At The BBC – Pixies
This was originally going to be part of the albums of the year feature, but I then had a rethink on the basis that it’s not exactly something new and most of the tracks had previously been made available on CD as far back as 1998. It’s also a stupidly expensive and over-priced release.
But, hey. It’s one of the world’s best bands, at their peak, on vinyl and with superb artwork to make for a great looking and great sounding package. So I’m highlighting it as it’s something I’ve enjoyed playing during 2024.
Here’s how the promotional people described it….
Between 1988 and 1991 – during the band’s 4AD years – Pixies recorded six sessions for the BBC, five for John Peel and one for Mark Goodier. Catching the raw energy of the band’s live performances, these sessions felt immediately noteworthy, timestamping a moment when Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and David Lovering were motoring out front.
Among the twenty-four tracks they recorded in this period (inc. two doubles – ‘Allison’ and ‘Wave of Mutilation’) are favourites from mini-album Come on Pilgrim and three of their four 4AD studio albums. Also recorded were three covers; reworks of The Beatles’ ‘Wild Honey Pie’, Eraserhead’s ‘(In Heaven) Lady in the Radiator Song’ and The Beach Boys’ ‘Hang On To Your Ego’, a track Black Francis covered a few years later on his debut Frank Black solo album.
Originally released on CD in 1998, this reboot now sees all tracks from the six sessions included and presented in chronological order. Something fans have been asking for. Coming as both a triple black vinyl LP and double CD, the sleeve is also new with a wonderful black and gold design by Chris Bigg now adorning it. A design that really stands out, Chris pays loving tribute to the band’s late-visual director Vaughan Oliver, using unseen archival Pixies imagery by long-time collaborator Simon Larbalestier.
It all adds up to 60 minutes worth of music, and while I think it’s a piece of nonsense to stretch it out over three different records, I’m still happy to have bought it and played it very loudly quite a few times this year.
From their very first Peel Session in May 1988 to one from their very last Peel Session in June 1991
mp3: Pixies – Subbacultcha (Peel Session)
A recording which is far superior than the one which would emerge later in the year on Tromp Le Monde
And finally, one that wasn’t included on the 1988 release. From a Peel Session in June 1990. Never recorded by the band, but a version can be found on Frank Black’s eponymous solo album from 1993.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
I agree, it’s over-packaged and over-priced as a result – would have fit comfortably across three sides of vinyl, let alone six! BUT it is brilliant. The version of Levitate Me is better than the original, and most of the versions here do offer something different. I bought the CD back in ’98, but hoped they would one day put out the full collection of sessions. Only took 26 years…
Almost as good as the new C Turtle record…:-)
That version of Subbacultcha though… worth the price alone.
Got the original CD when it came out and enjoy it as much as any Pixies album much of the time.
And in a neat piece of blogging syncro, Hang On To Your Ego is at my place today, almost
I found out today that there’s a deluxe edition of Sonic Youth’s “Goo” that includes a cover version of “I Know There’s An Answer” – the song that replaced “Hang on to your Ego” on “Pet Sounds” at the last minute (More precisely: only the lyrics and the title have been replaced). Interestingly, the vocals are by J Mascis and Don Fleming.
As far as I can tell, all cover versions are double plus good. It’s probably just impossible to ruin the song. [sk]
I see what you did there ‘Anonymous’. Very droll (it did make me laugh)