I cannot let today pass without mention of this album on the anniversary of its release on the the 27th of May 1991. This was a defining album of mine, both The Smiths and New Order were a huge part of my musical taste and education growing up and this blew the doors off. As with anyone, the right song, the right sound, the right time in your life it cna just be ‘right’ This album landed like a perfect storm for me and still gets played, goosebumps on all the occasions when I see Johnny Marr play tracks from it live!
lectronic is a supergroup consisting of Bernard Sumner from Joy Division / New Order and Johnny Marr from The Smiths. Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys appears on “The Patience of a Saint” and backing vocals on “Getting Away with It”. Chris Lowe of The Pet Shop Boys also played keyboards on “The Patience of a Saint” and synth bass on “Getting Away with It”.
“We certainly didn’t expect that we were going to be a supergroup. We were probably very naive. But what do you expect when you get Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe involved ? And your first single is the biggest hit you ever had in America? Neil and Chris getting involved early on was significant of course.” – musicradar.com
I remember reading years ago that Johnny Marr was planning to not play guitar on this album?
“Yeah, I think. Well, the whole of the album is definitely and example of me making a creative change. It’s been said before, and it’s no exaggeration that Bernard had to pretty much beat me over the head with a stick to play the guitar on that album. I would say, “I just want to play keyboards.” And he kept saying, “Everybody’s gonna blame me.” – musicradar.com
Thankfully he did! The record I bought back in 1991 is still played, the CD is in the loft somewhere and i’m sure somewhere is the cassette copy I made for the car, such a great album to listen to in that space as well. It was iconic for me and still is as were future Electronic releases.
I finally saw Johnny Marr supporting and playing with Pearl Jam at Hyde Park, saw him last year in Bristol and tickets for Southampton in June are firmly in my grasp and when ‘Getting Away With It’ is played I will be singing and smiling with nostalgia and in the moment joy! If you want to hear his live version just listen to Adrenalin or Look Out Live.
@we.will.trampoline.gigs Johnny Marr @O2 Academy #Bristol ♬ original sound – we.will.trampoline.gigs
I finally saw Johnny Marr supporting and playing with Pearl Jam at Hyde Park, saw him last year in Bristol and tickets for Southampton in June are firmly in my grasp and when ‘Getting Away With It’ is played I will be singing and smiling with nostalgia and in the moment joy! If you want to hear his live version just listen to Adrenalin or Look Out Live.
