The Quietus - A new rock music and pop culture website

Baker's Dozen

Second Helpings: Neil Arthur Of Blancmange's Favourite Albums
Mic Wright , January 21st, 2014 06:02

Following his revisit to the synth pop duo's debut album Happy Families last year, Neil Arthur looks back over 13 other top albums from his past

Johnny_cash_1390264696_resize_460x400

Johnny Cash – At San Quentin
My mum got this album and it used to come on when she was doing the cleaning. This was before she discovered ABBA. Then ABBA was the cleaning album. Then I introduced her to Trans-Europe Express which she would blast out with the vacuum cleaner going. What got me when I heard Johnny Cash on this is the charged audience. As a young kid, the jokey song was 'A Boy Named Sue'. Even now I sort of gloss over that.

If I could do an electronic version of Johnny Cash, that would be great. I do a mean version of 'Folsom Prison Blues'. I do do it as a cover but not with Blancmange. Every day that I am here in this world is another day I learn, and I’d love to write more economical lyrics. The one thing I’m absolutely certain of is that I’m not certain. The whole idea of learning when less is best is what I’ve tried to do. I want to get to the bloody point.