Here's a very informative article from Uncut Magazine published in February 2010 about the genesis of that most seminal of Massive Attack tracks - Unfinished Sympathy. And yes, it's my favourite Massive Attack track of all time (on most days anyway). At least that's not as cliche as saying my favourite Massive track is Teardrop. :lol:
The magazine article itself has some new quotes from all the major players involved - 3D, Shara Nelson, Baillie Walsh (the video director) and Wil Malone (the string arranger).
I always love hearing about the behind the secenes process behind any Massive Attack song, and this article has some great insights. One thing that's interesting reading it, is how pretty minor things can have a big impact in the overall picture.
If it had'nt of been for Shara taking a tea break in the recording studio back on that day in 1990 (where she had the melody and lyrics just come to her), for instance, we might never have got Unfinished Sympathy.
The same could be said about the the shoot in Los Angeles for the video. Originally, it was going to be a far more elaborate camera setup, but the camera operator got knackered after the first take, so in the end the video ended up being alot more simple in comparison. Simplicity, in the end that made it a classic promo clip.
If your getting tired with the history lesson, here's the promo video down below. I'm sure we've all seen it.
Massive Attack's debut album, Blue Lines came out in April 1991, so you'll have to forgive me as I'm nearly 6 months behind on writing this post to mark its 25th anniversary.
For this post, I'm going to be offering up my own top 10 moments (with video evidence courtesy of YouTube!), of Massive Attack performing live from their birth as a live band in the mid-nineties, up until last year's controversial Adam Curtis co-production.
I think if your on this site, reading this now, then Mr. Davidge doesn't need much of an introduction - he's been the man behind the curtain with regards to Massive Attack, for near enough two decades now, quietly getting things done in the studio co-writing and producing alongside D&G.