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Happy Birthday MES
Published 05 March, 2017 by Tony Morley

Happy Birthday MES

In recognition of The Fall’s indefatigable Mark E Smith reaching the grand old age of 60, here’s a playlist of other people’s songs that The Fall have performed over their 40 year career.

This list contains every known cover version performed by the group (either live or in the studio), along with the original (or at least most appropriate) version, that currently exists on Spotify. Some of the originals are missing, as are some of the covers, but one way or the other this playlist includes pretty much everything. No particular order, other than that some of my favourites come top. It’s quite a revelation, covering rockabilly, dub, country, disco, proto-punk, out and out pop and, uh, Christmas carols, with Smith's favourites apparently being The Monks, Iggy Pop, Gene Vincent, Frank Zappa, and Frankie Valli...

Smith has an uncanny ability to take a song, whether obscure or well-known, and make it his own. Sometimes played fairly straight, sometimes unrecognisable, often with changed lyrics and titles, it took me years to realise some of these songs weren’t Smith originals. I started compiling this a couple of years ago, but was defeated by the sheer volume of songs. MES’s special birthday seemed like a good reason to finish it.

I’m indebted to the extraordinary Reformation Post TPM Fall song list for its incredible research. Additional inspiration from The Quietus, The Fall Online and this great compilation, released by Ace in 2011.

MES at 60: The Fall's cover versions

Office Radio May 2016
Published 24 May, 2016 by BP

The Leaf Label's Office Radio is full of illicit pleasures. You know you want it. Just make sure you don't leave it in your browser tabs when you post screen shots on social media or there will be difficult questions to answer.

This is what we've been enjoying of late:

Sh*t Robot - What Follows
T. P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - The Skeletal Essences of Afro Funk, Vol. 3 (1969-1980)
Kenny Lynch - Half The Day's Gone And We Haven't Earne'd A Penny
Belle Epoque - Miss Broadway
Mark Pritchard - Under The Sun
Leron Thomas - Role Play (feat. Bilal)
The Pointer Sisters - Yes We Can Can
Archie Shepp - The Way Ahead
Keith Barrow - Turn Me Up
Serge Gainsbourg - Initials B.B.
Special Request - Elegy
Mikael Seifu - How to Save a Life (Vector of Eternity)
Prins Thomas - Meiro

Office Radio April 2016
Published 26 April, 2016 by BP

The Leaf Label's Office Radio won't bite unless you'd like it to.

This is what's been added lately:

DJ Shadow with Run The Jewels - Nobody Speak
Liima - Trains in the Dark
Death In Vegas - You Disco I Freak
Ital Tek - Beyond Sight
DJ Marfox - Cobra Preta
Róisín Murphy - Mastermind
Suuns - Hold/Still

Office Radio March 2016
Published 01 April, 2016 by BP

Don't be afraid to enter the murky world of The Leaf Label's Office Radio. We know you want to. Live a little.

This is what we've added lately:

Domenique Dumont - Comme Ça
Ziad Rahbani - Abu Ali
Venetian Snares - Everything About You Is Special
Fred Aucagos - Pangua Zô Pile Moin
D.R. Hooker - Forge Your Own Chains
Camille Soprann Hildevert - Kouté Jazz
Not Waving - Animals
Cavern of Anti-Matter - Void Beats/Invocation Trex
The Sumo Brothers - I Love Music (Umoja Edit)
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - The Romance Of The Telescope
David Bowie - Up The Hill Backwards
Yamasuki Singers - Yama Yama
The Birthday Party - Live 81-82
George Smallwood - Lady Disco
The Sorcerers - The Viking of 5th Avenue
Cerrone - Vice Squad: the Original Soundtrack Anthology
T. Rex - The Slider
Letta Mbulu - Nomalizo
Szun Waves - At Sacred Walls