The Charlatans

Tellin' Stories

Beggars Banquet

Released: Monday 21 April 1997

Like Blur, the Charlatans started out as seemingly slight "Madchester" wannabes: Remember the organ-driven hit "The Only One I Know", which nicked its hook from Deep Purple's "Hush"? But the group has matured over the last seven years, becoming a gutsy rock band with a penchant for psychedelicized blues, not unlike the Rolling Stones of Aftermath and Between the Buttons. Sadly, organist Rob Collins was killed in a car crash in Wales in July, 1996, midway through recording this album. His bandmates drew on their pain to complete a cathartic set of songs such as "With No Shoes" and "How Can You Leave Us", which serve as a fitting tribute. --Jim Derogatis

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