UKC

For too long I have been sort of avoiding Chrissie Hyde for totally irrational and churlish reasons based around a few out-of-context soundbites from journalists using her as an easy target, and a couple of quotes from the lady herself. Over the past few years I have, happily, got over all this silliness and learned to appreciate her talent. 

BUT
Where does one start? Which are the key records? There's, what, 43 years of material? I don't want to just get "The Pretenders Greatest Hits"! 

In reply to Blue Straggler:

I'd go for 'Get Close' purely on the basis that T.M. Stephens is on bass. 

In reply to graeme jackson:

is that a good reason? where does Hynde fit in to this? 

In reply to Blue Straggler:

I have Pretenders, Pretenders 2 and Get Close. All full of great pop and rock songs. I'd also recommend Chrissy Hyndes' autobiography. She has a very interesting history.

In reply to Lankyman:

I just read Steve Jones’ autobiography where Chrissie Hynde features prominently, proper rock and roll. Fender brought out a reissue of her Telecaster in the Artist Series, so proper credibility as a guitarist too.

In reply to Blue Straggler:

No idea. I'm just a big T.M. fan

edit. a big enough fan to realise I spelled Stevens wrong on my early post . hah!

In reply to paul_in_cumbria:

Yes. Jones' story is most interesting too. I think he wanted to be Jimmy Page all along. A great rock and roller and very honest about his youth. Of

In reply to Blue Straggler:

I don't know enough to recommend particular key records but, whatever you get, it's also worth listening to The Isle of View. It's a live acoustic album with Chrissie Hynde backed by the Duke Quartet (a contemporary string quartet). They play many of the classic Pretenders tracks but arranged differently and I think it showcases CH's voice.

In reply to Blue Straggler:

I had the great pleasure of seeing The Pretenders live at the University of Aberdeen in Feb 1980. Wonderful.

In reply to Blue Straggler:

Sadly she played Israel a couple of years ago, and I can't forgive her. Saw them in the 80 and the were great,

In reply to Cobra_Head:

Yeah these things are tough. See the note in my OP about my having held a few things against her, for her actions and statements. Mine far more trivial than yours. I hope you can still enjoy the music at least. 

In reply to Blue Straggler: she was on rad Mac last week and came across very well , she was talking about her album of Dylan covers and they played a couple of tracks , both of which were , imho , very good . She said , it seemed genuinely , of one of the tracks , “ hmmmm ..  that goes on a bit doesn’t it ?” 

In reply to mike123:

I heard that and yes she did come across very well, notably the bit you just highlighted! Also the new record sounded, as you say, pretty good. There is some serendipity going on here; I'd had no idea about that project, and similarly to what I say in my OP about Hynde, I am only now beginning to appreciate Dylan (bought a slightly tattered vinyl The Times They Are A Changing' a couple of weeks ago, a purchase that was itself made in ignorance of his 80th birthday!). 

Rare that an artist "complains" that their own recording is a bit long though  

In reply to upordown:

Thanks for this, (perhaps) weirdly I recall this release and my disgust at the absolutely terrible "pun" in the title but actually now that you've described it, it sounds right up my street! That voice, those songs, and no cheesy 1980s production  

In reply to Blue Straggler:

Dear God, I just spotted this terrible typo. Sorry. 

In reply to ericinbristol:

I'm not a particularly big fan but I do credit them with producing my favourite Christmas pop song.

In reply to Blue Straggler:

I've always liked The Pretenders... Their stock only went higher when they employed James Walbourne on guitar duties. 

James is Kami's bloke. Kami is Richard Thompson's daughter. Kami and James play as The Rails, and they're ace.

In reply to Blue Straggler:

The Rails. Pub Crawl:

Part 1:  youtube.com/watch?v=D2Su7Mg1gzU&

Part 2:  youtube.com/watch?v=PMA_MOcFGzo&

In reply to Clauso:

Also, featuring Linda Thompson... As I've just realized, on watching it again for the first time in a while.

In reply to Lankyman:

Behind the facade, every guitarist wants to be Jeff, Eric, Jimmy, Jimi or Joe Pass 😂 

In reply to Blue Straggler:

thanks all

In reply to paul_in_cumbria:

I wanted to be an Eddie or an Alex. Could have been a contender if not for total lack of talent and skill. I was amazing on the air guitar.

In reply to Blue Straggler:

It's weird and sounds a bit petty to be honest, but I tend not to, listen to them, much now. It's the same with Van Morrison, I've got a few of his albums, and I have to fight the urge to skip any of his music, lately.

Maybe it's getting older, I'm sure in the past I'd have got past the issue and still listened. I've not quite worked it out.

Strangely, I was never a big fan of Morrissey, but can still listen to him!! So I don't get it.

In reply to Blue Straggler:

We're very forgiving, nowadays.