Oldie Sampler: Manchester: A City United In Music auf 2 CDs

• Starting with Ewan MacColl’s ‘Dirty Old Town’, written about the great metropolis and capturing the effects of 200 years of industrial revolution and its aftermath, “Manchester; A City United In Music” moves through the 60s beat revolution, Strawberry Studios pop era, northern punk, indie mayhem and on to the Madchester years, culminating with an Oasis modern day-anthem.

• The tracks vary from the multi-million selling hits of Wayne Fontana, 10cc, Herman’s Hermits and Simply Red to the cult musical art of Haydock’s Rockhouse, Wynder K Frog and Smack. Well-known artists like the Hollies, Georgie Fame and John Mayall are heard on some of their lesser-known but top-notch tracks.

• Manchester’s soulful roots can be heard on tracks by Elkie Brooks, Sweet Sensation, M People and Blue Zone, while earlier attempts at R&B were made by beat groups the Measles, Pete MacLaine & the Clan and the Whirlwinds. A dozen years later a raucous “in your face” musical rebellion was taken up by Buzzcocks, Slaughter & the Dogs and the Salford Jets. That burst of pent-up energy was then followed by the moodier angst-ridden sounds of Joy Division, Magazine and the Fall, and their younger followers the Stone Roses, Happy Mondays and Inspiral Carpets.

• Sequenced mainly chronologically, this 2CD set and its accompanying booklet tell a fascinating story of a city’s musical history and examine how it came to be. Photos – many by noted Manchester scene photographer Kevin Cummins – and artwork from the period, along with the reminiscences from the players, bring it to life again.

• The striking digipak features a photo of Chris Sievey lurking outside Market Street’s Virgin Megastore, and the package is enhanced with a 44-page booklet and extensive notes by compiler CP Lee with an overview by Jon Savage.