If any song’s melodic appeal can be tested by applying its tune to a simple piano, most of the pieces from THE DAMNED catalogue prove to be more than arresting when done that way. Usually these kinds of interpretations come from external sources which have nothing to do with the original artist, but in the case of cuts which Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies and their friends made part of collective consciousness ivories-based readings emerged recently from within the band’s ranks. On September 5th, Monty Oxymoron, who has been playing keyboards with the British punk legends for nigh on three decades and knows their repertoire inside and out, issues a collection of the group’s classics – and more.
There are 19 tracks on an album titled “The Piano Plays ‘Til Midnight” and navigating its course around “New Rose” and other obvious choices which got left outside of its scope inn favor of deeper cuts and four dedications to Monty’s colleagues. Intriguing!
The Piano Plays ‘Til Midnight
1. Beauty Of The Beast
2. Wait For The Blackout
3. Absinthe
4. History Of The World
5. Life Goes On
6. Smash It Up
7. I Just Can’t Be Happy Today
8. Shadow Of Love
9. Limit Club
10. The Dog
11. Disco Man
12. Nature’s Dark Passion
13. Under The Floor
14. Generals
15. Black Is The Night
16. For Captain Sensible
17. For Dave Vanian
18. For Paul Gray
19. For Stu And Pinch
