1 / 1 - Then
1 / 2 - Always In Mind
2 / 1 - You Can Talk To Me
2 / 2 - Polar Bear

Buy Buy coloured vinyl
Buy coloured vinyl

Available now is The Charlatans BBC live session, the eighth session from the upcoming BBC Radio Sessions Volume 2, from Beggars Arkive. Spanning decades from 1978 to 2000, each session has been remastered at Abbey Road and pressed to its own 12” clear vinyl record. These sessions capture the raw energy and unique spirit of BBC Radio's Peel Sessions, featuring exclusive recordings from bands on Beggars Banquet, Wiiija & Too Pure.

This will be available digitally on December 5th.

On 20 March 1990, The Charlatans recorded a BBC session that captured the band at the crest of their early momentum. Featuring “Then,” “Always In Mind,” “You Can Talk To Me,” and “Polar Bear,” the set showcased their distinctive blend of swirling Hammond organ, laid-back grooves, and melodic flair. The session highlighted the strength of their songwriting and live chemistry ahead of the release of their debut album, offering a snapshot of a group honing a sound that would soon define a key moment in British alternative music.

That same year, The Charlatans released Some Friendly through Beggars Banquet, a partnership that helped launch the band into the national spotlight. Led by Tim Burgess’s unmistakable vocals and Rob Collins’s psychedelic keyboard lines, the album reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, fuelled by singles such as “The Only One I Know.” Beggars Banquet’s backing was instrumental in bringing The Charlatans’ vibrant, groove-laden sound to a wider audience, establishing them as a lasting presence in UK indie music. Their 1990 BBC Session remains a vital early document of a band just beginning a long and evolving career.