About time Prefab Sprout put out some 'Super Deluxe' CDs of all their albums. Lots of rare unreleased tracks which would easily grace their albums. This is a prime example.
i think patty believes it isn't very good, even if that isn't true. apparently there are huge vaults with thousands (not an exaggeration) of hours of material. beyond that most of it is so old that there is bound to be copyright issues but lord do i pray!
😊😊😊 Thank you - although tbh, I've been part of the family since, ooh, 1984...! I guess I must have nipped out to the off-licence for you all, when this was on the stereo! 😁
I “met” PS a few weeks before moving to somewhere between Langley Park and Bearpark. I’ve driven through Bearpark thousands of times - well, hundreds. This is an astonishing song, the music, yes, but especially the lyrics: "Hard as nails Geordies”!
You drive through Bearpark on your way from Langley Park to Memphis, feeling carsick but you never pull in? You're living Prefab Sprout lyrics, Jumping frog!
I still remember, 30 years ago, I passed through Bearpark, stopped at the chippy .... we were complete strangers, but an old lady came in on her sticks and they made a fuss over her .... hey, give Mrs Daddlington (or whatever) a nice big FISH!! And they DID!! Bearpark, what a place .... G
Home, sweet home Sweet home, hard as nails Bearpark you were mine I know, I know, I've been away but you're Not the type for valentines Bearpark I get homesick Langley, you are fine I know, I know, I'm a gypsy But Bearpark, Bearpark's on my mind There's nowhere else like you I'm gonna walk this weary body that's been nowhere far too long I'm gonna drag it back where it belongs I'm gonna walk this weary body that's been nowhere far too long I'm gonna drag it back where it belongs Home sweet home, Geordies Hard as nails, Geordies Well out of my pram, Hard as nails, Geordies We am Bearpark what a place I know that this will sound soft but I Sometimes think you've got a face Both eyes black and blue A stranger comes to town I know, I know, the chances are that Some bright spark will run him down No honey on your tongue I'm gonna take this broken spirit Gonna mend it for all time When I see your dear name I'm gonna take this broken spirit Gonna mend it for all time When I see your dear name I'm gonna take this broken spirit Gonna heal it for all time When I see your dear name Upon a sign Bearpark you are mine Hard as nails, Geordies Bearpark you are mine Well out of my pram Bearpark you are mine Hard as nails, Geordies Bearpark you are mine Well out of my pram
"Moving the River" blogged about how perfect it is as a demo and how hard it would be for a more polished production to improve it. Who knows how many fabulous four-track cassette demos lie in boxes under Paddy McAloon's bed?!!
If you visit Bear Park you'll see why, it is a very (or it was in the 80's) run down and fairly desolate place after theCoal Mine closed down it went down hill.
It's a Paddy McAloon demo.. hence the absence of bass & just a simple drum pattern.. it would have sounded "fuller" if it had ever been properly recorded..
Moving the River's great blog post "Story Of A Song: Prefab Sprout’s ‘Bearpark’ (1988)" says "It was also apparently the first time he [Paddy McAloon] had ever used a four-track cassette machine, recorded with a Dr Rhythm drum box, cheap synth and electric guitar." He is a magician.
just fixing my last comment it should have been ...a bright spark will run him down............ brilliant where does he come up with these lines ............... early sprout songs brilliant
It's a B-side, a homage to his home land, trying to find beauty in the run-down Bearpark, the beauty he puts in the song seems to do that. If you want more substance look at Michael, a beautiful, profound piece of philosophy-cosmology: 'All the jobs I've ever held, positions I have known The one I was a fool to leave was Right hand to the throne Ambition took me speed of light To God's exclusion zone Michael if you're listening, Michael who stayed true One of us got out of line when Paradise was new One of us was exiled and the one who wasn't you Michael help me write a letter to you know who I will sign it "Lucifer regrets " Can't forget his final words were "Ain't no comeback gonna come your way" What if I pray? Michael the archangel listen. Michael don't you see? We've come to stand for principles that Prove free will is free If you are on the side of good Now where does that leave me? Michael - help me write a letter to you know who I will sign it "Lucifer regrets" Can't forget his final words were "Ain't no comeback gonna come your way" He never could resist a sinner Or ignore a distress call but such a fall '
@@wrincht1 well said the whole jordan the comeback album was a outstanding piece off work.................. i think doo wop in harlem is brilliant outstanding album
mcaloon doesnt need to copy anybody .................... he has more songs in his head then the hole rest off them so called songwriters put together.................
