Willard's Wormholes

Between Today And Yesterday (1974)
Many Have Deemed It Price’s Best

Since a few folks asked about it, and khunbaobao was kind enough to send us this 320 bonus track version, here’s what many consider to be Alan Price’s best work, 1974′s Between Today And Yesterday. I came to this album later than most, so I kind of missed the timing of Price’s 70s spin on Brit music hall tradition, but the quality of the material easily spans generations, regardless of your entry point. Ironically, while this may be Price’s best, it only exists because of record company interference. After Warner Bros. refused to release 1974′s Savaloy Dip – Price’s follow up to the highly regarded O Lucky Man! – Alan went back to the drawing board, and the unquestionably superior Between Today And Yesterday was the result. It’s a low-key, lightly autobiographical concept album about UK working class youth, and runs parallel to the similarly nostalgic themes of Ray Davies’ 60s/70s Kinks work. “In Times Like These” is a good example. Each song stands on its own without any necessary storyline (if one actually existed), while the melodies are simple and winning, with elegant touches of horns and orchestration to offset Price’s melancholy pop vocals. Nilsson fans may appreciate the moonbeamy lullaby, “Under The Sun.” Of course, BTAY was no chart-shaker, but nothing Price did (in the States) ever was. The mastering on this 2003 reissue, by the way, is crisp and rich. Thanks khunbaobao. Apparently out of print, but @ Amazon.

Yesterday
Left Over People (2:57)
Away, Away (2:54)
Between Today And Yesterday (4:29)
In Times Like These (2:39)
Under The Sun (4:37)
Jarrow Song (5:45)

Today
City Lights (4:40)
Look At My Face (2:49)
Angel Eyes (3:14)
You’re Telling Me (5:38)
Dream Of Delight (3:34)
Between Today And Yesterday (4:26)

Bonus Tracks
Jarrow Song (Single Version) (4:38)
In Times Like These (Single Version) (2:35)
Sell, Sell, Sell (Single Version) (3:58)
Between Today And Yesterday ’86 (3:49)
Jarrow Song ’86 (3:36)