Silently Sparkling - Reviews Sparkle

Sparkle
My Life Story's second single released on Parlophone was Sparkle. It was a re-recording of one of their previous singles and a live favourite. Sparkle was due for release on the 21st October 1996, but was delayed a week due to problems with the cover artwork. Despite Sparkle entered the U.K top 40 at number 34 and only stayed in the chart for one week.

Sparkle received a favourable review in Melody Maker, but not good enough to qualify it for "single of the week". That honour went to the Spice Girls...
Oh, I can hardly bring myself to say it, but it's not nearly as good as the "Mornington Crescent" original - the strings don't sweep as much, Jake's singing in a different key (it's their new direction, don'tcha know?!) and in the musical break the bongos are higher in the mix than the violins!
The lyrics, and abrupt kiss-off to a boring ex-girlfriend ("If you took my hand would I still be blind/Cos you don't sparkle, you don't shine"), haven't been changed mind, and lyrics are the most important thing as far as I'm concerned.
I still love them, though.

The run-outs on the 7" carried the following inscription

A: MLS 4 Man Ray O.K.
B: For a good time call MLS 0836 600913

If you phone this number will you find get Jamie Nelson's (A&R man) mobile phone

The run-outs on the promotional 12" single carried the following inscriptions.

A: Oi, Tunkin, play this side at Blow Up
B: Oi, Martin, play this side at Smashing

My Life Story on this recording are
Jake Shillingford: Voice Paul Seipel: Bass Danny Turner: Keyboards Simon Wray: Drums Lucy Wilkins: 1st Violin Becki Doe: 2nd Violin	Rob Spriggs: Viola Ollie Kraus: Cello Sarah Willson: Cello Ben Spencer: Saxophone Mark Bradley: 1st Trumpet Roxanna Shirley: 2nd Trumpet

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