7. Eg And Alice24 Years Of Hunger
It was interesting, both Eg White and Alice were in other bands, and Alice was a BMX champion. They were a magic couple. They had a 24-track recorder in their kitchen and made the album at home to a phenomenal standard. Songwriting, technical production, recording – it’s completely heartbreaking that it was never marketed or sold to people.
Song after song after song is completely classic. Eg White is now one of the most famous, successful and rich songwriters in the country. [Checks Wikipedia and reads] “Eg White has written hit songs for Adele, Duffy, Will Young, James Blunt, Joss Stone, Natalie Imbruglia and James Morrison, among many others.” There is a list of thirty-or-so singles that have been hits and endless album tracks. He’s also produced Kylie Minogue and some of James Blunt. Phenomenal in terms of a track record. He was in Yip Yip Coyote originally and then Brother Beyond, and when he left them he got in touch with Alice Temple. I think she was his girlfriend at the time going on what the record sounds like. Between them they made 24 Years Of Hunger and it didn’t even chart. It’s such a shame that you can’t even get it on iTunes.
It had integrity and depth. Nothing was cut short just to make it more commercial or more accessible. The standard of the playing was worthy of a Steely Dan record. It was the heart and soul of a couple of twenty-somethings living in a bedsit in Notting Hill. The lyrics have an emotional nakedness and honesty. It’s searingly beautiful. A song like ‘Doesn’t Mean That Much To Me’ is six minutes long. But it’s got dark, brooding, wonderful lyrics.
To get listen to the album, head to Grooveshark
