Search - Various Artists, Billy Bragg, Robbie Williams :: Brand New Boots & Panties: Tribute to Ian Dury

Smashing performances from Robbie, McCartney, & Sinéad

D. M. Farmbrough | Wisconsin, USA | 11/19/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an essential purchase for fans of Ian Dury, Robbie Williams, and Paul McCartney. Luckily I fall into all three categories so this was right up my street. The concept was to re-record Ian Dury And The Blockheads' 1977 smash hit album with the annoying title "New Boots And Panties" with the Blockheads supplying the instrumental talent and a group of guest vocalists replacing the late Ian Dury. It could be seen as tasteless to replace the very person to whom you're paying tribute, but because Dury's talents lay as much in the field of songwriting as in performing, this isn't the case. That said, some performers, especially Madness take their vocal inspiration directly from Dury's style and thus their offerings are as much tributes to the singer as his songs.The album opens with Sinéad O'Connor's sexy version of Wake Up And Make Love To Me. Slight changes in the lyrics and Sinéad's inimitable voice render the song completely different from Dury's carry-on naughty-humour original, yet retain the integrity of the piece.Robbie Williams, a great chum of Ian's in real life performs Sweet Gene Vincent possibly better than Ian himself, while the Blockheads rock it up in the style they perfected over years of live performance. This would make a great single if Robbie's record company would agree.Another contender for strongest song on the album is Paul McCartney's Partial To Your Abracadabra. This is the Paul McCartney who sang Long Tall Sally back in action and the piano accompaniment is reminiscent of Lady Madonna. It's astonishing how well he fits in with the Blockheads.Madness perform without the Blockheads, but this is all right, because their band set-up, the use of the saxophone, and some of Suggs's vocal mannerisms were copied directly from Ian & The Blockheads, and the band makes a polished imitation of the original.Then it all goes horribly wrong. Yes, Billy Bragg is a cockney too, but he lacks the charm of Ian Dury, and his backing band is less cohesive than the Blockheads. His version of Billericay Dickie is just annoying.Wreckless Eric's Clever Trevor manages to be funny and interesting, with a very toppy vocal, and the last four tracks are unremarkable, if competent covers. I would give this album 5 stars for the first four songs, three for the last five, but Zero for Billy Bignose, hence my average rating of ****"

I WANT MY OLD BOOTS BACK !!!

JAP | MAINE / USA | 04/23/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When i first looked at the list of artists on the cd i thought that i was in for a real treat , how ever not one artist on the cd came close to the original.They might have if they were covering any one elses work. only Ian can do his songs , if any one else tries they ommit the accent , his warm voice and delivery that Ian had.Consequently the poetry , wit and sarcasam are lost to a muddle of noise.Dont take my word , by your own boots and panties"

Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 4

Erik J. Fortmeyer | Brooklyn, NY USA | 07/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh, man, this tribute album is good! When The Clash, Elvis Costello, and The Sex Pistols were starting to really get it together in 1977, one of the oddest recording acts of all time, Ian Dury and The Blockheads, launched with "New Boots and Panties" and the world hasn't been the same since. You either "got it" or you didn't, and plenty did. Most in America are either completely unaware of Ian Dury and his antics or are completely indifferent. What a shame for those Yanks! It's like a world without Monty Python! The two dozens years since have seen Ian succumb to the ravages of cancer. This album was done as a tribute to Ian seeing each cut from "New Boots and Panties" covered by one of his legions of fans. This ranges from Wreckless Eric to Shane MacGowan to Madness to Cerys Matthews from Catatonia with backing on each from Ian's old band The Blockheads. Often these types of endeavors are well meaning flops but, "Brand New Boots and Panties" absolutely sparkles! Clearly, everyone was having a grand old time when making their part and it shows with just one listen. Standouts include "Wake Up and Make Love With Me" by Sinead O'Connor, "I'm Partial To Your Abracadabra" by Paul McCartney, and "Billericay Dickie" by Billy Bragg and The Blokes. There's something for everyone on this disc and one-half the profits go to Cancer BACUP to help people living with cancer. Buy a copy for a good cause and play it right next to Ian's brilliant original. Help others while helping your senses to a rollicking good time!"