I promised a few people that I would try and get Emily’s 1988 ‘Irony’ EP and their 1990 (or was it 91?) Rub-Al-Khali set onto digital format. Well, thanks to my new iVinyl box, I finally got around to it. The Irony EP is available to download here, and the Rub-Al-Khali set is here. It was terrific to hear these again, particularly the album. It really must go down as one of the great lost records. My only hope is that somehow it grows in stature and gets a proper reissue at some point in the future. I seriously believe it is up there with Gene Clark’s legendary No Other in the realms of cosmic pop music. I’m hoping to get some of the old live tapes unearthed over the holidays too and get those digitized, but hmm, I wouldn’t hold your breath! Too many books and comics to read… too many movies to watch… too much food to eat and wine to drink.

Comments

[Gary]

Hi there

Thanks so much for these, i've been trying to find anything by Emily for years.

What's the running order for the Irony EP. I'm sorry i'n terribly anal I know.

[me]

Mad Dogs, Reflect On Rye on 'A' side, What The Fool Said and The Old Stone Bridge on the other.

[Gary]

Great stuff, cheers for that

[Keir]

I recently heard the sad news that Gian has died

I'm sure I'm not the only person now regretting never emailing him, I've heard great things from people who did

He seems to have been pretty much Emily's only channel to the outside world, people who care about Emily need to gather together now I think

for those that don't know there is an Emily presence on myspace with Rub Al Khali outtakes at http://www.myspace.com/emilyeverlasting

[me]

Yes, terribly sad news about Gian. He was one of the most genuinely effusive and pleasant people it has been my good fortune to meet. I'd love to hear that acoustic session that is mentioned on the Emily MySpace page.

[Jeff]

Can someone repost these? i know i'm a bit late

[Alistair Fitchett]

The links here should be live once more...

[Stuart]

It is wonderful to be able to hear Rub-Al-Khali for the first time. Is there any chance you could post the Stumble 7" too?

[Andrew Taylor]

Thanks so much for posting the Rub-Al-Khali link. I have a vinyl copy. I was lucky to email Gian for a while. He seemed a really cool guy. Sad to hear he has passed.

[richard]

Hi Alistair

Just come across a wonderful write up for the B side of the Stumble single. Not sure if you've seen it but here's the link

http://backedwith.wordpress.com/2008/12/20/31-emily-boxing-day-blues-rachel/#comment-1548

[Nic Dafis]

Thanks so much for these. I have the Irony EP, and was a big fan of Emily in their earliest incarnation, but I'd never heard the album, which is a revelation.

[Nic Dafis]

I've posted some early See Emily Play demo tracks on my blog, if you're interested:

http://morfablog.com/2009/10/09/emily

[alistair]

Thanks Nic, i'm just downloading those tracks. Looking forward to listening to them.