Cocteau Twins - Peel Session 1982

The world was a better place with john peel in it

John Peel, radio one's most formidable champion of independent musicians and labels. never be another quite like him.

Alas Dies Laughing is absolutely frigid, what an early masterpiece

For me, Garlands was easily the best Cocteau Twins Album for me, so raw, so perfect. I was 14/15 so listened to Peel religiously and yes, I taped his shows and didn’t edit out his voice.

first heard this a little over 42 years ago. radio on, cassette tape ready to press record. John Peel sessions were nearly always the cutting edge of hip sounds, and these guys were some of the best to record their music for him. still as original now as it was then.

This session was my introduction to The Cocteau Twins. I was just 17, recently relocated with my family to a new town, I knew nobody my own age and spent my evenings in my room playing records and listening to Peel. This recording takes me right back to those days. Bittersweet for sure but more sweet than bitter. I discovered so much music from listening to the John Peel show, there will never be another like him. They try, but they all fail because they 'play the game' and treat Peel's legacy as some sort of marketable genre. THE John Peel stage, THE John Peel sessions... ''ooh yeah John Peel, legend... '' if you weren't listening to him, you'll never know... Influential? Nah, not really. He was ignored most of the time by the mainstream, nobody respected him apart from the inky music press and the spotty geeks sat up in their bedrooms with their tape recorders on 'record/play & pause' waiting for the next interesting song. Since his death, John Peel has become a product, a saleable genre. 'New music' & the beatification of it is just another thing the mainstream has enveloped and sucked into its profiteering maw. John was the real deal, the last of his kind on mainstream media. What they're doing with his name and legacy is abhorrent. John Peel spins in his grave at 33 rpm, sorry, 45, I played that at the wrong speed.

Upon hearing The Cocteau Twins around this period in history, via John Peel's BBC World Service Show, a young person's life was changed and enlightened. Forever grateful to John Peel.

That bass on wax and wane. God.

In the summer of 1982, I was 13 but not yet 13 if you know what I mean. MTV was new. Did not discover CT until four years later. Still will always be my favorite. I am 51 now. Started playing guitar 1980. Went through ALL the phases. All the pop at the time, then Metal. Long story. But CT will always be my favorite, formative, band. Want to hear them when I am dying.

It's amazing to see how many people's stories are connected somehow to the Peel Sessions. Friendships, love stories, moving to new homes or cities, garage bands... Every music lover is connected to John Peel, and that's really why he's been so important.

Precocious talent, all three of them

One of the best dream pop or shoegaze band.garlands and head over heels absolutely masterpieces

Wax and wane is like a time machine. Gets me back to the 80’s, in my room: Where’s Pa’? Where’s Ma’?, need to stop reading Kafka and get my high school homework ready for Monday, need to plan my life!! ...... I’m back: what’s in this coffee?

I was in London in 1982 and JP played Wax and Wane....I was mesmerized...recorded the show by chance...then they announced a show at the ICA...and I thought: I will save every penny to see them! For a whole week I didn't take the tube to save money...on the day of the show it was pouring rain!!! Cats and dogs and what have you! London oh London! I couldn't afford to get sick...missed the show...regret to this day...same thing happen with the Genesis reunion show in Milton Keynes...bloody hell! England oh England!

John Peel was the person outside of my family who was most influential on my life even though I only met him once. RIP John, you legend

Beautiful. Peel sessions over anything else ever recorded.

I cannot get this to go loud enough. magnificent.

A friend from work once played on the John peel show, Steve Robson, he played lead with spray dog, i still have the CD now

my fave CT session. Life got a whole lot worse for a lot of us when JP passed away. I think he had more impact on other peoples lives than anyone else . There was never a DJ like him before and certainly not after, though a couple tried, nobody could fill the void. a truly great man

Perfect for when Joy Division doesn't seem to have enough melody...perfect for when Strawberry Switchblade isn't sounding dark enough...perfect