release date: Apr. 24, 2000
format: digital
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,92]
producer: OMD, Tony Wilson, Dale Griffin
label: Virgin Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: [ 1st Peel Session as transmitted ] - [ 2nd Peel Session as transmitted ] - [ "The Misunderstanding" - "The More I See You" from the 3rd session ] - [ 4th Peel Session as transmitted ]
Compilation cd by OMD encompassing 4 early John Peel recording sessions in the years 1979, 1980 and 1983 all of which were broadcast for the BBC Radio 1 show presented by John Peel shortly after the actual recordings. The line-up for the first session was just the two founding members Paul Humphreys and Andy McCluskey, and for the second session they were supported by David Hughes on keyboards and Malcolm Holmes on drums. For the third and fourth sessions Hughes had been exchanged by Martin Cooper. The majority of the tracks (12 / 15) are written by McCluskey and Humphreys.
It's true that almost all tracks are found on their 4 first classic albums, however, the sound on the Peel Sessions are much diverse, which really makes these recordings much treasured.
I have only come across the album in recent years, and must say they are truly fine and original. The sparse instrumentation here really cuts to the bone, and OMD has always been a band with a multi-layered sound, which makes the difference quite noticeable, and not necessarily in a bad way 'cause not all Peel Sessions by other artist comes out with this strength. It's just very different and the melodies are ever-present proving the quality of the songs. Another fine thing is that the release is compiled as is in chronological order.
My only complaint is that the release of the album came this late - two decades after the first recordings and after people, including myself, had turned their ears and eyes elsewhere. And this really makes it more of an archives release.
Before this Virgin also released the compilation album The OMD Singles (1998), which I find slightly better than the best of album from 1988.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]
