Mid-Eighties
	Previously released material
	Released on 1993
	no chart information
	Find it at GEMM
R2 79488 cover [high resolution scan]

E ngland breeds eccentrics: Brian Eno, Robert Calvert, Robyn Hitchcock, Robert Wyatt. Their homey existence leads to left-of-center observations that mix the mundane with the mystical, though in Wyatt’s case the observations are more leftist than most. Politically astute, Wyatt tackles topics like British imperialism (negatively), communism (positively) and animal rights in a disarming style. He also offers unique interpretations of other artists, though in a limited vein. Mid-Eighties offers a tantalizing look at Wyatt’s product from that period, which consisted mostly of singles. Old Rottenhat collected many of those singles in 1985, and Mid-Eighties reprises that release in its entirety, making it that rare animal: a compilation based on a previous compilation. Featuring Wyatt on keyboards, drums and vocals, the songs on Mid-Eighties are pure DIY pieces played in an offhand manner that belies the artistry behind them. There are so many doors to follow in the pursuit of music that the Wyatts and Chas Jankels and Arto Lindsays of the world often go undiscovered. It’s a shame, one that critics and fans overcompensate for by heaping hyperbole on their humble accomplishments. The music on Mid-Eighties is not going to change your world or even lead to a Trotskyist conversion. Instead, it will pique your curiosity and stimulate your mind with interesting solutions to musical problems: “Pigs,” “The British Road,” “The United States of Amnesia.” More important, it proves that good music can completely disintermediate the “proper channels” and still reach its audience. I suspect Robert Wyatt might be most proud of that accomplishment. However, the absence of “Shipbuilding” underscores the temperamental nature of this collection. It’s what you’d expect to find on the other side of a door marked Mid-Eighties, and fair warning that you’re in for more surprises. Enjoy!

TRACK LISTING

1. YOLANDA    (Milanes/Arias)    4:12
2. TE RECUERDO AMANDA    (Jara/Martinez)    3:33
3. BIKO    (Peter Gabriel)    4:38
4. AMBER AND THE AMBERINES    (Robert Wyatt/Hugh Hopper)    4:11
5. MEMORIES OF YOU    (Blake/Andreamenentania P. Razafinkeriefo)    2:58
6. 'ROUND MIDNIGHT    (Monk/Williams/Hanighen)    4:09
7. PIGS    2:39
8. CHAIRMAN MAO    (Haden/Robert Wyatt)    6:15
9. ALLIANCE    4:24
10. THE UNITED STATES OF AMNESIA    5:51
11. EAST TIMOR    2:53
12. SPEECHLESS    3:37
13. THE AGE OF SELF    2:50
14. VANDALUSIA    2:43
15. THE BRITISH ROAD    6:48
16. MASS MEDIUM    4:17
17. GHARBZADEGI    8:20
18. P.L.A.    2:05
19. ALFIE AND ROBERT SAIL OFF INTO THE SUNSET
    
    All songs written by Robert Wyatt unless noted

CREDITS

ROBERT WYATT --
Hugh Hopper -- Casio keyboard (4)
Dave MaCrae -- keyboards
John Fryer -- engineer
John McGowan -- engineer
Bill Gilonis -- engineer
Alfreda Benge -- front cover painting

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