Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead

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Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead

EP by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Released	October 7, 2003
Recorded	On-Me Sound, Providence, RI, 16 July - 17 July 2003
Genre	Indie
Length	30:28
Label	Lookout! Records
Producer(s)	Ted Leo
All Music Guide link
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists chronology
Hearts of Oak (2003)	Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead (2003)	Shake the Sheets (2004)

Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead is an EP released in 2003 by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, although it mostly comprises Ted Leo's solo work. The title track is carried over from the band's previous album, Hearts of Oak, as is "The High Party" (rerecorded as a solo version this time around). "Bleeding Powers" and "Loyal to My Sorrowful Country" are given full band treatment on 2004's Shake the Sheets and 2005's Sharkbite Sessions, respectively.

Leo includes three (solo) covers on this album -- tributes to those who influenced his musical stylings. This styling of "Dirty Old Town" was made famous by The Pogues, while "Ghosts" and "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" were created by The Jam and Split Enz, respectively. "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" also receives the full band treatment on Sharkbite Sessions.

Lastly, the album includes two tracks -- "[Decaying Artifact]" and "Untitled (Space Echo)" -- that are reminiscent of the Tej Leo (?) Rx/Pharmacists album. The latter is a hidden track, not listed on the packaging or in the liner notes. Many fans believe that "[Decaying Artifact]" was reserved for a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark," a live favorite of the Pharmacists, but that Springsteen asked for more money than the other three covers combined. Instead of removing the track, Leo just reverted back to his experimental style so that "Ghosts" and "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" could remain separate.