Transistor Blast: Best of BBC Sessions [Box set, Live]

XTC | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 8, 1998)
• Original Release Date: December 8, 1998
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Live
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Tvt
• ASIN: B00000FXUV
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,531 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Opening Speech

2. Life Begins at the Hop

3. Scarecrow People

4. Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her

5. Ten Feet Tall

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. No Thugs in Our House

2. One of the Millions

3. Real by Reel

4. The Meeting Place

5. Meccanic Dancing (Oh We Go!)

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Radios in Motion [Live]

2. Cross Wires [Live]

3. Science Friction [Live]

4. Statue of Liberty [Live]

5. The Rhythm [Live]

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Life Begins at the Hop [Live]

2. Burning with Optimism's Flames [Live]

3. Love at First Sight [Live]

4. Respectable Street [Live]

5. No Language in Our Lungs [Live]

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"XTC live" has been an oxymoron ever since the band's stage-fright-stricken frontman, Andy Partridge, collapsed during a U.S. tour in 1982. Freed of the burden of touring and reproducing their material live, XTC spent their next five recordings gussying-up their sound--layering piano, strings, and ethereal harmonies where herky-jerky chord changes and caterwauling vocals used to reside. Transistor Blast is a heavy dose of early XTC, the Swindon, England, postpunk quartet who couldn't even spell "cello." Disc 3 features 1978 and '79 live takes of early singles such as "Life Begins at the Hop" and "This is Pop," as well as less-recognizable--and often less-listenable--album tracks along the lines of "Danceband" and "Neon Shuffle." Disc 4, a re-release of the band's legendary 1980 Hammersmith Palais show (previously only available as an import), best illustrates the dynamic, hyperkinetic live band that was once XTC. Discs 1 and 2 erect a bridge between the band's early and later material. Recorded live for BBC Radio, the 25 tracks are jumbled chronologically but still flow. Devoid of their elaborate arrangements and syrupy production, songs such as 1986's "Another Satellite" fit nicely after the likes of 1978's "I'm Bugged." --Bill Crandall

Product Description

51 unreleased tracks recorded between 1977-1989. The firsttwo discs have 27 cuts from various Peel sessions cut forthe BBC, including versions of 'Life Begins At The Hop','Ten Feet Tall', 'Runaways', 'Another Satellite', 'MakingPlans For Nigel', 'Jason An

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific live summation of XTC's music, November 28, 1998

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Transistor Blast: Best of BBC Sessions (Audio CD)

If you don't own anything by XTC this probably isn't the place to start. Instead, I'd direct you to any of their classic albums(THE BIG EXPRESS, SKYLARKING, BLACK SEA, ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, etc.), but for the XTC fan this is a gift from the band. These live tracks recorded for the BBC both during their touring days and after Andy's "breakdown" on stage during the English Settlement tour gives a rare insight into the band's creative process, dynamics as well as their songwriting development over time. About half of the material from this boxed set has been previously released and available as imports from the UK. The most startling tracks are those recorded when the band was a four piece and still performing. The pre-Gregory tracks featuring keyboardist Barry Andrews are notable for the wild energy and the unique sound that Andrews' fun house keyboard style. The pre-Dave configuration also allows Andy Partridge to shine as a guitarist. Although not as melodic or accomplished as later guitarist Dave Gregory, he brought a sense of fun and energy to the band's sound that would be elaborated on by Dave Gregory. Also, as early as the songs from their first and second albums, one can hear the unusual and creative approach Colin Moulding was applying to his bass playing. After Andrews left, guitarist Dave Gregory brought a more refined quality to the band's sound. Gregory, a highly underrated guitarist, delivers intense, brief solos that brings both an edge, as well as, more melodic feel to Andy and Colin's songs. Without the arrival of Dave, it is doubtful if the band would have become quite as accomplished. Although he never played a role as songwriter, Dave brought boundless energy, arranging skills(frequently writing the string and chart arrangements for songs)and melodic ideas that enriched both Andy and Colin's compositions. That said, the live versions of material after Terry Chambers left suffer a bit because they were using a drum machine. Sometimes this undercuts the strength of the song(as in "You're the wish(you are)I had") and on other occasions it brings a very different texture and feel to the material allowing further expansion of the songs original melody("Seagulls screaming kiss her, kiss her", "Scarecrow People"). There are a few instances where the starkness of the arrangement brings a welcomed rough edge to the material. Colin Moulding's "One of the millions", a tab overproduced on ORANGES & LEMONS, benefits from this stripped down approach. It's almost like listening to an elaborate demo. The 1980 recording of the band live at the Hammersmith Palais, previously available as an import, shows XTC flying through versions of their material up to and including BLACK SEA. The band plays terrifically and one could argue that, of all the band's of the new wave era, XTC was the most talented and the best of their generation. XTC was a bottlerocket of a band live. Although some of this material has been previously released, it is well worth the cost to pick up the unreleased material, as well as, having the comments of Andy and Colin on their songs and performances. What could have improved the box would have been impressions from Barry Andrews, Terry Chambers and, the latest member to leave, Dave Gregory. All three were instrumental in helping Andy and Colin develop the sound they had long sought for the band and, in the case of Dave Gregory, still a part of the band's sound. TRANSISTOR BLAST presents a well rounded view of the band's development and, what's more, a terrific opportunity to imagine what the band would sound like if they ever toured again. It'll also keep most XTC fans(like this one) happy until Andy and Colin finally finish their latest album.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great live energy...Somewhat stale studio reworkings, March 11, 2000

By 

Paul Reynolds (Watertown, Mass (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Transistor Blast: Best of BBC Sessions (Audio CD)

For any long-time XTC fans who are wondering about their 'live-playing' days but never had a chance to see them perform, CDs 3 and 4 provide the answer. CD3, from the early Barry Andrews days, is an engaging blast of colorful, carnival energy. These early songs, soaring with fast-paced goofiness, but lacking in the maturity that the group began to develop with 'Drums and Wires', require and thrive on that energy. CD4 combines the live energy with improved musicianship and Colin Moulding and Andy Partridge's maturing songwriting skills that developed after the arrival of Dave Gregory. Overall it seems to me that XTC was indeed an excellent live act, despite Partridge's many remarks since stating the contrary. As far as the BBC studio outtakes, I find many of them to be relatively flat and lacking compared with the original album versions - which goes to show that some of the production values and studio effects put into albums like 'English Settlement' and 'Oranges and Lemons' were not for naught.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Example of band at their performing peak!, December 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Transistor Blast: Best of BBC Sessions (Audio CD)

Wonderful set of derivitive versions of XTCs songs. 2 Live CDs plus 2 discs of Peel session versions = a Dynamite value for the money. A must buy for every XTC fan.