the past and you cared enough to buy Push Barman (which had no previously released songs at all) you would likely not regret spending the money on this.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They never sounded better, December 28, 2008

By 

R. Sundquist (Madison, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BBC Sessions (Audio CD)

Ten out of fourteen songs on this disc have been previously released, on Belle & Sebastian's first four albums, so there's little to surprise fans of the group. What makes it worthwhile is the way these songs were recorded: they've got a very close, intimate feel that makes it sound as if you are in a cosy cafe listening to the band play their greatest hits to a small audience. "Stars of Track and Field", "Judy and the Dream of Horses", and "Sleep the Clock Around" all sound wonderful.

The new songs are a little more unexpected, dating as they do from several years ago. "Shoot the Sexual Athlete" is a bit more experimental in its rhythm than most B&S tunes, but is actually quite nice once it gets going. "My Girl's Got Miraculous Technique" is perhaps a more standard Stuart Murdoch song, and would have sounded right at home on "Fold Your Hands Child..." along with "A Woman's Realm" and "There's Too Much Love".

All in all it's a pleasant little collection to pass the time until another proper album appears.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This will tide you over while waiting for new material, December 21, 2008

By 

David D. Hamm (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: BBC Sessions (Audio CD)

I've been waiting for a new Belle and Sebastian album... This one doesn't have new material, but it's different enough from the originals and the mix is entertaining. At first I didn't like the sound quality... It kind of sounds like you're listening to an AM radio broadcast... But I quickly got over that and now find that to be part of the album's charm...

Be warned that there are two versions of this album out... One contains a second disk full of live material... I didn't get that one and now I wish I did.