Blog: The Perfumed Garden

I remember spending many hours in 1987 arguing with my mate Vince over whether The Darling Buds were better than The Primitives or not. I don't think we ever came to any firm conclusions. The first Darling Buds record I bought was "It's all up to you" which was released on Native Records and came in a very nice blue floral sleeve, a version of that track appears on this session. The Darling Buds come from Newport, South Wales and their debut album "Pop Said" was one of the best albums of 1988 spawning what seemed like an [...]

Broadcast first came to my attention in 1996 with their "Book Lovers ep" on stereolab's Duophonic label. This was their second release, the first was a seven inch single on wurlitzer jukebox records called accidentals. A record which now apparently sells for a fair price. Unfortunatly I've never managed to find one but their first few ep's were released in 1997 as an album entitled "Work And Non Work" and is well worth tracking down if you've never heard it. The bands first proper album "The Noise Made By People" was released on Warp Records in March 2000 and had [...]

My life has become just a little bit more complete. After the pain of watching York City crash out of the FA Cup to Grays Athletic last week and then their midweek game against Burton being postponed I was in need of some kind of pick me up. This is a session I've been searching for literally for years as I'm a firm believer that The Flatmates have written some of the best pop songs ever committed to vinyl. Imagine my joy when I finally found someone who possessed a copy. The [...]

I think it's high time we had another Viv Stanshall session up here so here goes. This was the third session Viv recorded for the Peel program and I am not 100% sure I've got the titles right, but I'm sure someone will correct me if their wrong. Viv Stanshall - Peel Session 6/4/1977. zip 1. Part 34 :- An Absence Of Whelks 2. Aunt Florrie Recalls Dan 3. Nice & Tidy 4. ???

Ok I need to ask for your help again. Does anyone happen to have a copy of the Meat Whiplash session from 28/10/1985? Please get in touch if you can help.

I have to say, this is a fantastic session, a classic. Possibly even the best of the year so far. Suicidal Birds come from Frisian in Holland and make a wonderful racket, mixing styles and genres. Signed to the Transformed Dreams label they've just released their debut album "The Z List" which apparently was recorded deep in the woods of Northern Holland and certainly deserves a place in every home. This is their first session. Jessie I - Guitar/Vocals Sido J - Guitar Chay [...]

Steel Pulse came to life in Birmingham in 1975. After a couple of releases on small independent labels the band signed to the mighty Island Records on which they released their fantasic "Handsworth Revolution" album in 1978. Steel Pulse have always been affected and/or inspired by poloitical and racist issues and thirty years on they are still going strong playing live shows around the world. For more info visit their website The first visit Steel Pulse made to the BBC's Maida Vale studio's was in August 1977 for their debut Peel [...]

Here's something whic may be of interest to you. Now, I have to say that I'm not a big fan of compilations because I always find at least a couple of songs which I really like and get frustrated because I then have to go record shopping to find more material. Yeah I know it's probably just me. This compilation's a bit different though because it's a compilation of Peel Session tracks. It was given away free with the NME sometime in 1987 and really is worth a listen. The only thing I would advise is that if [...]

Formed in Birmingham in 1985, Fuzzbox were a band brimming with good tunes enthusiasm and a certain kind of pride in their DIY style of music. Their debut single "Rules & Regulations" was one of the best releases of 1986 and reached number 31 in that years festive 50. The band also featured on the classic NME C86 tape with "Console Me". This was the first session they recorded for the Peel program. A second session was broadcast just four months later in July 1986. Vix - Vocals Tina O'Neill - Drums, Saxophone Jo Dunne - Bass, Guitar [...]

This is the first of two sessions Secret Affair recorded for the John Peel program. Formed out of the ashes of New Hearts in 1978 they quickly became inextricabley linked with the new mod revival of the late 1970's. Secret Affair released three albums between 1978 and the bands demise in1982. Ian Page - Vocals, Triangle Dave Cairns - Guitar, Backing Vocals Dennis Smith - Bass, Backing Vocals Seb Shelton - Drums Secret Affair - Peel [...]

The John Peel show may not have been a usual source of country music but Laura Cantrell was certainly a Peel favorite. Her debut album "Not The Trembling Kind" was played to death on the Peel Program and following five sessions (three of which were recorded live at Peel Acres) she became a close friend. This session however was recorded just a couple of months ago for the One Music program and I'm sure if Peel was still here it would have been a sixth Peel Session. I've left Laura's introductions on this session as well [...]

Comsat Angels formed in Sheffield in 1979. Their debut release was the "Red Planet E.P." on Junta Records in 1979. The band then signed to Poydor Records and released their debut album "Waiting For A Miracle" in 1980. Commercial success never really came to Comsat Angels but that did not stop them releasing no less than nine albums over a fifteen year period. The band finally split in 1995 after the release of their final album "Glamour". Comsat Angels recorded eight sessions in Maida Vale four of which were for the Peel Program. This [...]

Babes In Toyland were (for me anyway) one of the most exiting things to happen in 1990. I remember Peel started playing tracks from their fine debut album "Spanking Machine" on Twin Tone Records and I remember thinking that this band were far superior to many of the other bands doing the hardcore thing at that time. Following "Spanking Machine" the band signed to Reprise on which their second album "To Mother" was released in 1992, and I think I've got a green vinyl copy of it somewhere. This was the first session Babes In Toyland [...]

This is the track which was missing from last weeks Viv Stanshall session. Sorry! Viv Stanshall - Trail Of The Lonesome Pine Thanks, Eddie

I'm not entirely sure where this recording actually comes from, or for that matter what show it was broadcast on. I think this is the show recorded on 24th May 1973 at the Paris Cinema, Regent Street, London. What I do know though is this is a brilliant show and a copy of it should occupy a place in everyones record collection. If you can tell me more about it, please get in touch. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Live Broadcast (pt 1). zip Bob Marley & The Wailers - Live [...]

I was wondering if anyone out there has a copy of a Peel Session by Dr Phibes. It was broadcast on 11/5/1991 on featured the tracks:- Burning Cross / Dreaming/Insomnia and LA Woman. If you have a copy of this recording please get in touch. Cheers.

Having previously recorded sessions with Hefner and The French, Darren Hayman enters Maida Vale for his debut solo session. The songs on this session are Darren at his creative best which I'm pleased to say because I was a bit dissapointed with some of "The French" stuff. Darren recently released two EP's "Caravan Songs" and "Cortinaland", both of which are well worth tracking down. Additionally there's a Hefner session avaliable in the August archive of this site. Darren Hayman - One Music Session 30-8-2005. zip [...]

Timeless eccentric Viv Stanshall entertained listeners for years on the Peel program with his periodical saga "Sir Henry At Rawlinson End". I was listening to some of these sessions the other day and I don't think these recording have ever seen a commercial release which is a pity. Viv tragically died after a fire at his flat in 1985. He was an undisputed genius who never got the recognition he deserved for some fantastic work. This is the earliest session I have, but there are plenty more to come. [...]

Ahh The Heartthrobs, a band I had almost completely forgotten about until I read Tom,s artical on them on this weeks Indie MP3 update. The debut album "Cleopatra Grip" released in 1990 was an absolute classic and it's perfect pop still stands up well today. The band recorded three sessions for the BBC. The first was for the Simon Mayo program and can be downloaded below. It features a fantastic version of "Here I Hide" which would later appear on "Cleopatra Grip". Two further sessions were recorded, both for the John Peel Program, the second of [...]

ISAN quite simply make beautiful electronic music. Some people in the past have accused electronic music of being soulless. Those people have obviously never heard the work of ISAN. Their debut album "Beautronics" was released on Tugboat records in 1998. Since then they have released countless singles, remixes and collaborations on many different labels. Their latest album "Meet Next Life" was released last year on Morr Music. I think this was the only Peel Session ISAN recorded. The first track "Say Soft" was one of my favorite tracks of the year. Pure beauty! [...]