Durutti Column - A Paean To Wilson

Heartfelt tribute to Manchester’s anti-Warhol

If Anthony Wilson had been buried in a pyramid, then Vini Reilly would have been sedated and gently bandaged so that when the Factory king opened his eyes on the other side, he would have had someone to strum his harp. Poor in business but rich in vision, Wilson championed Durutti Column and, even when the Factory closed, made sure to sign Reilly to subsequent Wilson-helmed labels.

Reilly had been working on some of this music prior to Wilson’s death, and even played pieces to his friend as he faded away. After a sustained period of grief, Reilly managed to finish what is tantamount to a suite of songs celebrating their friendship. Opening with a looped Wilson vocal barb, the music ranges from Reilly’s trademark guitar, parking alongside rhythm and soundscapes, to tracks opened up with gorgeous trumpet, viola and Bruce Mitchell’s marimba.

Musically, this is a celebration rather than a wake, and there’s even something uplifting in a cover of Mavin Gaye’s What’s Happening Brother, from What’s Going On. The second CD is the first physical release of six Durutti tracks previously only available as downloads from Wilson’s F4 label.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Kookydisc | 29/1 / 29/2

Reviewed by Ian Shirley
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