/Rock-Pop/British / European

MARSEILLE FIGS
jumbo / the long goodbye

Release Date: 12/10/2009

jumbo / the long goodbye is the figs' second release.the london-based trio pulls out all the stops, with stellar guest performances throughout from the great double bassist john edwards and what is effectively the pogues' rhythm section: drummer andrew ranken, bassist darryl hunt and co-producing banjoist jem finer. alone on the a-side is jumbo, a great galloping theme-song, big, bright and unstoppable. with a nod to the great shadow morton and phil spector productions of the mid-60s, jumbo blows the figs' driving, acoustic sound up to epic proportions, with rushing locomotive horns, prickling guitars, a 16-piece choir, and a jubilant, instantly memorable chorus. side b has the long goodbye ep, which goes great guns through three high-toned rave-ups - the defiantly derelict my latest mistake, the honky-tonky bad bad baby and the juvenile delinquency of the human tragedy - before rolling into the long goodbye, a piano-led barroom ballad, which closes the record with a swaying big-band refrain, a chorus of whistlers and a 'drunken dogpile'of a singalong. marseille figs facts: the band is based around the core three members (j. maizlish, dorian mcfarland and tom chant), with an ever-expanding list of regular contributors and guests. these songs were recorded at the first few sessions for an upcoming full-length album, the bee sting, which will be unleashed in 2010. the record was co-produced and mixed by brian o%u2019shaughnessy (of my bloody valentine, birdie and primal scream fame). lp includes free download card. produced by jem finer (the pogues) & j. maizlish. additional production & mixing by brian o'shaughnessy. recorded in london and berlin by joe leach, michigan flint and brian o'shaughnessy. all songs by j. maizlish (wardlaw banks ltd). with special guests: andrew ranken (drums & percussion), john edwards (double bass), jem finer (banjo & elec. guitar), darryl hunt (the pogues,bass), and paul seacroft (elec. guitar). also featuring the 8-piece jumbo chorale.