TC&I - NAKED FLAMES - CD / DIGITAL - SELF-PRESSED
During 2017, two former XTC members joined forces to write and record new songs under the guise of TC&I. Bassist Colin Moulding and original drummer Terry Chambers issued the results as The Great Aspirations EP with lead track Scatter Me echoing the former's halcyon days of intelligent and reflective songwriting.
Buoyed by the reaction to the CD (and latterly 10" vinyl), the pair announced six exclusive hometown shows at Swindon's Arts Centre, all of which understandably sold out. The premise was simple - to perform renditions of rarely-heard Moulding compositions from the XTC canon in intimate surroundings. It was a short-lived project - even after hinting at a possible London date, TC&I officially folded soon after.
All of which is a shame because this new live CD amply demonstrates what a great idea the whole thing was. A five-strong band had been assembled for the occasion(s) and the audience(s) of just over a hundred each night were treated to long overdue run-throughs of some of Colin's finest work.
Twelve such highlights are on Naked Flames - the rare Say It begins proceedings, a heartfelt elegy that urges the listener to pipe up when things need to be said to a loved one or regret it later. And then it's on to more familiar songs such as Ten Feet Tall, Generals and Majors and the ubiquitous Making Plans For Nigel, a song that seems to resonate with a younger audience these days and never seems to age. Drummer Chambers can still cut it behind the drums, by the way - that fidgety Nigel rhythm deftly executed.
Perhaps the centrepiece of the shows was the Terry-less Bungalow, a sweet little song with a big heart, forlorn yet hopeful, wistful without being mawkish and easily one of Moulding's most triumphant moments, especially when presented in its rawest form.
Big Day, Grass and an improved reworking of Wonderland make up the remainder of the best of the best, before XTC's other songwriter, a certain Mr Partridge receives a nod of appreciation with the band delivering a jaunty recital of Statue of Liberty before the album closes out with Life Begins at the Hop.
Thirteen songs doesn't quite cover the whole experience, however. On the night, TC&I performed at least another half-dozen numbers on top of these, so here's hoping there will be a lavish double-vinyl release sometime soon. Still, if you were or weren't there, Naked Flames serves as a piece of history and a must-have document for old and new XTC-philes everywhere.
9/10
Buoyed by the reaction to the CD (and latterly 10" vinyl), the pair announced six exclusive hometown shows at Swindon's Arts Centre, all of which understandably sold out. The premise was simple - to perform renditions of rarely-heard Moulding compositions from the XTC canon in intimate surroundings. It was a short-lived project - even after hinting at a possible London date, TC&I officially folded soon after.
All of which is a shame because this new live CD amply demonstrates what a great idea the whole thing was. A five-strong band had been assembled for the occasion(s) and the audience(s) of just over a hundred each night were treated to long overdue run-throughs of some of Colin's finest work.
Twelve such highlights are on Naked Flames - the rare Say It begins proceedings, a heartfelt elegy that urges the listener to pipe up when things need to be said to a loved one or regret it later. And then it's on to more familiar songs such as Ten Feet Tall, Generals and Majors and the ubiquitous Making Plans For Nigel, a song that seems to resonate with a younger audience these days and never seems to age. Drummer Chambers can still cut it behind the drums, by the way - that fidgety Nigel rhythm deftly executed.
Perhaps the centrepiece of the shows was the Terry-less Bungalow, a sweet little song with a big heart, forlorn yet hopeful, wistful without being mawkish and easily one of Moulding's most triumphant moments, especially when presented in its rawest form.
Big Day, Grass and an improved reworking of Wonderland make up the remainder of the best of the best, before XTC's other songwriter, a certain Mr Partridge receives a nod of appreciation with the band delivering a jaunty recital of Statue of Liberty before the album closes out with Life Begins at the Hop.
Thirteen songs doesn't quite cover the whole experience, however. On the night, TC&I performed at least another half-dozen numbers on top of these, so here's hoping there will be a lavish double-vinyl release sometime soon. Still, if you were or weren't there, Naked Flames serves as a piece of history and a must-have document for old and new XTC-philes everywhere.
9/10