More duets this week as it’s another when I’m busy….hope you don’t mind.
The minute I finished writing up the first five postings, I slapped my forehead for missing out today’s offering. I immediately thought about doing a piece as a stand-alone item but instead will now offer it as the overture for this week:-
mp3 : The Jesus and Mary Chain – Sometimes Always (featuring Hope Sandoval)
A duet from 1994 between the confident and outgoing Jim Reid and the reserved and insular vocalist from acclaimed American alt-combo, Mazzy Star. It’s one that the instinctive reaction should be ‘not a chance this will work’ and yet, after just one listen, such thoughts will be forever banished.
Lyrically, it’s a bit of a strange one as it hints at the way an abusive relationship might pan out.
She : I gave you all I had
I gave you good and bad
I gave but you just threw it back
He : I won’t get on my knees
Don’t make me do that please
I’ve been away but now I’m back
She : Don’t be too sure of that
What makes you sure of that
You went away you can’t come back
He : I walked away from you
I hurt you through and through
Aw honey give me one more chance
She : Aw you’re a lucky son
Lucky son of a gun
You went away, you went away
You went away but now you’re back
He : I got down on my knees
And then I begged you please
I always knew you’d take me back
He’s quite the conniving character isn’t he?
It was actually the first of what has proven to be a number of excellent duets or guest vocals involving Hope Sandoval with the likes of Chemical Brothers, Air, Massive Attack and Mercury Rev.
Sometimes Always reached #22 on its release, which outside of April Skies and Reverence, is the best chart position achieved by any JAMC single.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
A song that always reminds me of boating in Norfolk with OPG. Beautiful.
Just a stunning stunning song!
Great song!
Looking forward to the Primal Scream – Kate Moss take on Some Velvet Morning, which should fit as hand in glove in this series.
Truly one of the greats. And one of the best bands to see live. That setlist of hits is hard to match for groups of dark hearted little rebels the world over
https://steveforthedeaf.wordpress.com/2017/12/02/sometimes-always-the-jesus-and-mary-chain/
Love this song! Maybe it’s because she’s so shy, and maybe I’m biased as a present-day Angeleno, but I don’t know why Hope Sandoval isn’t a mega-superstar.
I wondered if this would make the cut for this series and I’m chuffed that it has. Despite the lyrics I find it particularly uplifting. Joy, indeed.
The Melody Maker cover is a hoot. The Shampoo strapline is evidence of why the paper died.