I bought the 12" single of Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie's eponymous 1988 single, on the back of hearing their previous single The Rattler on The Chart Show. As with all of their singles on Capitol Records, it was released in a lovely (but not doubt costly to the band) gatefold sleeve and it was there that I saw my future wife.
Unfortunately, that didn't come to pass though to be fair it was largely down to my not writing, phoning or even buying all that many Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie records after their debut album. Oh, and Shirley's complete ignorance of my existence. I think it's fair to say that Shirley got over the disappointment and got on with her life. Fortunately for me, so did I and I had the great fortune to meet Mrs. K some years later.
Whilst I can't say that I've followed Garbage closely beyond the first two albums, I've always admired Shirley's no-holds-barred approach to handling the music business and being a positive role model, cutting through the bullshit about age and gender particularly.
And her voice is out of this world as this 15-song Garbage selection amply illustrates. It inevitably draws heavily on the debut album, but I've included a few B-sides, remixes and later period tunes, though even the most recent song in my collection is over a decade old. A return visit is overdue to see what Shirley and the band have been up to.
Here's raising a glass to you, Shirley.
1) Automatic Systematic Habit (Album Version) (2012)
2) It's All Over But The Crying (Remix) (2007)
3) Vow (Album Version) (1995)
4) Witness To Your Love (Original Version) (2008)
5) Only Happy When It Rains (Album Version) (1995)
6) Alien Sex Fiend (1996)
7) Supervixen (1995)
8) Androgyny (The Neptunes Remix By Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo) (2001)
9) Stupid Girl (Album Version) (1995)
10) I Think I'm Paranoid (Album Version) (1998)
11) You Look So Fine (Album Version) (1998)
12) Shut Your Mouth (Album Version) (2001)
13) Space Can Come Through Anyone (2005)
14) Milk (D Mix By Massive Attack) (#2) (1996)
15) Queer (The Most Beautiful Woman In Town Mix By Martin Gore, Gareth Jones & Paul Freegard) (1995)
1995: Garbage: 3, 5, 7, 9
1995: Queer EP: 15
1996: Milk (Massive Attack Remixes) EP (promo 12"): 14
1996: Stupid Girl EP: 6
1998: Version 2.0: 10, 11
2001: Androgyny EP: 8
2001: Beautiful Garbage: 12
2005: Why Do You Love Me EP: 13
2007: Absolute Garbage: 2
2008: Give Listen Help: 4
2012: Not Your Kind Of People: 1
Today's cover art is a modified photo by Kathryna Hancock, one of a number of fantastic images of Shirley shot to accompany an interview with Ladygunn magazine last year. A fascinating read.