|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSQUEEZEUK pop band formed '75 in Deptford, London: guitarists/vocalists/songwriters Glenn Tilbrook (b 31 Aug. '57) and Chris Difford (b 11 April '54) with Jools Holland (b 24 Jan. '58) on keyboards, replaced by Paul Carrack (b April '51, Sheffield); Harry Kakoulli on bass, replaced by John Bentley (b 16 April '51), Gilson Lavis on drums (b 27 June '51). Difford and Tilbrook had been writing together since '73; with Holland they made EP Packet Of Three '77; LP Squeeze '78 prod. by John Cale; Cool For Cats '79 by John Wood (Fairport Convention, Nick Drake) displayed Difford and Tilbrook's idiosyncratic writing, concentrating on specifically London points of reference, incl. 'Goodbye Girl', 'Up The Junction' and title track, latter two no. 2 UK hits. Kakoulli left and his name was removed from the Cool For Cats sleeve. Critics compared Difford and Tilbrook to Lennon and McCartney, though they were closer in style to Ray Davies; their quintessentially English pop sensibility made them a permanent place in the genre. After Argybargy '80 Holland quit (released boogie album Jools Holland And The Millionaires '81, A--Z Of The Piano '92, fronted pop show The Tube on UK TV), replaced by pianist Carrack (ex-Ace, with guitarists Alan 'Bam' King and Phil Harris: three LPs, first incl. 'How Long', UK/USA hit). East Side Story '81 was regarded as their masterpiece, prod. by fan Elvis Costello; Sweets From A Stranger '82 had backing vocals from Costello, Paul Young. Carrack quit '81, went on to work with Nick Lowe, Carlene Carter, Mike Rutherford (ex-Genesis); made solo albums Paul Carrack '80, Suburban Voodoo '82. Squeeze split '82; Singles, 45s And Under '82 was impressive collection; on their split all attention focused on Difford and Tilbrook, who wrote musical Labelled With Love, prod. at the Deptford Albany '83, album Difford And Tilbrook '84. Holland and Lavis occasionally played one-off gigs together, joined at one by Tilbrook late '84; Holland hosted music show Later With Jools Holland on BBC2 TV mid-'90s, made Lift The Lid '97 with his Rhythm And Blues Orchestra. Squeeze reunion led to Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti '85: they had lost none of their charm, but Babylon And On '87 was a true return to form, followed by Frank '89, live A Round And A Bout '90, Play '91, Some Fantastic Place '93, Ridiculous '96. Holland had left again '90, Carrack returned '93; others in and out incl. Keith Wilkinson on bass. Dropped by A&M for the second time, Excess Moderation '96 was a two-CD set of '79--93 tracks; box Six Of One '97 compiled their first six LPs with bonus tracks while they worked on their eleventh studio album. |