DEVINE & STATTON
ltm catalog


LTM is pleased to present CD reissues of both albums by cult duo Devine & Statton, featuring vocalist Alison Statton (Young Marble Giants, Weekend, Statton and Spike) and guitarist Ian Devine (Ludus). Both albums originally appeared on Les Disques du Crepuscule. To read Devine & Statton biography click here. To purchase CDs click here.


THE PRINCE OF WALES LTMCD 2433 £10
Recorded in Brussels in September 1988, PoW is the pair's first album. All twelve tracks were written by Ian Devine, except for a surprise, piquant cover of New Order's Bizarre Love Triangle. The music and arrangements are deliberately sparse - a jazzy Celtic blues for the late 20th Century - and topped by the legendary and distinctive voice of Alison Statton. Guest musicians include Blaine L. Reininger (of Tuxedomoon) on viola and mandolin. Long unavailable, the album has now been digitally remastered with three bonus tracks (one previously unreleased). The disc also boasts upgraded artwork (by Benoit Hennebert), archive photos and liner notes by Everett True. 15 tracks in total. Full tracklist: Under the Weather, Friend of the Family, Bizarre Love Triangle, We Deserve It, Never Coming Back, I Wish I Was, You're Almost There, Like a Blind Man, Break Up Your Heart, Comprehensible, Turns the Aerials Away From England, Ugly Town, In the Rain (version), Under the Weather (Paco Trinidad Mix), We Will Be With You and We Know You Are Together.

Reviews: "A classic statement of understated, perfect pop. The superb selection of emotive ballads includes the intimate Under the Weather, the serene and longing Never Coming Back and a bouncy We Deserve It. I feel another crush coming on." (Melody Maker, 5/1989); "A deceptively breezy lp of late-nite lullabies for thinking people" (NME, 6/89); "Bizarre Love Triangle slips unobtrusively into the slot marked 'classic' with sensuous grace - Single of the Week" (Melody Maker, 1990); "A deliciously smokey an evocative lp, from autumnal musings to defiant Welsh nationalism and a wonderfully simplistic version of BLT" (Record Mirror, 6/1989); "The duo create a silky, rootsy folk ambience that's warm and comfortable" (Music Week, 6/1989); "The mood is relaxed and surprisingly upbeat, and the unquestionable highlight is the cover of Bizarre Love Triangle, where Devine's uncomplicated backing and Statton's detached delivery add a natural sense of euphoria to the New Order favourite. Prince of Wales definitely represents the 'pop' moments of Statton's career before she again moved into more jazz/latin-inflected circles with Spike" (Leonard's Lair, 1/06); "Now this comes along as a pleasant surprise! Definitely a treat, as Ludus and Young Marble Giants were the bands in post-punk Britain, and both made skewed pop music which carries on to these albums. Devine, to end on a bad pun" (Alternative Malta, 02/2006); "A glorious showcase for Statton's exquisite voice the pair's subtle, melodic devotion to Welsh nationalism" (Exclaim!, 03/2006)



CARDIFFIANS LTMCD 2435 £10
The second D&S album originally appeared on Crepuscule in 1990, and fleshes out their distinctive sound with stellar guest appearances by bassist Peter Hook (New Order), avant-garde guitarist Marc Ribot (Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, T-Bone Burnett), and downtown New Yorkers Roy Nathanson and Curtis Fowlkes (Jazz Passengers). Named after the first city of their native Wales, Cardiffians features the singles Hideaway and Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue (yes, a cover) plus five bonus tracks drawn from singles and unreleased album session tracks. 17 tracks in total. Full tracklist: Hideaway, Lovers Get in the Way, Crestfallen, A Fact of Life, Regina and Michael, Silence, Enough is Enough, In the Rain, Green and Pleasant Land, A Right to be Lazy, Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue, Last Days, Advertisement, Hideaway (version), Take Me or Leave Me, Giving in to Sin, Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue (12" version).

Reviews: "Sounds absolutely amazing. Statton's voice is clear and sharp, cutting through the simple tunes and sending shivers down your spine. A fantastic album" (Whisperin' & Hollerin', 2/2006); "A polished gem - songs about sunshine, rain, snapshots of the past, lovers and crests falling" (Melody Maker, 1/1991); "Exotic woodwind, natty synth lines and Statton's frail voice dominate proceedings. Imagine Everything But The Girl performing The Fifth Dimension's Up, Up and Away and you're close to capturing the charm of their work" (NME, 2/1991); "Alison's seductive voice is still intact, as is her fascination with French popular music of the 40s and 50s. Crestfallen and Hideaway sound like Weekend numbers updated by an older, more knowing chanteuse" (Select, 5/1991); "The divine sound of South Wales - all gentle passion and bittersweet melodies" (South Wales Echo, 1/1991); "Cardiffians features a more substantial band, and is another overlooked gem" (Exclaim!, 03/2006)


DEVINE & GRIFFITHS WHEELS TO GET TO HEAVEN Anhrefn Records 017 £10
2007 studio album from Ian Devine with singer Amanda Griffiths, very much in the style of Ian's previous collaborations with Alison Statton. 10 tracks, Hennebert sleeve, 40 minutes of music. Full tracklist: Wheels to Get to Heaven, Insecurity, Prince of Light, The Trouble She's In, Lucky Day, Reclusive Soul, Go Girl, I'm So Happy I'm Afraid I Might Die, Stain On My Heart.

Go to Devine & Statton biography

Go to Alison Statton and Spike catalogue

Go to shopping/mailorder

Return to LTM homepage