The Wurzels and Adge Cutler Discography

Track-by-Track Review

Wurzologist Paul Gunningham previews the new Wurzels' album in detail

Somewhat ironically packaged in a spoof of the Sex Pistols' legendary 1977 album cover (since the dawn of punk was to hasten the Wurzels' fall from greatness), and squarely aimed at the new generation of Wurzels' fans, this album is a departure from their normal material based on the songs of Adge Cutler and their own 1970s hits. Here, the tracks are all covers of hits by 1990s and 2000s artists and should be familiar in the original versions to anyone under the age of thirty. It has to be said that some of the covers are more successful than others, but overall this is an album that should go down especially well during the forthcoming festive season. Here's an indication of what to expect:
· Ooh-Aah Just A Little Bit - the opening track is an ideal Wurzel vehicle with its "Ooh-Arr!" choruses, and is performed in the same bouncy style as Gina G's chart-topping original, with no change to the lyrics apart from Pete Budd's spoken interjections. And Adge Cutler makes a guest appearance right at the end! A possible next single?
· You're Gorgeous - Babybird's 1996 smash gets a somewhat different treatment from the lads, with Tommy Banner's accordion more prominent in the backing, and Pete's vocals seem to be aimed at his horse!
· Dead From The Waist Down - a surprise inclusion. Pete sings it straight (yes, really!) and the Wurzels' version is not much different in arrangement from the Catatonia original, except of course Pete doesn't sound a lot like Cerys Matthews! But the "make hay not war" refrain seems ideal for our lads - presumably the reason for its inclusion. A childrens' chorus coming in towards the end makes this a good choice for a Christmas offering.
· Country House - Blur's big laid-back 1995 hit gets "proper Wurzelized" in this version, which combines a reggae-like verse with a rip-roaring fast-paced chorus, all done in Wurzels' style with prominent Wurzelphone and banjo accompanying Pete's vocals - not to mention the animal sound effects!
· Don't Look Back In Anger - already familiar from the September "Oo-Ar-Sis" single release, this is another Wurzelization, this time of Noel Gallagher's chart-topping song. Fast-paced with typical Wurzels accompaniment and vocal asides, even though the original lyrics are sung as written.
· Why Does It Always Rain On Me - a rocky version with lots of guitar in the mix, this is sung by Pete in his inimitable style and is very effective, although the overall effect is not very typically Wurzelish apart from the vocals.
· Tubthumping - at last a song on this album mentioning cider! Chumbawamba's 1997 Top 3 anthem is given a Wurzels treatment, with Tommy sharing lead vocals with Pete. Once again, the words are sung straight, apart from a bit of comedy at the start and the end. Rock-based mix, paced similarly to the original.
· Come On Santa - last year's Christmas single should already be familiar to Wurzels' fans. The only Wurzels original on the album - bouncy pace with a catchy chorus and amusing lyrics.
· Rock DJ - the Robbie Williams hit gets well and truly Wurzelized! Banjo prominent in the accompaniment, and Pete sings the original lyrics again, albeit with a few original interjections as you would expect. Plenty of screaming rock guitar too.
· It Wasn't Me - a bit of an oddity, this 'un. At well over five minutes, it's by far the longest track, but I'm not sure whether this might be a touch too long. It features an acoustic guitar-based backing, reminiscent of Adge's Twice Daily, but with a bit of steel guitar and banjo. Shaggy's song is given the Wurzels treatment again, featuring plenty of Tommy and Pete's banter.

While this album should go a long way towards spreading the Wurzels word amongst the younger generation, some of their older fans may be puzzled by some of the songs included - the problem with most covers of this nature is that unless you've heard the originals, you don't get the full impact. But it's nice to hear an album with some different material on, even though little of it is original. Some long-term fans may question whether the lads have "sold out", possibly sacrificing longevity for short-term gain - but then, why not? At their age, they can't afford to hang about! Amusing though these covers are now, it's questionable whether they will be remembered in thirty or so years' time, as Adge Cutler's and the Wurzels' earlier hits are today. It would have been nice to hear some parody words, rather than a relatively straight treatment of the lyrics - more mentions of scrumpy, dung and tractors would have been welcome! That aside, it's great to see the Wurzels having some well-earned success, and I trust they won't forget their roots and will keep their feet firmly up to their ankles in dung! And no Wurzels' fan should be without this album - go out and buy a copy!

© Paul Gunningham 16 November 2002