The Korgis was re-issued on compact disc by Edsel Records in 1999.
Background
James Warren and Andy Davis formed the Korgis in 1978, when Warren sent Davis a demo tape of his own songs, along with a note inviting Davis to Bath so that they could work together in the recording studio.[1] The duo wrote a number of songs while sitting on the lawn in front of the Royal Crescent and began recording demos at Crescent Studios, which David Lord established in his top-floor flat in Camden Crescent.[1][2]
The duo subsequently decided to record their eponymous debut album there rather than in a professional studio in London as it was significantly cheaper and allowed the duo more studio time to record.[3] They were assisted by a number of musicians, including future Korgis members Stuart Gordon (violin, mandolin, percussion) and Phil Harrison (keyboards, percussion). The album took approximately five months to complete. All of the songs on the album were either written outside the Royal Crescent or in the studio, except "Dirty Postcards" and "If I Had You", which were written before the duo formed the Korgis.[2]
Upon its release, James Belsey of the Bristol Evening Post called The Korgis a "truly attractive debut album of perfectionist pop", with "unmistakable influences from John Lennon" and a "string of witty, mature tracks".[6] Steve Richards of the Grimsby Evening Telegraph commented that Warren and Davis had "maintained all their class, feel for freshness and humour" from their Stackridge days and produced "one very charming album [of] 10 songs, each [with] its own distinct qualities". He added, "I love the simplistic feel of the whole affair and the way it all slots so perfectly together. A very, very welcome release."[7]
Ray King of the Manchester Evening News noted that Warren and Davis are "barking up the right tree at last" as the Korgis and added that the ten tracks on the album "comprise out and out pop melodies, with witty, amusing and always inventive lyrics".[8] Red Starr of Smash Hits found the "odd collection" to be "more interesting and adventurous than 'If I Had You' ever lets on" and continued, "Lightweight and melodic, the Korgis are by turns strange, humourous [sic], clever and romantic, with a generous touch of the legendary Stackridge looniness. Not everything works but mostly very likeable, entertaining stuff."[5]
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