The March Violets - Big Soul Kiss (BBC Recordings 1982-1986) (2022)

THE MARCH VIOLETS came out of Leeds in the early 80's, label-mates of Sisters of Mercy. Releasing six singles, they were a constant presence in the UK indie charts, hitting the top two spots with Snakedance, Deep and Walk Into The Sun. They never got around to recording an album - their only '80's long-players, Natural History in the UK and Electric Shades in the USA, were compilations.Eventually they signed to a major label and were groomed for a USA breakthrough, performing in the 1987 'Some Kind of Wonderful' movie. However they were asked to make too many compromises and eventually split up.Their early eighties career was thankfully well-documented by the BBC, who broadcast six sessions between 1982-86 - three for John Peel, and one each with Kid Jensen, Janice Long and Richard Skinner.Chronicling their development with lead singers Simon Denbigh, Rosie Garland and Cleo Murray and backed by bassist Lawrence Elliot and guitarist Tom Ashton, these sessions include nine unreleased songs and alternative versions of their indie hits. Here is the unheard history of The March Violets.

CD1
1. Radiant Boys (Peel Session 1982) (3:47)
2. Steam (Peel Session 1982) (3:20)
3. 1 2 I Love You (Peel Session 1982) (3:10)
4. Grooving in Green (Peel Session 1982) (3:24)
5. Crow Baby (Peel Session 1983) (4:02)
6. The Undertow (Peel Session 1983) (3:14)
7. Strange Head (Peel Session 1983) (2:28)
8. Slow Drip Lizard (Peel Session 1983) (2:53)
9. Walk into the Sun (Jensen Session 1984) (5:38)
10. Deep (Jensen Session 1984) (4:44)
11. Kill the Delight (Jensen Session 1984) (5:36)

CD2
1. Big Soul Kiss (Jensen Session 1984) (4:09)
2. Lights Go Out (Peel Session 1984) (4:38)
3. Love Hit (Peel Session 1984) (3:42)
4. Don't Take It Lightly (Peel Session 1984) (3:46)
5. Electric Shades (Peel Session 1984) (3:44)
6. Face of the Dragonfly (Skinner Session 1984) (3:28)
7. Snake Dance (Skinner Session 1984) (4:07)
8. Deep (Skinner Session 1984) (4:09)
9. High Times (Janice Long Session 1986) (2:52)
10. Close to the Heart (Janice Long Session 1986) (3:29)
11. South Country (Janice Long Session 1986) (3:18)
12. Avalanche of Love (Janice Long Session 1986) (4:13)