Wreckless Eric (album)
Encyclopedia
Wreckless Eric
's debut album was released on June 1, 1978. It reached #46 on the UK Albums Chart
.
A 10" version of the LP
was issued on both brown and purple vinyl in the UK
. These versions omitted the tracks "Whole Wide World" and "Telephoning Home." The full-length version of the LP was also issued on green vinyl in Germany.
It was reissued on CD for a limited time in 1994 by Disky Communications and included three bonus tracks: the "Whole Wide World" single B-side "Semaphore Signals" and two versions of Devo
's "Be Stiff," a song that many artists on the Stiff Records
label had covered as a promotional vehicle.
According to Eric's website, most versions of this LP feature speeded-up versions of the tracks in which the songs are a semitone
higher than recorded. Some of these versions have also appeared on various compilations throughout the years.
In a 1995 interview with Peter Doggett (found on the limited edition Rykodisc
release An Overview Disc), former Stiff Records label-mate Elvis Costello
mentions that, due to their unusual vocal styles, Stiff had originally envisioned a split LP between himself and Eric, with each artist taking one side of the record.
Wreckless Eric
Wreckless Eric is an English rock and roll/new wave singer-songwriter, best known for his 1977 single " Whole Wide World" on Stiff Records. More than two decades after its release, the song was included in Mojo magazine’s list of the best punk rock singles of all time...
's debut album was released on June 1, 1978. It reached #46 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
.
A 10" version of the LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
was issued on both brown and purple vinyl in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. These versions omitted the tracks "Whole Wide World" and "Telephoning Home." The full-length version of the LP was also issued on green vinyl in Germany.
It was reissued on CD for a limited time in 1994 by Disky Communications and included three bonus tracks: the "Whole Wide World" single B-side "Semaphore Signals" and two versions of Devo
Devo
Devo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
's "Be Stiff," a song that many artists on the Stiff Records
Stiff Records
Stiff Records is a record label created in London in 1976, by entrepreneurs Dave Robinson and Andrew Jakeman , and active until 1985. It was reactivated in 2007....
label had covered as a promotional vehicle.
According to Eric's website, most versions of this LP feature speeded-up versions of the tracks in which the songs are a semitone
Semitone
A semitone, also called a half step or a half tone, is the smallest musical interval commonly used in Western tonal music, and it is considered the most dissonant when sounded harmonically....
higher than recorded. Some of these versions have also appeared on various compilations throughout the years.
In a 1995 interview with Peter Doggett (found on the limited edition Rykodisc
Rykodisc
Rykodisc Records is an American record label. It is owned by Warner Music Group, operates as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance.-Company history:...
release An Overview Disc), former Stiff Records label-mate Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
mentions that, due to their unusual vocal styles, Stiff had originally envisioned a split LP between himself and Eric, with each artist taking one side of the record.
1978 Release
All Songs Written By Wreckless Eric, except where noted.- "Reconnez Cherie" 3:15
- "Rags and Tatters" 1:28
- "Waxworks" 2:46
- "Telephoning Home" 3:59
- "Grown Ups" 2:54
- "(I'd Go The) Whole Wide World(I'd Go The) Whole Wide World" Whole Wide World" is a song written by English rock and roll singer-songwriter Eric Goulden, better known as Wreckless Eric. Goulden wrote the song in May 1974, and recorded it in 1977 while an original member of the Stiff Records label...
" 2:52 - "Rough Kids" (Ian DuryIan DuryIan Robins Dury was an English rock and roll singer, lyricist, bandleader and actor who initially rose to fame during the late 1970s, during the punk and New Wave era of rock music...
, Russell Hardy) 2:02 - "Personal Hygiene" 2:42
- "Brain Thieves" 3:48
- "There Isn't Anything Else" 2:35
1994 CD Reissue Bonus Tracks
- "Semaphore Signals"
- "Be Stiff" (Version 1) (Gerald V. Casale, Bob Lewis)
- "Be Stiff" (Version 2)
Personnel
- Wreckless Eric: Vocals, Guitars, Drums
- Steve CurrieSteve CurrieSteve Currie was born in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, England. He was best known as the bass player and long term member of the English glam rock band T.Rex....
: Bass - Steve GouldingSteve GouldingSteve Goulding is an English drummer, best known for his memberships with Graham Parker and The Rumour, The Associates, Poi Dog Pondering and The Mekons. With the Associates he had a UK #9 hit single with "Party Fears Two"...
, Dave Lutton, Dave Otway, David Witton: Drums - Charlie Hart: Piano, Organ, Accordion
- Glyn JohnsGlyn JohnsGlyn Johns is a musician, recording engineer and record producer.-Career:He has worked with such artists as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Easybeats, The Band, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, Eric Clapton, The Clash, The Steve Miller Band, Small Faces, Spooky Tooth, The Ozark...
: Tenor Saxophone - Nick LoweNick LoweNicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
: Bass, Guitars - Barry Payne: Bass
- Davey PayneDavey PayneDavid 'Davey' Payne is an English saxophonist best known as a member of Ian Dury's backing band The Blockheads, and his twin saxophone solo on their 1978 UK #1 single "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick"....
: Alto & Tenor Saxophone - Larry WallisLarry WallisLarry Wallis is a guitarist, songwriter and producer. He is best known as a member of the Pink Fairies and an early member of Motörhead.-Early bands:...
: Guitars
Production
- Produced By Barry Farmer, Larry WallisLarry WallisLarry Wallis is a guitarist, songwriter and producer. He is best known as a member of the Pink Fairies and an early member of Motörhead.-Early bands:...
, Ian DuryIan DuryIan Robins Dury was an English rock and roll singer, lyricist, bandleader and actor who initially rose to fame during the late 1970s, during the punk and New Wave era of rock music...
and Nick LoweNick LoweNicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica... - Recorded & Engineered By Chas Herington
External links
- Official Wreckless Eric website
- "Wreckless Eric" at discogs: link