Squeeze:Complete BBC Sessions
Influential UK New Wave Band's Radio Recordings Collected in 2CD Set
Like their contemporaries The Stranglers and The Police, Squeeze were accomplished musicians who used Punk's energy for their own ends. Signed by A&M Records in1978, their would share a label and management with The Police and – at least prior to their temporary split in 1982 – enjoyed a similar level of success in both the UK and the USA.
John Peel Sessions
In those pre-Internet days, it was just as important for young bands to appear on BBC Radio One as to be seen in the music press. Session slots on evening shows for DJ's such as Kid Jensen and the legendary John Peel were essential promotional tools and Squeeze would become regular visitors to the BBC's London studios, leaving behind the exhaustive 29 tracks comprising the Complete BBC Sessions 2-disc set.
Squeeze's Greatest Hits
The performances are uniformly excellent, but there are a few surprises. For starters, the wall of sound guitars and punky aggression of the first two Peel sessions (1977-78) will startle anyone familiar with Squeeze's well-established melodic charm. Also, the fact there are no sessions to complement the years when they recorded the classic Cool For Cats, Argybargy and East Side Story albums may well disappoint fans hoping for an alternative Greatest Hits package.
Up the Junction
Nonetheless, there are still sonic riches galore going under the hammer. Lesser known songs like the atmospheric Apple Tree and elegant Elephant Girl rub shoulders seamlessly with the best moments of the band's under-valued '90s output such as the infectious Third Rail and Difford's alcohol abuse lament Cold Shoulder. Admittedly, it would have been great to hear the full band blazing through later versions of Up The Junction and Pulling Mussels, though Tilbrook's stripped-down acoustic versions of these still intrigue.
Difford and Tilbrook
Squeeze's regular changes in personnel would have hampered lesser bands, but Difford and Tilbrook always chose their collaborators wisely and often temporary members would leave sublime cameos behind along the way. The evergreen Tempted, for example, wouldn't quite have hit the heights it does without Paul Carrack's gorgeous, soul-infused vocals and a lively, Ska-tinged Hourglass benefits hugely from Kevin Wilkinson's powerful drumming.
Complete BBC Sessions to Provoke a New Album?
Ultimately, though, Squeeze will always be remembered most fondly for Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford's quintessentially English songs. The Complete BBC Sessions (www.amazon.co.uk) ably charts their progression from naïve and cheeky South London hopefuls banging on the doors of Top of the Pops through to master pop craftsmen. Let's hope whispers of a proposed comeback album next year don't prove to be mere rumour.
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