what if.......will hedgie still in (or even both Wil and Simon)

[rufusmtvern]

Hello Everyone,

I've mentioned this in an unrelated thread and didn't see a response so I made a new one wondering what everyones opinion was about this subject. Just out of curiosity....

"I don't mean to bring up a different subject here, but I'm listening to Garlands right now and Wil's bass playing is so fantastic I just had to mention it. I love Simon...but can u imagine for a moment if Will was still with the band what it would sound like??? What direction the sound would have taken.........just a thought..."

[Ghosty]

I don't know, but Heggie's style of playing seems so fitting for the music they were making at the time (in a sense much of the music was driven by his bass playing) that it's hard to imagine them evolving the way they did with Simon replacing him. Some of the bass played by Robin himself on Head Over Heels is similar in style to Heggie's so their evolution up til that point might have turned out similar but it's anyone's guess, really. Would Treasure sound the same with Heggie still in the band? I don't think so.

Does anyone know why Heggie left? Or was he kicked out? Was it the old musical differences cliché?

[Brett]

I think three was a crowd - holed up in London with Robin and Liz's love growing. I'm guessing Wil felt left out, somehow. Say no more.

[gladwin]

If you want to check out what Will Heggie did do next, you should pick up one of LTM's new Lowlife CDs:

http://www.ltmpub.freeserve.co.uk/lowlifecat.html

The music of Lowlife is very much bass-driven, although they had a real drummer, so it's a wee bit more organic than the Garlands sound. The main difference is obviously the deep-voiced male singer, but if the idea of someone like Brendan Perry from Dead Can Dance singing with Garlands-era Cocteau Twins (with a real drummer) appeals to you, then go for it!

The "Best of..." disc is a great overview, but if you want value for money then you should maybe pick up the first two LTM discs instead. Permanent Sleep & Rain combines the debut mini album and the first full-length release, whilst Diminuendo & Singles does what it says on the cover, adding tracks from the classic Swirl, It Swings and Vain Delights EPs.

You have not lived until you've heard Ramified!

[Brett]

Diminuendo is wonderful. Bundled with the Swirl EP - THAT CD is a MUST HAVE for anyone.

[gladwin]

Diminuendo is wonderful. Bundled with the Swirl EP - THAT CD is a MUST HAVE for anyone.

Quite. Those LTM reissues look and sound fantastic, and they're only a tenner!

At the time, I only followed Lowlife as far as Diminuendo, but on the strength of the later selections on Eternity, I plan to get some more as soon as LTM release them.

[Das Ich]

Well, for me if Will Heggie was still in the Cocteau Twins after the Garlands tour, the Cocteau Twins wouldn't exist anymore...
I mean he had to leave, if he didn't do, Liz would!
According to Will, Liz didn't like the complicity between Robin and him...
Even if it sounds like to be a piece of gossip, that's what he said.
If they were still with M. Heggie, a clash would occure and then a separation after the second tour maybe...
Well anyway Will left and for a Garlands fan like me, I can't avoid imagining their next album if he was still in CT...

[Baddy2shoos]

The bass on garlands was fucking cool though.

[Ghosty]

but if the idea of someone like Brendan Perry from Dead Can Dance singing with Garlands-era Cocteau Twins (with a real drummer) appeals to you, then go for it!
Sounds fantastic. Have to check it out!

[Brett]

Quite. Those LTM reissues look and sound fantastic, and they're only a tenner!

At the time, I only followed Lowlife as far as Diminuendo, but on the strength of the later selections on Eternity, I plan to get some more as soon as LTM release them.

After Diminuendo the line-up changed and albums were less good IMO. Godhead wasn't bad but the Black Session versions of the same songs are lovely. San Antonium isn't everyones cup of Earl Grey but I like 50% and Gush disappointed me.

I think I'll nab all the re-releases.

[gladwin]

After Diminuendo the line-up changed and albums were less good IMO. Godhead wasn't bad but the Black Session versions of the same songs are lovely. San Antonium isn't everyones cup of Earl Grey but I like 50% and Gush disappointed me.

I think I'll nab all the re-releases.

From the selections on the Eternity collection, I thought I'd try Godhead and the Black Sessions (I suppose these will turn up on two separate CDs) and then have wait before going any further.

One detail that did interest me was that Hamish Mackintosh of Fuel did a stint on guitar with Lowlife. I didn't know that before, but Fuel's The Back of This Beyond was also released on Nightshift and, coupled with the Songs in the Key of E and Butterfly Knife EPs, would make a splendid reissue on LTM.

Until then, I'll have to make do with my home-burned CDR from the original records.

[Ghosty]

Fuel's Butterfly Knife EPs
And, to complete this neat little circle, these EP's feature some excellent background vocals by Liz.

[gladwin]

And, to complete this neat little circle, these EP's feature some excellent background vocals by Liz.

Thanks for reminding me - here I am, trying to sell the idea of a Fuel reissue, and I forget what must surely be the main selling point on this forum!

[Brett]

Thanks for reminding me - here I am, trying to sell the idea of a Fuel reissue, and I forget what must surely be the main selling point on this forum!

Oh Fuel were lovely. I remember them on a 'Volume' CD. Problem was there was a US Fuel too so when I picked up a Fuel album in London it was the wrong band.

Dreadful, quite dreadful.

So I'd love to get hold of the pukka releases. Re-issued is no problem for me.

[gladwin]

Brett - clear your old messages, mate - I can't reply to your last one!

[Colin]

And, to complete this neat little circle, these EP's feature some excellent background vocals by Liz.
Would be a great addition to the Dials forum. . . Or postable somewhere else? If its out of print, seems fair game.

[gladwin]

Colin

Possibly we could all individually lobby LTM for a reissue of the Fuel recordings.

Whilst you're at http://www.ltmpub.freeserve.co.uk/ltmhome.html you could also check out the releases that are already available - some choice material there!