'Kinocchio', priceless.

"When Russell joined Pulp later that year, he took them from the singer songwriter style naivety (and, crap) of My Lighthouse and Love Love "

 

ERRR, whaaaT ? !

The word 'crap' does indeed appear with speech marks. I certainly interpreted it to be quoting Russell, rather than Stephen's own opinion!

Interesting article. I certainly enjoyed reading it. Russell can always be relied upon to provide some good quotes.

Very good article that. Reading between the lines I reckon his quote about the reunion carrying on was that he loved the nostalgia of returning for a short while, but to continue may cause old resentments to return. Maybe he can stay friends with Jarvis if he's not seeing him day in, day out?

I'm more of a team Jedward kind of guy.

Thank you, Stepehen. Such a well-informed (obviously!) and entertaining piece.
I will keep my fingers crossed for an eventual follow-up.
I have to quibble with your use of "PA", that term is very out of vogue, they're now "production coordinators", or I thought "tour manager" in Ralph's case...anyway, the "kumquat's" (did he really abuse that poor apostrophe??) comment was doubly amusing considering the "peasant" in question would be his "Two Tribes" co-writer.
I'm coming around to this whole concept, or at least my curiosity is piqued...

Stephen wrote:

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Cheers for clarifying, Will! I was in Ikea when I read Andy's comment and couldn't check for myself. Thanks for the compliments too, and to you others!

And yes Liltman, I liked the comments about the 'communion' that was still there.

Andy, Russell's been on record a few times as having really liked the Peel Sessions era Pulp (hence booking them for a gig in Bath) but didn't like the It era Pulp. Note how, if memory serves, he never played a single song from It live ever!

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Well i didn't know that.. i've learnt so much about the band over the years from you guys, so thanx.

I know the truth always lies in the middle of every story, but still, he seems like a real pain in the ass. Bands sometimes need tension to progress, seems like it worked for a good ten years, then it didn't anymore when Pulp wasn't going "the Russell way".

I'm glad Jarvis and the other guys carried on without him after all. Back in 97, (There was no internet for me and few details in the press here!), when i noticed he wasn't on the cover of Help the aged single, i was like, WTF happened, and to be honest i kinda felt sad for him.... well not anymore. I would be the first to criticize Pulp if they made a crap record (they almost did...) but that's just plain stupid attitude to refuse to play songs from some records. The rest of the band were nice enough, i think, to take him back for the 2011 reunion. Viva Pulp post Russell.

I think it's fair enough that Russell didn't play It songs considering by the time Russell joined the line up was completely different (except Jarvis) and to be fair the It songs, though rhythmically pleasant and definitely a nice listen, are a bit airy fairy. If a band you liked went from generally quite experimental to singing generally quite soppy love songs (let's face it) it is understandable Russell wanted to do something about it and change the direction back to something a lot more interesting.

Don't get me wrong I like It but when you compare it to Freaks (naturally more advanced due to Candida et al. joining too) it really doesn't stand up - Personally 'pleasant' really does seem like an apt way of describing It. Also if they actually meant something to Jarvis, or he thought they were good, then was is he so willing to leave it behind and not draw any attention to it (not just when performing but also it Mother, Brother, Lover)? I think it's much more likely, as has already been stated in a different thread, that the two are just set out to disagree with each other at every turn and in this instance it seems like it's Jarvis not Russell that's actually being a bit awkward

Other points. Can only reply in fits and starts as am on archaic phone. And I have no memory. I thought Tramlines was confirmed. Perhaps not. Will seek clarification. Also, 'pa'. Had seen Ralph described as that and saw no reason to disagree. Btw his linkedin profile states he played 'guest cameo' keyboards at one of the dates last yr. Any veracity to this?

He's said that FEELING CALLED LOVE and (I think) I Spy and Live Bed Show were directions he wanted Pulp to keep pursuing rather than straightforward balladry like Something Changed so I think it's a bit of a leap to suggest that for the last 5 years he rowed behind whatever the band were doing without taking a liking or interest to it. If the bulk of their glory days material mithered him that much he could have left earlier.

Stephen wrote:

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The amount of apostraphes abused by both Russell and Ralph would make you weep. I thought I caught them all, but obviously one slipped through. There was also a 'past' instead of 'passed'. Tut.

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 Noooooooooooooo'o!!