Imelda May, The Rhythm Festival 2011
Photography - Jez Brown
For those who have only just discovered Imelda (as many of you did with her appearance on Jools’ Annual Hootenanny), here are our top tips of albums to buy… and the places where we find them to be cheapest!
No Turning Back was Imelda’s first album. Originally released in 2003 under her maiden name, Imelda Clabby, the black-sleeved copies are hard to find and sell for big money as a result!
Fortunately, Foot Tapping Records rereleased the album in 2007. This version includes a more polished mix, is widely available and therefore much cheaper!
Whilst not as slick as the later albums, its raw quality gives the album a certain charm!
Cheapest price: £8.99 (plus shipping - 75p if it’s the only item your order)
Source: http://www.raucousrecords.com/cds-rockabilly_21/no-turning-back-cd_5739.aspx
Love Tattoo is often regarded as Imelda’s first album - even the lady herself will refer to it as such!
The limited edition offers the original album plus a bonus CD, which is a live album. A lot of people say that Imelda’s live performances are the best way to enjoy her, and this CD doesn’t fail to disappoint! Some even prefer it to the original album!
Whilst Love Tattoo can be picked up for less than £4 nowadays, we feel that the bonus album is worth the few extra pounds!
Cheapest price: £6.99 (free shipping available)
Source: http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/11912265/-/Product.html
(N.B. Amazon stock it for the same price, but currently have a 2-4 week wait time)
Yes, you’re right! More Mayhem is actually her earlier album, Mayhem, with extra tracks!
If you haven’t already got Mayhem, then this is the version to get! If you have got the original, then it’s up to you! You could download the 6 extra tracks for under £1 each, but the CD is cheaper!
The extra tracks include two new compositions (Road Runner & Gypsy), two covers (Blues Calling & Walking After Midnight) and two remixes (Inside Out & Proud and Humble).
Cheapest price: £4.99 (free shipping available)
Source: http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/20481269/More-Mayhem/Product.html
(N.B. Amazon stock it for the same price, but currently have a 1-3 week wait time)
That covers all three of Imelda’s album releases. There are some other albums with exclusive tracks, but usually it’s only one track, so we’ll save that information for another time!
However, there is one collaboration that deserves an honorable mention…
Jeff Beck Rock ‘n’ Roll Party not only features Imelda’s vocals, but her husband Darrel Higham also takes to the mic! Darrel is Imelda’s guitarist, and has been in several bands previously, most notably Darrel Higham & The Enforcers.
This album is a tribute to the late Les Paul, and was recorded in Iridium Jazz Club in New York, where Les played every Monday night until he died, aged 94!
You might want to consider purchasing the DVD, which is about the same price as the album.
Cheapest price: £7.89 (free shipping available)
Source: http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/18571542/Rock-n-Roll-Party/Product.html
(N.B. Amazon stock it for the same price, but currently have a 2 day delay)
