Lord Upminster

The first of two albums that he made for Polydor - Lord Upminster has often been overlooked in appraisals of Ian Dury s remarkable career. Recorded with Chas Jankel and Sly and Robbie at Compass Point studios in The Bahamas, the album is full of infectious rhythms (not least the controversial Spasticus Autisticus) and now is the time to fully enjoy it as it has been remastered from the original tapes and comes with a number of previously unavailable bonus tracks, as well as an illustrated 16-page booklet with brand new sleevenotes. As well as its manifest dance element, Lord Upminster was remarkable in the Dury canon for its inclusion of a cover - Girls (Watching) was a song by drummer Sly Dunbar. And on this expanded version of Lord Upminster a further cover version has been unearthed: Ian s storming version of Chuck Willis Rock & Roll Shoes, which puts him in very distinguished company - Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Band and Carl Perkins have all covered it. But then Ian Dury was a fervent, lifelong rock & roll fan. Other bonus tracks include the 12 instrumental version of Spasticus Autisticus and a couple of takes of the infectious and previously unreleased Johnny Funk. There is also an illuminating 20-minute interview with Dury (by the late BBC DJ and Polygram consultant Alan Black) recorded at the label s 1981 conference in Bournemouth to tie in with the original release. It sheds a great deal of light on the making of the album: Caribbean sea, sunshine, sand and Lord Upminster... what Ian Dury did on his holiday.