Free World: The Best Of Kirsty Maccoll 1979-2000, Kirsty Maccoll, LP

For the very first time on yellow vinyl, and following demand from an active and enthusiastic fanbase, Demon Music are proud to present a career spanning collection featuring 25 of Kirsty MacColl's most popular recordings on a 2LP set. Between her June 1979 debut single 'They Don't Know' and her tragic death in 2000, Kirsty released five studio albums and seventeen singles, a succinct but consistently high quality body of work, much of it self-written or in partnership with notable collaborators like Graham Gouldman, or Johnny Marr. Whether she was exploring themes of love and loss, or applying her original and often witty world view, Kirsty's talent as a songwriter and singer is instantly apparent on this new compilation. She was equally adept at throwing new light on old favourites - look no further than her (some might say better than the original) covers of The Kinks' 'Days', and Billy Bragg's 'A New England', both included here. The respect for Kirsty's craft can be heard in the versions of her songs recorded by the likes of Tracey Ullman, ABBA's Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Bette Midler, while her rich, unique and in demand voice saw her back Simple Minds, the Rolling Stones, The Smiths, Talking Heads, Happy Mondays, The Wonder Stuff, Alison Moyet, and Robert Plant, among others. Born in Croydon, England, Kirsty's roots as a performer began in the fertile late '70s Punk and New Wave scene, but with her style adapting as her influences broadened, her songwriting took in Pop, Folk, Country, Rock 'n' Roll, Dance, and Latin music, all of which can be heard on this celebration of a much loved and much missed talent.