The Fruit of the Original Sin

by

Various Artists

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An early compilation originally released in 1981 by the mysterious Les Disques Du Crepuscule label in Belgium. Everything about this compilation spells "A-R-T" : from the booklet design to the list of artists to the concept itself, with a vague reference to a famous "ball" given in Venice a long time ago. A rundown of some notable tracks follows :

The French Impressionists "Boo Boo's Gone Mambo/My Guardian Angel" - A medley of some sort, strange guitar/piano discordant noodling merges into a melodious song, sung by one Paul Quinn. Aztec Camera helped out. Recorded in mono, but that only adds to its quirkiness.

Cecile Bruynoghe "Claire de lune" - Yes, Debussy. The rendition cannot compare to Kocsis or whoever, but the intention is great.

The Durutti Column "Party" & "Weakness and Fever" - Typically melancholic tunes from Vini which can only be described as "beautiful", despite his vocal inadequacies.

Richard Jobson "The Happiness of Lonely" - Homage to Marguerite Duras. Zany poetry reading backed by Virginia Astley on piano. And Then...

Marguerite Duras Interview - Ten-minute interview, again with Astley's atmospheric piano in the background.

The Names "Music For Someone" - No, they are not mere Joy Division copyists! Listen out for the sound clip of some old movie at the end.

Winston Tong "The Next Best Thing To Death" - Insightful spoken word by Tuxedomooner, delivered in a sleepy but strangely affecting voice.

Arthur Russell "Sketch For 'Face of Helen'" - Cello droning over a hiss that's almost louder than the music. Is it supposed to be a waterfall?

WS Burroughs "Twilight's Last Gleaming" - Famous reading. No introduction necessary I guess.

Orange Juice "Three Cheers For Our Side" - Untidy early recording of a track later re-recorded for their first LP. The talent is already apparent.

Now, if only the label would pick itself up the floor and re-issue "From Brussels With Love"...

My copy of this les disques du crepuscule release is somewhat confusing. It is only a single disc for a start and seems somewhat bi-polar - the sleeve says 'made in Belgium' and the disc says 'Made in Austria'. I suspect that both are true - the inside sleeve is a reprint of the original vinyl release sleeve and the cd has been manufactured in Austria with a new outer sleeve. When I first bought it, slow as I am, I couldn't link what was on the disc to what the inside sleeve was telling me. Duh! This is a compendium cd of the original longer vinyl release (which I've never heard). Given that, it is still a compelling listen and something I return to when I want to hear something a little more left-of-centre and eclectic. On this single disc you get Peter Gordon; The French Impressionists; Wim Mertens; Cecile Bruynoghe; The Durutti Column; Richard Jobson; Marguerite Duras; The Names; Winston Tong; Arthur Russel; WS Burroughs; The Swamp Children; DNA and Orange Juice. The sleeve has some lyrics and illustrations but not all. I can't comment on the 2-disc version but if it's more of the same quality as my single-disc release it will be sure to please those looking for an eclectic collection. It sounds like a mix tape made by a friend with different taste to everyone else around them. No top 40 or radio stuff here folks but if you have open ears this is very rewarding.