Rarer Than Most (1995)
In September 1995, six big names found themselves in the same room for a charity record. Paul McCartney, Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher, Steve Craddock, Steve White, and Carleen Anderson. They called themselves Smokin’ Mojo Filters and knocked out a ragged, joyful cover of Come Together for the War Child Help! album.
And that was it. One track. Done and dusted.
But the voices in my head wouldn’t let it rest. They kept saying: “What if they’d made a whole album?” Not a best-of, not a greatest hits — but something from the bits that didn’t make their main solo/band records. The B-sides, live cuts, oddities and overlooked gems they were all working on at the time. 1994 to 1996 was a rich patch for all of them, so there was plenty to choose from.
So here it is. Rarer Than Most. A fantasy LP built from the backroom treasures of six musicians who could’ve, just maybe, made one of the great 90s records if they’d hung around the studio a bit longer. Hours of trawling through the internet and multiple Wikipedia tabs open got me there.
Supergroups
The gold standard of supergroups? Number one without a shadow of a doubt are the Travelling Wilburys – George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison. They only made two albums (1988 and 1990) but left a mark big enough to make every pub jukebox in Britain feel a bit cooler.
Then you’ve got The Highwaymen – Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson – four country legends who turned their mutual respect into three albums and a touring powerhouse.
Smokin’ Mojo Filters could have been the Britpop-era’s entry on that list. McCartney bringing the Beatles link (and Wilbury connection through Harrison), Weller with the mod and soul grit, Gallagher with the swagger, and Anderson, Cradock, and White giving it both soul and rock chops. It would’ve been the UK’s answer to those all-star line-ups – a one-off gathering that actually stuck around long enough to make more than one song.
1. Come Together – Full Band
(Released 9 September 1995 – Help! charity album)
The real deal — the one song that actually happened. McCartney on bass, Weller and Gallagher sharing lines like old drinking pals, Carleen Anderson tearing into it like she’s at Sunday service. Recorded in a single day at Abbey Road, you can hear the laughter between the notes.
2. Talk Tonight – Noel Gallagher (feat. McCartney on harmony – imagined)
(Released 24 April 1995 – B-side to Oasis Some Might Say)
An acoustic Oasis B-side from a moment when Noel had gone walkabout in America. Stripped and sincere. I’ve “cast” McCartney on harmonies here – because tell me you can’t hear that working.
3. Cosmically Conscious – Paul McCartney
(Released 12 April 1993 – B-side to Off the Ground)
A bright, hippyish tune McCartney had knocking about since the late 60s, finally put out in the 90s. Here I imagine Weller on co-vocals, Craddock adding that jangly touch he does so well.
4. Sexy Sadie – Paul Weller
(Released 28 November 1994 – B-side to Out of the Sinking)
Weller covering The Beatles. Not many people can get away with it without sounding like a pub turn, but Weller does it his way. Stripped back, steady, and respectful.
5. Nervous Breakdown (Extended Mix) – Carleen Anderson
(Released 1994 – single remix from True Spirit era)
Carleen doing what Carleen does – big, soulful and commanding. The extended mix lets her stretch out. Imagine McCartney’s bass and White’s drums underneath… you’d never want it to end.
6. Day Tripper (Live at GMEX) – Noel, Liam, Craddock, White
(Performed 20 September 1995 – The Help Show, Manchester GMEX)
Oasis and Ocean Colour Scene bashing out Day Tripper live. It’s rough round the edges, but that’s the charm. You can almost smell the Lynx Africa and stale beer in the air.
7. That Spiritual Feeling – Paul Weller
(Released 6 June 1994 – B-side to Hung Up)
An instrumental from Weller that just rolls along and puts you in a good mood. The sort of track you’d have on while the kettle boils.
8. Fade Away (Help! acoustic version) – Noel Gallagher
(Released 9 September 1995 – Help! charity album)
Noel again from the Help! sessions, just him and an acoustic guitar. A bit worn around the edges, but heartfelt. Carleen on a quiet backing vocal would have been the icing on the cake.
9. Huckleberry Grove – Steve Craddock
(Recorded 1995 – later released March 1997 on B-sides, Seasides & Freerides)
A gentle, folky instrumental from the OCS man. You could stick this between two big songs and it’d give everyone a breather.
10. Another New Day – Paul Weller
(Released 4 September 1995 – B-side to Broken Stones)
One of Weller’s B-sides from ’95. Easy-going and optimistic – it feels like someone opening the curtains and letting the sun in.
11. Looking for You – Paul McCartney
(Recorded 1995–96 – Flaming Pie sessions, unreleased)
A McCartney track from the mid-90s that never made an album. Bouncy, catchy, and with enough swagger to fit this lot perfectly.
12. Come Together (Reprise) – Carleen Anderson & Full Band
(Fictional recording – 1995 Abbey Road session outtake in my head)
Slow it down, add gospel touches, and give everyone a moment in the spotlight before the album ends.
Why I Did This
Because the voices in my head told me to.
Because the 90s were full of these crossovers and what-ifs.
Because Come Together felt like a door opening… and then slamming shut too soon.
Rarer Than Most is my way of kicking that door open again, even if only in my imagination. And now, hopefully, in yours too.
