The First of a Million Kisses is the debut album by British folk and soft rock band Fairground Attraction, released on 16 May 1988 by RCA Records. It includes the number-one single "Perfect".

Composition The album is a characteristic blend of folk, jazz, country, and Cajun elements, with all but one of its songs being written by band member Mark E. Nevin. It followed the success of the band's first single, "Perfect", entering the UK Albums Chart at number seven, and peaking at number two. It was the only album released by the band before their break-up in 1990.

Three other singles were released from the album: "Find My Love" (which reached number seven in the UK Singles Chart), "A Smile in a Whisper" (UK No. 75), and "Clare" (UK No. 49).

The First of a Million Kisses won the award for British Album of the Year at the 1989 Brit Awards, and was certified double platinum in the UK. N.B. The incorrect release date is listed for the album.

Cover The photo on the album cover is from Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt and was taken in 1955.

Track listing Original version LP & cassette

All tracks written by Mark E. Nevin, except where noted.

CD extra tracks

2-CD edition A two-disc expanded edition of the album was released in 2017, containing the 14 tracks from the original CD plus most of the tracks from the 1990 album Ay Fond Kiss, the Live in Japan release, as well as (*) previously unreleased tracks.

All tracks written by Mark E. Nevin, except where noted.

Disc one

Disc two

Personnel Adapted from the album's liner notes.

Musicians Fairground Attraction Eddi Reader – lead vocals Mark E. Nevin – guitars Simon Edwards – guitarrón Roy Dodds – drums and percussion

Additional musicians Kim Burton – accordion, tiny harp, piano Roger Beaujolais – vibes, glockenspiel Anthony Thistlethwaite – mandolin Steve Forster – mandolin Ian Shaw – backing vocals Will Hasty – clarinet

Technical Fairground Attraction – producer Kevin Moloney – producer, mixing Alistair Johnson – assistant mixing Kevin Metcalf – mastering Recorded at Chipping Norton Studios (Chipping Norton, England) Mastered at the Town House (London, England) Elliott Erwitt – front cover photography Richard Butchins – all other photography Laurence Stevens – design & typography

Charts +Chart performance for The First of a Million KissesChart (1988) PeakpositionCanadian Albums (RPM)57UK Albums (OCC)2

References

External links The First of a Million Kisses (2017 2-CD edition) at Discogs