Jollification

Running Time: 40.33
Release date: 5th September 1994
Date first charted: 17th September 1994
Highest UK chart position: 12
Weeks on chart: 75
Label: Epic
Catalogue number: 477237
Formats: CD, LP, Cassette, Minidisc

Personnel credits:
All instruments played by Ian Broudie & Simon Rogers with:
– Clive Layton: Hammond Organ & piano
– Backing vocals: Ian, Terry Hall, Alison Moyet, Ian McNabb, Carl Brown, Simon Fowler.
– “Why Why Why” sung by Marina Van Rody.
– “My Best Day” sung by Ian Broudie and Alison Moyet
Produced by Ian Broudie & Simon Rogers.
Mixed by Dave Bascombe.
Engineered by Cenzo Townshend

Running order and writing credits:

1. Perfect (Ian Broudie)
2. Lucky You (Ian Broudie / Terry Hall)
3. Open Goals (Ian Broudie)
4. Change (Ian Broudie)
5. Why Why Why (Ian Broudie)
6. Marvellous (Ian Broudie)
7. Feeling Lazy (Ian Broudie /Ian McNabb)
8. My Best Day (Ian Broudie /Alison Moyet)
9. Punch and Judy (Ian Broudie)
10. Telling Tales (Ian Broudie)

My Notes:
Jollification, the third album by the Lightning Seeds, is arguably their finest moment. Featuring the singles Lucky You, Change, Marvellous and Perfect, this album was the first LP released in the UK on their new record label, Epic. In the States it was the first and last release on the indie label Trauma Records. Without a label, and really without any pressure aside maybe a couple of studio break-ins (read Ian’s book), Jollification was recorded and completed in 1993. However, in 1994 with a new record deal with Epic, the Lightning Seeds were about to become a serious concern. One of the conditions were the Lightning Seeds needed to become a band and tour. So old pal Chris Sharrock (uncle of current drummer Jim Sharrock) and epic bassist Martyn Campbell were enlisted as the rhythm section, with Paul Hemmings on guitar and Ali Kane on keyboards joining after.

A slow burner, Jollification failed to set the album charts alight initially, the same with lead single Lucky You. However, some joint dates with Terry Hall and touring got the name out. Then the start of 1995 saw the release of Change, with a Top of the Pops appearance giving the Lightning Seeds their first top 20 single since Pure. This gave Jollification the boost it needed, and with playing live and the release of Marvellous, Perfect and the re-release of Lucky You, the sales of Jollification ticked over quite nicely until it peaked at number 12 in the UK charts and nearly 30 years on is a million seller. It’s my favourite Lightning Seeds album. Hang on, SCRUB THAT, it’s my favourite album full stop.