Wasn’t a massive fan when they first appeared.

Happened to be in watching Jools Holland and they were on plugging the new album. The drums at the start of Machine Gun. Fuck!

3 Likes

gutted to miss the glastonbury performance from a few years ago. found it absolutely incredible, especially in the context of an Other stage headliner, which are often pretty mediocre to my taste. they looked like a serious, intense and deeply felt thing - probably one of the benefits of not playing live very often

1 Like

Watched it on the BBC coverage and it looked amazing. Didn’t Beth sign off with something like “I hope that was ok.” or similar?

Yeah she did, thats exactly the bit I remember too

1 Like

The correct answer is: the self-titled one.

1 Like

No U.K. Number 1 albums, bit surprised by this.

Dummy was a slow burner wasn’t it. I recall it really ticking over slowly selling 1 CD a fortnight in the shop I worked in, then I think the Stone Roses mentioned it in The Big Issue which they gave an exclusive interview to prior to their 2nd album release and it started to gather pace.

I also recall a woman calling into the record shop I worked in then asking for a song from Top of the Pops the previous evening. I’d missed the show and she described the band but I was clueless. She then sang the song, or a few bars from it (Glory Box), which was usually quite a funny experience but even to this I though shit this sounds good.

I bought all the 12"s and LP but sold them whilst at Uni, real dumb of me that.

4 Likes

this is fucking great haha

3 Likes

She went on to be an extra in a Bond movie (the customer), should have added that bit.

and how do you know this?

She told me, she was a women’s hair stylist and was asked to be an extra in Goldeneye I think or the next film by one of her customers. She was a regular customer at the record shop.

The next time she came in after singing Glory Box I’d realised what song she was looking for and we had it in stock but she’d already got it from HMV.

Three number 2 albums though :+1:

Consistent.

If they did a 4th album I’d envisage it getting to No: 1.

Think that rather than a new MBV album, this might be the actual holy grail :thinking:

3 Likes

Agreed. MBV clearly have peaked a long time ago.

Portishead, unlikely but I wouldn’t be surprised if a new album was as good; if not better than all before, they’re just that unique kind of outfit.

2 Likes

Chills every single time. One of those bands that have absolutely no filler, every single album is phenomenal. I know they only have 3 albums but the level of quality control is incredible. I think Beth Gibbons might be my favourite vocalist ever along with Elizabeth Fraser.

2 Likes

Best gig I’ve been to by a country mile that, just perfect, everything about it. You’re dead on, you could tell the crowd adored them, the way Beth was so coy but effortlessly note perfect. And laser beams coming out of David Cameron’s eyes, and the bass, the booming drums closing with We Carry On. Faaack

Saw both at a Tsunami benefit gig in 2005. Was amazing. Portishead merged their set into Massive Attack’s (for whom Liz Fraser sang Teardrop and one other). Then MA did a version of Glory box before Beth Gibbons came on and sung her part and then Portishead did 7 or 8 songs. Was amazing. Watched some of the set on YouTube last night to remind myself. The Coral, Robert Plant, and Damon Albarn all played that night too

3 Likes

Beth going and hugging everyone in the front row in the end is one of the most genuine and wonderful things I’ve seen at a concert

2 Likes

Here you go

2 Likes

Cheers for that, its a good listen.

From 1hr 55 for anyone else.

1 Like