Sheep Farming in Barnet

Infobox Album
Name = Sheep Farming in Barnet
Type = Album
Artist = Toyah


Released =
3 August 1979 LP: 22 February 1980
Recorded =
Genre = New Wave, Punk rock
Length =
Label = Safari Records
Producer = Steve James, Keith Hale
Reviews =
Last album =
This album = "Sheep Farming in Barnet" (1979)
Next album = "The Blue Meaning" (1980)

"Sheep Farming in Barnet" is the debut album by Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1979 by Safari Records. The album was originally released as a 6-track extended EP, dubbed an "Alternate Play" record by Safari, and was later expanded into full-album status. The album was later reissued on CD, cassette and white vinyl by Great Expectations in 1990, and again on CD by Safari themselves in 2002, this time digitally remastered and coupled with the band's second album, "The Blue Meaning".

The album was produced by Steve James and future band member Keith Hale, and was released as an AP on 3 August 1979, with the album version following in February 1980. The album was originally compiled by the band's German record label, EMI Electrola, but importation of the disc was so widespread, Safari decided to cash in and follow suit. The tracks added included several songs which did not make the original tracklisting, and the debut single "Victims Of The Riddle" (originally released in July 1979), plus its b-side "Victims Of The Riddle (Vivisection)".

Several tracks from the album became firm live favourites, and featured on two later live albums. Toyah Willcox still performs the tracks "Danced" and "Neon Womb" in her live sets.

Track listing

Original EP

#"Neon Womb" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush) 4.24
#"Indecision" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush/Henry) 2.44
#"Waiting" (Willcox/Bray) 3.17
#"Our Movie" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush) 3.04
#"Danced" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush) 4.42
#"Last Goodbye" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush) 3.00

LP Version

#"Neon Womb" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush) 4.24
#"Indecision" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush/Henry) 2.44
#"Waiting" (Willcox/Bray) 3.17
#"Computer" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush) 3.06
#"Victims Of The Riddle" (Willcox/Hales/James/Bogen/Bush) 3.38
#"Elusive Stranger" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush) 4.55
#"Our Movie" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush) 3.04
#"Danced" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush) 4.42
#"Last Goodbye" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush) 3.00
#"Victims Of The Riddle (Vivisection)" (Willcox/Hales/James/Bogen/Bush) 3.52
#"Race Through Space" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush) 3.17

2002 reissue bonus tracks

12. "Bird In Flight" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush/Francis/Bray) 3.56
13. "Tribal Look" (Willcox/Bogen/Bush/Francis/Bray) 3.25

Personnel

* Toyah Willcox - vocals
* Joel Bogen - guitar
* Mark Henry - bass
* Steve Bray - drums
* Peter Bush - keyboards
* Keith Hale - keyboards on "Victims Of The Riddle" and "Victims Of The Riddle (Vivisection)"

Production

* Producers: Steve James and Keith Hale.