Cherry Red
By Leggy Mountbatten
The Yachts
Title : Suffice To Say The Complete Yachts Collection
The Yachts were formed in Liverpool in April 1977, the band all fine art students had already supported the Sex Pistols under the name Albert Dock and The Cod Warriors but swiftly changed the name and band number to a 5 piece.. The Yachts
In summer 1977 Stiff Records saw potential in demos and the single Suffice to Say was released in September of the same year, now a classic single the line up involved would be short lived when singer Campbell decided to move on and the partnership of Watson and Priestman took over vocal duties. A swift change in line up and a move to Costello`s Radar label gives us the make up of this box set and although often connected with the movement of punk in the late 70`s The Yachts were more than 3 chord wonders, well written 4 part harmonies and pop tunes was probably why the band didn’t last the distance ending in a final single release in 1981, but good songs last the distance and this Box set gives you all the bands releases, and more.
The first disc the Radar released album Yachts, not contacting the Suffice To Say and Look Back In Love both previously released singles, but 45 Yachting Type makes the cut also Box 202 a class song with great lyrics and big chorus.. and some early synth samples, theres no doubt other bands were influenced by this album some consider one of the late 70`s classic power pop albums.
The Without Radar album features on CD2 and was released in 1980 after extensive touring of the US with The Who and Joe Jackson, and includes a cover of Taylors classic Theres a Ghost In My House and single IOU. Sadly this album did not perform as well as hoped by Radar and Polydor in the US and the band were forced to follow it up with a one off single on Demon in 1981 called A Fool Like You.
CD3 , gives you the singles and outtakes, and alternate single versions, the classic Suffice To Say, and On and On live, plus Suffice TO Say Live, a free single given away with Yachts LP.
Its been a long time coming and a timely release by one of Liverpool`s finest and probably underestimated bands from the late 70`s, having had the debut on its original release its nice to hear it again in digital format.
8/10
Leggy Mountbatten
Track Listing:
DISC ONE
YACHTS
1. BOX 202
2. IN A SECOND
3. LOVE YOU LOVE YOU
4. TANTAMOUNT TO BRIBERY
5. EASY TO PLEASE
6. MANTOVANI’S HITS
7. THEN AND NOW
8. SEMAPHORE LOVE
9. I CANT’ STAY LONG
10. HEADS WILL TURN
11. I’LL BE LEAVING YOU
12. YACHTING TYPE
DISC TWO
WITHOUT RADAR
1. CONSEQUENCES
2. ON THE BRIDGE
3. TRUST YOU
4. OUT OF LUCK
5. THIS THING, THAT THING
6. MARCH OF THE MODERATES
7. THERE’S A GHOST IN MY HOUSE 8. LIFE SAVING’S EASY
9. NOW I’M SPOKEN FOR 10. THE LUSH
11. DON’T CALL US
12. SPIMOSA
DISC THREE
SINGLES & RARITIES
1. SUFFICE TO SAY
2. FREEDOM (IS A HEADY WINE)
3. LOOK BACK IN LOVE (NOT IN ANGER)
4. I CAN’T STAY LONG (SINGLE VERSION)
5. YACHTING TYPES (SINGLE VERSION)
6. HYPNOTISING LIES
7. HAZY PEOPLE (LIVE)
8. BOX 202 (SINGLE VERSION)
9. PERMANENT DAMAGE (LIVE)
10. ON AND ON (LIVE)
11. SUFFICE TO SAY (LIVE)
12. SECRET AGENTS
13. REVELRY
14. I.O.U. (IN THE ODDMENTS DRAWER)
15. 24 HOURS FROM TULSA
16. I COULDN’T GET ALONG WITHOUT YOU
17. FOOL LIKE YOU
18. DUBMARINE
19. DO THE CHUD – The Chuddy Nuddies
