In 1980, Morgan Fisher, former keyboardist with Mott the Hoople, amongst other things, had the genius idea of compiling a whole album of 1 minute tracks.
The result was the revered ‘Miniatures’, including work from Neil Innes, George Melly, Quentin Crisp, Robert Fripp, Andy Partridge (XTC), John Otway, Ivor Cutler, Robert Wyatt and many more. It has since become a bit of a cult classic, over the years.
Morgan Fisher
On March 15th, The 62nd Gramophone Company release a 40th anniversary homage to the original album, entitled ‘Miniatures, 2020’.
Al Davies
The album largely came about, as a result of Llanbradach-based musician, Alan ‘Big Al’ Davies. He noticed that it was the 40th anniversary and wrote a simple post on Facebook, mentioning this and asking if any artist fancied the idea of creating a retrospective tribute.
Soon after, Al came into contact with co-compilers, Barry Lamb and William Hayter and the whole project grew legs, culminating in 124 tracks on the new compilation and approval from the main man himself, Morgan Fisher…
The album is released as a double CD and is accompanied by a beautifully produced pamphlet, replete with comprehensive sleeve notes and imagery.
Miniatures, 2020, includes contributions from luminaries such as The Residents, Fred Frith, Stewart Lee, Billy Bragg, David Thomas, John Otway, Toyah, R Stevie Moore, Peter Blegvad, Eyeless In Gaza, The Bevis Frond, Gary Clail, Adrian Sherwood, Henry Kaiser, Census Of Hallucinations, Atilla the Stockbroker, Terry Riley, Half Japanese, Matmos, Apartment House, Tom Robinson, Bob Drake, Alternative TV, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Two Headed Emperor, Bringers Of Change, Boo Hewerdine and many, many more.
William Hayter Co-Compiler
Barry Lamb -Co-Compiler
