Sheela-Na-Gig by PJ Harvey
“Sitting in my room at Sussex Uni in 1992, listening to a John Peel session on the radio, never having heard of PJ Harvey, this song came on and I was so utterly smitten I actually got up really early on the day of the album's release, to queue outside an independent Brighton record shop so that I'd get one of the first 1000 copies of the album that came with a free CD of her demo tracks. I was the only one outside the store. The store owner even smirked at me when he turned up with his keys. I could have stayed in bed. And although my love affair with the Peej has waned & waxed over the years, certain tunes of hers will remain in my top tunes of all time and this one more than any other...”
4 lovesThis jam was posted by 54 people
but ZenPyramid was first
Sitting in my room at Sussex Uni in 1992, listening to a John Peel session on the radio, never having heard of PJ Harvey, this song came on and I was so utterly smitten I actually got up really early on the day of the album's release, to queue outside an independent Brighton record shop so that I'd get one of the first 1000 copies of the album that came with a free CD of her demo tracks. I was the only one outside the store. The store owner even smirked at me when he turned up with his keys. I could have stayed in bed. And although my love affair with the Peej has waned & waxed over the years, certain tunes of hers will remain in my top tunes of all time and this one more than any other...
So much better than the album version. Polly Jean has my heart.
...day two. Second day, second barrel; on to the weird stuff tomorrow...
5
I decided almost as soon as I heard that TIMJ was being archived that this would be my final Jam. PJ has been a touchstone for me since 'Dry' - I suspect I'll never not listen to her. Although it's her least typical album, White Chalk is achingly beautiful, and this seemed an appropriate epitaph. Thanks @Han and @flaneur for a great ride.
