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Lennon & McCartney, Berlin & Sondheim, John & Taupin, Chas & Dave, Sam & Mark. All duos with a phenomenal gift for writing songs that the nation sings as one. However, there is a strong feeling that Sussex based duo WS & Worthington should be added to this list of greats as their musical stock increases – so ironic that in this age of pre-packaged pop idols, that this duo can fly in the face of this whilst remaining both “popular” and “idle”. Like many artists they contrast while complimenting. WS is a free-spirited global traveler who prefers the “dark” of the former Russian Empire being regularly heartened by the “light” contained within the personalities of those met on the journey, while Worthington travels occasionally to Mediterranean beach resorts – full of sunshine and light but often appalled at the darkness of the Burberry-clad English tourist.
They first collaborated in 1999 with their now classic but hard-to-find album “Worthing Rock”. This album cited Sammy Donnelly, Danny Smith, Mark Burt, Simon Funnell and Damian Webber as major influences and was almost punk in its sound. With tracks such as “If you want to go to heaven” and “Worthing Rock,” written by Scottish concept artist Bernie Devlin, the duo set the wheels in motion for future projects. Collaboration with local MC Richard “Goodybag” Goodyear failed to materialize as his creative energies were channeled into “The Mark Burt Project” – a collection of spoken word interviews layered over lavish drumbeats.
The difficult second album was to follow and was it total contrast to the rough and ready sound of “Worthing Rock”. “We’ll support you ever more” was the title of this reflective album. I don’t think we can ever gauge the effect of losing mentor Sammy Donnelly from the Woodside Recordings family had on the duo, but it if this collection of reflective melancholy songs was anything to go by, then it was crushing.
Stand-out tracks included the political protest track (Sample line - Why he had to go, we all know – they docked his pay) “Yesterday (Show me the way to Old Barn Way)”, “Marky Rice Rice Rice”, “Gavin Geddes the Worthing Goal Machine”, “Hey Burty”, “I’m in the mood for Vanson” (Featuring the RAC), “Seago’s on and he’s gonna score a goal” along with standout experimental track “Pikachu” (where modern cultural iconology meets pop) This album is highly regarded and a recent bootleg recording of “The Waggon & Horses Sessions” recently sold on Ebay for a vast sum. It is rare as it doesn’t feature Worthington at all, but does feature the vocal talents of a number of guest artistes.
Their third release saw the duo take a nostalgic look back at the 1980’s. The excess of this decade was in sharp contrast to the duo’s constant struggle to be inspired by what was going on around them. However, the album “The Man in the Smoking Aviators” enjoyed some commercial success with tracks such as “Oh Bla Die, Oh Bla Da, Gavin Jones”, “Weserley” and “Rapps the way I like it” and they embraced World Music for the first time with experimental track “Allez, allez, allez, Flo, Flo, Flo”. Their biggest hit yet happened with “Hey hey for the Mark Knee” and many considered “Ben Carrington (Good times never seemed so good)” and “Ooh Andy Walker” to be some of their freshest work to date. They also took part in the Gary Young Golden Jubilee Celebrations by penning “Who put the ball in the Lewes net (Gary Gary Young)” which enjoyed huge commercial success with its crossover appeal.
With accusations that they had “sold out”, they released the dark EP “Jimmy - Are you going for the train?” in March. Performances of tracks from this now-notorious EP at The Dripping Pan caused a near riot, as the powerful lyrics were just too much for some to take. WS & Worthington were amazed at what their work had caused and took a sabbatical in the summer.
Many thought that would be the end of the partnership as they both felt creatively dry. What was to follow was totally unpredictable. Much like the Beatles and their Indian influenced period – the duo had headed to a tiny village in the Essex countryside and released their finest work to date – the Aftershock-influenced “Disco Shoes”. No one could have guessed that they could make disco work again but, just like the Bee Gees, this album boosted their career again. In fact, most critics generally regard “Disco Shoes” as the “Saturday Night Fever” of its generation. Almost every track on this euphoric album has enjoyed air-time “Nko E-Ko-Ku”, “Nice One Sammy”, “Shauny Grice Grice Grice”, “Oh-oh-oh, Des Guiler” and title track “Disco Shoes”, an uplifting celebration of the optimism fuelled by a pair of disco shoes – perhaps the feet symbolizing the freedom of the people in the now liberated Woodside Road.
So where now for WS & Worthington? They are believed to be embracing the urban style of music so prevalent today and have already colluded with Worthing’s Cobden Krew and the Selden Brovaz in Arms in what is described as their edgiest work yet. Urban artist MC Harvey has been particularly vocal in letting WS & Worthington know what he thinks of their work although it is unlikely he will be involved in any joint project. Watch this space.
WS & Worthington’s new album is expected in the summer and will be released on Woodside Recordings. The duo’s work will be performed at a number of venues around the South East of the UK from August.
7th Feb 2004