On Aug. 24, 1980, the members of XTC set up at Richard Branson’s Manor Studio to record another version of “Towers of London,” a track destined to be the second single off the band’s just-completed, but not-yet-released album Black Sea — a weekend session captured for posterity 30 years ago in this hour-long documentary called “XTC at the Manor.”
The program — seen in the playlist above, or by individual segment at Slicing Up Video — aired Oct. 10, 1980, on BBC2 and examines, in great detail, the band’s creative process. As the doc’s narrator says in the introduction, “It will take them the best part of three days to record four minutes of music, and this program is a condensation of that working weekend and of the multilayered process of creating the sound.”
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- XTC’s Andy Partridge debuts ‘Powers,’ ‘aural sculptures’ inspired by sci-fi artist
- XTC reissuing ‘Skylarking’ on vinyl ‘as it was intended to sound, but never has’
- Andy Partridge preps ‘aural sculptures’ inspired by sci-fi artist Richard M. Powers
- Help compile XTC’s ‘Bric-a-Brac Breakfast,’ sequel to 1990’s ‘Rag & Bone Buffet’
- Dukes of Stratosphear’s ‘Complete and Utter Dukes’ box set includes CDs, vinyl
- ‘XTC As…’: Re-branded Dukes of Stratosphear reissues due in March
This is a brilliant little slice of XTC history that is yet one more reminder that these guys rank with the best of them. Andy’s summation is priceless. Thanks to all concerned for posting this program.