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Johnny Thunders & Patti Palladin 'Crawfish' The classic Johnny & Patti duet single 'CRAWFISH', (b/w 'Tie Me Up') originally released in 1985, is being reissued as a limited edition 7" in original picture sleeve, plus 12" versions on download. An Elvis cover, it features Heartbreakers Jerry Nolan & Billy Rath along with Only One guitarist John Perry. Acclaimed by NME as 'Single of Week', it became an 80's indie chart hit. New Yorkers Johnny & Patti, exiled in London, excelled the 'King Creole' Elvis version of this swampy, evocative paean to the Louisiana freshwater crustacean.* Originally recorded on a London Records budget at the legendary Olympic Studios and mixed at Martin Rushent's Genetic Studios, it became a much-revered classic, still getting radio play in 2006. Johnny Thunders, the late former New York Doll & Heartbreaker, was often known for his notoriety as much as his music; the legend persists that both he and his music embodied the spirit of rock'n'roll. It was fellow New York expatriate Patti Palladin - one half of punk girl duo Snatch, one-time Brian Eno collaborator and all-time scenester - who arranged the studio time and produced the single for London Records' short-lived subsidy label Swamplands (run by Postcard Records' Alan Horne) in 1984. The deal fell apart amidst budgetary arguments; the label shortly after. Johnny had meanwhile been recording his 'Que Sera Sera' album, so Jungle stepped in to buy the tapes from London. The single led Johnny & Patti to collaborate in 1987 on their full album of classic 50's & 60's covers 'COPY CATS', on which they achieved their aim of an affectionate homage to the music of their youth. That album is due to follow as a long awaited re-issue in April. "Mmm Patti, I'm feeling reeeally hungry!" |