Varese Records
2001
Live At The BBC
About This Album
Adam & the Ants' 2001 Complete Radio One Recordings (released in the U.S. as Live at the BBC through Fuel/BBC) is, whatever the title, a crucial compilation that collects the group's three BBC excursions, from their first Peel Session in January 1978, on to the late in the day solo Ant outing in early 1995. The first 12 tracks, however, are the real meat. Recorded in the years prior to the worldwide eruption of Antmania, these early songs nevertheless serve a potent reminder of just how influential Adam & the Ants were to the post-punk landscape that grew up in the tattered tartan remains of punk's fallout. From the smooth "Deutscher Girls" (revamped from the Jubilee soundtrack) and the sassy snarl of "Puerto-Rican," to the rockabilly menace of "Lou," it's easy to see where more than a handful of up-and-comers took their inspiration. Add a few other favorites, including the snotty "You're So Physical," the completely subversive homage to everyone's favorite Egyptian queen, "Cleopatra" (later covered by Elastica), plus "Ligotage," and the sheer diversity of the Ants' musical output totally decries their at-the-time obscurity.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,5 and 13)

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