The Listening Pool

The Listening Pool was an English band, founded by three former members of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), after the original-lineup split in 1989. It was composed of Paul Humphreys, Malcolm Holmes and Martin Cooper.

The group released one album, Still Life (1994).

History

Name

Martin Cooper on how they came up with the band's name from an interview in the Telegraph fanzine:

Paul Humphreys:

Contractual difficulties

The Listening Pool had to overcome a few obstacles before they could release their CD. The Listening Pool could not release any music since Paul Humphreys and Andy McCluskey signed an agreement releasing Paul from his contract with Virgin Records while allowing Andy to continue using the name OMD. Until new OMD material was issued, nothing could be done on Paul’s end.

Martin states in the Telegraph interview:

The Listening Pool originally signed with a record label called Inevitable, which later folded. The Listening Pool then formed their own independent label, Telegraph Records. OMD used the fictitious "Telegraph" label for Dazzle Ships (1983), in order to maintain the image of being signed to an "indie" label.

Debut Album

The Listening Pool released its debut album titled Still Life in 1994. The style of Still Life is quite a change from the electronic sound of the OMD of old utilizing the individual talents of the members with more acoustic drums, saxophone and keyboards.

Split

In 1996, after recording some songs intended for a follow-up album, one of which was titled "Satellite" the band split. Paul Humphreys went on to form the band Onetwo with Claudia Brucken, Martin Cooper resumed his painting career and Mal Holmes continued to work in the music industry.

In 2006 the classic OMD line-up of McCluskey, Humphreys, Cooper, and Holmes reunited, and continued to tour and record.

Discography

Albums

Still Life (1994)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

1. "Meant To Be" – 4:15
2. "Oil for the Lamps of China" – 3:34
3. "Follow Where You Go" – 3:54
4. "Breathless" – 4:17
5. "Somebody Somewhere" (with Paul Roberts) – 4:03
6. "Photograph of You" (with Simon Dutton) – 4:17
7. "Promised the World" – 4:28
8. "Blue Africa" – 4:33
9. "Still Life" – 4:34
10. "Where Do We Go from Here" – 3:33
11. "Wild Strawberries" (with Thomas Lang) – 3:55
12. "Hand Me That Universe" – 2:11

Singles

Oil for the Lamps of China (1993)

• CD single

1. "Oil for the Lamps of China" – 3:34
2. "Where Do We Go From Here" – 3:34
3. "Oil for the Lamps of China (Extended Version)" – 6:02
4. "Oil for the Lamps of China (Instrumental)" – 3:30

• 12" single

1. "Oil for the Lamps of China (Extended Version)" – 6:00
2. "Oil for the Lamps of China (Single Mix)" – 3:30
3. "Where Do We Go From Here" – 3:34

• Cassette single

1. "Oil for the Lamps of China" – 3:34
2. "Where Do We Go From Here" – 3:34
3. "Oil for the Lamps of China (Extended Version)" – 6:02
4. "Oil for the Lamps of China (Instrumental)" – 3:30

Meant To Be (1995)

• CD Single

1. "Meant To Be" – 4:15
2. "Meant To Be (Extended Version)" – 6:42
3. "Meant To Be (Instrumental)" – 4:18

Telegraph Records

The Listening Pool formed their own independent label, Telegraph Records. Besides releasing their own work, they also signed artists like Peter Coyle (both as a solo artist and as part of Pure Journey) and China Crisis. The label was short lived resulting in a brief catalogue.

Releases

References