The Jazz Butcher
The Gift Of Music
Label:   
Date:  1984
Format:  ARC
Genre:  Alternative
    Track Listing:
      1.  
      		 Southern Mark Smith    3:34
      2.  
      		 Marnie    4:09
      3.  
      		 Roadrunner    5:55
      4.  
      		 Real Men    4:01
      5.  
      		 JB Meets Count Dracula    2:54
      6.  
      		 Zombie Love    3:06
      7.  
      		 Goldfish - Sweet Jane    7:57
      8.  
      		 Rain    3:26
      9.  
      		 JB v. PM    2:42
      10.  
      		 Water    1:51
      11.  
      		 Partytime    3:53
      12.  
      		 Lost In France    4:07
      13.  
      		 Drink    3:52
      This album is a stellar collection of pre-1985 singles. Only one song, "Real Men," and is lifted verbatim from a prior album, though. "Southern Mark Smith" is presented in a rushed tempo, organ dominated, psychedelia influenced version markedly different from that on A Scandal in Bohemia. "Marnie" receives a bouncy, rather rudimentary arrangement that in places suggests a punky version of Santana. "Zombie Love" here is faster and much more professional sounding than the wan version from In Bath of Bacon. Other worthy tracks here include the R.E.M.-influenced "Rain," a folk-funk hybrid entitled "The Jazz Butcher V the Prime Minister," the Cramps-like "The Jazz Butcher Meets Count Dracula," and a lengthy, hyperactive cover of the Modern Lovers song "Roadrunner." This album holds numerous delights both for Jazz Butcher neophytes and committed fans.