RFI: the Durutti Column

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Alright, so the only thing I ever really knew about "elfin" guitarist Vini Reilly was that he capably filled the Marr shoes on Morrissey's debut solo disc, "VIVA HATE". Beyond that, I hadn't really a clue about the man, other than something about his membership in a band called The Durutti Column. Finally got around to seeing Winterbottom's "24 Hour Party People," wherein Reilly comes up a few times. The track of the Durutti Column's on the soundtrack, "Otis," is quite cool. Were I to seek out more, is there a specific album I should seek out? What's the story with him?

Alex in NYC, Tuesday, 3 September 2002 19:57 (twenty-two years ago)

mmmmmm, since no-one else has said anything, I'll have a go.
I don't have all of their (his?) stuff (still haven't got "Return of.."!),
but I do have quite a bit. Yeah, he's a really talented and idiosyncratic (I think everyone says that about him) guitarist and composer (Fripp called him a virtuoso, so I mean, that's some compliment), his sound is pretty consistent throughout, but on first listen some of his stuff can seem quite insubstantial and crappy. It takes patience to get into, to appreciate, if that didn't sound too pretentious. It is different to a lot of other "indie" music I've heard, but maybe cause a lot of what I heard stems from the 90s onwards.

As for the music:
"Otis" is pretty good, it's off "Vini Reilly", which is his most dreamy record; it has some pretty far out guitar on it, but I don't really think of it as one of his guitar-oriented records (more sampler-oriented). It is full of lovely moments, but I don't really think it holds together cohesively as a record (maybe cause I got the CD version with the bonus tracks).

There's also "LC" which is his second record (I think), which again, I can't listen to the whole way through, there's a lot of filler, but absolutely worth buying for its sublime moments (some of his best work is on this disc, IMHO). This exploits the sound of the guitar (vini's guitar) more, and when it works, it is something else).

My favourite however is "The Guitar and Other Machines", this one really holds together; flows; has some amazing guitar work; the ,for want of a better word, synthesis of synthesiser and guitar on this record really works, feels organic. It doesn't get too "ethereal" like "Vini Reilly" does.

The other records I've heard: Obey the Time seems pretty dull, but has some really great stand out tracks; bread and circuses, a very subtle record, doesn't give up its charms that easy; without mercy, this one went right above my head, no idea how to classify it.

Hope that helps

Anas FK, Tuesday, 3 September 2002 23:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Tes-
ting

Anas FK, Tuesday, 3 September 2002 23:08 (twenty-two years ago)

No-one told me you didn't have to insert
line breaks manually anymore

Anas FK, Tuesday, 3 September 2002 23:09 (twenty-two years ago)

"The Return Of" (all instrumental) and "LC" (mostly with vocals) are both outstanding records, and I love "Circuses and Bread" as well. If you can find the "Valuable Passages" compilation it's packed to the gunnels with good early stuff.

I wouldn't call Vini a virtuoso from a strict technical ability point of view, but he is quite exceptional at what he does regardless.

electric sound of jim (electricsound), Tuesday, 3 September 2002 23:21 (twenty-two years ago)

What esoj said. In addition to "Valuable Passages", there is a companion compilation CD of early stuff originally released on Factory Benelux and other European labels called "Lips That Would Kiss/Madeleine" (originally the title of a classic Durutti single). Get this too.

Of the original Factory LPs not yet mentioned, "Another Setting" and "Without Mercy" are both strong, if not quite as good as the first two ("Return of..." and "LC"). "Without Mercy" was an attempt to write pieces with a wider palette of instrumental textures - viola, trumpet etc. - so there's less guitar on this one.

zebedee, Wednesday, 4 September 2002 07:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Probably best to avoid the album rebellion unless you get completist. I bought it after seeing the film as it was going cheap in a sale.

It has a ragga MC and a version of The Fields Of Athenry. Not that its intrinsically bad (Though "Fields .." is) but it sure as hell isn’t a satisfying Durruti column listen.

Most of the early factory albums are probably the way to go

tigerclawskank, Wednesday, 4 September 2002 12:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Wow -- that's exactly the sort've info I was after! Thanks!!!!

Alex in NYC, Wednesday, 4 September 2002 16:31 (twenty-two years ago)

three years pass...
Vini Reilly will be performing a couple of live tracks on 6 Music within the next 30 minutes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/

DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 21 May 2006 17:32 (nineteen years ago)

it's on...

DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 21 May 2006 17:34 (nineteen years ago)

bugger. missed it. any good?

o, hey, i forget: i can "listen again". w00t.

grimly fiendish (grimlord), Sunday, 21 May 2006 18:10 (nineteen years ago)

x-post
i liked it. missed the beginning. vini reilly frail and ghostlike as ever.

thanks, dj. he introduces a piece by "this is not a happy song" ashamedly. classic. i don't know any happy songs by vini reilly. great theory on ugly bad weather places (like manchester) with good music (people have to escape the dullness by being creative) and beautiful good weather places like barcelona where the music is shite.

alex in mainhattan (alex63), Sunday, 21 May 2006 18:13 (nineteen years ago)

yes well worth a listen i think he played 3 or 4? tracks, plus interview segments between live tracks

DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 21 May 2006 18:14 (nineteen years ago)

part of freak zone show
http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/freakzone/

DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 21 May 2006 18:16 (nineteen years ago)

This is crazy I just played Durutti Column on my CD player not less than a half hour ago.

Twitchety Twitch Manic Toy System (Bimble...), Sunday, 21 May 2006 18:23 (nineteen years ago)

Also I am NOT I repeat NOT going to brag about the insanely rare Martin Hannett item I just got off of ebay.

Twitchety Twitch Manic Toy System (Bimble...), Sunday, 21 May 2006 18:36 (nineteen years ago)

is it the gun he used when he shot at AHW?

electric sound of jim (and why not) (electricsound), Sunday, 21 May 2006 22:20 (nineteen years ago)

Wow, that Vini performance on the radio was stunning.

Twitchety Twitch Manic Toy System (Bimble...), Monday, 22 May 2006 00:12 (nineteen years ago)

two years pass...

Anyone ever seen the Sex and Death Cd-rom (PC Version) for sale?

djh, Monday, 15 December 2008 11:14 (sixteen years ago)

Or would like to hazard a guess at how much it would cost?

djh, Tuesday, 16 December 2008 11:10 (sixteen years ago)


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