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Greenwich

by Billy Jenkins

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/
1.
Greenwich One Way System 06:05
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2.
Dreadnought Seamens' Hospital 06:19
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3.
Rope 05:00
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4.
Arrival of the Tourists 06:19
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5.
An Empty River 07:17
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6.
Meridian Council Estate (Vandalise Tourists' Property Not Residents') 08:02
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7.
Discoboats at Two O'Clock 04:44
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about

The 1985 press release for Greenwich, Billy Jenkins’ second Voice of God Collective album, describes his compositions as ‘Post Punk Impressionistic’. The acerbic opener, a peon to the ‘Greenwich One Way System’, is certainly that… but more, with the advantage of hindsight, it’s an indication of just how unique Jenkins’ vision was and is.

Following the earlier and also reissued Sounds Like Bromley, and predicting the latest I Am A Man From Lewisham, Greenwich offered a fiercely critical, furious, humourous response to the area of South East London that Billy has, and still does, call home. While critics have concentrated on the quirky themes and the left-field humour, they’ve often overlooked just how brilliant Billy’s music is and how cleverly his fantastic Voice of God groups have interpreted these tricky themes.

After a quarter of a century Greenwich is once again available, this time as a digital download (but re-mastered from the virgin vinyl), providing the opportunity to reassess one of the landmark albums of the 1980s.

Billy recalled his thoughts on each 'Greenwich' composition for The Billy Jenkins Webzine - which can be read here.


"Jenkins as tone poet. The aural imagery is magnificent. All questions about the guitarist's seriousness (in the sense of viability) as a musician are settled by 'Greenwich,' which remains one of the most distinctive British jazz albums of the 1980's."

* * * * The Penguin Guide to Jazz on Record.

"Hugely entertaining." Ron Atkins / The Guardian

"'Greenwich One Way System' is not the most exciting title for a track on
an album." Sarah Ward / Capital Radio

"A left field stunner" John Gill / Time Out

credits

released July 2, 2021

Billy Jenkins (e gtr)
Iain Ballamy (a sax, t sax)
Dai Pritchard (a sax, bar sax, b clt)
Skid Solo (tpt)
Dave Jago (tbn)
Steve Berry (db)
Dawson (per)
Roy Dodds (dms)

with the VOG String Trio - Andy McFarlane (vln); Patrick White (vla) & Steve Berry (cel).

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about

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Billy Jenkins London, UK

As a teenager BJ recorded for legendary Clive Davis with artrock band Burlesque (72-77); with 'alternative musical comedy' duo Trimmer & Jenkins (79-82) before founding (81) the Voice of God Collective. He has recorded 40+ albums incl Motorway At Night, Entertainment USA and recordings about SE London Sounds Like Bromley, Greenwich, Still Sounds Like Bromley and Suburbia. ... more

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