- D - Ian Dury

Starting out with pub rockers Kilburn and the Highroads Ian Dury was at his best when teaming up with the Blockheads. Despite releasing the classic New Boots and Panties [2CD Deluxe Edition] on Stiff Records in 1977 and slotting into the Punk/New Wave genre, the band where always far removed from the raw punk sound. Ian's lyrics also placed the band into a different league.

New Boots is as strong today as when it was released and remains an essential disc. The original release didn't include the punk anthem Sex and Drugs and Rock & Roll but later releases including the deluxe edition added it. There really isn't a weak track on the debut - Sweet Gene Vincent, Clever Trevor, Blockheads and Blackmail Man to name but a few.

Follow up Do It Yourself [2CD Deluxe Edition]from 1979 has also been released in the double  disc deluxe format, the extras include the non album track singles Hit me with your rhythm stick and Reasons to be cheerful  part 3 in addition to a set from the Stiff's live Stiffs tour.

Laughter [2CD Deluxe Edition] kicks off with the catchy Superman's Big Sister and Delusions of Grandeur whilst the bonus tracks include I Wanna be Straight and a collection of Blockheads instumental demos.