Talk about the Passion

I walked by the music rags at Barnes and Noble and saw REM on the cover yesterday. Jan Wenner and Co. say their new record is a return to form, but I’ll believe it when I hear it. Anyhoo, it ignited a big REM kick for me, so I thank them for that and, quite literally, nothing else. *(Except maybe Hunter S. Thompson)

This is a 1982 appearance on Later with Jools Holland on the BBC. (A note to all you “swingers” out there: British Broadcasting Company, not Big Black Cock.) It’s a crying fucking shame the latter two songs are cut off. This is the best live version of “Radio Free Europe” I’ve ever seen or heard. The tidbits of “So. Central Rain” and “Talk about the Passion” are also firstrate, with an energetic and inspired performance by Buck-Berry-Mills, and Stipe at his enigmatic/poignant best.