Wally

The Television Personalities should have been bigger than the Beatles or at least bigger than The Kinks! They have written and released some of the most touching and intelligent songs on the planet from "Sense Of Belonging" questioning of the whole war ethic to "Arthur The Gardener" and people's treatment of the mentally eccentric and "Scream Quietly" attack on abuse and "I know Where Syd Barrett Lives" homage to an unsung music genius to "When The Dolphins Leave The Sea" real sense of concern for life ... and I can go on forever but it is better if you go out and listen to records and hear for yourself.

Their influence on music whether you know it or not or even agree is extremely far reaching and in many ways has significantly influenced the music of the last 25 years (Nirvana were fans) - just check out the number of great and relevant bands who have covered their songs (I am not talking about popular or mainstream although some of these have also) from Jeffrey Lewis, Jens Lekman, The Clientele, The Future heads, Nikki Sudden, The Swell Maps, BMX Bandits, Bettie Serveert, St. Etienne, The Thanes, The Shambles, Peter Bjorn & John, The Higher Elevations, The Legend! and so many more - just to name a few for those not aware. There are so many bands that have done covers that I started to gather some of these based on the info found at the wonderful fan websites (Filippo's Strangely Beautiful Website http://www.popfloor.com/tvps/ ; Keg's A Day In Heaven http://www.televisionpersonalities.co.uk/ ; Marco's TVP site http://www.tvpersonalities.de.vu/ ; Darrell Whitbeck's site http://windlessairmusic.tripod.com/televisionpersonalities/ ) and started to compile a tribute album a few years back. The reaction to this project was overwhelming and we had so many bands that were interested in submitting a cover (which also goes to show how many bands were touched or influenced by the TVP's - almost as many as The Velvet Underground) that we decided that it would be best that it became a 10 volume project.

Now after the release of first 2 volumes (which each also came with a full length bonus disc just to fit all the submissions) and the 3rd volume almost complete - many more people are starting to discover the Strangely Beautiful music behind the TVP's. When all 10 volumes are complete - they just might be Bigger Than The Beatles!

Wally @ TBM HQ
www.thebeautifulmusic.com

It's Kind Of Funny and Sorry For Laughing are still classic after all these years - I still have the 7" somewhere here of It's Kind Of Funny - I loved it then and still do now. Thanks for the review and the re-issue.

Wally
www.thebeautifulmusic.com

Loved the tribute - a worthy nod to a great songwriter - Phil Wilson - you should hear his blugrass cover of David Bowie's Heroes.

Wally
www.thebeautifulmusic.com