Big Country Info Big Country Info

 

LINER NOTES

(jump to: Credits)

The Skids are Scotland's premier punk band, formed in Dunfermline in 1977 and centered around the pairing of singer, songwriter and general walking hurricane Richard Jobson, along with whirr kid guitarist Stuart Adamson. Their first break happened almost overnight, when local record shop owner Sandy Muir agreed to be their manager. Muir paid for the recording of and released 'Charles', their debut single, on his own Bad label, which in turn attracted enough attention for Virgin Records to sign the group in May 1978.

They instantly became the cool card in the world of punk new wave, based on an impressive visual image, and Jobson almost impossible high kick dance style. Right off the starting blocks with their new label The Skids recorded a John Peel session on May 19th, while also issuing their first major single 'Sweet Suburbia' in September of 1978, the record earned them a minor hit, and some school yard street cred. Around the same time the group recorded another Peel session. By November they had also made their first impact on the UK charts with 'The Saints Are Coming', this would be followed by a much higher chart showing in February 1979 with 'Into The Valley', a white vinyl single that put them straight into the Top 10 and onto Top Of The Pops.'

The groups debut album 'Scared To Dance' was a massive chart hit, despite tention in the studio, when Stuart Adamson threatened to quit after a row with producer David Batchelor. In a March a non-album single 'Masquerade' went Top 20 and found the group on the cover of Smash Hits.

The next single 'Charade' was released in September 1979 and previewed perfectly the second album 'Days In Europa' (yes, thats right two albums in one year:). The Skids were a huge hit on the live circuit too, and unlike other punk groups suffered rarely from audience fighting, after all you arn't likely to do anything again once the six foot plus Jobson has told you to give it a rest.

Their second album spawned two more singles 'Working For The Yankee Dollar' and 'Animation', both charted and added to the groundbreaking success of the group. A few line up changes then brings us to my own personal favourite Skids single 'Circus Games', another chance for the group to hit our TV screens on Top Of The Pops, it was followed swiftly by a third album 'The Absolute Game' in September of 1980.

The new album was arty, grandiose, and featured much material far removed from the original Skids style. In the same month as it's release the group recorded it's fifth and final Peel session, they would finally call it a day after one more album 'Joy' in 1981. While Richard saw his future first in music and later in televison, Stuart left one successful group and walked straight into another of his own making, in the shape of Big Country. This collection of Skids singles and album tracks was brought together in celebration of a great band, and in tribute to Stuart Adamson, one of the nicest people I personally ever met...

Alan Parker
(The Gimmick)

 

CREDITS

(jump to: Liner Notes)

1 Charles
(Stuart Adamson) EMI Virgin Music Ltd. Digital Remaster (P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
2 Sweet Suburbia
(Richard JobsonStuart Adamson) EMI Virgin Music Ltd Digital Remaster (P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
3 Into The Valley
(Richard JobsonStuart Adamson). Digital Remaster (P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
4 Goodbye Civilian
(Richard JobsonStuart AdamsonRussell WebbMike Baillie) EMI Virgin Music Ltd EMI 10 Music LtdBMG Music Ltd. Digital Remaster (P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
5 Walk On The Wild Side
(Lou Reed) Screen Gems-EMI Music Ltd. Digital Remaster (P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
6 The Saints Are Coming
(Richard Jobson/Stuart Adamson) EMI Virgin Music Ltd
Digital Remaster (P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
7 Working For The Yankee Dollar
(Richard JobsonStuart Adamson) EMI Virgin Music Ltd Digital Remaster (P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
8 Charade
(Richard JobsonStuart Adamson) EMI Virgin Music Ltd Digital Remaster (P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
9 All The Young Dudes
(David Bowie) MCPS LtdEMI Music Publishing Ltd Digital Remaster (P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
10 Melancholy Soldiers
(Richard JobsonStuart Adamson) EMI Virgin Music Ltd
Digital Remaster (P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd

11 TV Stars
(Richard JobsonStuart Adamson) EMI Virgin Music Ltd Digital Remaster
(P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
12 Snakes & Ladders
(The Skids) EMI Virgin Music LtdArnakata Music Ltd Digital Remaster
(P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
13 Circus Games
(Richard JobsonStuart AdamsonRussell WebbMike Baillie) EMI Virgin Music Ltd EMI 10 Music LtdBM3 Music Publishing Digital Remaster
(P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
14 Animation
(Richard JobsonStuart Adamson) EMI Virgin Music Ltd Digital Remaster
(P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
15 And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
(Richard JobsonEric BogleRussell Webb) UniversalIsland Music Ltd Robertson Brown Associates Ltd. Digital Remaster
(P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
16 Masquerade
(Richard JobsonStuart Adamson) EMI Virgin Music Ltd Digital Remaster
(P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
17 Fields
(Richard JobsonRussell Webb) EMI Virgin Music LtdRussell Webb Digital Remaster
(P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd
18 Hymns For A Haunted Ballroom
(Stuart AdamsonRichard Jobson) EMI Virgin Music Ltd Digital Remaster
(P) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd

(P) 2003 The copyright in this compilation is owned by EMI Records Ltd
(C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd
This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.
(C) 2003 EMI Records Ltd

UK: 590 6582
Place on manufacture is stated on label. Marketed and distributed by EMI. Printed in the EU

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