Great piece - this is the first time to see Virginia Astley playing - have been a fan for a while and never did get to see her let alone hear her sing - many thanks for uploading this
that would have been WNUR which was a Northwestern University station. They played very interesting music at night..It's where i First heard "the Mortal Coil" and their song " 16 days/Gathering Dust".....it stopped me and my car in our tracks..
@charliewrites WNUR it was. Overnights was the "Freeform" show, and mornings to maybe noon was the Rock show. I barely picked the station up in Oak Lawn, but would leave a blank tape running when I left for school to see what I could "catch". Found all my new music that way.
+martin brown my brother introduced her when i was just 13 he was 24 I'm 42 now and most her lyrics and poetry reminds me of my bro's troubled years but simply fantastic and brilliant u was lucky to perform and meet such talent! her stuff these days are annoyingly hard to get hold of!
Just found this after listening to the rather appropriate "It's too Hot to Sleep" as it's currently 1am and still 26C. I'll be sleeping on top of the bedsheets again tonight.
Amazing! Why hasn't her work been properly (and comprehensively) reissued? (There's been some in Japan, but even there only a few records. Probably due to her being on so many different labels - even her various Elektra or Warner releases are from various different WEA markets or labels and seem to be just a 12" here and there. Only "Hope In A Darkened Heart" got a proper international release.). She deserves a box set! EDIT: Someone like Cherry Red, ITM or the revived Crepuscule could probably do a decent job (and she fits in with the feel of their rosters). Would love to see the Ravishing Beauties Peel Session, compilation appearances (the studio version of this song only appeared on Some Bizarre comp. "If You Can't Please Yourself...") as well as TV appearances such as this on such a collection.
Hi! I have "IF you can please yourself..." in CD for SomeBizarre label. I am thinking create one Clip to "Waiting to Fall". But, I made two videos like fan to Virginia... in my channel: Marcos Vieira Videos"... here "where i belong": ua-cam.com/video/QxBscx9PGnI/v-deo.html
This is fantastic - anyone posting such ultra-rare songs & their special versions here. Especially these Elektra-Singles are impossible now to get mostly from anywhere. The best sources are still Japan, if you like to obtain this Vinyl... (Pat, Switzerland)
Wow,what a great find, thank you for posting it up. The performance comes from the edition of BBC2's Riverside show,broadcast on Monday 7th November 1983 although it may have been a repeat from a show earlier in the series?
iain ridley Thanks Iain for the confirmation....and sorry for the delay in replying. Are there any on-line links to images/info re: the actual pumping station?
There's a really good version of this song on the album If You Can't Please Yourself, You Can't Please Your Soul which is quite "different". ua-cam.com/video/YgDFSFSD_Tk/v-deo.html
I'll see if I can locate the tape again to see if I can confirm the date, it should be possible by what else is on it, as I usually recorded things in a strict chronological order.
Unfortunately the tv listing entry for this edition is frustratingly ambiguous.......ie 'Repeat of appearences by Big Country,New Order,Bauhaus and Killing Joke. Studio music by Virginia Astley and the very wonderful Smiths.' It doesn't actually say that the 'studio music' is a repeat plus the Smiths performed This Charming Man, which they didn't record until October 1983 so on balance I think 1983 is probably correct.Thanks again for posting it up....I thought it had been lost forever.
These are the lyrics I think Virginia is singing but corrections are definitely welcome. I don't think its 'gate' that she's singing for example but I can't hear what else it could be. A few sore voices from a distant room But now his friends can't hear him call On the window ledge he leans Walking ahead he hopes to fall He hopes to fall He hopes to fall He hopes to fall. I see water stretches far and leaves him cold His dreams fade far away, They fade far away He saw flowers and felt the rain But now there's no hope When these are gone Whilst in darkness lying here There's a brighter garden gate The garden gate The garden gate By the garden gate. Dark no longer makes the shade Though there's no light His life fades far away They fade far away.
I think it's possibly "a few soft voices" not sore voices. "icy water" not I see water, and possibly "a garden there, brighter garden there" rather than garden gate by the garden gate. But I could easily be wrong! thanks for putting up the lyrics - it's such a beautiful song and it's lovely to know other people love it as much as me. Virginia Astley fans are brilliant! :-)
![Virginia Astley - From Gardens Where We Feel Secure [Full Album]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KNYW276VxPQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![Virginia Astley - From Gardens Where We Feel Secure [Full Album]](/img/tr.png)
![Darkness Has Reached Its End [12" single, vinyl] (Virginia Astley)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VqUabMQqxCY/mqdefault.jpg)
😍😍 amazing
Great piece - this is the first time to see Virginia Astley playing - have been a fan for a while and never did get to see her let alone hear her sing - many thanks for uploading this
This is the first song I ever heard from her. Mid-80's, middle of the night on a college station from north of Chicago. Was fascinated.
that would have been WNUR which was a Northwestern University station. They played very interesting music at night..It's where i First heard "the Mortal Coil" and their song " 16 days/Gathering Dust".....it stopped me and my car in our tracks..
@charliewrites WNUR it was. Overnights was the "Freeform" show, and mornings to maybe noon was the Rock show. I barely picked the station up in Oak Lawn, but would leave a blank tape running when I left for school to see what I could "catch". Found all my new music that way.
love you Virginia........I had the honour to perform with you at the Bath Festival and the ICA in London . Fond memories
+martin brown my brother introduced her when i was just 13 he was 24 I'm 42 now and most her lyrics and poetry reminds me of my bro's troubled years but simply fantastic and brilliant u was lucky to perform and meet such talent! her stuff these days are annoyingly hard to get hold of!
Just wow! I´ve never seen Virginia playing alive. Wonderful! I´m really happy!
wonderful. one of my favourite songs.
Just found this after listening to the rather appropriate "It's too Hot to Sleep" as it's currently 1am and still 26C. I'll be sleeping on top of the bedsheets again tonight.
I saw this on TV when I was about 13. I fell in love.
It's on a Some Bizzare compilation from 86 'If you can't please yourself, you can't please your soul'.
First time for me as well to see the magical Ms. Astley playing live - thanks so much for sharing this!
This is simply fantastic!!
(Pat; Switzerland)
Amazing! Why hasn't her work been properly (and comprehensively) reissued? (There's been some in Japan, but even there only a few records. Probably due to her being on so many different labels - even her various Elektra or Warner releases are from various different WEA markets or labels and seem to be just a 12" here and there. Only "Hope In A Darkened Heart" got a proper international release.). She deserves a box set! EDIT: Someone like Cherry Red, ITM or the revived Crepuscule could probably do a decent job (and she fits in with the feel of their rosters). Would love to see the Ravishing Beauties Peel Session, compilation appearances (the studio version of this song only appeared on Some Bizarre comp. "If You Can't Please Yourself...") as well as TV appearances such as this on such a collection.
it would be amazing, please please please
Hi! I have "IF you can please yourself..." in CD for SomeBizarre label. I am thinking create one Clip to "Waiting to Fall". But, I made two videos like fan to Virginia... in my channel: Marcos Vieira Videos"... here "where i belong":
ua-cam.com/video/QxBscx9PGnI/v-deo.html
third best song ever, where are you Virginia?
This is fantastic - anyone posting such ultra-rare songs & their special versions here. Especially these Elektra-Singles are impossible now to get mostly from anywhere. The best sources are still Japan, if you like to obtain this Vinyl...
(Pat, Switzerland)
Eine echte Perle. Danke.
Love her music. She is an amazing singer and pianist.
the best ever. oh virginia astley how amazing you were...
Amazing! Her live clips are extremely rare. I think I've seen a Ravishing Beauties clip on YT before but can't find it anymore 😔
so damn good
I taped this wonderful thing too.
Wow,what a great find, thank you for posting it up.
The performance comes from the edition of BBC2's Riverside show,broadcast on Monday 7th November 1983 although it may have been a repeat from a show earlier in the series?
Lovely song & a Hair-do like Diana, Princess of the Whales
Yes, and David Sylvian had the same hair style, who she would work with later on Some Small Hope
Wales .
Voce Angelica, musica sognante...thank you Virginia!
This was filmed at the Coventry Electric Wharf! :)
iain ridley That's very interesting info. Have you visited the actual location?
Rob Brown Indeed! I live right by it :)
iain ridley Thanks Iain for the confirmation....and sorry for the delay in replying. Are there any on-line links to images/info re: the actual pumping station?
Rob Brown Can't see any images, but I live right by it!
Rob Brown media.rightmove.co.uk/10k/9042/25784481/9042_10017896A_17896_IMG_01_0000.JPG
Refinding the wonderful Ms Astley. This is quintessential, imdeed essential, music! Magical
Quintessentially English.
Gini is my mums cousin!! You wouldn't believe how different she looks now!! She is still an amazing singer and pianist
Her dad was my dads cousin and my dads aunties godfather.
The passage of time generally does not have a beneficial effect on our bodies and our looks.
Please ask her to make more music and to get her past music properly reissued - she has many fans
Omg you so Lucky!!
wow
It was listed on my old VHS tape as being from 1982, but of course that may be wrong.
SING SONG TIME AT AN ENGLISH COUNTRY VILLAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL HALL.WISTFUL AND WONDERFUL❤☀
Lady Di on the keys
Me neither unfortunately.I guess that is going to be one of those appearances that has been lost for ever.
There's a really good version of this song on the album If You Can't Please Yourself, You Can't Please Your Soul which is quite "different". ua-cam.com/video/YgDFSFSD_Tk/v-deo.html
I'll see if I can locate the tape again to see if I can confirm the date, it should be possible by what else is on it, as I usually recorded things in a strict chronological order.
No, it's not a programme I ever watched.
Unfortunately the tv listing entry for this edition is frustratingly ambiguous.......ie 'Repeat of appearences by Big Country,New Order,Bauhaus and Killing Joke. Studio music by Virginia Astley and the very wonderful Smiths.' It doesn't actually say that the 'studio music' is a repeat plus the Smiths performed This Charming Man, which they didn't record until October 1983 so on balance I think 1983 is probably correct.Thanks again for posting it up....I thought it had been lost forever.
I can`t find lyrics for this song..
These are the lyrics I think Virginia is singing but corrections are definitely welcome. I don't think its 'gate' that she's singing for example but I can't hear what else it could be.
A few sore voices from a distant room
But now his friends can't hear him call
On the window ledge he leans
Walking ahead he hopes to fall
He hopes to fall
He hopes to fall
He hopes to fall.
I see water stretches far and leaves him cold
His dreams fade far away,
They fade far away
He saw flowers and felt the rain
But now there's no hope
When these are gone
Whilst in darkness lying here
There's a brighter garden gate
The garden gate
The garden gate
By the garden gate.
Dark no longer makes the shade
Though there's no light
His life fades far away
They fade far away.
Thanks a lot )
I think it's possibly "a few soft voices" not sore voices. "icy water" not I see water, and possibly "a garden there, brighter garden there" rather than garden gate by the garden gate. But I could easily be wrong! thanks for putting up the lyrics - it's such a beautiful song and it's lovely to know other people love it as much as me. Virginia Astley fans are brilliant! :-)
I don't suppose you have Virginia's December 1983 appearence on 'Pebble Mill At One' on the same tape do you? :-)