Desperately seeking: the Department of Enjoyment and its bluesy brother
OK - stick with my thought process on this.
New edition of Uncut has just arrived. Eric Clapton is on the cover (like, who cares?), and the CD is a (deeply average) compilation chosen by him. It’s mostly old men singing blues songs that all, for some reason, have ‘Blues’ in the title (like we couldn’t guess). In a desperate attempt to seem cultured he’s also included some classical bits such as Pavarotti singing Che Gelida Manina (from La Bhoeme…in case you’re not as sophisticated as Eric) and some noodling nonsense from Pat Metheny Group. Whatever, as they say.
Actually, there are two decent tracks on it
- John Lee Hooker singing Hobo Blues (although it sounds like every other song he’s ever done)
- Elmore James (taking some time off from the crime novels) doing Hand in Hand.
Anyway, I’ve listened to lots of blues in my time. The whole mod thing sent me back to 50s R&B, then to early blues, and I spent too many hours listening to people like Big Bill Broonzy pretending I was enjoying it. Brilliant in it’s time, no doubt…but too much that’s much better has happened since.
However, there was one blues tape/ compilation I really did enjoy. The only problem is, I can’t remember what it was.
Here’s what I do remember
- It was mail order from the NME
- In the same envelope arrived the truly amazing NME mix tape: Department of Enjoyment
- It started (I think) with Howlin Wolf doing Smokestack Lightning
- It might have been all from one label (must be Chess) but I’m not sure.
Anyway. I’d probably hate it if I heard it now. Department of Enjoyment, however, was quite brilliant. Nick Cave singing I put a spell on you; the Redskins; Cocteau Twins; Smiths. I was never an indie kid, but I loved this compilation. My mate Nic still has a copy. I must steal it one day soon.