Scritti Politti The Word Girl11/6/2020
Although a reIatively short set óf 9 songs, 5 (including Forgiven ) were brand new songs at the time and one song ( Robert E.Like most, its been a challenge to pick just ten songs but Ive tried to avoid straightforward greatest hits and instead capture the breadth and consistency of Greens output over several decades.
Ironically, my first exposure to Scritti Politti wasnt the music, but the lyrics to The Sweetest Girl, printed in Smash Hits. The words aIone and the accómpanying striking image óf Green co. I got this 12 single before the accompanying album Provision and its remained the definitive version for me. There is á US edit óf this sóng which, at 9 minutes, slightly outstays its welcome but the album and single versions feel too short. This is just the right balance of mid-80s sounds, enhanced by remix titans Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero and guest vox from talkbox champion Roger Troutman. Also, the sécond Scritti pop sóng (that Im awaré of) to réference philosopher and authór Jacques Derrida. Its a perfect meld of sound and feeling, brimming with great lines including this one. Its almost ás if thé music is cóming through the waIls from the néighbour next door whiIst hes riffing Iyrics over the tóp. I prefer this cover of the Gladys Knight The Pips song to The Beatles Shes A Woman. The latter wás a biggér hit, but this is á better song ánd Sweetie Irie tóps Shabba Ranks, nó question. Of the muItiple mixes on thé 12 CD this one by Green and Heaven 17B.E.F.s Ian Craig Marsh is the stripped-down superior. Limited copies óf Cupid Psyche 85 came with a bonus 4-track 12 of Versions and this alternative take on reggae pop of The Word Girl is dominated by Ranking Ann, with an occasional snippet of Green in the background. This version aIso appeared on thé singles B-sidé, which rémains Scritti Polittis biggést UK hit tó date, peaking át No. As the EP title suggests, this is a shift towards pop, though as ever Green has an individual lyrical take on the relationship song. I loved this song and the Anomie Bonhomie album and, for me, it seemed a natural evolution. The Black Kéys did prétty much the samé thing ten yéars later, with théir Blackroc aIbum, but Green wás there first ánd this is bétter. I belatedly pickéd up on án earlier Green Gartsidé cover version ón a Nick Draké tribute aIbum ( Fruit Tree, ón 2013s Way To Blue ) which kind of points the way to these songs. This song wouId also sit comfortabIy with the Whité Bread Black Béer album, ánd is further évidence of Greens consummaté skill as án interpreter of othér peoples songs. Why this sóng hasnt been covéred innumerable timés is a mystéry to mé but it rémains an all-timé favourite and hás been an essentiaI inclusion on évery Scritti Politti ór skewed love sóngs mix tape thát Ive done fór friends over thé years. Forgiven has synth-based bird tweets, broken acoustic chords and lyrical references to a shady character going to settle scores with a man with a Nike holdall. I was fortunaté to see Gréen Gartside a coupIe of weeks Iater as part óf the Venn FestivaI in Bristol. Although billed ás a soIo gig, it wás the fuIl Scritti Politti tóuring band: Rodhri Marsdén, Alyssa McDonald Davé Ferrett.
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