Saturday, May 06, 2006

Song Of the Day: May 6, 2006


The Go-Betweens - Cattle and Cane


From the LP Before Hollywood, Rough Trade 1983

It was announced today (Saturday, May 6, 2006) that Grant McLennan died in his sleep this morning. There's been no further word, although little is needed. I think The Go-Betweens are a staple band for most of us here at Little Hits, one that's so much a part of our musical lives that we don't even necessarily think of them as one of our "favorite" bands. Our thoughts go to Grant's family and friends.

-Stewart Mason

I bought Before Hollywood in a used record store in Wichita over 20 years ago. I was quite surprised to find it there; I had read a glowing review of it in Trouser Press, but had just assumed that I would never actually see a copy. It is an uncommon treasure indeed, one of those rare records that grows in richness and beauty with every listen over a period of years, a characteristic it shares with virtually all of the Go-Betweens' astounding catalog. There's magic in here...

-Jon Harrison


9 Comments:

Anonymous said...

I am in shock. Have 4 or 5 GW albums. This is terrible news.

4:50 PM  
Karim Amir said...

Such sad news...Thanks for posting this great song...

11:43 AM  
erik hogstrom said...

I am in shock, too.
As soon as I heard the news, I sat out in the backyard, in the brilliant sunshine, and listened to "Cattle and Cane," "Bye Bye Pride," "Streets of Your Town" and all those other classic songs. It is such a sad day. Thanks for posting about Grant and the Gobees.

2:30 PM  
Anonymous said...

MERE WORDS CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW. 'BACHELOR KISSES' ALWAYS MAKES ME CRY. GRANT IS A PERSONAL HERO OF MINE. LOVE GOES ON, GRANT. REST IN PEACE.

5:37 AM  
Fowler Jones said...

This is a blow. This man obviously had many great songs yet to be written. But what a legacy, and this song is the quintessential example. Thank you for sharing it.

7:28 AM  
Cody said...

Todd Newman introduced me to the Go Betweens many years ago through a review in some local fanzine. For that I am eternally in his debt.

"you won't write, no you won't write
that's all I ask, that you just write
and you say no, that you can't speak
you've lost your voice, you let it go"

Cody

8:01 AM  
JMT said...

Mmm. Their whole 80s output is sublime. He was so young, too.

10:01 PM  
Jens L. Brosche said...

I was shocked to read about the 'news'...No one ever can estimate the black hole Grant's death will leave in music lovers hearts all over the world...

My deepest sympathy to Grant's family

Jens from Germany

2:32 AM  
jas said...

I only heard this sad news more than a week late as I was on vacation.

If any of you are interested, there's a great tribute to Grant on the superb blog 'Let's Kiss & Make Up' which is run by Colin from Glasgow in Scotland.

5:06 AM  

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