Summer Lightning (Remastered) The Bathers

• 1Latta's Dream03:02
• 2Candid04:11
• 3Time Regained06:22
• 4Fancy Dress04:57
• 5Cape St.Vincent02:22
• 6Unusual Places to Drive01:24
• 7Yellow Buskin03:33
• 8Absentee Caress03:00
• 9The Mandarins04:11
• 10Odalisque04:57
• 11Perpetual Adoration03:55
• 12Take Me Back To The Brooklands05:26
• 13Summer Lightning03:49
• Total Runtime51:09

Info for Summer Lightning (Remastered)

Previously unreleased songs and versions of songs from the debut album era 1986-88.

Some 35 years after it's initial release on Go Discs. Accompanying this remastered album we also intended to produce "More Unusual Places To Die" an 8 track EP featuring early recordings, providing an incredible insight into the mind and music of Chris Thomson.

Both releases were to be remastered by fellow "Friend Again" Paul McGeechan.

Sadly due to insane problems obtaining licensing contracts from Island Records via Universal Music, we have taken the decision to make some changes to the project.

The 8 track Mini LP is now a fully-fledged album featuring 11 tracks. Some new never before released tracks, fully remastered and some alternative versions of previously available tracks.

2015 marked the thirtieth anniversary of a Scottish musical institution, The Bathers. They were formed in Glasgow, in 1985, by singer, songwriter and troubled troubadour Chris Thomson and released six albums between 1987 and 1999. The Bathers fifth album was Kelvingrove Baby, a minor classic, that’s one of the finest Scottish albums ever released. Sadly, Kelvingrove Baby and The Bathers is a story of what might have been.

With Chris Thompson at the helm, the Glasgow based quintet could’ve, and should’ve, been one the biggest Scottish bands ever. After all, The Bathers music is articulate, beautiful, dramatic, ethereal, elegiac, emotive, languid, literate and melancholy. This is music for those that have loved, lost and survived to tell the tale. Sadly, however, The Bathers never reached the heady heights their music deserved. As a result, the six albums The Bathers released between 1987s Unusual Places To Die and 1999s Pandemonia, never reached the audience it deserved. For Chris Thomson, history was repeating itself.

The Bathers were formed in Glasgow in 1985. They formed after Chris Thomson’s previous group Friends Again split up. Initially, The Bathers were a vehicle for singer-songwriter Chris Thomson. However, in 1987, The Bathers secured their first record deal with Go! Discs Records, and released their debut album Unusual Places To Die.

The Bathers
Chris Thomson, lead vocal, guitar
Callum McNair, electric guitar
Hazel Morrison, drums and vocals

Digitally remastered

The Bathers
were formed in Glasgow in 1985. They formed after Chris Thomson’s previous group Friends Again split up. Initially, The Bathers were a vehicle for singer-songwriter Chris Thomson. However, in 1987, The Bathers secured their first record deal with Go! Discs Records, and released their debut album Unusual Places To Die.

The Bathers are unlike most bands. They’re enigmatic, almost reclusive and publicity shy. Quite simply, The Bathers aren’t exactly your normal band. Not for them the rock “n” roll lifestyle favoured by other bands. In many ways, musical fashions and fads didn’t affect them. Their attitude was almost contrarian. Albums were recorded slowly and methodically. It was as if The Bathers were striving for perfection. On Kelvingrove Baby and Pandemonia, they almost achieved the impossible. What’s more they did it their way.

Chris Thomson
During his first year of his English literature degree, the allure of being in a band proved irresistible and formed the much revered Friends Again. They were snapped up by Phonogram Records and released several well-received singles and an album.

Due to a difference in musical tastes the band split up in 1985 when Chris started the Bathers. He secured a deal with Andy Macdonald's fast-rising Go! Discs and released the album "unusual places to die" in 1987. Political dispute and label politics scuppered the album at release and there was no chance of capitalising on the enthusiastic reception accorded to the record. Chris went back to the drawing board and produced "sweet deceit". The album was released in 1990 by Island and was, again, critically acclaimed. Unfortunately Island entered a period of chaos and sackings and the album was doomed a token release. A flirtation with two key members of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions followed in the form of the Bloomsday album "Fortuny". The bathers then signed to the German label Marina and three fine albums were released - "lagoon blues" (1993), "sunpowder" (1995) and then "kelvingrove baby" (1997) although Chris had a very good relationship with Marina he felt that a label nearer home would be preferable.

This album contains no booklet.