aaamusic | On 24, Jun 2012

Paul Heaton is a well known English indie rock singer songwriter and ex member of The Housemartins and The Beautiful South.
Presents The 8th was commissioned by The Manchester International Festival and is released on 7th July, 2012 on the Proper label. It’s based around the idea of the 7 deadly sins and an 8th sin revealed by Paul Heaton himself. Each sin is given a section of the song and represented by a different singer.
Guest singers featured on The 8th are Wayne Gidden (Lust), Aaron Wright (Wrath), King Creosote (Gluttony), Simon Aldred of Cherry Ghost (Greed), Jacqui Abbott of The Beautiful South (Envy), Yvonne Shelton (Sloth) and Mike Greaves (Pride).The sections are linked by a theatrical narrative by award-winning playwright Che Walker (Royal Court and Young Vic).
As a soul opera, this is one of the longest songs ever written. A series of scenes take place in a single poverty-stricken neighbourhood and a new completely modern sin, the 8th, is able to insinuate itself into every person’s life. The story compels like a gritty crime drama. It was very popular when staged last year in Manchester and the CD is probably absolutely essential for those who gained a lot of pleasure from the live performance.
Six live performances of The 8th are planned for the summer of 2012, to include Gareth Campesinos! of Los Campesinos! and other guest singers.
Track List: 1. The Southside 2. PANTHER 3. Sermon Of A Little Faith 4. Pharaoh’s Boot 5. LUST 6. Strawberry-Type Birthmark 7. GLUTTONY 8. Uncle Luther, Officer Pork-Pork and Fat Alice 9. GREED 10. Newfounded Uprising Collective 11. WRATH 12. Ain’t Done Payin’ Yet 13. ENVY 14. Pharaoh’s Liar 15. SLOTH 16. The Street Been Put To Sleep 17. PRIDE 18. The People Who Own The Night 19. GOSSIP 20. CODA 21. Walk Into The Light.

★★★★★

Author: Anthony Weightman