MARTIN STEPHENSON & THE DAINTEES

Martin Stephenson and The Daintees are from England. They began recording in the mid 80s for Kitchenware Records (the small label that also brought us Prefab Sprout).

Legend has it they took the name because they wanted to stand apart from all the gloom and doom bands of the time.

While they enjoyed a loyal fan following, their albums didn’t sell to the labels expectations, and they were dropped after their fourth album, The Boy's Heart, failed to be a hit. They broke up shortly after.

For many years, Martin Stephenson recorded as a solo artist.

Ah, but that wasn’t the end of the story. The Daintees recently reformed, and began recording again. Great news for those of us who love their unique brand of folky pop glory. Now if only they would venture back to the States, so I could see them live again. Perhaps come through with Hothouse Flowers, so I could relive one of my favorite concerts.

Oh well. Until then, here’s a bunch of non-album stuff from them:

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Martin Stephenson and The Daintees - “Trouble Town” One of their early singles. This song was never put on any of their albums. Not even the Best Of that came out a while back.
Martin Stephenson and The Daintees - “Eyot” Taken from the “Left Us To Burn” CD single.
Martin Stephenson and The Daintees - “Wholly Humble Heart” (remix) From the Greenpeace: Rainbow Warriors compilation. While it’s nice that they contributed to a worthy cause, the album version (on Gladsome Humour and Blue) is far better.
Martin Stephenson and The Daintees - “Roll On Summertime” The debut single. Again, not issued on any of their albums.
Martin Stephenson and The Daintees - “Come Back To Me” From the “Wholly Humble Heart” 12” single. My copy was well over-played before I was able to convert it to digital, so the sound quality isn’t the best.
Martin Stephenson and The Daintees - “Louis” The b-side of the “Crocodile Cryer” single.
Martin Stephenson and The Daintees - “Crocodile Cryer” (alternate version) This is from a London Records sampler. The original version is on Boat To Bolivia.
Martin Stephenson and The Daintees - “Should My Friends Be Gone” From one of the “Big Sky New Light” CD singles.
Martin Stephenson and The Daintees - “Get Get Gone” Another track from the “Wholly Humble Heart” 12” single. This one was also issued on the expanded version of Gladsome Humour and Blue, but I like the song so much I’m putting it up here anyway.
Martin Stephenson and The Daintees - “Nancy” (promo version) An alternate version of the song from a promo cassette of Gladsome… (thanks to Graham for the info).

Martin Stephenson and The Daintees discography:

Boat to Bolivia, 1986 (buy import)
Gladsome, Humour and Blue, 1988 (buy)
Salutation Road, 1990 (buy import)
The Boy’s Heart, 1992 (buy import)
Western Eagle, 2008 (buy import)

While most of these are from my own Cds and Vinyl, some of them where collected thanks to other music blogs. So, giving credit where it’s due, big thanks to The Vinyl Villain, Moody Places and some guy who's Supplying the Country with Butter.

If anyone else has more b-sides, or interesting things please share. Their stuff is so hard to find around these parts.