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Baker's Dozen

Call The Police! - Terry Bickers' Favourite Albums
Julian Marszalek , September 6th, 2017 15:25

One of 80s indie's defining guitarists talks us through his 13 albums – and risks the ire of purists everywhere by insisting that sometimes compilations are best

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Ian Dury And The Blockheads - New Boots And Panties!!
I love this album and Ian Dury, as a singer, had such an original and funny way of telling a story: it's a bit of light relief in my album selection. And the musicianship on the album is wonderful; a super-tight outfit that comes from gigging and gigging and gigging. Ian Dury wasn't afraid to tell it like it is. Sometimes it was a bit naughty and you have the feeling other singers would have said, "I'd better not say that." He wasn't afraid to be outrageous. And he wrote great snapshots populated by these great characters. Who else could come up with a lyric like, “Cornflake packet jacket and catalogue trousers and a mouth that never closes” And you know exactly what he means.