"If David Essex had been ugly I think he'd have been treated much kinder by the critics..."
Four Candles frontman, Ian Moss, promises an evening not to be missed for music fans when he launches his debut book 100 Unhip Albums (That We Should Learn To Love). Instead of trying to score cool points, Ian has decided to navigate us through his most treasured 'uncool' albums.
At the launch, he'll open up his record box to play some of the tracks that he loves. Lend an ear as a real aficionado with a lifelong passion curates his way among the unhip hits, misses and curiosities of his vast record collection.
Troubadour Nick Alexander will play a selection of tunes from the albums featured before top local writer Emily Oldfield takes the stage to interview Ian...
"The challenge of writing a book held huge appeal mixed with trepidation" Ian enthuses "I'm always telling or encouraging others to do things, so it was only right I took myself out of my comfort zone. I'm no expert, but my whole point is that we don't need self-appointed experts telling us what it is permissible to like. I hope lots of people disagree with my choices and opinions; that's healthy! I like to encourage or provoke debate."
Countless rock n' roll books rely on the benefit of hindsight and only seem to exist to enhance the author's opinions and supposed 'impeccable taste'. Ian avoids this nonsense and uses his book to celebrate the music that he genuinely adores.
I mention to him that many music journalists are too keen to be connected to credible acts, and would not admit if they liked a track by a pop act..."Exactly, it's a prison for the mind. Hopefully, we can open a few minds by encouraging looking at uncool, forbidden fruit...There's Abba, Leo Sayer and Gilbert O'Sullivan. I don't care what some BBC 5 talking head thinks...mostly, they're only interested in promoting themselves."
I ask Ian if he thought that one of the acts he featured deserved much more critical acclaim? "David Essex is someone I always thought never got his critical due" he retorts "His record company very profitably sold him to the teen market based on his looks, but his first four albums are smart, witty and unique with a sound that owed something to Karl Heinz Stockhausen on one hand and King Tubby on the other.
"If he'd not been such a pretty face he would have been treated very differently" he adds "I remember George Best saying 'If I'd not been good looking you'd have never heard of Pele'. If David Essex had been ugly I think he'd have been treated much kinder by the critics."
Ian's book swerves layering more praise on the same old acts that regularly receive adulation. The result is an original and interesting collection. With Ian keen on flying the flag for the underdog, I am curious to know if there were any critically acclaimed acts that he just didn't 'get'..."Ah there are lots of acts I don't get at all, but a really highly acclaimed one who leaves me reaching for the sick-bag are this current incarnation of Public Image Ltd. John Lydon these days seems bereft of ideas and his lunatic proclamations rival the idiot racist Morrissey."
All are invited and welcome to an evening marking the publication of Ian's trawl through the dustier, neglected and maligned outposts of popular culture. It promises to be a great night out for lovers of music...
"I'm excited and nervous in equal parts about the launch event" he concludes "Nervous in case nobody turns up, and excited because if people do come I think we will have a good time, it won't be a stuffy precious event, but a celebration."
Ian Moss: 100 Unhip Albums (That We Should Learn To Love).
Thursday 14th November 7pm-10pm
The Peer Hat,
14-16 Faraday Street Manchester M1 1BE
7pm to 8:15pm - Ian Moss plucks vinyl from his trusty record box and DJs in true 70s style (no mixing)
8:15 pm to 8:45pm - Nick Alexander performs a selection of songs from the book in his own unique style
8:45 pm to 9:15pm - Acclaimed journalist/poet Emily Oldfield in conversation with Ian Moss
9:15pm to 10pm - Book signing and general niceness
Words by Ian Leslie
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