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Baker's Dozen

In Other Worlds: Tim Burgess' Favourite Albums
Diva Harris , May 27th, 2020 08:21

Tim Burgess has given us lockdown light relief with his hugely popular album listening parties and now does one of his very own as he guides Diva Harris through his Baker's Dozen

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The Mothers of Invention - Uncle Meat
I love Frank Zappa. I love his interviews, I love the way he thinks about music. When I was living in America, I heard ‘Valley Girl’, and I thought it was very funny. It’s Zappa’s daughter, doing an impression of a valley girl, and it turned out to be a hit – that was my first introduction to him. There’s another LA song called ‘Flakes’, on the album Sheik Yerbouti, and there’s a whole section where he does a Bob Dylan impersonation. [Laughs] I love all the voices, all the crazy, zany cartoon voices, that come with having so many fun guys in the band. I took a leaf out of their book and used a helium balloon on a track on my latest record, that was fun. I think people need to let themselves go and do a funny voice here and there, and Zappa’s albums are full of that.

I’ve only really got into Uncle Meat lately, although I’ve had it a long time. I’ve got two copies, one at The Charlatans’ studio and one at home – I know it’s a bit over the top, but I think to have a favourite record twice is an ok thing. There’s certainly easier-listening Frank Zappa, but I love the way that this record in particular...some of it’s live, some of it is…I dunno, conversational. I love the sound of the keyboards. This is an inspirational record – the musicianship is incredible. It’s far-out.

I also find with this album that I can put it on and do other things – be on the computer, or tidy up, or whatever. I don’t know if that’s sacrilegious, but you know. I think you can listen to records in any way that you want.