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Baker's Dozen

Rare Essences: Andy Gill Of Gang Of Four's Favourite Records
Bryan Brussee , February 3rd, 2020 11:04

Five years ago, following the release of their eighth album, What Happens Next, Andy Gill of Gang Of Four talked Bryan Brussee through the picks of his record collection, both albums and individual tracks

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The Camarata Contemporary Chamber Group - The Music Of Erik Satie: The Velvet Gentleman
Erik Satie is something that, when I was at school, an English teacher who probably had a hangover, just said: "I'm gonna put on some music and you write something what comes into your mind." He put on the Erik Satie record - first time I heard it - and I thought, "Fuck, this is amazing." I really, clearly remember that day getting hold of some money and going to the record shop in town, and this is all they had, an interpretation of Satie involving Moog synthesisers. The synth sounds work so well with it. It gives a different angle, a different perspective. All the Satie records I've bought since are piano. All those amazing orchestrations by Debussy or Satie, orchestral interpretations. Satie is intrinsically very ascetic and plain. Really weird guy. I've lost the record now. I've got to find it! I think it's really, exceptionally brilliant.