Category: Jazz Butcher

Today’s offering is a tribute to the late Pat Fish, who passed away suddenly, at the age of 63, on 5 October 2021.

I can’t claim to be a huge expert on The Jazz Butcher. Indeed, most of what I have on the hard drive consists of songs included on compilation albums or box sets, although I do have a second-hand vinyl copy of an actual Jazz Butcher compilation – Bloody Nonsense, released in 1986 – which I picked up during one of my trips over to Canada, and while I can’t say that every song is a stand-out or has made a positive impression, there’s been enough to make me a casual fan.

This blog hosted an excellent guest ICA back in March 2018, courtesy of Friend of Rachel Worth.

“The Jazz Butcher in some ways are ideal for an ICA. No wild variations in style and a catalogue of LPs all of which are a bit patchy. Actually getting to grips with their discography is one of the biggest challenges, with various compilation LPs and some tracks appearing on more than one album. Then there is the slight variations of name, sometimes Jazz Butcher Conspiracy, sometimes just Jazz Butcher and sometimes something else entirely.

The line-up changes with the weather (same with record labels) with songwriter and singer Pat Fish being the only consistent factor. All in all they are a tough band to keep track of.

When they are good they are fantastic in a jangly guitar, smart lyrics way. However each LP also either has something that is head-scratchingly awful at best and annoyingly novelty record like at worst.”

Pat Fish was born as Patrick Hunrods in December 1957. As FORW pointed out, he was damn near impossible to pigeonhole as a musician, always looking for ways to challenge his fans and the critics.  He was writing and performing right up to his death, and indeed just two days prior, on 3 October, he had been scheduled to perform a web concert, only instead to appear on-screen at the scheduled time to make an apologetic announcement that he wasn’t feeling well and would re-schedule for about a week later. It is hardly a surprise that his death came as such a shock.

Of the song featuring today, FORW offered these words within the ICA:-

Probably if you know one song by the Jazz Butcher it will be this one. Pat Fish describes it as “The Albatross. A record, I feel, of its time. We were young(ish) and cocky and I think it shows. I still haven’t learned to sing on this one, which bugs me too. Still, it was cheap and cheerful, and it helped us to meet an awful lot of people”

It was actually the debut single, released on Glass Records in 1983.  The following year, it was re-recorded and included on the band’s second studio album, A Scandal In Bohemia, again on Glass Records.  The first version is fast and heavily reliant on keyboards to drive it forward.  It borders on manic in places but at all times it is toe-tappingly superb with a killer sing-along chorus.  The second version is markedly different, like a classy 80s pop song as the keyboards blend with acoustic guitars while Pat Fish sings in a melancholic manner, certainly to my ears, that in places isn’t a million miles removed from Lloyd Cole.  The lyrics are also slightly different, and it is just as equally brilliant in its own way as the original.  I can never make my mind up on which of the two versions I prefer, and that’s why both are on offer today:-

mp3: The Jazz Butcher – Southern Mark Smith
mp3: The Jazz Butcher – Southern Mark Smith (Big Return)

RIP Pat. There’s plenty who will miss you.

JC

A GUEST POSTING by FRIEND OF RACHEL WORTH

The Jazz Butcher is some ways are ideal for an ICA. No wild variations in style and a catalogue of LPs all of which are a bit patchy. Actually getting to grips with their discography is one of the biggest challenges with various compilation lps and some tracks appearing on more than one album. Then there is the slight variations of name , sometimes Jazz Butcher Conspiracy , sometimes just Jazz Butcher and sometimes something else entirely.

The line up changes with the weather (same with record labels) with songwriter and singer Pat Fish being the only consistent factor. All in all they are a tough band to keep track of.

When they are good they are fantastic in a jangly guitar, smart lyrics way . However each LP also either has something that is head scratchingly awful at best and annoyingly novelty record like at worst.

1.  Next Move Sideways (from Fishcotheque)

Signed to Creation Records in one of Alan McGee’s punts this was my first exposure to the band. Bought on the basis of a review that compared them to Lloyd Cole and the Commotions , Pat has since complained that the LP came out sounding too smooth and tidy , which is probably why it is still my favourite . This gallops along in a way that allows you to forgive the 80s sax that suddenly appears.

2.  Harlan (from Condition Blue)

Into the 90s and more of a groove than a song. Features what is described as aquamarine guitar by Peter Astor from another jangly band The Weather Prophets. The song is typical Jazz Butcher material in that it is inspired by American short story writer Harlan Ellison.

3. Keeping the Curtains Closed (from Fiscotheque)

Another one from the 1988 LP that is still my favourite and by far their most consistent. This one where i do hear an echo of Lloyd Cole. I really like the guitar on this and always feel it is over a tad too soon.

4. Shame About You (from Last of the Gentlemen Adventurers)

More upto date from a recent crowd funded LP. Nothing overly special but zips along and always brings a smile to my face despite a sense of regret in the lyric.

5. City of Night (from Big Questions)

Change of direction and pace. Always found there was something slightly desperate (ride the tube with nothing much to say , stare at the people you can see right through) and seedy about this song (I’ve seen the handcuffs on your shelf , i would like to help , I’d like to help myself)

6. Human Jungle (from Big questions and countless compilations)

Starts with a Walk on the Wild side rip off and then morphs into a big pop song about an obscure 60s tv show staring Herbert Lom as a psychiatrist who sorted out complex cases in 60 mins. Certainly beats the ‘i love you , you love me’ focus of a lot of pop songs.

7. Southern Mark Smith (from A Scandal in Bohemia)

Probably if you know one song by the Jazz Butcher it will be this one. Pat Fish describes it as “The Albatross. A record, I feel, of its time. We were young(ish) and cocky and I think it shows. I still haven’t learned to sing on this one, which bugs me too. Still, it was cheap and cheerful, and it helped us to meet an awful lot of people”

8. Get it Wrong (from Fiscotheque)

Back to the gentle jangle of 1988. Pat’s paean to adultery. This is here more for the lyric than the annoying 80s sax.

I keep getting letters about divorces.
Just like cowboys changing horses, people use each other up and leave.
One mistake and it all turns bitchy,
listening to records by Lionel Ritchie.
I’m not sure if he deserves it or even if they do.
Jealousy is just messed up pride, it only twists you up inside.
We don’t feel it, we don’t need it

9. When Eno Sings (from Illuminate)

Following Pat’s belief that “fan songs are cool” Jazz Butcher have a lot of fan songs

And dome-heads everywhere
can throw their hats into the air
when Eno sings

The “Eno male choir like” backing vocals are spot on as well

10. Mercy (from Last of the Gentlemen Adventurers)

I think LPs should finish on a slow song so here you go

Bonus Ep : The Slightly Irritating Hat Trick

The Jazz Butcher songs are laced with humour which can make you smile but then can stick around as slightly annoying interludes – here are 3 of them and 3 more fan songs

Olaf Palme

Peter Lorre

Just Like Betty Page

Friend of Rachel Worth