Video Rideo

1981

CA's first album. Originally released on the 22 June 1981. Gerard found the cover image and therefore the name (which means "I see and smile"). It shows the eye of God hovering over the Houses of Parliament. In the full image God is in fact watching the Gunpowder Plot unfolding and laughing (rather cynically in my opinion) at its futility. It occurs to me now that I was very unfair in relegating John's contribution to the album to the "Also;" section of the credits. BN

Mastering and design by Ben. Copies currently available on the web (10/2003) priced at 49 euros and $75! On release it sold for £1.75. Throbbing Gristle's "the mission is terminated" announcement came the day after the release. Six months later Con Tapes terminated its mission. GG

For those with a thirst for more information – and a passing interest in early-modern British history – there is a PDF attachment to this page (see below), "The Video Rideo Motif and Album Artwork". This is a highly illustrated nine-page piece on the iconography (of which the etching that was the source of the Video Rideo cover is a significant example) surrounding the Spanish Armada of 1588 and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 (rock 'n' roll!), and ends with the full album artwork and a band photo from 1980. We know that CA fans are a small and curious demographic, and we strive to meet that challenge. GG, 10/10/26

liner notes

CULTURAL AMNESIA ARE;

Gerard Greenway, Ben Norland - Organ, Vocals, Synth, Piano, Modified Piano, Melodica, Oscillator, Ocarinas, Tapes

Also;

John Peacock - Guitar, Saxophone, Tapes
Geff Rushton - Organ, Violin
Helen Craig - Organ
Andy Martin - Drums

Many thanks to John Seabrook for support.

An Iron Banana Product.

I See and Smile

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The Video Rideo Motif and Album Artwork 10 10 26