Kirsty MacColl’s musical journey from 1979 to 2000 is beautifully encapsulated in the 8CD Box Set titled “See That Girl.” This collection is more than just music; it’s a tribute to Kirsty’s incredible talent and her lasting impact on the music industry.
The box set is a treasure trove for fans, featuring not only all of Kirsty’s singles but also album favorites, extended versions, B-Sides, and bonus tracks. For those who crave a deeper dive into her artistry, there are previously unreleased demo recordings, live sets from iconic venues like the Glastonbury Festival in 1992 and the Jazz Café in London in 1999. Additionally, the set includes studio sessions and live performances originally recorded for BBC radio and television. The cherry on top? A disc dedicated to Kirsty’s collaborations with other artists, showcasing her versatility as both a singer and songwriter.
Packaged in a sleek 24cm x 24cm slipcase, the eight discs come in two elegant gatefold sleeves. Accompanying the music is a 60-page hardback book, rich in color and content. Authored by renowned journalist Jude Rogers, the book offers a heartfelt walkthrough of Kirsty’s life, emphasizing her inspirations and influences. It’s peppered with insights from close family, friends, and fellow musicians, and adorned with rare and unseen photos.
Born in Croydon, south London, on 10 October 1959, Kirsty MacColl was destined for greatness. The daughter of folk singer Ewan MacColl and dancer/choreographer Jean Newlove, she made her mark early on with her self-penned debut single ‘They Don’t Know’ in 1979. Her chart-topping journey included hits like ‘There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis’ and her collaboration with The Pogues on ‘Fairytale Of New York’.
Throughout her career, Kirsty released five studio albums, each showcasing her unique voice and her prowess as a composer and arranger. Her talents made her a sought-after backing singer, leading to collaborations with legends like the Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, The Smiths, and many more.
Tragically, Kirsty’s life was cut short on 18 December 2000 during a vacation in Mexico. Yet, her legacy lives on, and “See That Girl” is a testament to her enduring influence in the world of music.
Disc 1: The Singles
1. They Don’t Know (03:01)
2. Keep Your Hands Off My Baby (02:58)
3. There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis (03:08)
4. See That Girl (02:57)
5. You Still Believe In Me (02:57)
6. Terry (03:56)
7. A New England (03:50)
8. He’s On The Beach (03:29)
9. Fairytale Of New York (The Pogues Feat. Kirsty MacColl) (04:31)
10. Free World (Radio Version) (02:38)
11. Days (02:59)
12. Innocence (Remix) (04:02)
13. Don’t Come The Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim! (03:47)
14. Walking Down Madison (7″ Mix) (04:40)
15. My Affair (Radio Edit) (03:34)
16. All I Ever Wanted (Single Mix) (03:31)
17. Angel (Single Edit) (03:40)
18. Caroline (02:57)
19. Perfect Day (Kirsty MacColl & Evan Dando) (03:50)
20. Mambo De La Luna (Single Edit) (03:31)
21. In These Shoes? (03:39)
Disc 2: 1979 – 1983
1. Turn My Motor On (02:27)
2. I Don’t Need You (02:56)
3. There’s A Guy Works Down The Truck Stop Swears He’s Elvis (03:08)
4. Nothing To Do (The Clock Goes Round Demo)* (02:19)
5. Falling For Faces (Demo)* (02:25)
6. The Real Ripper (Demo)* (04:13)
7. Teenager In Love (02:37)
8. Mexican Sofa (03:14)
9. Until The Night (03:50)
10. Over You (02:35)
11. Queen Of The High Teas (02:27)
12. Bad Dreams* (04:48)
13. Time* (03:45)
14. Sticked and Stoned (03:46)
15. Annie (04:30)
16. Camel Crossing (05:21)
17. Berlin (03:34)
18. Man With No Name* (03:28)
19. Lullaby for Ezra* (03:50)
20. Up the Grey Stairs* (06:38)
21. Roman Gardens (04:58)
*Tracks marked * are previously unreleased recordings.
Tracks 12-21 are the 1983 Polydor album ‘Real’, presented here complete and sequenced for the first time.
Disc 3: 1983 – 1989
1. Terry (Extended Version) (05:20)
2. Quietly Alone (02:39)
3. One Little Lie (Demo)* (04:08)
4. A New England (Extended Version) (07:57)
5. Patrick (03:09)
6. I’m Going Out With An Eighty Year Old Millionaire (02:55)
7. Trouble With People (Demo)* (03:03)
8. Man Of Steel (Demo)* (02:59)
9. He’s On The Beach (Extended Version) (08:08)
10. Please, Go To Sleep (02:33)
11. You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby (She’s Having A Baby Version) (03:40)
12. Closer To God (03:53)
13. The End Of A Perfect Day (Original Demo Version) (03:23)
14. La Forêt De Mimosa (03:36)
15. Fifteen Minutes (03:12)
16. What Do Pretty Girls Do? (02:37)
17. Dancing In Limbo (02:51)
18. You And Me Baby (02:31)
19. Happy (02:33)
20. El Paso (03:46)
21. Still Life (02:57)
*Tracks marked * are previously unreleased recordings.
Disc 4: 1989 – 1992
1. Innocence (The Guilt Mix) (04:09)
2. No Victims (Guitar Heroes Mix) (04:23)
3. Clubland (04:04)
4. Other People’s Hearts (03:37)
5. One Good Thing (03:37)
6. He Never Mentioned Love (03:50)
7. The Hardest Word (04:38)
8. My Way Home (04:30)
9. My Affair (Olive Groove Mix) (06:26)
10. All The Tears That I Cried (03:31)
11. A New England (Live At Glastonbury 26/06/92)* (03:55)
12. Innocence (Live At Glastonbury 26/06/92)* (04:10)
13. You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby (Live At Glastonbury 26/06/92)* (03:28)
14. Fifteen Minutes / Don’t Come The Cowboy With Me, Sonny Jim! (Live At Glastonbury 26/06/92)* (05:40)
15. Happy (Live At Glastonbury 26/06/92)* (02:40)
16. Tread Lightly (Live At Glastonbury 26/06/92)* (03:15)
17. Train In Vain / Walking Down Madison (Live At Glastonbury 26/06/92)* (07:15)
18. Free World (Live At Glastonbury 26/06/92)* (02:30)
19. There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis (Live At Glastonbury 26/06/92)* (03:35)
*Tracks marked * are previously unreleased recordings.
Disc 5: 1993 – 1996
1. Soho Square (04:25)
2. Last Day Of Summer (04:20)
3. Can’t Stop Killing You (04:10)
4. Titanic Days (05:43)
5. Big Boy On A Saturday Night (03:56)
6. Angel (Stuart Crichton Piano Edit) (03:17)
7. King Kong (Demo) (03:56)
8. Dear John (Demo) (02:43)
9. Fabulous Garden (03:13)
10. Touch Me (03:36)
11. Free World (Live at Belly Up, Solana Beach, California 01/12/93) (02:43)
12. Miss Otis Regrets (Live at Belly Up, Solana Beach, California 01/12/93) (03:01)
13. Irish Cousin (04:49)
14. The Butcher Boy (03:57)
15. As Long As You Hold Me (Electric Version)* (04:39)
16. Eu So Quero Un Xodó* (03:15)
17. In These Shoes? (Demo)* (03:40)
18. Things Happen (Demo) (02:58)
19. Treachery (Demo) (a.k.a. Stalking A Fan)* (03:51)
20. Siempre Tu Rosa (Always Your Rose)* (02:35)
*Tracks marked * are previously unreleased recordings.
Disc 6: 1999-2000
1. Mambo De La Luna (Mint Royale Mix) (05:36)
2. In These Shoes? (UR Crazy Remix) (06:04)
3. Good For Me (03:34)
4. Autumngirlsoup (03:54)
5. Us Amazonians (04:09)
6. Nao Esperando (04:04)
7. Wrong Again (04:20)
8. I Believe In Love* (02:47)
9. Sun On The Water (Demo) (04:07)
10. Here Comes That Man Again (Live at The Jazz Café, London, 12/10/99)* (05:10)
11. Head (Live at The Jazz Café, London, 12/10/99)* (03:50)
12. Celestine (Live at The Jazz Café, London, 12/10/99)* (03:45)
13. England 2 Colombia 0 (Live at The Jazz Café, London, 12/10/99)* (03:50)
14. Designer Life (Live at The Jazz Café, London, 12/10/99)* (02:40)
15. Days (Live at The Jazz Café, London, 12/10/99)* (03:10)
16. Walking Down Madison (Live at The Jazz Café, London, 12/10/99)* (06:25)
17. How Insensitive (Live at The Jazz Café, London, 12/10/99)* (03:25)
18. My Affair (Live at The Jazz Café, London, 12/10/99)* (08:30)
*Tracks marked * are previously unreleased recordings.
Disc 7: BBC recordings 1981 – 2000
1. I Don’t Wanna Play House (Something Else, BBC TV 23/10/81)* (03.35)
2. Queen Of The High Teas (Something Else, BBC TV 23/10/81)* (02.30)
3. You Can Have My Husband (Something Else, BBC TV 23/10/81)* (02.10)
4. Don’t Come The Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim! (BBC Radio 1 session for Nicky Campbell, 08/11/89) (03.41)
5. What Do Pretty Girls Do? (BBC Radio 1 session for Nicky Campbell, 08/11/89) (02.36)
6. Don’t Run Away From Me Now (BBC Radio 1 session for Nicky Campbell, 08/11/89 (02.56)
7. Still Life (BBC Radio 1 session for Nicky Campbell, 08/11/89 (03.05)
8. There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis (BBC Radio 1 Session for Nicky Campbell, 26/06/91) (03:48)
9. Walk Right Back (BBC Radio 1 Session for Nicky Campbell, 26 June 1991) (03.37)
10. Darling, Let’s Have Another Baby (with Billy Bragg) (BBC Radio 1 Session for Nicky Campbell, 26 June 1991) (02.39)
11. Angel (Later… BBC TV 19 November 1992)* (04.10)
12. Can’t Stop Killing You (BBC Greater London Radio Session for Peter Curran, 07/03/94)* (03.54)
13. Soho Square (BBC Greater London Radio Session for Peter Curran, 07/03/94)* (04.13)
14. Bad (BBC Greater London Radio Session for Peter Curran, 07/03/94)* (01.56)
15. My Affair (BBC Radio 1 Session for Simon Mayo, 07/03/94) (03.44)
16. Miss Otis Regrets (with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards) (Later… BBC TV 31 December 1994)* (03.13)
17. Caroline (BBC Greater London Radio Session for Peter Curran, 16 February 1995)* (02.29)
18. Free World (BBC Greater London Radio Session for Peter Curran, 16 February 1995)* (02.46)
19. A New England (Acoustic) (BBC Radio 1 Session for Kevin Greening, 20/02/95) (03.29)
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
Ooh yes please…! I’m really looking forward to getting this box set, being a huge Kirsty MacColl fan and even though I already own all her studio albums etc there’s plenty of extra, rare material here to whet my appetite. Thank goodness this comprehensive collection will be available here in the UK (by the look of it) unlike that infamous illusive Camel Air Born box set which still hasn’t surfaced!
I for one am delighted to see this long overdue comprehensive box set “tribute” to the wonderful and underrated Kirsty MacColl. Plenty of unreleased, rare and live material plus tons of classic tracks to satisfy even the most dedicated KM fan, which includes me…. Hurrah!!