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The Cygnet Ring
The Cygnet Ring will forever be linked with a special part of my life. And in a way it seems fitting to me that they became lost in the system and their album was shelved by East West never to see the light of day. Fitting to me, just annoying to everyone else who knew this vastly underrated band. Bet they were fun live!
Before they were called The Cygnet Ring they were called Playing At Trains and released a few singles that way and demoed an album - but I don't think they released the album.
Occasionally stuff is unearthed and uploaded to the web - but you'll be lucky to find it.
Cygnet Ring released a few 7"s on independednt labels before moving to a "major" who released a few more then decided not to release the album (because, as we all know, record companies haven't a clue).
They were a "Manchester" band, but I'm not sure where exactly they were from. They certainly have that 'dance' sound beloved of the city on some tracks.
I once had the album (it was never released but I found a promo cassette of it in a shop). Then i leant it to my then girlfriend.......and never got it back. I didn't make a copy of it and have never found another.
Absolute favourite Cygnet Ring songs
Lust (demo) - Playing At Trains
Nehal
'Love Crime' (Re-release)
'18 Daze' (Re-release)
'Tell Me What you're Girlfriend Said' (acoustic version)
'The Birds' (acoustic version)
'Banjos In Bengal'
'Hopeful Monsters'
'Just Around The Corner'
What did they sound like? Think of The Cure at their poppiest, James around the time of Laid (that acoustic based pop sound), think adult pop songs that you can actually dance to. There is a danceable groove to many of their songs. They would probably of been superstars if they'd done this in the mid 80s.
There is also a good deal of "Eastern" influences to their sound. No doubt brought about by a trip to India and a meeting with a certain Nehal?
If you want any more Cygnet Ring information - go to this site. It is probably the only Cygnet Ring site on the net. But it is absolutely devoted to the band and has more info than you could ever imagine about a very obscure band:
Hard to find and little known rarities:
18 Daze/Do You Know
7" on North South records
Love Crime/Nehal
7" on North South
- early versions of the two songs.
Pale Guru 12" mix - the first of the extended versions AND available on CD!
Love Crime - East West re-issue
Updated versions of 'Love Crime' and '18 Daze.'
Plus acoustic versions of 'Tell Me What Your Girlfriend Said' and 'The Birds'. I prefer these acoustic versions
The 12" has a 12" Remix of 'Love Crime' on it - an extended mix as was the fashion of the times. The CD version just features the normal version.
Banjos In Begal
The 12" has the "Full Version" on it - an extended mix not available on the CD version. The CD also features the song 'Photograph' which is not on the CD.
Meanwhile the CD has the wonderful 'Hopeful Monsters' on it and acoustic versions of 'Love Crime' and 'Nehal'.