aaamusic | On 27, Mar 2011

This beautifully packaged hardback book style 3-CD collection, with bonus DVD, provides an alternative view of The Beautiful South’s entire career as recorded and broadcast by the BBC.

Disc One comprises a series of BBC sessions recorded over a period spanning 1989 to 2005.

Disc Two is a live set from King George’s Hall in Blackburn, recorded during the band’s 1992 spring tour of the UK just as their third album 0898 was released.

Disc Three brings together highlights of tours undertaken in the late 1990s, featuring live dates from London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Brighton Centre, London Forum and the Fleadh Festival.

Disc 4 is a bonus DVD made up of a selection of The Beautiful South’s many live appearances on BBC Television, mainly Later With Jools Holland on which they were invited to appear on no less than five separate occasions.

One of the UK’s finest bands, The Beautiful South enjoyed 19 hit singles and 8 Top Ten albums. Formed at the end of the 1980s by two former members of The Housemartins, Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway, the duo were initially joined by Sean Welch (bass), Dave Stead (drums) and Dave Rotheray (guitar), all of whom stayed with the group for the duration of their career. Female vocalist, Briana Corrigan sang backing vocals on the band’s first album before becoming a full-time member in 1990 and thereafter featured on numerous tracks as lead vocalist. Also important to the band’s sound was studio keyboard player, Damon Butcher who played virtually all the piano and keyboard parts on their albums, despite never becoming an official member.