Velouria
Encyclopedia
"Velouria" is a song by the American alternative rock
band Pixies, written and sung by the band's frontman Black Francis. "Velouria" is featured on their album Bossanova
, was the first single
to be released from it and was the band's first UK Top 40 hit. The song features extensive use of theremin
. It featured on the influential 1990 'Madchester' compilation album Happy Daze
.
Black Francis re-recorded a version of "Velouria" with Keith Moliné
and Andy Diagram
for his Frank Black Francis album.
The song was covered by The Bad Plus
in their 2004 album Give
.
As "Velouria" was climbing up the UK Top 40, the band was offered a spot on Top Of The Pops
. However, a BBC
rule stated that only singles with videos could be performed on the show. To counter this, a cheap video was made with the band being filmed running down a quarry.
In the video, twenty-three seconds of footage (the time needed for the band members to reach the camera) is slowed in order to last for the duration of the song. However, the effort in filming the video was in vain; the Pixies did not play "Velouria" on Top of The Pops while the single was in the charts.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Pixies, written and sung by the band's frontman Black Francis. "Velouria" is featured on their album Bossanova
Bossanova
Bossanova is the third album by the American alternative rock band Pixies, released in August 1990 on the English independent record label 4AD in the United Kingdom and by Elektra Records in the United States. All of Bossanovas original material was written by the band's frontman Black Francis; it...
, was the first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
to be released from it and was the band's first UK Top 40 hit. The song features extensive use of theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
. It featured on the influential 1990 'Madchester' compilation album Happy Daze
Happy Daze (Madchester album)
Happy Daze is a compilation album of songs linked to the Madchester music genre distributed by Island Records in 1990.-Influence:The Madchester sound had been developing during the later 1980s, from its nascent jangy sounds originally showcased on the NME's classic C86 cassette...
.
Black Francis re-recorded a version of "Velouria" with Keith Moliné
Keith Moliné
Keith Moliné is currently the guitarist for Pere Ubu. He has also performed with David Thomas and Two Pale Boys, Infidel, and They Came from the Stars I Saw Them. He uses a unique midi-guitar setup that allows him to produce numerous overlapping instrument voicings within the context of "live"...
and Andy Diagram
Andy Diagram
Andy Diagram is a British musician and trumpet player. He has worked with the instrument in a variety bands and contexts ranging from pop and rock to experimental jazz, art rock and dance music...
for his Frank Black Francis album.
The song was covered by The Bad Plus
The Bad Plus
The Bad Plus are a jazz trio from the United States, consisting of pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson, and drummer Dave King, originating from Minneapolis, MN.-History:...
in their 2004 album Give
Give (album)
Depending on the pressing, one or both of the following tracks may appear as bonus tracks. The recording of "Knowing Me, Knowing You" is not the same as the one that appeared on The Bad Plus album.-Personnel:*Ethan Iverson – piano*Reid Anderson – double bass...
.
Video
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
. However, a BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
rule stated that only singles with videos could be performed on the show. To counter this, a cheap video was made with the band being filmed running down a quarry.
In the video, twenty-three seconds of footage (the time needed for the band members to reach the camera) is slowed in order to last for the duration of the song. However, the effort in filming the video was in vain; the Pixies did not play "Velouria" on Top of The Pops while the single was in the charts.
Track listing
All songs written by Black Francis, except where noted- "Velouria" – 3:40
- "Make Believe" – 1:54
- "I've Been Waiting for You" (Neil YoungNeil YoungNeil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
) –2:45 - "The Thing" – 1:58