The Lilac Time: Best of the Best and the Rest of the Rest
Jon House | Encintas, CA. USA | 07/10/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dear Mom,Summer camp is great! The bugs aren't biting, I am flossing my teeth AND I am all-set music-wise for the WHOLE summer: I brought along the new release by The Lilac Time called: COMPENDIUM: The Fonatana Trinity. It's all I will need ALL summer to pass away the idle, warm days. Great songwriting, memories, spine-tingling magic this music is! Culled from the mid-to-late eighties, it's a two-disc wonderment of softly drenched, catchy and ultimately deep and moving miracles created by lead singer Stephen (Tin-Tin) Duffy, brother Nick and the other boys in the band--all fab musicians---and some great guests, including Andy Partridge of XTC fame. Stephen, of course, came to the ears of the world via his smash hit: "Kiss Me" which went top of the pops and gave this young teen the instant fame, stardom, chicks, the whole rock-star traps that probably lured and then ultimately dis-illusioned this lad from humble Birmingham origins, and, after some time, he confused the big record labels by forming The Lilac Time (pulled from lyrics from Nick Drakes's immortal: Five Leaves Left---if you don't know about that one, well, get on the bus...) and, fame and fortune took a u-turn. Fortunate for us, some very incredible music was made. The first disc this group put out, simply titled: "The Lilac Time" is amazing: I first heard it in a record store, bought it, and have never left. I have ALL discs put out by TLT and in addition, Stephen Duffy's solo works....all worthy of seeking out and owning. Tragic is the news that the first three discs are now unavailable and so, for those un-knowing or unable, this treasure is nothing short of stumbling onto gold. Or finding a needle in a haystack. The group never made the big-time, and so many people that claim to know what is going on out there in musicland are void of the knowledge that such rare gems exist. Thus, disc one gives us a great heaping of songs from this period in the band's history and a few nice, worthy b-sides. For those who are serious fans; disc two offers the real bounty: b-sides and unreleased stuff. The c.d. player as I write this is sounding off to "Gone for a Burton" (from the first Lilac Time c.d. era) and it is an ode to Richie himself. I still recall playing this disc while living on my sailboat in San Diego harbor that year in 1988, it was the standout of my cd purchases that rather wet, damp, year where I had the time to really hear some good tunes. And, about the tunes:Nick Drake, yes: the sound and influence is there. Belle and Seb (these guys OWE TLT a real nod) and, well, Simon and Garfunkel...listen to "Return to Yesterday" and you'll hear it...but to me, it's Stephen Duffy and company's OWN sound which is truly, soft, acoustic, catchy, warm, melodic, full of great hooks and harmony, banjo, accordian, strummy guitars, and it's the strength of the songs themselves which fill your head and heart with longing: longing for love, both old and new...the memories of that first kiss, a long walk along a foggy riverbank with your first real flame, the sadness of an affair that ends in tears. Put on this cd, pour the merlot, build a fire and hold on to your heart. This music will melt your cares away with it's purity, substance and soul.Consider yourself lucky to have found this cd, buy it immediately and then, get your hands on ANYTHING that The Lilac Time has available on cd....especially get your mitts on "Looking for a Day in the Night" and "Astronauts" and Stephen's solo stuff. I own over 2,000 cds and these works are at the top---and let me say, the competition is stiff, from Van Morrison to Coltrane---but this stuff, it's right up there, holding it's own. That is, truly, the mark of good music. It is lasting. It is timeless. It is eternal.The Bare Naked Ladies have used the talents of Stephen Duffy on their own cd, and, TLT opened for the Ladies recently in England, so, one hopes, that this band--still going strong after some rough times and down times without producing music..."the Lilac died"....---will become more visible on the music scene. God knows they deserve it. It's my hope that anyone and everyone who spent the time to read this--and thanks, I know I've rambled--will discover this collected gem. It's like rare silk, fluttering effortlessly down the halls of musicland...Oh, and Mom...send money...I need more batteries!!!"
As Good As It Gets
Joe A. Stokes | Dallas | 08/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The first three Lilac Time albums are great but only available now as ... imports. This album takes the "Best of" these albums and then adds an extra album of B-sides and rarities to create an awesome collection of infectious British Pop. This music is fresh, inventive, sweet, innocent, heartfelt, and danceable. The lounge version of IF THE STARS SHINE TONIGHT on the second disc is a delightful surprise. Overall I think the Lilac Time makes happy music. Not silly,nor novelty, but a music with genuine emotional warmth. I am happy to have discovered The Lilac Time years ago and have added them to my list of all time favorites. I don't know who to compare then to unless maybe Village Green era Kinks, Revolver era Beatles, Flowers era Stones, Sellout era Who. Get this Album."
Great start or addition to Lilac Time collection
Matthew Mansfield | Southeast Michigan, United States | 08/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you were lucky enough to snap up the Lilac Time CD's when they were inially released, you know. The first of two CDs is a worthwhile compiliation. The second CD is a collection of the many B-sides and alternate versions of some favorites. "The Stars Shine Tonight" is especially wonderful and reason enough to get this compilation. If you are not familiar with Lilac Time, think melody along with rythym and fascinating arrangements--excellent songwriting all around. Stephen Duffy has a definite folk streak but his run-in with 80s Britpop and record company producers who must have had a little good taste and integrity (well, at least good taste) make the songs a perfect blend of folk/pop/rock. It is mature, rich music that reminds you of the things you thought were important when you were sixteen."
Track Listings (23) - Disc #1