Was it really six years ago that Mo charged through our back door to convey the news on that sunny lockdown afternoon that Dave had died?! Well yes it was.
I said it on here at the time that whilst it is said that the whole is bigger than the part... the part that Dave's extraordinary musical virtuosity brought to the Stranglers' sound was immense. In that sense whilst it is undoubtedly the case, and most certainly in the early years, that that the four members of the band each contributed uniquely to that 'sound', it was Dave's keyboard handiwork that provided the wax seal to the whole and that confirmed that you were indeed listening to The Stranglers.
Working with JJ in 1983 he was responsible for the soundtrack of the French art film 'Ecoutez Vos Murs' entitled 'Fire & Water'. In terms of audio material, I have posted all that I have, but here is a link once again to the brilliant Rat Zone produced collection of outtakes (here) and please note that if you search the site for Dave there are another couple of posts that relate to this most quirky of albums.
What I have not posted before is some of the press reaction to the album and the accompanying single, 'Rain & Dole & Tea'... 'Non!' sums up the collective view of the music press. Then again by 1983 the band were yesterday's news in the eyes of most music journalists.
Smash Hits (8th December 1983)
