FEATURE:
An Appetite for Genius
IN THIS PHOTO: Paddy McAloon, circa 2019/PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Sheehan
The Paddy McAloon Playlist
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I am doing a few more…
IN THIS PHOTO: Paddy McAloon in 1985/PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Putland
birthday playlists over the coming weeks – Paul McCartney’s birthday is this month so, invariably, there will be a Macca playlist! I am keen to celebrate a musician who, whilst not particularly active at the moment, has been responsible for some of the finest music ever! As the lead of the band Prefab Sprout, Paddy McAloon’s incredible songwriting genius is known to us all. The County Durham group were a big part of my early years, and I just adore their albums! Whilst the entire band are responsible for the terrific music, it is McAloon’s words and vocals that, to me, bring the songs to life (though, when he combines vocals with his bandmate Wendy Smith, you get something that is utterly transcendent). His birthday is today (7th June) so, to honour the great man, I wanted to compile a playlist with some of the absolute best Prefab Sprout tracks – highlighting just how consistently wonderful and diverse the man is! I am not sure whether there are going to be any more Prefab Sprout albums – the last, 2013’s Crimson/Red was, essentially, a Paddy McAloon solo album –, but that does not matter that much: the music we have out already will live forever! On McAloon’s birthday, I want to tip my cap to a songwriting great and wish the legend…
IN THIS PHOTO: Prefab Sprout
A really wonderful day.