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Belle and Sebastian's BBC Sessions

M. Gloriani | Carson, CA USA | 12/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Both discs are a real pleasure to hear. The bonus for me were the 3 covers on the green CD (the Belfast, Ireland concert). This was a A+ purchase!"

No non-bowlies allowed

lucien larose | México | 12/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the very depth of our hearts we all have certain things that, either obscure or shiny, stand there waiting for the time to show up. I guess thats the "essence" of this 14 tracks: pieces of something quite intimate that writting down a critic seems to be almost profanic.

The 14 tracks that constitute the first part of THE BBC SESSIONS are not only rareties but pieces of museum. Some may like them, some may not. One thing is certain: no non-bowlies are allowed here. If you are a real, true fan of Belle and Sebastian you're gonna tremble at every track; you're gonna miss some words in this "primitive" version of "The Wrong Girl" called "Wrong Love" or Monica Queen's voice in "Lazy [Line Painter] Jane". But still, the trembling will not stop until you listen to those never before released tracks. I loved two of them: "Nothing In The Silence" and "(My Girl's Got) Miraculous Technique". They just make you wonder why did Stuart Murdoch and the rest of the collective did not put them in some of their albums.

Now, about the "Live in Belfast 2001" album, the second part of THE BBC SESSIONS, there's no much to say: again, if you are a real Belle and Sebastian fan you've already seen the FANS ONLY DVD, and thus you've seen how they get so excited performing in front of an audience that some times they can make some terrible mistakes. But, again, if you are a bowlie you can understand that too.

The fact of Isobel being in the front cover gives you an idea of how much nostalgia and saudade goes within THE BBC SESSIONS."

The kids never sounded better

R. Sundquist | Madison, Wisconsin | 12/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ten out of fourteen songs on this disc have been previously released, on Belle & Sebastian's first four albums, so there's little to surprise fans of the group. What makes it worthwhile is the way these songs were recorded: they've got a very close, intimate feel that makes it sound as if you are in a cosy cafe listening to the band play their greatest hits to a small audience. "Stars of Track and Field", "Judy and the Dream of Horses", and "Sleep the Clock Around" all sound wonderful.



The new songs are a little more unexpected, dating as they do from several years ago. "Shoot the Sexual Athlete" is a bit more experimental in its rhythm than most B&S tunes, but is actually quite nice once it gets going. "My Girl's Got Miraculous Technique" is perhaps a more standard Stuart Murdoch song, and would have sounded right at home on "Fold Your Hands Child..." along with "A Woman's Realm" and "There's Too Much Love".



All in all it's a pleasant little collection to pass the time until another proper album appears."