MARILLION – Easter From the album Seasons End, this seasonal single reached the top 40 in April 1990.
The song was written by singer Steve Hogarth, who wanted it to be “for Ireland what The Skye Boat Song is to Scotland”.
BLUE NILE – Easter Parade The shortest track from their 1984 debut album, A Walk Across The Rooftops, Easter Parade is one of
Blue Nile’s most evocative tracks. They also recorded a version with fan Rickie Lee Jones, whom they had supported on tour. This version of the song was released on the B-side of Headlights on the Parade from their next album, Hats. With four albums in 24 years, Blue Nile are hardly prolific, so don’t expect a new album until 2016. Maybe.
EASTER PARADE (the musical) Promoted as The Happiest Musical Ever Made, 1948’s Easter Parade was a successful coming together of Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. Things might have been different had Astaire not replaced Gene Kelly, who had broken his ankle playing volleyball. Irving Berlin wrote all the songs, while musical collaborators Johnny Green and Roger Edens scooped the music Oscar for best scoring on a musical picture.
MITCH EASTER Let’s Active frontman turned record producer Mitch Easter has worked with artists as varied as Marshall Crenshaw, Pavement and REM. He produced REM’s early singles and first two albums and supported them on tour with his own band. Let’s Active split in 1990 and he finally released his first solo album in 18 years, Dynamico, last year with the sound staying true to his new wave, power pop roots.
PATTI SMITH GROUP – Easter The Patti Smith Group’s most accessible and musically diverse album features her biggest hit Because the Night, which she co-wrote with Bruce Springsteen. The album’s title is mirrored in the plethora of religious imagery used throughout.
• Paul Johnston is the co-founder of Scottish music website
www.jocknroll.co.uk