so here is the story.... Its 1994 and I'm very much looking forward to the third, Edwyn solo album. His star could not have been lower. A few strange remarks in interviews with Ruddy Frame about the hard times that had been visiting Mr Collins, struck a chord.

In those pre-internet days I hung about various record shops asking about when the CD would be out...No one knew or had even heard of Edwyn.

When I finally get my hands on copy of Gorgeous George, I'm transfixed. Its a peerless work, full of Rage and Fury, Beauty and Soul. I still lose myself in chasing the various references (Surely North of Heaven is a prescient song for Billy McKenzie, dropped off from the future!!??)

Its all good , except for the second song on the album! AGLY, which to me then, as now, sounds forced and out of keeping. It has grown on me , and I was very, very happy that it provided a whole heap of cash for Edwyn(* thanks to Chris Evans), but the song itself... I always thought it was a bit of a dud.

Shows what I know, Eh!

I remember buying this and Yes by McAlmont & Butler in the golden summer of '95...come back, ye happy days!

On the B-side of A Girl Like You, there's a great acoustic track called If You Could Love Me, which has become one of my favourites over the years. Anyone else heard it?

but as organising the event has been consuming much of our time in the last week ;Edwyn and band played a storming version of "Girl like new" at Stoke newington literary festival on saturday afternoon. It's really amazing how well he sings when he still finds speech difficult presumably the music helps support his memory and his words flow more easily.
Was wary about meeting my hero but can report that both Edwyn and Grace Maxwell (and his band) were lovely warm friendly people and the whole event was a joy including the 2 standing ovations.

with a classic song no one really seems to like. But A Girl Like You is truly a wonderful pop song. The melody, the guitar lick, the lyrics. The sun is out, bring the beer. Pure class.

Well done, Edwyn.

... and he genuinely is one of the good guys. I've never heard a human being utter a bad word about him.

Here's a tune of his I'm partial to...

but it is still a bit upsetting when people refer to him as a one hit wonder.

He's produced some outstanding songs over the years. I never get sick of this one.

Well, it was for me anyway. Had just got a cassette of the album it was on and the song was playing as I was stuck in a queue on the M5 in the rush hour. The car behind me drove into my backside at 60 mph. Haven't played it since.