Live at the BBC is a compilation album of live tracks recorded for the BBC between 1985 and 1987 by The Housemartins

The Housemartins

The Housemartins were an English indie pop band that was active in the 1980s. Many of the Housemartins' lyrics were a mixture of Marxist politics and Christianity, reflecting singer Paul Heaton's beliefs at the time .-Formation:The band was formed in late 1983 by Paul Heaton and...

. While most of the tracks included are session versions recorded for various BBC radio shows, the disc also features a number of cuts from the band's performances in Nottingham and at the 1986 Glastonbury Festival

Glastonbury Festival

The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...

, as broadcast on the BBC.

The album features sleevenotes written by the band's former press officer

Press secretary

A press secretary or press officer is a senior advisor who provides advice on how to deal with the news media and, using news management techniques, helps their employer to maintain a positive public image and avoid negative media coverage....

 and compere

Master of Ceremonies

A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....

, Phill Jupitus

Phill Jupitus

Phillip Christopher Jupitus is an English stand-up and improvised comedian, actor, performance poet, musician and podcaster....

, and serves as a companion to the previously released BBC session tracks included on the 1988 compilation album "Now That's What I Call Quite Good

Now That's What I Call Quite Good

Now That's What I Call Quite Good was the post-breakup greatest hits album from The Housemartins. It was released in 1988. As well as singles, the compilation includes various album tracks, B-sides and radio session recordings...

". With the exception of track 1, "Drop Down Dead", all of the recordings included on the disc are exclusive to this album.

Track listing

1. "Drop Down Dead" - 3:00
2. "Flag Day" - 3:34
3. "Stand At Ease" - 2:54
4. "Reverends Revenge" - 1:34
5. "Shelter" - 3:22
6. "People Get Ready
   People Get Ready (song)
   "People Get Ready" was a 1965 single by The Impressions, and the title track from the album of the same name. The single is today the group's best-known hit, reaching number-three on the Billboard R&B Chart and number 14 on the Billboard Pop Chart...
   
   " - 1:39
7. "Over There" - 2:54
8. "Caravan Of Love" - 4:40
9. "Happy Hour" - 2:32
10. "Heaven Help Us All
    Heaven Help Us All
    "Heaven Help Us All" is a 1970 soul single composed by Ron Miller and first performed by Motown singer Stevie Wonder. The song, which showcased a departure from Wonder's earlier works displaying an earthier, gospel-infused sound, continued Wonder's string of Top 10 singles on the pop charts...
    
    " - 3:16
11. "Pickin' The Blues (Peel Show Theme Tune)" - 0:51
12. "Mercy" - 2:58
13. "So Glad" - 1:53
14. "He Brought Me Out" - 2:07
15. "Sunday Isn't Sunday" - 2:06
16. "Build
    Build (song)
    "Build" is a song released from the album The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death by The Housemartins. It follows the softer template of the group's later material and reached #15 in the UK Singles Chart.-Charts:-External links:...
    
    " - 4:35
17. "We're Not Deep" - 2:24
18. "Me And The Farmer" - 2:58
19. "The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death" - 3:21
20. "The Light Is Always Green" - 3:51
21. "The World's On Fire" - 3:04
22. "We're Not Going Back" - 2:35
23. "Johannesburg" - 3:47
24. "Five Get Over Excited" - 4:44

• Tracks 1-3 were recorded live for the John Peel Show, July 21, 1985.
• Tracks 4 and 12-14 were recorded live for the Janice Long Show, November 6, 1985.
• Tracks 5-6 were recorded live on Saturday Live, April 4, 1986.
• Tracks 7-8 were recorded live for the John Peel Show, April 6, 1986.
• Tracks 9-11 were recorded live for the John Peel Show, June 3, 1986.
• Tracks 15-16 were recorded live for the John Peel Show, November 3, 1987.
• Tracks 17-18 were recorded live at the Glastonbury Festival November 29, 1986.
• Tracks 19-24 were recorded live at the Royal Centre
  Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
  The Royal Concert Hall in the English city of Nottingham, is part of the city's Royal Centre, which also incorporates the Victorian Theatre Royal...
  
  , Nottingham
  Nottingham
  Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
  
  , September 30, 1987.