News broke yesterday of the death of World Party founding member Karl Wallinger at age 66. The Welsh-born multidisciplinary musician is also highly regarded for his contributions to London folk-rock band the Waterboys — including their 1985 hit “The Whole of the Moon.”
In honor of Wallinger’s profound legacy, we revisit World Party’s jaunty waltz “Mystery Girl,” recorded remotely for KCRW in 1997. An extended version of this performance and Wallinger’s invigorating chat with Chris Douridas can be found here. It includes an especially intimate rendition of the beloved song “She’s the One,” penned by Wallinger, from World Party’s 1997 album Egyptology.