The Last Stiff Covers Compilation...

One of the first Stiff Records that I bought was a sampler called The Last Stiff Compilation... (Until The Next One). Some of the artists weren't signed to Stiff, which was confusing. Anyway, this is the last of the Stiff covers collections... unless I find enough for another one. Today's post brings the total to 117 songs, which is probably more than enough.

Stiff cofounder Dave Robinson achieved international success with artists like Madness and The Pogues. The label was profitable, but Robinson took on debt while trying to rescue the struggling Island Records. Island survived, but Stiff went under in 1987. Stiff was reactivated in 2007 under new ownership, signing new bands and reissuing old titles.

Lots of Mickey Jupp tunes this time, including one from the man himself. Nick Lowe also appears, playing along with Los Straitjackets on their version of his instrumental "Shake That Rat" from the Bowi EP (1977). Wreckless Eric is here as well, with a song from the New Boots And Panties cover album. 

There are multiple tributes to Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Damned, Madness and The Pogues.  There are at least two tribute albums dedicated to the Stiff label. I couldn't find any covers of some Stiff artists, such as King Kurt, Joe "King" Carrasco, or John Otway (surely someone has attempted to recapture the madness of "Headbutts"?) 

I did find a German version of "Fairytale Of New York" with Nina Hagen in the Kirsty MacColl role (it's called "Weihnachtsnaach"). I didn't include it, but you do get a Yiddish version of "Night Boat To Cairo", so please don't kvetch.

Thanks again to Zigzagwanderer, this time for Sarah Borges.