Ed Ball (musician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ed Ball
Origin Flag of England Chelsea, London
Genre(s) Post punk, Indie
Occupation(s) musician, songwriter
Instrument(s) Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Years active 1977 - present
Label(s) Creation Records
Associated acts Television Personalities, 'O' Level, The Times, The Love Corporation, Teenage Filmstars
Website Edward Ball

Edward ('Ed') Ball is a songwriter, singer, guitarist and keyboard player from north London. He also served as an executive at Creation Records. He was born and brought up in Chelsea, London, and currently lives in north London[1].

Contents

[edit] Television Personalities

In 1977, singer/songwriter Ball and fellow London Oratory schoolfriends Dan Treacy and Joe Foster formed a band. The band toured and released under a number of names (Teenage Filmstars, The Missing Scientists, 'O' Level) before settling on the name "Television Personalities". Ball and Treacy (Foster left the band prior to the recording of any material under the Television Personalities name) released And Don't the Kids Just Love It (1980) for Rough Trade Records. Following a brief parting with Rough Trade, they launched their own label Whaam! records with "Mummy Your Not Watching Me" (sic) (1981), and Ball's newly-formed main project The Times' "Pop Goes Art!", (1981). This was followed by "They Could Have Been Bigger Than the Beatles" (1982). And Don't the Kids Just Love It is generally considered the first twee pop album[2].

The Whaam! record label was later renamed Dreamworld following a legal dispute with George Michael[3]. Ball left the Television Personalities in 1982, although he later returned in 2004, appearing on the album My Dark Places (Domino Records, 2005) and on parts of the albums And They All Lived Happily Ever After (Damaged Goods, 2004) and Are We Nearly There Yet? (Overground, 2007). At the time of writing Ball remains a member of the band.

[edit] The Times

On leaving the Television Personalities, Ball concentrated on The Times, a band with an ever-changing lineup in which he remained the only constant member. The band released seven albums / mini-albums: This Is London (1983), I Helped Patrick McGoohan Escape (1983), Hello Europe (1984), Blue Period (1985), GO! With The Times! (recordings from 1980) (1985), Up Against It (1986) and Enjoy the Times! (1986), all on Ball's own Artpop label. In 1986 Ball dissolved The Times to become an executive at Creation Records; however, in 1988 he began to release new material under the Times name; Beat Torture (1988), E For Edward (1989), Et Dieu Crea la Femme (1990), Pure (1991), Alternative Commercial Crossover (1993), Sad But True (1997) and Pirate Playlist 66 (1999). Three albums were also released by Ball under the name of the Teenage Filmstars (although the other members of the original Teenage Filmstars were not involved in any way), Star (1992), Rocket Charms (1993) and Buy Our Record Support Our Sickness (1995).

In 2005, Ball reactivated his Artpop! label through Cherry Red, debuting with Here's To Old England!, a three decade anthology of his work as The Times, Teenage Filmstars and 'O' Level. This was followed by comprehensive reissues of This Is London (2006) and I Helped Patrick McGoohan Escape (2006). The series continues late May 2007 with O' Level 1977 - 1980 compilation, A Day In the Life of Gilbert & George and The Times first recorded album, GO! With The Times!.

[edit] Solo career

In 1995 Creation Records issued a two-disc compilation of Ball's material, Welcome to the Wonderful World of Ed Ball, covering all his material other than that released with the Television Personalities. Two albums of solo material were released to coincide with it, If a Man Ever Loved a Woman (1995) and Catholic Guilt (1997), followed by Why Do I Need A Gun I'm Chelsea (1999). For the first time on any of his projects, Ball received proper promotion for Catholic Guilt, which reaped two UK Top 75 chart singles, "The Mill Hill Self Hate Club" and "Love Is Blue". Following the collapse of Creation in 1999 Ball was not signed to any other label and disappeared from the public gaze[4], to concentrate on experimental film documentaries about Simon Fisher Turner and London.[5]. In 2004 Ball rejoined the Television Personalities[6], and continues to play occasional shows under the name of The Times. He also works with singer/songwriter Misty Woods, although this collaboration has yet to result in any released recordings.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

[edit] Compilations

2. Welcome to the Wonderful World of Ed Ball
March 1995

3. Here's to Old England!
October 2005

[edit] Singles & EPs

If a Man Ever Loved a Woman

If A Man Ever Loved A Woman / Firehorse Blues / 12 Noon 28.8.93 / United States Of Loneliness

CD Creation (CRESCD197) 1995

It's Kinda Lonely Where I Am

It's Kinda Lonely Where I Am / Docklands Blues / Another Member Of The Mill Hill Self Hate Club / Bled A River Over You

Promo only CD Creation (CRESCD208) 1995

The Mill Hill Self Hate Club

The Mill Hill Self Hate Club / Wrapped Up In Lonesome Blues / I'm Going Out Of Your Mind / An Act Of Faith

CD Creation (CRESCD233) 1996

Trailblaze

Trailblaze / The Other Side Of Love Is Guilt / Blues For Brian Wilson

CD Creation (CRESCD239) 1996

Love Is Blue

Love Is Blue / When You Lose Your Lover Learn To Lose / Mill Hill Self Hate Club* / Love Is Blue*

  • Mark Radcliffe session

CD Creation (CRESCD244) 1997

The Mill Hill Self Hate Club (reissue)

The Mill Hill Self Hate Club / For The Souls Of Dead Horses / Ma Blues / Never Live To Love Again

CD Creation (CRESCD260) 1997

-Split Xmas single-

A: Ed Ball - Never Live to Love Again

AA: 18 Wheeler - Ballad of Paul Verlaine

7" Creation Records (CREXMAS01) 1996

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Edward Ball Answers Our Questions of Doom!. Poptones (2005-10-06). Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
  2. ^ Abebe, Nitsuh (2005-10-24). Twee as Fuck: The Story of Indie Pop. Pitchfork. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
  3. ^ Robbins, Ira. Television Personalities. Trouser Press. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
  4. ^ Mason, Stewart. Edward Ball. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
  5. ^ ArTpOp! Films. ArTpop! Films On YouTube.. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
  6. ^ History of the Television Personalities. A Day in Heaven. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.