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Do you know "Everything But the Girl"? They are my long-term favorite band. I first saw EBTG in concert about 20 years
ago! Oh, I'm old!! They are a British band and include just two members - Tracy Thorn and Ben Watt. Their music is British
Indies music but later in their careers they were really influenced by dance too. They sound really British, but they also
have quite a unique sound.
They first started making music together in 1982 - around the time many of you were born,
but I was already 13 years old. In 1984 they released their first album "Eden"and I bought this. Me and my first boyfriend
used to drive around in his father's car listening to EBTG! Of course there were no CDs then. In fact I think I bought a cassette!
In the last years of high school and at university I saw them in concert several times. The first time was with a
friend when we went on a school study trip to London. Me and my friend got tickets for the concert and after curfew we left
the hotel and went to the concert. It was sooo exciting but our teacher found out we went to the concert and after
that, we weren't allowed to go on any more school trips. But it was worth the trouble! Tracy and Ben play really personal
concerts direct to the listeners. It's hard to describe, but their concerts are the best and most personal I have ever been
to.
EBTG have made nine studio albums and I loved them all. My favorite album is "Baby the Stars Shine Bright". It
includes one of my favorite tracks "Come on Home" and has a more orchestra feel, compared to their more acoustic early sound
and their later dance sound. My best friend, Rachel, bought me this album at university - it was still a cassette.
EBTG
enjoyed their biggest success in the 1990s after I had come to Japan. In 1994 they released "Missing" and the remixed house
version was an international hit. Their final album "Walking Wounded" has been the biggest seller to date.
Ben and
Tracy are still together but they are not recording right now - they are married! They recently owned an Indies bar/club in
London, which was really popular, and Ben co-founded Lazy Dog with Jay Hannon, a bi-weekly hugely popular nightclub, that
is described as "a proper party". I'd love to go sometime!
EBTG have also released "The Best of EBTG". I recommend
you listen to this to get an idea of this unique and special band. When ever I listen to or think about EBTG I feel "nazukashi".
I grew up with EBTG and they are part of my me and my culture. Sigh...
Favorite Band Member: Tracey
Favorite CD: Baby the Stars Shine Bright
Favorite song: Walking to you
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