Like many AUK readers I was privileged to see The Long Ryders on their recent UK tour, in Leeds in my case. This coincided with me also delving through some of the back catalogue of AUK Classic Clips (No, I don’t ever waste my evenings) and finding that nearly two years ago when we launched this feature I had at a very early stage, personally volunteered a clip of the Long Ryders performing the ‘Lights of Downtown’ on the the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1985. Wind forward 32 years and here is another performance of the same song, only this time a beautiful, harmonious and soulful acoustic version recorded for Bob Harris’s Under the Apple Tree Sessions six years ago. The song is taken down a notch pace wise, the performance is crisp and clean and it’s nice to be reminded of just what an integral part of the band Tom Stevens was as his mellow bass lines chime perfectly with this wonderful version of possibly my favourite Long Ryders song. If anyone bumps into Sid, maybe they could suggest an acoustic album of re-interpreted Long Ryders songs. Can I pre-order now?
