This month it was the turn of our good ladies to take the reins. The brief was simple: each of us asked our partner to choose the album. No rules, no persuasion (well, not officially). The result? A night that was more eclectic, tuneful, and at times more argumentative than any of us predicted.
Kelly (Bryn’s pick) – Curtain Call: The Hits by Eminem (2005)
Kelly didn’t hesitate — straight for Slim Shady. Curtain Call might be a greatest hits collection, but it’s also a snapshot of early-2000s pop culture at its sharpest and most controversial. From Lose Yourself to Stan, it’s a reminder of how dominant Eminem was — both as a lyricist and lightning rod.
Bryn, however, was less than thrilled. He protested loudly about “that bloody racket,” calling it everything from “aggressive poetry” to “anti-music” – Well he said a lot more but I’ve refined it for the global audience. Kelly stood her ground, and to be fair, I’m glad that she did. For me Eminem is worthy of a place on the top table. Well, not the top table as that just has Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan on it but one near the top table.
Tracks played: Like Toy Soldiers · The Real Slim Shady · Mockingbird · Guilty Conscience
Full Track Listing:
Intro · My Name Is · The Way I Am · Business · Cleanin’ Out My Closet · The Real Slim Shady · Mockingbird · Guilty Conscience · Without Me · Just Lose It · Sing for the Moment · Like Toy Soldiers · Stan (feat. Dido) · Lose Yourself · Shake That (feat. Nate Dogg) · Superman · Encore/Curtains Down
Verso’s View: Hard-hitting, foul-mouthed, but undeniably brilliant. Proof that you can be both mainstream and uncompromising — even if it made Bryn visibly twitch. Shame most of these cannot be played on Felixstowe Radio!
Lucy (Coxy’s pick) – Earthly Days by William Prince (2015)
None of us knew much about William Prince going in — and that’s part of what made Lucy’s pick so intriguing. Prince is a Canadian singer-songwriter from the Peguis First Nation, with a deep, resonant baritone and a knack for quiet, emotional storytelling (thanks Wikipedia). Earthly Days is his debut — a collection of intimate, reflective songs that lean towards country, gospel, and folk in equal measure.
Tracks played: The Carny · Breathless · Earthly Days · Bodyguard and the Beer Girl
Full Track Listing:
The Carny · Breathless · 7 · Earthly Days · Bloom · You Got Me · Bodyguard and the Beer Girl · Travelling Song · Dark Horse · Motion Sick
Verso’s View: The antithesis of Curtain Call. It’s a shame Coxy keeps playing these records by artists that I’ve not heard of. Hard to give a proper analysis. But on the other side it is nice to hear new things (see me being contrary here).
Sally (Jimmy’s pick) – The Mamas & The Papas – 20 Greatest Hits (1980)
Sally brought the harmonies. California Dreamin’, Monday Monday, and Dedicated to the One I Love — all on one LP. It’s sunshine in stereo. Jimmy swore he didn’t influence the choice, but the grin said otherwise.
Each song reminded us just how strong those melodies were — simple, layered, and instantly recognisable.
Tracks played: I Call Your Name · California Dreamin’ · Dedicated to the One I Love · I Saw Her Again (Live)
Full Track Listing:
Monday Monday · California Dreamin’ · Creeque Alley · Dedicated to the One I Love · I Saw Her Again (Live) · Twelve Thirty · Look Through My Window · Dream a Little Dream of Me · Words of Love · Go Where You Wanna Go · I Call Your Name · Dancing in the Street · Twist and Shout · Do You Wanna Dance · Glad to Be Unhappy · Safe in My Garden · Straight Shooter · Somebody Groovy · For the Love of Ivy · Midnight Voyage
Verso’s View: Sometimes a collection like this reminds you why greatest hits exist. Pure craft, effortless vocals, and timeless melodies. A must have for most people.
Katie (Verso’s pick) – Dirty Dancing – Original Soundtrack (1987)
Katie went full nostalgia — and who’s arguing (apart from Bryn, Coxy and Jimmy)? Few soundtracks defined an era quite like Dirty Dancing. From Be My Baby to Hungry Eyes, every track is a singalong waiting to happen. The group didn’t like She’s Like the Wind so points lost there. I’m sure they do it on purpose.
Tracks played: (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life · Be My Baby · She’s Like the Wind · Hungry Eyes
Full Track Listing:
(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes · Be My Baby – The Ronettes · She’s Like the Wind – Patrick Swayze · Hungry Eyes – Eric Carmen · Stay – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs · Yes – Merry Clayton · You Don’t Own Me – The Blow Monkeys · Hey Baby – Bruce Channel · Overload – Zappacosta · Love Is Strange – Mickey & Sylvia · Where Are You Tonight – Tom Johnston · In the Still of the Night – The Five Satins
Verso’s View: Wall-to-wall hits, pure 80s warmth, and impossible not to enjoy. A perfect closer.
Closing Verdict
“What the Girls Picked” might sound like a wildcard theme, but it delivered one of the most rounded nights we’ve had. Four albums spanning four decades and completely different moods — rap, roots, classic pop, and pure soundtrack joy. It also confirmed what we already knew: our other halves have taste. Even when Bryn doesn’t.
Next time? Who knows. But it will be fun.