Neil Conti's solo CD.
Prefab Sprout--the complete UK discography
Directory -- Sprout Facts -- Collectables -- More Sprout Info -- Paddy: On The Records -- Most Recent Album -- Gallery -- Prefab Links -- Sign Guestbook View
The following list represents the Sprouts' complete UK discography. I have relied both on my own collection and John Birch's discography (all the release dates prior to 1997 are by Birch). All releases by Kitchenware or Kitchenware/CBS unless otherwise noted.
I've stuck with UK commercial releases since the US releases (when there are US releases; rare for the singles) are essentially the same at best. I have also omitted several releases that were included as giveaways (such as the "Drastic Plastic" 7" of "Real Life..." that was an NME freebie). On the More Sprout Info page I've included some "other" releases of note.
Here's the list:
SRTS82 -- Lions in My Own Garden: Exit Someone / Radio Love -- 7"
The record that started it all, on the Sprouts' own Candle label (pictured on the "Collectables" page). This was released 7/82 with a plain paper sleeve. Only 1000 pressed. Note that if you take the first letter of each word in the title of "Lions..." you end up with "LIMOGES." The story is that Paddy came up with Limoges first (a place in France where one of his old girlfriends had gone), and then the title. (Shown on the Collectables page.)
SK4 -- Lions in My Own Garden (Exit Someone) / Radio Love -- 7"
This is the Kitchenware release of the Candle recording and is exactly the same; in fact, in the initial, black-label release of SK4, you can see the original "SRTS82" scratched out of the vinyl--they were pressed from the same plates as the Candle single. The sleeve has a picture of Edie Sedgewick on it. SK4 can be found with two different labels, the aforementioned black label (4/83), and a later white label (7/83). The black label carries the additional coding RT141 which I believe indicates a role Rough Trade Records had in distributing it (and may explain why Rough Trade was the first to release "Lions..." on a CD). (Shown on the Collectables page.)
KDC4 -- She Moves Like God in the Breeze -- cassette (1983)
No Hallelujahs
Lions In My Own Garden (Exit Somone)
The Devil Has All The Best Tunes
Walk On
Apparently this tape was available by mail order directly from Kitchenware--few were actually sold. I don't have this tape and am relying solely on Birch's discography.
Please note: the two "Souled Out" cassette entries previously included here have been moved to the "live recordings" section of the More Sprout Info page. I did this because I've come to the conclusion (not contradicted by Birch) that these cassettes were not commercial releases.
SK7 -- The Devil Has All the Best Tunes / Walk On -- 7"
Wendy's friend Feona Atwood joined her for the vocals on this single.
SK8 -- Lions in My Own Garden (Exit Someone) / Radio Love / The Devil Has All the Best Tunes / Walk On -- 12" (11/83) (also reissued 2/90)
SK9 -- Don't Sing / Green Isaac II -- 7" (1/84)
SK912 -- Don't Sing / He'll Have to Go / Green Isaac II -- 12" (1/84)
KWLP1 -- Swoon -- LP (3/84)
KWC1 -- Swoon -- Cassette (3/84)
25859 -- Swoon -- CD (1986)
Don't Sing / Cue Fanfare / Green Isaac / Here on the Erie / Cruel / Couldn't Bear to Be Special / I Never Play Basketball Now / Ghost Town Blues / Elegance / Technique / Green Isaac II
SK10 -- Couldn't Bear to Be Special / Spinning Belinda -- 7" (3/84)
The beauty of collecting the early Sprout releases is that many of them contained non-album tracks. Some are are good, some are experiments, some I never listen to. I wish they had kept doing this but Kitchenware's approach to the late releases (say 1989 and later) tended simply to include previously released tracks as either a) a service to latecomers or, b) a feeble attempt to generate sales of the earlier albums. Instead it c) really annoyed those of us who were looking for more Sprout material. Thankfully they have included many non-album tracks on the single releases for Andromeda Heights.
SK1012 -- Couldn't Bear to Be Special / Spinning Belinda / Donna Summer -- 12" (3/84)
SK19 -- When Love Breaks Down / Diana -- 7" (10/84)
"Diana" is the same song as would later appear on "Protest Songs", but it is performed here in an entirely different manner; much faster and definitely worth having.
SKX19 -- When Love Breaks Down / Diana / The Yearning Loins / Donna Summer -- 12" (10/84)
I actually don't have a copy of this. I've never been sure it exists, to tell you the truth. I MAY have had a copy once and, not knowing it was not the same as SKK19, sold it to a fan in France (Greg Alexandre, please look at your Sprout collection for me!). Birch told me there were 5000 copies of SKX19 produced, and it DOES show up on a listing of releases in an early Kitchenware fan club piece. But, SKK19 (below) doesn't show up on THAT listing -- and I know IT exists. SKK19 is almost identical to SKX19, so I think folks may just be confused. On the other hand, on February 25, 1999 someone named Bart Verschuuren (who uses a hotmail account) dropped me an email and said he has a copy of SKX19. So there.
SKDP19 -- When Love Breaks Down / Diana / The Yearning Loins/ Donna Summer -- 2x7" in a gatefold sleeve (11/84)
SKK19 -- When Love Breaks Down / The Yearning Loins/ Diana / Donna Summer / Cruel -- 12" (11/84)
SK21 -- When Love Breaks Down / The Yearning Loins -- 7" (3/85)
SK2112 -- When Love Breaks Down / The Yearning Loins / Spinning Belinda / He'll Have to Go / Donna Summer -- 12" (3/85)
SKDP21 -- 7" SK21 and SK7 shrink-wrapped as a double pack (4/85)
SKDQ21 -- 7" SK21 and SK4 shrink-wrapped as a double pack (4/85)
XPC4005 -- The Great Escape -- promo only cassette (6/85?)
Paddy talks to Emma Welles; featuring music from "Steve McQueen" including When Love Breaks Down / Faron Young / When The Angels / Goodbye Lucille No.1 / Horsin Around / Appetite / Desire As. (Shown on the Collectables page.)
KWLP3 -- Steve McQueen -- LP (6/85)
KWC3 -- Steve McQueen -- Cassette (6/85)
26522 -- Steve McQueen -- CD (1986)
Faron Young / Bonny / Appetite / When Love Breaks Down / Goodbye Lucille #1 / Hallelujah / Moving the River / Horsin Around / Desire As / Blueberry Pies / When the Angels
Did I mention that this is on the short list of the greatest albums ever? Even SPIN magazine said so. I actually recommend the US CD of this release, which was named "Two Wheels Good" in the US due to a legal conflict with the McQueen estate (ditto "Faron Young" becoming "Faron"). The US CD has a different, stronger vocal track for "When Love Breaks Down," plus "Faron (Truckin' Mix)"," He'll Have to Go", and "The Yearning Loins". On the other hand, fellow Sprout fan Mark Kolmar feels the UK CD for Steve McQueen has better sound, plus it's got a kind of guitar thunk at the end of the CD that didn't make it to the US version. What's your opinion? In either case, it would have been nice if they had bothered to include a lyric sheet. Thanks to the web, you can now find these lyrics on the Prefab Sprout Songbook website.
SK22 -- Faron Young (edit) / Silhouettes (edit) -- 7" (7/85)
Wendy on lead vocal on Silhouettes! This is one of my favorite B-sides, but get the longer version on SKX22.
SKDP22 -- 7" SK22 and SK21 shrink-wrapped together as a double pack (7/85)
SKX22 -- Faron Young (Truckin' Mix) / Silhouettes -- 12" (7/85)
SK23 -- Appetite / Heaven Can Wait -- 7" (8/85)
"Heaven Can Wait" is "When the Angels" without the vocal track.
SKX23 -- Appetite / Heaven Can Wait / Oh, The Swiss! -- 12" (8/85)
"Oh, The Swiss" is a little piano piece, no vocal.
SKDP23 -- Appetite / Heaven Can Wait / Cruel / Faron Young (live) -- 2x7" in a gatefold sleeve
I got this one from the Birch discography. I don't have a copy. Indeed, the existence of this release is doubtful. Birch listed it in his discography because CBS had included it in their release listings book. Neither Birch nor I have ever seen it. As Birch succinctly put it, "If it does exist, it's as rare as rocking horse shit."
SKXDP23 -- 12" SKX23 and SKX22 shrink-wrapped as a double pack (8/85)
SK21 -- When Love Breaks Down / The Yearning Loins -- 7" (10/85)
They kept releasing this until they had a hit. It made it to No. 25.
SK2112 -- When Love Breaks Down / The Yearning Loins/ Spinning Belinda / He'll Have to Go/ Donna Summer -- 12" (10/85)
SKD21 -- 7" SK21 and SK23 shrink-wrapped as a double pack (10/85)
SKQ2112 -- When Love Breaks Down / The Yearning Loins / Real Life (Just Around the Corner) -- 12" (11/85)
SK24 -- Johnny Johnny / Wigs -- 7" (1/86)
Everyone thought "Goodbye Lucille #1" was called "Johnny Johnny" anyway...
SKW24 -- Johnny Johnny / Wigs -- 7" (1/86)
This is a shaped, picture disc (shown on the Collectables page).
SKX24 -- Johnny Johnny / Wigs / The Guest Who Stayed Forever / Old Spoonface is Back -- 12" (1/86)
Uh...more promise than delivery on the non-album tracks, but hey, they can't all be home runs!
CN4747/S -- In Concert featuring Prefab Sprout -- LP (1986)
Moving the River / Cars and Girls / Bonny / Faron Young / Hallelujah / Lions in My Own Garden (Exit Someone) / Wicked Things / Johnny Johnny / Tiffanys / When Love Breaks Down / When the Angels / Appetite (curiously, some of the 'off air' tapes include Cruel instead of Appetite as the last song)
This is what is known as a BBC Transcription Disc. They can be very hard and expensive to come by; my understanding is that there are only about 100 produced. They are not sold commercially, rather they are used to present a live concert for radio broadcast. This concert was recorded at Reading University on November 16, 1985 and broadcast January 11, 1986. I'm sorry, but I am unable to provide tapes of this record. (Shown on the Collectables page.)
[no number] --The Single Cars and Girls -- promo only cassette (1/88?)
(Shown on the Collectables page.)
SK35 -- Cars and Girls / Vendetta -- 7" (2/88)
Yep, that flaming-head matchstick figure on the sleeve is a satire of Springsteen, a replica of one of his poses. (Shown on the Collectables page.)
SKX35 -- Cars and Girls / Vendetta / Nero the Zero -- 12" (2/88)
"Nero..." is one of the great ones. By the way, this sleeve art is the same as the 7" but there are actually two different artwork variations for both in the title and the band name. Birch indicates the second issue was released in 9/88.
CDSK35 -- Cars and Girls / Faron Young (Truckin' Mix) / Real Life (Just Around the Corner) / Vendetta -- CD (2/88)
SKQ35 -- Cars and Girls / Real Life (Just Around the Corner) / Vendetta -- 10" (2/88?)
Yes, you read correctly: it was a 10" vinyl release. Limited edition of 5,000, each one numbered. I have placed this release earlier than when Birch says.
CDDSK35 -- Cars and Girls / Faron Young (Truckin' mix) / Real Life (Just Around the Corner / Vendetta -- CD (2/88?)
This CD is a picture disc. The picture is of the matchstick version of a Springsteen pose. I have also placed this release earlier than when Birch says.
KWLP9 -- From Langley Park to Memphis -- LP (3/88)
KWC9 -- From Langley Park to Memphis -- Cassette (3/88)
KWCD9 -- From Langley Park to Memphis -- CD (3/88)
The King of Rock 'n' Roll / Cars and Girls / I Remember That / Enchanted / Nightingales / Hey Manhattan! / Knock on Wood / The Golden Calf / Nancy (Let Your Hair Down For Me) / The Venus of the Soup Kitchen
This follow-up to "Steve McQueen" is, of course, not really the follow up. That role belongs to "Protest Songs" which wouldn't be released until a year after "Langley...!" "Protest Songs" was intended to be something of a limited release during the tour that accompanied "Steve McQueen," but concerns about conflicting with sales of "McQueen" once "When Love Breaks Down" finally became a hit caused the release to be shelved.
SK37 -- The King of Rock 'n' Roll/ Moving the River -- 7" (4/88)
Their biggest hit single (Birch says it made it to number 7 in the UK). The question is, would Paddy take this one back if he could? The problem is that the song is close to a "novelty," and was apparently popular with kids. The Sprouts became known as "the dancing hot dogs and frog" band (featured in the video). Did it make it harder for people to take them seriously?
SKX37 -- The King of Rock 'n' Roll / Moving the River / Dandy of the Danube / Tin Can Pot -- 12" (4/88)
SKB37 -- The King of Rock 'n' Roll / Moving the River 7" Box (4/88)
Included some post cards and badges.
SKQ37 -- The King of Rock 'n' Roll / Moving the River -- 7" (4/88)
Includes a fold out trivia game. There was also a rare, 12" promo-only box version of the trivia game.
CDSK37 -- The King of Rock 'n' Roll / Moving the River / Dandy of the Danube / He'll Have To Go -- CD (4/88)
Birch's book lists the fourth track as "Tin Can Pot" but I believe that is an error. Does anyone out there have CDSK37 with that on it? (Thanks to Stew for bringing this to my attention.)
SK38 -- Hey Manhattan! / Tornado -- 7" (7/88)
SKX38 Hey Manhattan! (JFK Version) / Tornado / Hey Manhattan! / Donna
Summer -- 12" (7/88)
SKGT38 Hey Manhattan! (JFK Version) / Tornado / Hey Manhattan! / Donna Summer -- 12" (7/88)
SKX38 and SKGT38 are the same, except one of them is in a "gatefold" sleeve (the cover opens like a book so you have a picture in the middle to look at). Wanna guess which one is the gatefold? Wrong! It's the one without the GT in it. Go figure.
SKB38 -- Hey Manhattan! / Tornado -- 7" (7/88)
This is a beautiful release in a clear vinyl sleeve and a poster.
CDSK38 -- Hey Manhatten / Tornado / Donna Summer / Hey Manhattan (JFK Version) -- CD (7/88)
A fan in the Netherlands reports that his copy of this CD is now unplayable due to "CD Bronzing" which apparently resulted from the use of a deficient chemical in the manufacturing process by a certain CD company--something they apparently did for several years. Anyone else heard of this? The original page that had a copy of this is gone, but here it is in archive.org: see this description of the problem and the recourse available to you.
SK39 -- Nightingales (edit) / Nightingales (full version) -- 7" (11/88)
SKX39 -- Nightingales (12" version) / Life of Surprises (24 track) / The King of Rock 'n' Roll (16 track) / Bearpark (4 track) -- 12" (11/88)
This release carries the subtitle "The Demo Tapes EP" and gives a nice window to the distance some of the Sprouts songs go through between concept and final release.
SKEP39 -- Nightingales (edit) / Lions in My Own Garden (Exit Someone) / The Devil Has All the Best Tunes -- 7" (11/88)
CDSK39 -- Nightingales (edit) / Life of Surprises (24 track) / Bearpark (4 track) / Nightingales (full version) -- CD" (11/88)
Sprout fan Daniel James points out that "Nightingales" on SKX39 and CDSK39 are remixed by Michael Brauer and sound slightly different than the album version.
SK41 -- The Golden Calf (edit) / The Venus of the Soup Kitchen -- 7" (2/89)
SKX41 -- The Golden Calf (long version) / Bonny (live) / The Venus of the Soup Kitchen -- 12" (2/89)
SKEP41 -- The Golden Calf (edit) / Cars and Girls / The King of Rock 'n' Roll (edit) / When Love Breaks Down -- 7" (2/89)
This is part one of the 'Golden Hits Ep'...
SKP41 -- The Golden Calf (edit) / Faron Young / Goodbye Lucille #1 / Hey Manhattan -- 7" (2/89)
...this is part two. Released on premium "Gold" vinyl no less.
CDSK41 -- The Golden Calf (edit) / Bonny (live) / The Venus of the Soup Kitchen / The Golden Calf (long version) -- CD (2/89)
XPCD109 -- Four From Prefab Sprout Protest Songs-- promo only CD (6/89?)
Life of Surprises / Dublin / Wicked Things / 'till The Cows Come Home
KWLP4 -- Protest Songs -- LP (6/89)
KWC4 -- Protest Songs Cassette -- (6/89)
KWCD4 -- Protest Songs -- CD (6/89)
The World Awake / Life of Surprises / Horse Chimes / Wicked Things / Dublin / Tiffanys / Diana / Talkin' Scarlet / Till the Cows Come Home / Pearly Gates
By the time this was released (see the discussion under "From Langley Park to Memphis") most Sprout fans had already heard it: several of the test pressings had 'gone astray' when it was originally recorded and tapes were widely available. Don't worry CBS, we all bought the CD anyway. My understanding is that this release did not count toward the Sprouts' eight-album contractual obligation to CBS.
LCD6004 -- a constant source of interruption -- CD (6/90)
This was a Rough Trade Records compilation which provided the first opportunity to have "Lions.." on CD
SK47 -- Looking for Atlantis / Michael -- 7" (7/90)
SKX47 -- Looking for Atlantis (extended) / Looking for Atlantis/ Michael -- 12" (7/90)
SKTC47 -- Looking for Atlantis / Michael -- cassette (7/90)
SKCD47 -- Looking for Atlantis / Looking for Atlantis (extended) / Michael -- CD (7/90)
SKQ47 -- Looking for Atlantis / The King of Rock 'n' Roll (edit) / Cars and Girls / When Love Breaks Down -- CD (7/90)
KWLP14 -- Jordan: The Comeback -- LP (8/90)
KWC14 -- Jordan: The Comeback -- cassette (8/90)
KWCD14 -- Jordan: The Comeback -- CD (8/90)
KWCDX14 -- Jordan: The Comeback -- Picture disc CD (8/90)
Looking for Atlantis / Wild Horses / Machine Gun Ibiza / We Let the Stars Go/ Carnival 2000/ Jordan: The Comeback/ Jesse James Symphony / Jesse James Bolero / Moon Dog / All the World Loves Lovers / All the Boys Believe Anything / The Ice Maiden / Paris Smith / The Wedding March / One of the Broken / Michael / Mercy / Scarlet Nights / Doo Wop In Harlem
A magnum opus, the finest album since "Steve McQueen" in my book. Nominated as 'best album' in the Brit Awards, and impetus for the Sprouts' 1990 tour (the band was awesome in concert), "Jordan" reached number 7 in the UK.
SK48 -- We Let the Stars Go / Cruel -- 7" (10/90)
SKX48 -- We Let the Stars Go / Couldn't Bear to Be Special / Don't Sing / Cruel -- 12" (10/90)
SKTC48 -- We Let the Stars Go / Cruel -- cassette (10/90)
SKCD48 -- We Let the Stars Go / Couldn't Bear to Be Special/ Don't Sing / Cruel -- CD (10/90)
SKQ48 -- We Let the Stars Go / Hey Manhattan (JFK Version)/ Faron Young (extended version) -- Picture Disc CD (10/90)
SK49 -- One of the Broken / Jordan: The Comeback / Carnival 2000 / The Ice Maiden -- 7" (12/90)
SKX49 -- One of the Broken / Jordan: The Comeback / Carnival 2000 / The Ice Maiden -- 12" (12/90)
SKTC49 -- One of the Broken / Jordan: The Comeback / Carnival 2000 / The Ice Maiden -- cassette (12/90)
SKCD49 -- Carnival 2000 / The Ice Maiden / One of the Broken / Jordan: The Comeback -- CD (12/90)
SKQ49 -- Carnival 2000 / The Ice Maiden / One of the Broken / Jordan: The Comeback -- CD (12/90)
This is a nice boxed set that includes a poster and color prints. CD is SKCD49.
SK58 -- The Sound of Crying (edit) / The Sound of Crying (full version) -- 7" (6/92)
SKTC58 -- The Sound of Crying (edit) / The Sound of Crying (full version) -- cassette (6/92)
SKCD58 -- The Sound of Crying (edit) / The Sound of Crying (full version) / Looking for Atlantis / The Golden Calf -- CD (6/92)
This is part one of a CD doublepack...
SKTCD58 -- The Sound of Crying (edit) / Nightingales / One of the Broken / Faron Young (Truckin' Mix) -- CD (6/92)
...this is part two.
KWLP20 -- A Life of Surprises - The Best of Prefab Sprout -- LP (7/92)
KWC20 -- A Life of Surprises - The Best of Prefab Sprout -- Cassette (7/92)
KWCD20 -- A Life of Surprises - The Best of Prefab Sprout -- CD (7/2)
KWMD20 -- A Life of Surprises - The Best of Prefab Sprout -- Mini disc (7/92)
(CBS catalog 471886 1,2,3,4 respectively)
The King of Rock 'n' Roll / When Love Breaks Down / The Sound of Crying / Faron Young / Carnival 2000 / Goodbye Lucile #1 (Johnny Johnny) / I Remember That / Cruel / We Let the Stars Go / Life of Surprises / Appetite / If You Don't Love Me / Wild Horses / Hey Manhattan! / All the World Loves Lovers
Their biggest hit--it made it to number 3 in the UK.
SK60 -- If You Don't Love Me / If You Don't Love Me (String Driven Thing) -- 7" (7/92)
SKTC60 -- If You Don't Love Me / If You Don't Love Me (String Driven Thing) -- Cassette (7/92)
SKCD60 -- If You Don't Love Me/ If You Don't Love Me (String Driven Thing)/ Nero the Zero/ Real Life (Just Around the Corner) -- CD (7/92)
This is part one of a CD double pack...
SKTCD60 -- If You Don't Love Me / If You Don't Love Me (No Strings Attached) / Lions In My Own Garden (Exit Someone) / Hey Manhattan! (JFK Version) -- CD (8/92)
...this is part two.
SK62 -- All The World Loves Lovers / Machine Gun Ibiza -- CD (9/92)
SKTC62 -- All The World Loves Lovers / Machine Gun Ibiza cassette -- (9/92)
SKCD62 -- All The World Loves Lovers / Machine Gun Ibiza / 'Till the Cows Come Home / Enchanted -- CD (9/92)
This part one of a CD double pack...
SKTCD62 -- All The World Loves Lovers / Knock On Wood / Desire As / Moondog -- CD (9/92)
...this is part two.
SK63 -- Life of Surprises / The King of Rock 'n' Roll -- 7" (12/92)
SKX63 -- Life of Surprises / If You Don't Love Me (Stateside Mix) / If You Don't Love Me (Deep Field Mix) -- 12" (12/92)
Sleeve folds out to a nice, double-sided poster.
SKC63 -- Life of Surprises / The King of Rock 'n' Roll -- cassette (12/92)
Comes in a little box with stickers.
SKCD63 -- Life of Surprises / If You Don't Love Me (Stateside Mix) / If You Don't Love Me (Deep Field Mix) / The King of Rock 'n' Roll -- CD (12/92)
Also comes with a foldout picture.
SKCD64 -- I Remember That / Dublin / The World Awake -- CD (3/93)
"The World Awake" on this CD is 1 1/2 minutes longer than the version on Protest Songs, according to Justin Campbell.
HITCD14 (AMG) -- Funky Drums From Hell -- CD (1993?)
I refer to this as the "Neil Conti Solo Album." This CD is 69 minutes of Neil drumming, for record producers to use to create other songs (usings "loops," etc.) and is pricey (at 59.95 POUNDS STERLING I must inform you I don't have it). When I first wrote this entry, I said "I'm leaving this entry in the discography for the time being in honor of a great drummer who will be missed." Prophetic words: Almost every fan review for Andromeda Heights -- love it or otherwise -- commented on Neil's glaring absence. If you want to toss Neil a few quid, you can check out and order the CD. There is also David Ruffy's similar CD.
Columbia/Kitchenware/Sony Music 478482 -- Steve McQueen/From Langley Park to Memphis "Double Gold CD" -- (1995)
"Contains 2 Best Selling CD's" says the cover, which is gold in tone with photos of the two albums inset on the front. The liner notes are straight from the two albums.
XPCD 2140 -- A Prisoner Of The Past (radio edit) / A Prisoner of the Past (album version) -- CD promo only(4/97)
XPCD 2145 -- Prefab Sprout -- Andromeda Heights -- 4 track CD promo only (4/97)
A Prisoner Of The Past / Electric Guitars / Swans / Andromeda Heights
SKCD70 (cd1) -- A Prisoner Of The Past (radio edit) / A Prisoner of the Past (album version) / Just Because I Can / Where The Heart Is -- CD (4/97)
SKZD70 (cd2) -- A Prisoner Of The Past (album version) / Just Because I Can / The King of Rock 'n' Roll / Cars And Girls -- CD (4/97)
SKC70 -- A Prisoner of the Past (radio edit) / Where The Heart Is -- Cassette (4/97)
KWCD30 -- Andromeda Heights -- CD (5/97)
KWMC30 -- Andromeda Heights -- Cassette (5/97)
KWMD30 -- Andromeda Heights -- Mini Disc (5/97)
Electric Guitars / A Prisoner Of The Past / The Mystery Of Love / Life's A Miracle / Anne Marie / Whoever You Are / Steal Your Thunder / Avenue Of Stars / Swans / The Fifth Horseman / Weightless / Andromeda Heights
More McAloon genius? Fans were shocked (and after hearing the album, disappointed) to learn Neil Conti was no longer with the band. As far as reviews, the music press was mostly positive as usual with a few notable exceptions. Here are some reviews of the album by both the press (at least as quoted by Kitchenware) and fans. I believe the album made it to number 6 on the UK charts.
Columbia/Kitchenware 664 4532 -- A Prisoner Of The Past (radio edit) / A Prisoner of the Past (album version) / Just Because I Can / Where The Heart Is / The King of Rock 'n' Roll / Cars and Girls -- CD (6/97?)
This unusual entry was brought to my attention by Bjorn Wahlberg, Sprout sentry for the the Scandinavian quadrant. It combines the tracks on the two Prisoner singles into one. It appears to be a UK issue, but perhaps for distribution in Europe? Note the use of a Columbia catalog number. The story is similar for an Electric Guitars release, below.
XPCD 887 -- Electric Guitars -- CD (1997)
UK(presumed) promo-only with UK reviews on the cardboard sleeve. Brought to my attention by Terje Hansen of Norway
SKCD71 (cd1) -- Electric Guitars / Dragons / The End of the Affair -- CD (7/97)
SKZD71 (cd2) -- Electric Guitars / Girl I'm Here / Never Trust a Spell -- CD (7/97)
SKC71 -- Electric Guitars / Dragons -- Cassette (7/97)
Columbia/Kitchenware 664 7222 -- Electric Guitars / Dragons / Girl I'm Here / The End of the Affair / Never Trust a Spell -- CD (7/97?)
Another CD that combines tracks from the two Kitchenware singles.
Columbia 466336 9 -- Steve McQueen (reissue) -- CD (7/98)
Faron Young / Bonny / Appetite / When Love Breaks Down / Goodbye Lucille #1 / Hallelujah / Moving the River / Horsin Around / Desire As / Blueberry Pies / When the Angels
Steve McQueen reissued in a "digipack" (i.e. it's a cardboard sleeve; no jewel case). Not remastered. No additional tracks. But wait! It has...new sleeve notes.
While I don't believe they are hard to find, if you don't have "Two Wheels Good" (the US version of "Steve McQueen") or the original "Steve McQueen," by all means get this. If you already have the album, don't bother with this reissue: the new sleeve notes are not reason enough to by this release.
Many thanks to Graham Mitchell (and others) for the details on this release.
KWCD31 -- 38 Carat Collection -- CD (10/99)
KWMD31 -- 38 Carat Collection -- Mini Disc (10/99)
CD1 Lions In My Own Garden / Don't Sing / Couldn't Bear To Be Special / When Love Breaks Down / Faron Young / Appetite / Johnny Johnny / Cars & Girls / The King Of Rock 'n' Roll / Hey Manhattan! / The Golden Calf / Looking For Atlantis / We Let The Stars Go / Carnival 2000 / The Sound Of Crying / If You Don't Love Me / Life Of Surprises / Prisoner Of The Past / Electric Guitars
CD2 Cue Fanfare / Cruel / Bonny / Movin' The River / Desire As / Horsin' Around / Pearly Gates / 'til The Cows Come Home / Enchanted / I Remember That / Nightingales / Jordan: The Comeback / All The World Loves Lovers / Jesse James Bolero / Doo Wop In Harlem / Life's A Miracle / Swans / Andromeda Heights / Where The Heart Is
Apparently the CD also carries this Columbia catalog number: 496285 2. For more information on this release, check out the Most Recent Album page.
Columbia 669138 2 -- Where The Heart Is / When Love Breaks Down / I'm A Troubled Man (demo) -- CD (5/00)
Thanks to Antonio Benigni for providing the catalog number.
7243 5 32613 2 0 -- The Gunman and Other Stories -- CD (6/01)
Cowboy Dreams / Wild Card In The Pack / I'm A Troubled Man / The Streets of Laredo-Not Long For This World / Love Will Find Someone For You / Cornfield Ablaze / When You Get To Know Me Better / The Gunman / Blue Roses / Farmyard Cat
Paddy chided Bruce for dreaming "life's a highway" and yet is enthralled by the biggest myth of all, that of the American West. Jimmy Webb lived in the middle of it and his songs tapped into it; seen from a distance (say from County Durham) the myth loses something and not necessarily for the better. Still, there is some great stuff here: Cowboy Dreams and Blue Roses for example. (Those two tracks were previously written for Jimmy Nail several years ago - is the time a reason for concern?) Fans malaigned "Farmyard Cat" but the track strikes me as one of the best on the album. Paddy is into a new realm: this isn't Merle Haggard's West, think Rogers & Hammerstein (particularly Oklahoma!) and that song starts to make sense. (Consider, too, that Paddy's a dad.)
But without Neil Conti (even after he rejoined the band for the 2000 tour) and without Wendy Smith, the question to ask is: is this band still Prefab Sprout? The answer for me is "no;" it died somewhere before the release of Andromeda Heights when Neil left the band and Paddy retreated into his own studio. I think of 'Andromeda' and 'Gunman' as being by a band called, "The Paddy McAloon Project." The comparisons to 'Jordan' and 'Steve McQueen' become less relevant that way.
(Note the new label too, EMI/Liberty.)
7243 879 78 225 – Wild Card In The Pack / Cowboy Dreams -- CD (10/01?)
7243 5 83911 2 1 – i trawl the MEGAHERTZ – CD (6/03)
i trawl the MEGAHERTZ / esprit de corps / fall from grace / we were poor… / orchid 7 / i’m 49 / sleeping rough / ineffable / …but we were happy
This is not a Prefab Sprout album; it is a Paddy McAloon solo album (a direction he’s been heading starting with Andromeda Heights). Mostly orchestral/computer instrumentals, some punctuated by spoken word (Yvonne Connors) or random recordings from radio, and yes one tune sung by Paddy. The context of its creation is interesting: written and shaped on a computer in the shadow of Paddy going through the trauma of “eye surgery followed by shingles followed by eye surgery.” There is no way to really contextualize this work in the Prefab Sprout universe except for that corner which reflects Paddy’s unceasing creative quest. Produced by Calum Malcolm
This concludes the Sprout discography!
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