Having enjoyed his amusing book, detailing his life in show business, without ever exhibiting any aptitude or major talent, I picked up the companion compilation CD when I saw it going cheap.
I saw Otway a couple of times, long long ago, firstly at the Reading Festival in 1978, where he delighted us with his daredevil scaffolding clambering and general mayhem, then a couple of years later as he tried to generate a more mainstream career with a band, which was far less entertaining.
So, what constitutes an Otway 'best of'? Well, we start with four tracks from the pre-hit days with Wild Willy Barrett, Misty Mountain, Gypsy, Murder Man and Louisa On A Horse, only the final one of these being particularly engaging.
The hit Really Free is a throwaway bit of fun, but was never really much more than a novelty hit. Next, there is the follow up (solo now) single (which flopped) Geneve, a song which could have been quite enjoyable, but for the 100 piece orchestra Otway insisted on for the accompaniment. Cheryl's Coming Home is apparently a live favourite, possibly with an audience anticipating a repeat of Otway's bollock crushing tumble on Old Grey Whistle Test (about 7 min 20 sec).
Beware Of The Flowers (which would have been the obvious follow-up to Really Free but they'd put it on the B-side of that single) is fun and enjoyable, and thanks to his small but devoted fan base was voted no 7 in BBC's Nation's Favourite Song Lyrics in 1999, and Baby's In The Club now sounds too Carry On to have any 21st century appeal. Best Dream is woeful, while another flop single Frightened And Scared is no more than OK. DK 50/80 saw Otway and Barrett reunited in a frantic electronic, but unsuccessful single and it's followed by possibly the worst version
of Green Green Grass Of Home ever committed to vinyl.
Turning Point is bang average and next there's the awful (but popular live Headbutts. Montreal is pretty dull, and Otway's cover of Roy Orbison's In Dreams is frankly awful, as is Middle Of Winter. There's also an ill advised version of Jerusalem, lamentably dragged over three minutes by singing the song through twice. Last Of The Mohicans is quite likeable, and the album finishes with a live version (with Barrett) of Racing Cars - lively, but underwhelming.
Tony Wilson once said "I love The Fall, I'm just not sure I like their music", and I feel much the same about Otway. He seems like an entertainer and an engaging personality, but a musician? There are one or two moments here, but a lot is quite hard work.
2* - as loved as Otway is, the music doesn't stand up alone.
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