And Some Fell On Stony Ground

CD (PROBE73)
– 4 November 2016

“A gathering of hard-to-find tracks only previously available on long-deleted releases”
(All songs previously released and discussed on this site)

✉ Letters Sent (109)

Skip to the most recent comment
(9 years ago by Bobby Svarc)

Chris The Siteowner
Here’s the reverse side of the CD.
12 September 2016
warden hodges
Looking fwd to this for only the reason I lost both Saucy Haulage and Editors- maybe they slipped out of the CD rack I don’t know but yep, great news and delighted to be a completist once again.
12 September 2016
dr desperate
Nice, been waiting for this for ages!
The Jacuzzi-designed cover is based on one of over 30 copies Van Gogh painted of Millet’s (not q v) ‘The Sower’. This one is in the Niarchos Collection in Zurich (numbered F690 in Jacob Baart de la Faille’s catalogue raisonné), though the original does not feature crows, cassettes or double yellow lines.
The title is from Matthew 13:5, Mark 4:5 or Luke 8:6, depending on your translation.
12 September 2016
EXXO
Been wondering if the wonderful artwork by Stephen Hardstaff preceded and inspired the title, and whether the art dates from the same time as his wonderful Van Gogh triptych for the ‘Eno Collaboration’ EP – Mick do you happen to know?
Incidentally, before today if you googled “Half Man Half Biscuit some fell on Stony Ground” the only result was from the Mudcat.com thread about that other ‘Trouble Over Bridgwater’, and if you added a “e” to ‘stony’, the only result was from the thread on this site about the new tracks in the 2010 Radio session … a thread in which itself could have just maybe sowed the seed of the title, given a certain pseudonym that appears among the contributors ….
12 September 2016
GOK WAN ACOLYTE
I wonder why “David Wainwright’s Feet” is asterisked on the cover? Licensed from Rough Trade (q.v) perhaps?
Great cover and title. Not yet showing on the Probe-Plus store for pre-order
12 September 2016
Iguana andy
Fantastic stuff, can’t wait.
12 September 2016
Nige
In a way its good to have all these in one place, but I guess it means there’s not much chance of a new album for a while. Nearly 2 years since UfO released.
12 September 2016
Jeff dReadnought
Looking at that tracklist is like realising that a previously injured player you’d almost forgotten about is back in full training and ready to make his return to the first team. They’re all songs that many of us have had in our collections for some time in one form or another, I suspect, but buying the compilation will be “almost like a new signing”‘ as the saying goes.
At the same time, as Nige suggests above, you still feel slightly disappointed that the transfer window has closed without any actual new players being signed.
12 September 2016
grilly
…but still no studio version of ‘epiphany’?
a bbc session covers compilation could be nice too.
12 September 2016
grilly
very nice, a few tracks on there i’ve not picked up along the way…
12 September 2016
EXXO
@Nige. I doubt that it will affect whenever the next album is released in any significant way, as long as everyone involved stays reasonably healthy. All it is is a reluctant, belated ‘well OK, if we really have to’ re-issue of the 3 EPs and one other track, simply so that Geoff can satisfy a limited but persistent demand for the EPs in an easy manner. They haven’t even budged the track order from any of the EPs, merely having to decide on an order for the 4 components. They won’t be expecting to get much return on it I don’t suppose, but hopefully there’s a chance they will be pleasantly surprised.
For me the artwork dumps the parable firmly at the feet of the less conscientious promotional leafletters, freesheet kids and flyer merchants and who dump the contents of their satchels on wasteground at the bottom of contours they don’t fancy, and merely serves to underline the nonchalant throwaway manner in which HMHB release their stuff.
12 September 2016
Bobby SVARC
I would imagine that the cost of re-issuing all the EP’s was too steep so the best way was a CD. Also, gig goers may have a busy 2017.
12 September 2016
dr desperate
It’s a 4-EP/B-side/CAB CD.
12 September 2016
Chris The Siteowner
@Dr D: genius.
@Bobby: ooh, that last bit sounds good.
@Exxo: I think the track order goes a bit wobbly on Editor’s Recommendation at the end.
12 September 2016
floreat ultonia
No ‘Mars Ultras’? Otherwise an excellent compo.
17 September 2016
GOK WAN ACOLYTE
Now available to pre-order on the Probe Plus store: http://www.probeplus-store.co.uk/half-man-half-biscuit.html
17 September 2016
GOK WAN ACOLYTE
Also, it’s showing as free at the time of typing (apart from p&p) – although I somehow suspect this is an error!
17 September 2016
Bobby SVARC
Thanks, Just contacted GD and he will get it sorted.The I.T lad is just having his tea.
17 September 2016
Theqwill10
So the price is TBA?
18 September 2016
AS TOLD TO A. BOYLE
Album cover on Amazon has stony spelt as stoney. A first draft that slipped out with a typo or some murkier explanation?
Great spot. Here it is, to save you all the effort. – CtSO
18 September 2016
Hammerfist Deceiver
I would really like to have that cover on a tee-shirt, Geoff.
20 September 2016
Bobby SVARC
Note from Geoff. Release Date Now NOVEMBER 4th
21 September 2016
EXXO
Wonder if that’s cos they need time to remove the ‘e’ or to add it? Total suspense here.
21 September 2016
CARRIE ANNE
4th November of which year?
21 September 2016
Bobby SVARC
My message read “CD Release now 4th Nov………Don’t Ask” so I didn’t.
21 September 2016
EXXO
I’m going to.
21 September 2016
Bobby SVARC
Stoney Stanton Parish Council and Stony Stratford Town Council are now getting involved….All very messy.
21 September 2016
dr desperate
The 1,225 residents (latest figures) of Stoney Ground, Anguilla may also have something to say on the matter.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoney_Ground
21 September 2016
dr desperate
Ditto 70’s ex-Stiff pub rockers Plummet Airlines, according to their post-split double compilation album, released in 1981.
http://recordcollectorsoftheworldunite.com/artists/plummetairlines/onlp.jpg
21 September 2016
EXXO
Get away from those Anguilla urban concerns. DROP THE ‘E’
It’s a King James thing. DROP THE ‘E’ NOW. It could well be a twitter campaign.
21 September 2016
Bobby SVARC
Renaming the album is one way of sorting it out.
21 September 2016
dr desperate
Flight Sgt Leslie Mann dropped the ‘E’ (among other things).
http://www.whitcoulls.co.nz/INTERSHOP/static/WFS/Whitcoulls-Shop-Site/-/Whitcoulls-Shop/en_NZ/product/978/18/48/31/72/08.jpg
Release date 4th Nov, but I’ll be bringing my pocket money to Lincoln a week earlier, just in case.
22 September 2016
Pail Merk
Slightly off-topic… Wiser heads than me will have suggested it before, but why no live album? Surely it captures Nigel and the lads in their natural habitat. Add the between-song banter and you’ve got a double. (I wouldn’t go as far as a triple. The Clash over-stretched themselves on “Sandinista!” Use of an exclamation mark, I mean).
Mick and Keef have gone a bit quiet on the road, so The Rolling Stones Mobile Studio must be available. Dr Feelgood got to number one in the hit parade with “Stupidity”. Just saying.
4 October 2016
EXXO
Not sure my irony detector is working this morning, but anyway can somebody put up a link to a quote from Nigel about his feelings on live performance? Not even Geoff would be able to persuade him on that one (not that there was much choice about this compilation, really).
4 October 2016
Pail Merk
Twas a serious question, Exxo.
The irony came free of charge, but was set to “stun”.
4 October 2016
Chris The Siteowner
There are of course some excellent live recordings available without shelling out a penny, PM. Unfortunately many of the Tarquin Live! files were hosted at Megaupload, which no longer operates, but hunt around the alternative links there, as well as trying the many other suggestions on our page above, and you should find some really good stuff.
4 October 2016
Pail Merk
Many thanks for the suggestions, Chris.
Perhaps the live recordings that are available make a live CD a redundant enterprise. In which case, I withdraw my query and slink back into the shadows.
PS Tell the lads to get back to Scotland pronto and we’ll say no more about this live ‘issue’.
4 October 2016
Chris The Siteowner
“Historic collection of scattergun gags” – TheArtsDesk.com ★★★☆☆
18 October 2016
EXXO
Well, I suppose that’s why they were so reluctant to do the compilation.
The ‘more generous band’ thing and teh expecting contemporary references annoyed me so I just wrote him a comment about that, wasting 10 mins of my life before being told they can’t accept comments at the moment.
18 October 2016
EXXO
Well, I suppose that’s why they were so reluctant to do the compilation.
The ‘more generous band’ thing and teh expecting contemporary references annoyed me so I just wrote him a comment about that, wasting 10 mins of my life before being told they can’t accept comments at the moment.
18 October 2016
GOK WAN ACOLYTE
I don’t think it’s a completely unfair review – although like Exxo I think the “more generous band” comment is nonsense. I’ve always hated compilations where a new song is added in, which for a band I like means I have to rebuy stuff I already have.
But we had a long discussion in the LFC last year about the reasons for the fall from grace of ACP (top in 2011 to a last 16 also ran), and the consensus seemed to be that it was because many of its references were now dated.
18 October 2016
EXXO
Totally agree with you that that’s why it is a ‘generous’ act by the band not to include a couple of new or unreleased tracks to entice us.
But I still don’t agree with him reviewing it as if anyone would expect it to have anything contemporary about it – it’s a reluctant re-release due to customer demand by people who want songs with references from 1996, 2001 and 2003. Even the art work is a throw back to 1996 or earlier. It’s not for anyone else, and will not be marketed at anyone who wants contemporary references. Or anyone at all really.
18 October 2016
John andErson
The Proper Distribution website contains this description of the album:
The new compilation includes all tracks from the now deleted ‘Editor’s Recommendation’ and ‘Saucy Haulage Ballads’ and an earlier version of ‘Eno Collaboration’. The idea for this came after some bloke from Crickhowell suggested it whilst engaging the band in pleasant chit chat during a fire drill at Norton Canes Service Station.
18 October 2016
BOBBY SVARC
Were they reluctant?
18 October 2016
TOASTKID
With this “which a more generous outfit would have included as an extra, alongside new material.”, I think the reviewer is suggesting that “a more generous band” would include this on an album which was **mostly** new material, which seems like a bit of an odd thing to suggest: CD versions of albums have often included singles which weren’t included on the vinyl version, but not ones from 15-20 years ago! If HMHB decided to include, say, Editors Recommendation on their next original album, it would be seen as, well, a bit odd. If there’s a place on a new release for these, it would have been the relevant next new release for each album: eg putting the Editors Recommendation tracks on the CD version of Cammell Laird Social Club. I’m not saying they **should** have done that, I’m just saying that’s a more logical and traditional place for them. On the other hand, if you’d bought Editors Recommendation, you’d feel a bit peeved, and perhaps wouldn’t buy any more EPs, thus hurting future chart placement for the band. So it’s probably better to keep them separate.
As a lifelong (well not quite, but a very long time anyway) fan of The Fall, who used to be something of an obsessive completist, I absolutely HATED the very common practise of releasing a CD with one new track you couldn’t find anywhere else, alongside a load of tracks you already owned, and i LOVED the occasional CDs which only contained rarities. This release is neither, and though I’m not quite sure who it’s aimed at, it is at least “fair and consistent” in its tracklist.
So, like Exxo says, keeping new stuff **off** this CD is the right thing to do.
18 October 2016
EXXO
@ Bobby. I can’t remember specific words of specific conversations but Nigel has said more than once over the last few years that he knew Geoff wanted to do it in response to demand, but he himself did not feel it was appropriate, and then at the beginning of this year it was kind of ‘shrug, kind of had of had to really.’
18 October 2016
GOK WAN ACOLYTE
It’s essentially similar to Belle & Sebastian’s “Push Barman to Open Old Wounds” compilation – putting together all your old and now deleted singles/EPs onto a single album. Long standing fans who already had the originals don’t need to rebuy but newer fans who haven’t been able to get hold of them easily (in physical format at least) can now do so. And for the small independent label (Jeepster in the case of B&S, ProbePlus for our heroes) it’s a chance to rerelease old songs in a cost-effective way with the additional benefit of getting some extra publicity (I doubt the Arts Desk website would have even bothered to mention a “re-release” of the Editors Recommendation EP)
18 October 2016
Eric Olthwaite
Exactly GWA. I have an excellent Tindersticks one (Donkeys 92-97) – singles, B-sides, unreleased soundtrack stuff, a foreign language version of a song and some arrangements that are radically different to the released versions. That makes it sound like a bit of a rag-bag, but it’s excellent, one of my favourites of theirs.
18 October 2016
TOASTKID
Yeah, I think that genuine (ie non-cynical) “for the completist” compilations are to be applauded. The Fall are the worst example because they’ve been on so many record labels, due to Mark E Smith’s winning personality and easy-going nature one assumes, that no single party actually has the rights to a significant proportion of their material. Bands that manage to stay on the same label their entire career can actually collect all the rarities together and release them without any legal hassles. Pixies did a great B sides one, and I loved the B-sides CD on New Order’s Substance too.
19 October 2016
paul f
I seem to recall the excellently monikored “B-sides themselves” being released by Marillion.
19 October 2016
dr desperate
Strictly speaking (is there any other way?), “B’Sides Themselves”.
See also Elvis Costello’s brilliant 1980 rarities compilation “Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How’s Your Fathers”. I bought it in the US as “Taking Liberties”.
19 October 2016
paul f
Once again the pedantry of this site’s denizens, shocks and awes me in equal measure.
19 October 2016
TOASTKID
Sorry, PaulF, but you’ve got an unnecessary comma in the middle of that last comment.
20 October 2016
paul f
Indeed I have.
20 October 2016
Steve Jacuzzi
The cover appearing on Amazon is the one rejected by Nigel (cos of the spelling of ‘Stony’) – Geoff must have sent it to them by mistake!!!
20 October 2016
BOBBY SVARC
https://s22.postimg.org/e40v6309d/mayq.png
20 October 2016
spt
Ordered it from Norman Records and it somewhat unexpectedly turned up today. Just burned it. I fought the temptation to include intentional typos when submitting the track names to itunes.
20 October 2016
dr desperate
Looking good for copies being on sale at Lincoln, then.
21 October 2016
EXXO
A spectacular number of soundbites to be squabbled at within this discussion between 21.30 and 28.30, my favourite being the assertion that the early HMHB couldn’t even play their instruments.
https://twitter.com/Big_MouthUK/status/790141393901645824
23 October 2016
floreat ultonia
A Crispy Ambulance moment?
23 October 2016
floreat ultonia
Arriving early for a gig at Bilston’s Robin 2 club, Mr Ken Hancock of Wallasey approached me at the bar and asked to borrow a uke tuner (actually a cigarette lighter)
23 October 2016
Jeff dReadnought
Thanks for the link, Exxo. So after agreeing that Len is indeed the dogs, the discussion turns inevitably to the conclusion that HMHB are only for people who can quote their lyrics extensively, like to discuss them endlessly on some kind of online HMHB lyrics project and are familiar with the hand-clapping sequence at the end of Blockbusters. Meanwhile the wit, ingenuity and sheer versatility of the music are entirely overlooked.
Of course you need to “get” the references in the lyrics (or have them explained) to realise that there’s a lot more to the songs than meets the eye at first, but there’s plenty to “get” in the music, too (besides the Crossroads theme tune), and the band’s appeal is a lot broader than most pundits give them credit for.
NB himself has said (in an interview with Michael Stewart a couple of years ago) that “Lyrics don’t matter that much to me in a song. It’s the music that matters mostly I feel”, which I’d probably take more or less at face value (despite the fact that he also says in the same interview that he doesn’t read much poetry). The awkward silence with which Dylan has greeted his Nobel prize award suggests he thinks much the same.
Oh, and apparently it was the Irish poet Brendan Behan (1923-1964) who said’ “If it was raining soup, the Irish would go out with a fork.”
24 October 2016
EXXO
Totally agree. And since when was Bob Wilson ever a commentator? The clue is in the title, chaps.
But you’ve got me all pedantic about my beloved Behan now, Vendor. You never see that quote given properly, and it’s nearly always appropriated to make it sound like the playwright was putting his nation down. It’s a character (called Dionysus O’Looney) in his radio play ‘The Big House’ who says that, and it’s actually “Sure God help the Irish, if it was raining soup they’d be out with forks”. Sorry, As you were.
24 October 2016
EXXO
Sorry, Jeff, I meant obviously.
Vendor? Not heard from him for a while.
24 October 2016
EXXO
Sorry, Jeff, I meant obviously.
Vendor? Not heard from him for a while.
24 October 2016
BOBBY SVARC
The CD has now been released and will be available from PROBE PLUS for only £9.75 inc postage/packaging anytime now. Keep checking the web store for it to come on-line. http://www.probe-plus.co.uk
Obviously, copies will be available at the Lincoln gig on Friday if you want Geoff to sign it.
Thank You
24 October 2016
warden hodges
Sound Mick. I’ll pop down School Lane soon.
24 October 2016
EXXO
@ Warden – the Probe Records shop probably won’t have it ahead of the 4th, as they have nothing to do with Geoff, and certainly haven’t had previous albums in advance.
A plea to one and all to buy from the Probe Plus website or a gig to make sure each member of the band, and Geoff, see most of your hard-earned. If your local record shop hasn’t gone under yet, it’ll probably survive without this purchase.
24 October 2016
EXXO
Cripes. Literally a minute after writing that I heard on the news that Pete Burns, Geoff’s former employee at the Probe Records shop, has died.
24 October 2016
BOBBY SVARC
Don’t forget that just one sale of the CD will pay the website bloke his wages for a whole year.
24 October 2016
warden hodges
Still might coffee and cake at the Bluecoat anyway on 4th but I’ll postal order up then and wait for the happy postie. Ta guys.
24 October 2016
EXXO
Mister Peter sold me songs when I was just 16
http://www.bombedoutpunk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/bombed-out-punk-memoir-peter-alan-lloyd-1970s-1980s-punk-new-wave-bands-1980s-liverpool-bands-bombed-out-film-screenplay-locations-in-liverpool-bombed-out-tour-probe-records-pete-burns-epicentre-punk-1-3.jpg
So intimidating to sheltered a sixteen year old. Never knew that a few years later he would be the singer of one of my favourite records to spin around at the college bop.
24 October 2016
Bobby svarc
The PROBE machine has now burst into life and is fully operational with boxes of CDs for you.
25 October 2016
Dirk Hofman
.. @72. Is that John Lennon and Brian Eno with Pete Burns ?
25 October 2016
EXXO
Since you mention it, has anyone ever seen Geoff Davies and Brian Eno in the same room? Gives a whole new slant to ‘Eno Collaboration.’
25 October 2016
zedsquared
Bah, out of stock on the probe web site right now… you buggers have bought the lot without leaving me one… I should pay more attention.
25 October 2016
Chris The Siteowner
Aaargh. I’ve sent Geoff a message asking him to get the store re-stocked ASAP. Check back later, I’m sure they’ll sort it. Geoff doesn’t seem to think this CD is going to be as popular as I reckon it will.
25 October 2016
BOBBY SVARC
Blimey, It’s mass hysteria.
25 October 2016
schoon
I bought it on Saturday 22nd in HMV in Broadstairs (more or less).
26 October 2016
Bobby svarc
Still out of stock at Probe :-(
26 October 2016
zedsquared
Back in stock now… just bought mine :)
27 October 2016
BOBBY SVARC
Message from Geoff
The CD will be on sale in Lincoln tomorrow night.
27 October 2016
paul f
Mine arrived yesterday.
28 October 2016
just mark
Ordered Wednesday late night, arrived this morning. I suspect someone drove to my house and delivered it or the ‘Super Postie’ option really works.
28 October 2016
BOBBY SVARC
Nigel’s been delivering them on his bike in a 15 mile radius of Sydenham Avenue.
28 October 2016
Chris The Siteowner
I’d pay him the going rate to deliver mine by hand. And make him a cup of tea. Actually, enough people probably would that he could be paid full-time for cycling the length and breadth of the country. Just suggesting.
28 October 2016
hendrix-tattoo
Being my own postie I delivered it to myself this morning.
Thanks Geoff and get well soon fella.
1 November 2016
Nige
No sign of mine ordered and confirmed Thursday :-(
1 November 2016
BOBBY SVARC
Takes a few days Nige, It’ll be there I’m sure.
1 November 2016
Nige
The only track I haven’t got is David Wainwright, but you have to be a completist.
1 November 2016
Nigel
Carries on twiddling thumbs and mumbling morosely again tonight :-(
2 November 2016
BOBBY SVARC
Geoff has been quite poorly recently. If it aint here by Friday I’ll send you mine.
2 November 2016
Nige
Thanks ;-).
I assumed when I got a message saying my order was complete that they meant it had been despatched.
2 November 2016
hendrix-tattoo
Gave this a good listen last night through my headphones, Was a couple of E.P’s short of being a completist.
Good to hear new tracks, And the old ones that I have not heard for a while.(I forgot what a great song ‘it makes the room look bigger’ is)
Love the title’s of the 4, Four track cassettes on the inner sleeve.
And the Van Gogh in millet cover will no doubt become a Tee-shirt.
3 November 2016
BOBBY SVARC
I do hope so.
https://postimg.org/image/hon6vnx95/
3 November 2016
EXXO
A handsome vestment indeed. And if Geoff doesn’t get them done I’m sure old Andy from Kirk Merrington will soon be exploiting the market.
https://www.redbubble.com/shop/half+man+biscuit
3 November 2016
EXXO
Actually delete that link. It’s only advertising for the piratical wearsider.
3 November 2016
BOBBY SVARC
I’ve actually got a share in a T-Shirt Screen Printing venture, From as little as 10 shirts (mixed sizes) inc artwork and set-up. Geoff has used his man for years and they are very good. I’ve just quoted JDM for some. Loads of LCFC stuff has been printed and sold since May.
3 November 2016
dr desperate
Richard Thompson weighs in for Stony.
(Not that it matters now, but it’s still a good song.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5KfCOGIkk8
8 November 2016
Schoon
Album of the year:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/dec/16/what-was-your-album-of-the-year-for-2016
17 December 2016
Chris The Siteowner
I think they’d cry foul if we all voted for a compilation.
17 December 2016
Eric olthwaite
Agree Chris. They cried foul when we voted for Urge for Offal, I recall.
17 December 2016
Chris The Siteowner
No, being The Guardian, they allowed it to be readers’ album of the year, because we’d played by the rules, and it was the new album which got the most readers’ votes, end of story. But in this case I think they’d have some justification for ignoring us, just as they would if lots of people voted for Sgt Pepper or Now That’s What I Call Music 99.
17 December 2016
Eric olthwaite
I should have been clearer, there was griping from readers in the comments thread that the result was unfair and that it was due to some sort of orchestrated campaign. The Guardian themselves seemed to take it in good spirit.
17 December 2016
Schoon
It’s the best album released this year. There are no criteria on the voting page. I shall risk being ignored.
17 December 2016
GOK WAN ACOLYTE
Being within a one mile radius of Sydenham Avenue mine was hand delivered, though I didn’t see who by (got it the day before the Leeds gig so possibly not NB57).
Just wanted to add that I’d never heard “Ordinary to Enschede” before – what a great song. If nothing else, the release of the CD may mean it does better in the next LFC (2019?)
21 December 2016
Fmce
Love the band and I’m sure they’ll love the rip off of this album. Can’t see 1st time buyers getting this, but, if it pays for Nigel to watch more daytime TV then ok. Long live HMHB
26 July 2017
IdRisDachiseller
I only got into them in 2015, but it looks as though the band have settled on a 3 year album cycle over the course of this millennium. By my reckoning, with Urge For Offal coming out in 2014, this makes us due another one (1). My question is: if another record is imminent, would we have heard something now or are NB10 and the boys more likely to do a Beyoncé/Radiohead and drop it without fanfare?
I’m sure that when ever the next LP comes out, it’s sure to be good, but would be nice to know.
(1) Compilations, a la this one, like covers albums don’t really count.
28 July 2017
BOBBY SVARC
I wonder if the new album will have a title track
29 July 2017

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