2 Lost Gems From Manchester’s Factory Records: Cath Carroll’s ‘Moves Like You’ and Northside’s ‘Moody Places’
When I was living in London in 1991, Select Magazine released a Factory Records sampler cassette ( FAC 305C ) that would eventually go on to melt in my car. I cherished this sampler, because it introduced me to some fabulous tracks by two largely unknown Manchester artists that I otherwise might never have discovered: Cath Carroll’s ‘Moves Like You’ and Northside’s ‘Moody Places’.
I did ultimately find Cath Carroll’s CD as a pricey import (back in the States), but that Northside track was not included on the group’s only LP release at the time, Chicken Rhythms. Over the years, I managed to forget about the song, its title, etc. (Note to our younger readers: the internet was barely in existence in the early 90s, and it would take more than a decade before decent search engines evolved.)
Well, twenty years now after its release — not sure what exactly made me think of that long lost sampler — I vaguely recalled the track, and thought to investigate on Google.
What I found: In 2005, Northside re-released its Chicken Rhthyms LP — currently unavailable in the US, even as a download — but this time with bonus tracks, including the long lost song, ‘Moody Places’.
Here is that song, streamed from the group’s MySpace page:
Find more Northside albums at Myspace Music
And for those who have never heard of the former-Factory Recording artist, Cath Carroll, here’s the video of her fabulous 1991 single ‘Moves Like You’:
MUSIC VIDEO: Saint Etienne – ‘Nothing Can Stop Us Now’ – 1991
This British trio has managed to successfully infuse amazing modern dance club music with the spirit of 1963 over a period that spans twenty years.
I was fortunate enough to have seen them play their very first US performance in New York City (with Grant Lee Buffalo and American Music Club) at the Manhattan Center Ballroom on September 23, 1994. Saint Etienne was reported at the time to have been very unhappy with how the show went, but I remember having loved it.
This band has released so many fabulous albums, that I consider them to be one of my all-time favorite groups. I recently attempted to burn some of their best tracks for someone only to realize there was no way I could fit them all onto a regular 80 minute CD. Seriously, how many bands from the last 20 years can you say that about?
This song, “Nothing Can Stop Us Now,” is from their very first album, FOXBASE ALPHA. Approaching its twentieth birthday, I think you’ll agree that this tune is timeless.
ENJOY:
For Neil Young Fans out there, who happen to enjoy dance music, you’ll absolutely adore this Saint Etienne cover of his song “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” — also from FOXBASE ALPHA.
Either of the above songs, or the entire FOXBASE ALPHA album, can be downloaded here: 
Video: PULP Perform ‘I Spy’ Live on Jools Holland Show — 1995
Britain’s Jarvis Cocker of Pulp is one of the greatest lyricists, songwriters, performers to somehow duck the American marketplace. ‘Different Class’ is in my personal Top Ten ‘greatest albums of all time’ list. Released in 1995, the album rose to #1 in the UK Album Charts, spawning four top 10 singles, including the immensely popular “Common People”.
‘Different Class’ is one of those timeless albums befitting any serious record collection. It is that good.
Here, Pulp perform the exceptional “I Spy” on the Jools Holland Show in 1995 — at the peak of their popularity.
Enjoy!
The song, “I Spy”, or its full-length album, ‘Different Class’ can be downloaded here: 
FREE 12-Song Download: Carbon/Silicon (Ex-Clash Mick Jones) New LP, ‘Carbon Bubble’
Great news for all impoverished music lovers out there! Carbon/Silicon, featuring — one of my all-time favorite songwriters — Mick Jones (formerly of The Clash and Big Audio Dynamite) and Tony James (formerly of Generation X), have just released their new 12-Song LP entitled The Carbon Bubble. It is available at the Carbon/Silicon site as [...]
Watch: Everything But The Girl Perform ‘Before Today’ Live In London ’99
I’ve been a long-time fan of Everything But the Girl. They have an endless discography of great songs; always managing to keep it fresh by allowing their sound to evolve quite dramatically with the times. Their early sound had a jazzy, French Cafe-ish feel — not unlike the Style Council (another favorite of mine) — [...]
Watch: Jesus & Mary Chain w/ Hope Sandoval “Sometimes Always” Live – 1994
If you were told The Jesus & Mary Chain were attempting to pen a love song — a duet — this is EXACTLY what you’d hope to get from them. Somehow they managed to incorporate their signature detached (brooding) style — something unheard of in a traditional love song — and yet it works here [...]
Watch: Paul Weller Performs One Of His Best Hits, “Wild Wood,” Live
Paul Weller does an incredible live version of his amazing single, “Wild Wood.” Enjoy!:
Watch: The La’s Perform “There She Goes” On David Letterman – 1991
Here’s an old favorite of mine by Liverpudlian group, The La’s . I was fortunate to have seen these guys play live twice — once at the Town & Country in London, England (early 1991) and again the following year at a festival in the Washington, DC area. They’ve got a great sense of melody– [...]
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