Review by Bruce Eder
Intended for hardcore Robyn Hitchcock fanatics, this CD of slightly dubious origin will probably appeal to people beyond the singer-guitarist-songwriter icon's biggest fans -- as soon as some listeners see that Syd Barrett's "Astronomy Domine" (from a live 1980 performance, paired with Dylan's "Outlaw Blues") is on it, for example, owning it will be a gilt-edged priority. And it doesn't disappoint, either, on those two cuts or anywhere else -- the Barrett song is done brilliantly and faithfully, yet it still sounds like Hitchcock; and the Dylan cover is highly spirited and fresh; both of those tracks come off of Two Sides for the Price of One, as does the superb "Innocent Boy," as fine a piece of songwriting as there is on this CD. An outtake from Live at the Portland Arms, "Postman's Knock," follows, showing off the folky side of Hitchcock's persona, taking a drinking song and adding what sounds like mandolin; and the punked-out "Look Into Your Mirror," a 1977 outtake that's all crunchy guitar and wry, sneering vocals, that would have fit nicely on Underwater Moonlight -- speaking of which, "Kingdom of Love" is present in its Steve Hillage-produced disco remix, along with the similarly reconfigured "Nightride to Trinidad." There are also odd outtakes, such as "The Man Who Invented Himself" sans saxophone, preserved off of a test-pressing of Black Snake Diamond Role. But the biggest treats here may be the impromptu covers of Van Morrison's "Fairplay" and "Linden Arden Stole the Headlights," saved off of various samplers and promo releases. The sound ranges from good to excellent, and the annotation, though sketchy, is sufficient to guide us through this delightful maze of material.
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