Saint Etienne Disco
So Tough 30 Listening Session
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 30 minutes |  |
Hi There. Anyone out there? Are you ready? Hard to believe its been 30 years |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 28 minutes |  |
Saint Etienne's Second album So Tough was released 30 years ago today in the UK (Feb 22, 1993). It was released on LP, CD, Ltd Edition 2CD, Cassette, Mini Disc, and Digital Compact Cassette. The rumoured eight track does not exist..yet |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 26 minutes |  |
So Tough ended up being Saint Etienne's highest UK charting album landing at number 7 on its first week in the charts. It would remain in the charts for seven non consecutive weeks |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 24 minutes |  |
The Saint Etienne Discography is currently tracking 29 unique pressings of the album across multiple formats and countries |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 22 minutes |  |
The album was released in the UK, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan, and the USA |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 20 minutes |  |
The album was engineered by Ian Catt at RMS Studios in London, Summer/Autumn 1992 |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 18 minutes |  |
The album cost 16,000 Pounds to record. The samples cost 30,000 pounds |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 16 minutes |  |
"So Tough must have more samples on it than any other album of ours. Just the clips - or skits - between the tracks took months for our manager Martin to clear, poor soul." (cont'd) |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 15 minutes |  |
"It was a way of getting quotes from some of our favourite singers (Suggs, Roy Harper, Marc Almond, David Essex!) on there alongside bits of our favourite films (Peeping Tom, Billy Liar)." (cont'd) |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 14 minutes |  |
"And a bit of Alan Bennett juxtaposed with my sister's Muttley laugh. The sort of thing you do when you're young and stupid! But I'm really glad we did it.” Bob Stanley - February 2021 |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 12 minutes |  |
The albums title pays tribute to the Beach Boys, taken from Carl And The Passions So Tough album |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 10 minutes |  |
Who Is Ranaldo Mcdonald: Approximately 20+ individuals were credited in helping out with the album |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 8 minutes |  |
The photo on the front cover is our own Sarah Cracknell was was taken by her father Derek Cracknell |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 6 minutes |  |
The Kids On the Street will never give in (North West London, Sept 92) Twelve photos in the CD's booklet taken by photographer James Fry |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 4 minutes |  |
The Beach photo on the back of the CD Tray Insert was taken by Paul Kelly |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 2 minutes |   |
Michael Gillette, Painting Man, did the artwork for the LP's inner sleeves |
| Warm Up: #sotough30 Listening Session begins in 1 minutes |  |
Album Design was done by Anthony Sweeney under the guise of M-Design. Kevin Pearce wrote the notes for the album |
| Start | |
Hello Everyone. Welcome to the Saint Etienne Disco So Tough Listening Session. Feel free to join in at any time using the hash tag #sotough30. Let's start. |
| Mario's Cafe (0:00-4:37) |  |
The Sample "A Cigarette, A Cup Of Tea, A Bun" is of Dirk Bogarde reading a line from Steel Cathedrals taken from a 1980's 7 Inch called Dirk Bogarde Reads The Coventry Sonnets on Zel-La Records. #sotough30 |
| Mario's Cafe (0:00-4:37) |  |
Mario's Cafe takes its title from the cafe at 6 Kelly St in Kentish Town, London. #sotough30 |
| Mario's Cafe (0:00-4:37) |  |
But was really inspired by the Moonlight Cafe at 231 Brecknock Rd in Tufnell Park where Bob and Pete would sit and plot. #sotough30 Link: Bob Stanley on Mario's Cafe (May 6, 2013) - Kentish Towner |
| Mario's Cafe (0:00-4:37) |  |
All the names in Mario's Cafe are of real people. Can anyone fill in the blanks or update our guesses? Lucy (Gillie of Golden), Prince B (P.M. Dawn) Jackie (??), Chris (Eubank), dilworth (Joe), joe (??), and Johnny ('in the echo cafe' Green) #sotough30 |
| Railway Jam 4:38-8:51 |  |
The sample that starts off the instrumental Railway Jam is taken from the 1960 film 'Peeping Tom' when Helen Stevens (played by Anna Massey) first introduces herself to Mark (Karlheinz Boehm) #sotough30 Helen: I'm helen stevens, I'm having a party, and the other tenants are there, and a few friends. we'd like you to join us... Mark: Mark. Helen: Pardon? Mark: I am mark. Helen: Oh, hello mark. please come in, you'll meet the others who live here, and... Mark: Sorry, but... work. Link: Helen Stevens meets Mark (52 Seconds) - Video Acknowledgement: Paul Thompson at british60scinema.net |
| Railway Jam 4:38-8:51 |  |
The title of Railway Jam comes from Pete mishearing a line on Joy Division's version of Sister Ray on the Still album. #sotough30 Link: Video Acknowledgement:John Dos Passos |
| Railway Jam 4:38-8:51 |  |
Railway Jam samples Golden Teardrops by The Flamingos #sotough30 Link: Video Acknowledgement: GreenTea200 |
| Railway Jam 4:38-8:51 |  |
Railway Jam also samples Keith Hudson's Pick A Dub #sotough30. Link: Video Acknowledgement: Deep Roots |
| Date With Spelman 8:52-9:10 |  |
The sample is taken from Suggsy from the band Madness. Sarah Cracknell would sing on a Madness track Elysium taken from their 1999 album Wonderful. #sotough30 "Education, Thats what I Need" |
| Date With Spelman 8:52-9:10 |  |
Date With Spelmann namechecks a record dealer Phil Spelmann who Bob remember's buying The Factory's Path Through The Forest off him. #sotough30 Link: Video Acknowledgement: oscarowski |
| Calico 9:11-14:22 |
Calico borrows its melody from an Augustus Pablo sample and features the vocals of Q-Tee #sotough30 Link: Q-Tee |
| Calico 9:11-14:22 |
Martin Kelly, The Cajun Queen, provides bass on the track. Martin is Saint Etienne's manager. #sotough30 Link: Cajun Queen |
| Calico 9:11-14:22 |  |
The sample is taken from the 1945 film 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. The voice of George Sanders playing Lord Henry Wotton. #sotough30 "I never take off my hat except when I'm out of doors." |
| Calico 9:11-14:22 |  |
The sample is taken from the 1973 film 'That'll Be The Day'. The voice of David Essex playing Jim MacLaine. #sotough30 "She made a pie from Jenkins' ear And washed it down with a bottle of beer!" Link: Jim packs it in before his exams (78 Seconds) - Video Acknowledgement: Paul Thompson at british60scinema.net |
| Avenue 14:23-22:03 |
First single off the album and the very first song that Bob, Pete, and Sarah co-wrote, with Ian Catt's "invaluable help", too. Question: Could the Maurice mentioned in the song be Maurice Deebank of Felt? #sotough30 |
| Avenue 14:23-22:03 |  |
The sample is from the 1963 film 'Billy Liar'. The voice of Tom Courtenay as William Terrence Fisher (Billy). #sotough30 "Of course London's a big place. it's a very big place Mr Shadrack. a man can lose himself in London. lose himself. lose himself. LOSE HIMSELF IN LONDON!!" Link: Lose himself in London! (64 Seconds) - Video Acknowledgement: Paul Thompson at british60scinema.net |
| You're In A Bad Way 22:04-24:46 |
Interesting that the version found here is different than the version produced by Alan Tarney found on the You're In A Bad Way UK single released 21 days earlier.
Originally a B-Side until Alan Mcgee of Creation said 'That's an A-Side' #sotough30 Link: Alan Mcgee |
| Memo To Pricey 24:47-25:09 |  |
A tribute to Simon Price. The music is from a Chanel perfume ad from the early 70s. Simon Price (Melody Maker) & Gareth Sweeney (northern soul fiend and dry wit) are the main interlocutors in a pub on the east side of Holloway Road called the Landseer #sotough30 Simon: "It's like I can't get past that escape barrier, cos I like adult drinks like whiskey or lager, it's actually painful to drink first of all.." Gareth: "I bought you a double." Simon: "Is that a double? Got a double taste of each" Gareth:"Cigarette?" Simon:"I don't smoke but, y'know..." Gareth:"Crisps?" Simon: "Four bottles of malibu, Bob knows the address, a malibu and coke and Chinese food..." Link: Chanel No 5 1970's British TV Commercial (29 Seconds) - Video Acknowledgement: Belfast Jack |
| Hobart Paving 25:10-30:13 |  |
The sample is taken from the 1972 film 'Made'. The voices are of Carol White and Roy Harper Carol White: "Do you think a girl should go to bed with a fella, if he doesn't love her?" Roy Harper: "No - unless it's me." Link: the 'St Etienne' clip (15 Seconds) - Video Acknowledgement: Paul Thompson at british60scinema.net |
| Hobart Paving 25:10-30:13 |  |
The song title was taken from a construction company in London called Hobart Paving who happened to be digging up the pavement near RMS studios where the album was recorded. #sotough30 |
| Hobart Paving 25:10-30:13 |
Ian Catt on harmonica #sotough30 Link: Ian Catt |
| Hobart Paving 25:10-30:13 |  |
At the end of 'Hobart Paving' there is the line "I wish they wouldn't laugh" which is taken from Alan Bennett's 1982 Monologue 'A Woman of No Importance' featuring Patricia Routledge (Keeping Up Appearances) #sotough30
Link: a woman of no importance (Sample at 45:21 of 47:56) - Video Acknowledgement: Bada Jozsef |
| Hobart Paving 25:10-30:13 | The "Muttley laughter" after Patricia's line is provided by Bob Stanley's sister Jules. #sotough30 |
| Leafhound 30:14-34:18 |  |
"There was usually a copy of Record Collector or When Saturday Comes lying around the studio. The wants ads in Record Collector always included the one album by a group called Leafhound, one of the rarest albums in the world." #sotough30
Link: Video Acknowledgement: stotn |
| Leafhound 30:14-34:18 |  |
The sample is taken from Marc Almond from the band Soft Cell. Sarah Cracknell would sing on a Marc Almond track I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten taken from his 2007 album Stardom Road. #sotough30 "And a non stop erotic cabaret" |
| Clock Milk 34:19-34:32 |  |
Sampled from Eddie Jones and The Cashmeres song Daddy Can I Go to the Hop (Say What?) from 1959 #sotough30 "Say What Girl" "Daddy Can I Go To The Hop" Link: Video Acknowledgement: BB |
| Conchita Martinez 34:33-38:35 |  |
Conchita Martinez samples guitar from the song Spirit Of Radio by Canadian band Rush. Word is that Rush okayed the use but wondered why Saint Etienne wanted to ruin their lovely song with Rush's guitar. #sotough30 Link: Video Acknowledgement: Rush |
| Conchita Martinez 34:33-38:35 | Conchita Martínez was a Spanish former professional tennis player. #sotough30 |
| Conchita Martinez 34:33-38:35 |  |
The sample at the end of Concita Martinez is taken from the 1963 film 'Lord of the Flies'. #sotough30 "Maybe he means it's some sort of ghost" "Maybe that's what the beast is - a ghost" Link: Lord Of The Flies (Sample at 37:33 of 1:30:48) - Video Acknowledgement: Old Times |
| No Rainbows For Me 38:36-42:31 |  |
The title No Rainbows For Me was from a line in the Tammy St John single Dark Shadows and Empty Hallways. #sotough30 Link: Dark Shadows and Empty Hallways (Line at 1:39 of 3:28) - Video Acknowledgement: libraquaricorn |
| No Rainbows For Me 38:36-42:31 |  |
At the end of No Rainbows For Me there is a short line "Well that last one didn't sound too furious" which is taken from a London Records sample LP called 'A Journey Into Stereo Sound' from 1958. #sotough30 Link: Racing Cars Sequence (Sample at 9:55 of 32:22) - Video Acknowledgement: Jason1920 |
| Here Come Clown Feet 42:32-42:54 |  |
Here Come Clown Feet starts off with some tap dancing, which comes from the 1935 film 'Gold Diggers of 1935' ('Lullaby of Broadway' sequence) #sotough30 Link: Lullaby of Broadway - Excerpt - Busby Berkeley (2:47) - Video Acknowledgement: TheJudyRoomVideos |
| Here Come Clown Feet 42:32-42:54 |  |
The last part of Here Come Clown Feet is from the third episode of 'The Family', a documentary about a Reading family made in 1974. #sotough30 "You stick your foot in there mate and you're..." "What's the weight got to do with those shoes?" "Because she can help lose weight in her legs, well, it won't look so ridiculous will it, well fat legs with chunky shoes, will it?" Link: The family 1974 ep3 (13:39 into this third episode) - Video Acknowledgement: Treble clef entertainments |
| Junk The Morgue 42:55-48:06 | Old Skool Techno #sotough30 |
| Chicken Soup 48:07-48:27 |
The sketch features Celina Nash (Golden, Cover of Foxbase Alpha) as the waitress & Bob Stanley/Jerry Jaffe (St Etienne's US Manager) as customers. #sotough30 Celina: Can I Take Your Order? Bob: (TBC): Bacon Eggs small 2 slices... Celina: You? Jerry: Chicken Soup |
| Chicken Soup 48:07-48:27 |  |
Jerry Jaffe's Drivers License photo also appears on the back page of the CD Booklet for So Tough #sotough30 |
| End | Thanks Everyone! Nice to join all the fans in discussion around this album thirty years to the day later. #sotough30 |
| End | I would like to add a special thanks to Paul Thompson at british60scinema.net who over the years has worked through most if not all the samples from the album for us. #sotough30 |
| End |
If interested head to the Saint Etienne Disco website's So Tough for a full transcript of tonight's program with additional navigational links to videos and info re: So Tough. #sotough30 Link: https://www.saintetiennedisco.com/full/sotough/st4.html |
| Bonus 1 |  |
For my fellow Canadians, Germans, Israeli and my friends down in the USA. I'm back for one more song - Join Our Club So Tough Canadian/US/German/Israeli Pressing |
| Bonus 2 | |
And why not. For my Japanese friends. We're back for the last song song - Archway People So Tough Japanese Pressing. Thanks for tuning in and Good Night. |