Bluishness is Friends’ fourth album, and is a classic set from the band. With songs ranging from the characteristic trumpet-led pop of Glorified and Everywhere to hard-driving, rockier numbers like Still Alive and Release Me, and the dance/pop of I Will Try, the album is a slice of romantic English pop at its best. Guest appearances include Orange Juice guitarist Steve Skinner, who contributes a blistering bottleneck guitar solo to blues nightmare number Release Me, and Whirlpool Guest House singer Sallyann Davis. Bluishness has a timeless sound, with influences as diverse as trance-like hippy rock in the psychedelic anthem Into The Crystal Blue Horizon, acoustic pop and 80s indie music. Subject matter includes war, sleeping, famous film stars, the sea, and missing someone – the full Friends experience!
Written by William Jones
All titles published by Summerhouse Music Ltd
Produced and engineered by John Spence
Recorded at Fairview Studios, Hull, 22-28 June and 4 & 5 July 1992
Arranged by William Jones and Martin Parker
Design and photography by Martin Parker
(Bobby, James and Melanie produced by William Jones, engineered by Graeme Robinson, recorded at GDR, Darlington, October 1990 – March 1991)