Having
been off-loaded by All The Madmen at the first opportunity - I don't
think we were 'realising our potential' - Blyth became a part of the
Midnight Music empire. This was a good thing, not necessarily from a
fiscal point of view, as Midnight's supremo was almost as bad a businessman
as Joseph, but from a musical standpoint, as that same gentleman was
a brilliant producer/engineer, and set us on the road to that recording
nirvana that is Fred Purser and Trinity heights. Basically, Nick Ralph
taught us what to do in a studio. It may not be so apparent on 'The
Barman', but the second Midnight LP owes its sound and life to him.
February 1988. The second line-up went in to The Greenhouse, near Old
Street in London. Nick liked to work into the small hours of the morning,
and we did some great work with him before dawn during our Midnight
phase. The Barman also features Steve Ardcorr's unique style, which
gives it a character of its own. For the first time, while recording
The Barman, it was like being in a band for real. Released on vinyl
only, Midnight's bankruptcy saw Cherry Red get the rights to all their
recordings. We will choke on monkey's sick before we pay them to re-make
it, so it will probably never be released again. Unless you know otherwise…