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Kris Needs Presents
Dirty Water 2
More Birth of Punk Attitude

 

Artist: various
Year Zero
RRP: £13.99
YZLDD010
Available 18 April 2011


Not content with one compilation album celebrating the birth of punk attitude, 2010's Dirty Water: The Birth of Punk Attitude now has a second volume.

The title's a little misleading - you've be forgiven for thinking this album would be packed with tracks that inspired the punk rock movement, but that's not really the case. There are a few too many freeform jazz based tracks and I don't think anyone could declare that Punk Rock emerged from the Jazz scene.

What this album does is highlight bands which upset the applecart in their day, daring to be that little bit alternative... that little bit wilder. As with the previous release, this 2-disc collection stretches back to primitive rock 'n' roll's early salvos, including Bo Diddley and Johnny Thunders's favourite Eddie Cochran, plus the hot-wired tremors of seminal UK outfits such as Kilburn and the High Roads, Doctors of Madness, Stack Waddy, Hammersmith Gorillas and the Edgar Broughton Band. New York City is represented by Patti Smith, Blondie, the mighty Jayne County, demented Holy Modal Rounders and Dizzy Gillespie representing the bepop movement which flame-blasted cool jazz's rigid trouser-seat, leaving a wide open orifice for the raw, spiritual anarchy of Albert Ayler.

Reggae's huge influence is acknowledged with righteous cuts from Tapper Zukie and Junior Murvin. The most singled out artists on the first volume were New York doowoppers the Silhouettes, Flamin' Groovies and Detroit's Death so they're here again, as are Mott the Hopple in their later phase and untouchable Suicide. For the sheer upheaval he caused in the life of many, David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust also makes an appearance, as does Aylesbury lunatic John Otway.

The 2-disc collection features 39 tracks and, according to the press information there is also a 76-page book (although we didn't receive a copy) which explains Needs's reasons for including each track.

So basically what you have here are two discs full of "cool" tracks that were a little bit too "out there" for their time. It's an interesting compilation and certainly one that's worth checking out.

8

Nick Smithson

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Dirty Water 2: More Birth Of Punk Attitude (iTunes) - Various Artists
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