Author: Paul Sinclair

Status Quo / Live!

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Status Quo’s 1977 album Live! will be reissued as an 8CD super deluxe box set, May.

The original double album is made up from performances at Glasgow’s Apollo Theatre between 27 and 29 October 1976 but this new box set offers, for the first time, the full live shows from each of those nights in Glasgow.

8CD super deluxe edition of Live! (click image to enlarge)

A remastered version of the original album, makes up the first two CDs and then each full live gig from Glasgow is split across two CDs, giving a total of eight discs.

The audio for this release has been mixed and mastered from newly-discovered 24-track multi-track tapes (one was in a mislabelled box marked “Peters and Lee”!) that came to light after some forensic tape library work by Andy Gamble. Francis Rossi, has since given this project his seal of approval.

The super deluxe set is presented in seven-inch format and includes a 24 page illustrated booklet, with new sleeve notes by Dave Ling, chronicling the making of the record, and the impact that it had upon release. The booklet includes biographical information, photography and images of memorabilia relating to the shows, and features an article from Andy Gamble (of AVP Studios) about the mastering processes and sound engineering behind the release.

The Live! super deluxe will be issued on 16 May 2025, via Edsel Records.

Compare prices and pre-order

Status Quo

Status Quo - Live 8CD box set

Shop Price gbp Stock
JPC de   76.99 Order
Rough Trade uk   74.99 pre-order
Rough Trade usa   97.00 pre-order
Currency:

Tracklisting

Live! Status Quo /

    • CD 1: Live!
      1. Junior’s Wailing
      2. Backwater
      3. Just Take Me
      4. Is There A Better Way
      5. In My Chair
      6. Little Lady
      7. Most Of The Time
      8. Rain
      9. Forty-Five Hundred Times
    • CD 2: Live!
      1. Roll Over Lay Down
      2. Big Fat Mama
      3. Don’t Waste My Time
      4. Roadhouse Blues
      5. Caroline
      6. Bye Bye Johnny
    • CD 3: 27th October 1976
      1. Junior’s Wailing
      2. Backwater
      3. Just Take Me
      4. Is There A Better Way
      5. In My Chair
      6. Little Lady
      7. Most Of The Time
      8. Rain
      9. Forty-Five Hundred Times
    • CD 4: 27th October 1976
      1.  Roll Over Lay Down
      2. Big Fat Mama
      3. Don’t Waste My Time
      4. Roadhouse Blues
      5. Caroline
      6. Bye Bye Johnny
    • CD 5: 28th October 1976
      1.  Junior’s Wailing
      2. Backwater
      3. Just Take Me
      4. Is There A Better Way
      5. In My Chair
      6. Little Lady
      7. Most Of The Time
      8. Rain
      9. Forty-Five Hundred Times
    • CD 6: 28th October 1976
      1. Roll Over Lay Down
      2. Big Fat Mama
      3. Don’t Waste My Time
      4. Roadhouse Blues
      5. Caroline
      6. Bye Bye Johnny
    • CD 7: 29th October 1976
      1. Junior’s Wailing
      2. Backwater
      3. Just Take Me
      4. Is There A Better Way
      5. In My Chair
      6. Little Lady
      7. Most Of The Time
      8. Rain
      9. Forty-Five Hundred Times
    • CD 8: 29th October 1976
      1. Roll Over Lay Down
      2. Big Fat Mama
      3. Don’t Waste My Time
      4. Roadhouse Blues
      5. Caroline
      6. Bye Bye Johnny

Paul McCartney revisits his Wings era with new, official book

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Almost a quarter of a century after the book WINGSPAN: Paul McCartney’s Band on the Run (which was a companion to the Wingspan compilation) Paul McCartney will once again revisit the story of Wings (“the band The Beatles could have been”, in the words of Alan Partridge) with a new 500+ page book called WINGS: The Story of a Band on the Run (hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it).

The WINGSPAN book was edited by Beatles expert Mark Lewisohn, but he no longer holds a place in the Fabs inner circle and the new book is edited by historian Ted Widmer, its text drawn from dozens of hours of interviews with McCartney and “numerous key players” in the band’s orbit. Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run is organised around “nine wings albums”, which implies they are including 1971’s Ram (technically by Paul and Linda McCartney) and the live album Wings Over America, since there’s only seven Wings studio albums.

Between 2010 and 2018 Paul McCartney reissued seven of these nine albums, as part of his Archive Collection, with only London Town and Back to the Egg remaining (much to the chagrin of fans). The books that have come with the deluxe editions (were the deluxe editions in many cases) have of course covered the story of those albums in a fair amount of detail. It will be interesting to see how much text (if any) from those is repeated in this new book.

WINGS: The Story of a Band on the Run will feature more than 100 black-and-white and colour photographs, “many never seen before” and is positioned as “part of a larger reexamination and appreciation of the group and their catalogue” which includes the One Hand Clapping album (and theatrical release), the 50th anniversary reissue of Band on the Run and a forthcoming documentary on Paul McCartney’s solo and Wings-related musical work of the 1970s from filmmaker, Morgan Neville. One suspects some audio-related project must be in the works.

WINGS: The Story of a Band on the Run will be released on 4 November 2025.

Compare prices and pre-order

McCartney, Paul

Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run - The must-read autobiographical account of McCartney's musical reinvention after The Beatles

Shop Price gbp Stock
Amazon uk   26.06 Order
Amazon de   27.26 Order
Amazon fr   43.43 Order
Amazon it   44.31 Order
Amazon es   33.56 Order
JPC de   39.08 Order
Currency:

Pink Floyd at Pompeii MCMLXXII

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Classic concert film restored with audio mixed by Steven Wilson in Atmos

Pink Floyd’s Live at Pompeii, the legendary 1972 concert film directed by Adrian Maben, has been visually restored, with audio newly remixed, and will be reissued on audio and video formats, in May, as Pink Floyd at Pompeii MCMLXXII.

Pink Floyd at Pompeii pre-dates the release of The Dark Side Of The Moon and is set in the ruins of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre in Pompeii, Italy. Filmed in October 1971 – without an audience – the performance was the first live concert to take place at Pompeii, and features ‘Echoes,’ ‘A Saucerful of Secrets,’ and ‘Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun’, amongst others. Additionally, the film includes rare behind-the-scenes footage of the band beginning work on The Dark Side of the Moon at Abbey Road Studios.

The film has undergone a full restoration: hand restored, frame-by-frame, from the original 35mm cut negative – recently discovered within Pink Floyd’s own archives.

Lana Topham, Director of Restoration for Pink Floyd, said: “Since 1994, I have searched for the elusive film rushes of Pink Floyd At Pompeii, so the recent discovery of the 1972 original 35mm cut negative was a very special moment. The newly restored version presents the first full [near] 90-minute cut, combining the 60-minute source edit of the performance with the additional Abbey Road Studios documentary segments filmed shortly after”. 

Steven Wilson has remixed the soundtrack in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and stereo. The stereo mix features on new 2CD and 2LP vinyl sets, while the Atmos and 5.1 mixes are included on a blu-ray edition (there’s also a DVD version) which includes two cuts of Pink Floyd at Pompeii: the 85 minute feature film and the 60 minute concert. The CD and vinyl editions include two bonus tracks: ‘Careful With that Axe, Eugene – Alternate Take’ and ‘A Saucerful of Secrets – Unedited’. These are not on the blu-ray even though Steven Wilson told me he did remix them in Atmos!

The blu-ray edition is available from the SDE shop via this link or using the button below. Other formats and availability as listed below.

Pink Floyd at Pompeii MCMLXXII will be released on 2 May 2025 via Sony’s Legacy Recordings.

Tracklisting

Pompeii MCMLXXII Pink Floyd /

    • Blu-ray
      PINK FLOYD AT POMPEII – MCMLXXII | CONCERT
      1. Echoes – Part 1
      2. Careful With That Axe, Eugene
      3. A Saucerful Of Secrets
      4. One Of These Days
      5. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
      6. Echoes – Part 2
      PINK FLOYD AT POMPEII – MCMLXXII | FEATURE FILM
      1. Echoes – Part 1
      2. Careful With That Axe, Eugene
      3. A Saucerful Of Secrets
      4. Us And Them
      5. One Of These Days
      6. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
      7. Brain Damage
      8. Mademoiselle Nobs
      9. Echoes – Part 2

Tracklisting

Pompeii MCMLXXII Pink Floyd /

    • CD 1
      1. Pompeii Intro
      2. Echoes Part 1
      3. Careful With That Axe, Eugene
      4. A Saucerful of Secrets
      5. One of These Days
      6. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
      7. Mademoiselle Nobs
      8. Echoes Part 2
    • CD 2
      1. Careful With that Axe, Eugene – Alternate Take
      2. A Saucerful of Secrets – Unedited

Tracklisting

Pompeii MCMLXXII Pink Floyd /

    • LP 1
      Side A
      1. Pompeii Intro
      2. Echoes – Part 1
      3. Careful With That Axe, Eugene
      Side B
      1. A Saucerful of Secrets
      2. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
    • LP 2
      Side C
      1. One of These Days
      2. Mademoiselle Nobs
      3. Echoes – Part 2
      Side D
      1. Careful With that Axe, Eugene – Alternate take
      2. A Saucerful of Secrets – Unedited

Sparks / New album, MAD!

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Sparks will release a new album called MAD!, in May.

Musically we are promised “nods to New Wave, Synthpop, Art Rock and Electronic Opera” and the 12-track album includes the new single ‘JanSport Backpack’ which you can preview, below.

Formats include CD, black vinyl, blue vinyl with lenticular sleeve, cassette and a deluxe red vinyl which comes with a CD (the latter exclusive to the band’s shop).

Sparks have also announced a 2025 world tour which starts in Japan in early June and ends in Italy in July. MAD! will be released on 23 May 2025, via Transgressive Records.

Tracklisting

MAD! Sparks /

      1. Do Things My Own Way
      2. JanSport Backpack
      3. Hit Me, Baby
      4. Running Up A Tab At The Hotel For The Fab
      5. My Devotion
      6. Don’t Dog It
      7. In Daylight
      8. I-405 Rules
      9. A Long Red Light
      10. Drowned In A Sea Of Tears
      11. A Little Bit Of Light Banter
      12. Lord Have Mercy

Link

Last chance to order the INXS Listen Like Thieves blu-ray

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Quick pre-order at the SDE shop

The pre-order window for the INXS Listen Like Thieves SDE-exclusive blu-ray is about to close.

The blu-ray audio – #37 in the ongoing SDE Suround Series – and features a 2025 Giles Martin Dolby Atmos Mix of the 1985 album and a 2025 Giles Martin Stereo Mix. Additionally, the SDE exclusive blu-ray offers 15 stereo bonus tracks including extended mixes, B-sides and eight live tracks from a previously unreleased 1986 concert from London’s Royal Albert Hall.

This region-free blu-ray will be packaged in a clear amaray case and ships with a free, collectible SDE Surround Series slipcase.

The pre-order window closes TODAY, 25 February 2025. Availability cannot be guaranteed after this date. The blu-ray is available only via the SDE shop.

Remember, if you ordered Roxy Music’s Avalon (#36) as a bundle with the (at the time) ‘mystery’ #37 blu-ray, you have already ordered INXS, since Listen Like Thieves was announced as #37 in the series.

You can pre-order via the shop website using this link or the buttons below.

This INXS Listen Like Thieves blu-ray is released on 9 May 2025 via Petrol / UMe.

Tracklisting

Listen Like Thieves INXS / 40th anniversary

    • Listen Like Thieves: 2025 Giles Martin Stereo Mix & 2025 Giles Martin Dolby Atmos Mix
      1. What You Need
      2. Listen Like Thieves
      3. Kiss The Dirt (Falling Down The Mountain)
      4. Shine Like It Does
      5. Good + Bad Times
      6. Biting Bullets
      7. This Time
      8. Three Sisters
      9. Same Direction
      10. One x One
      11. Red Red Sun
      Bonus Stereo Audio: Remixes, B-sides and Live
      1. Listen Like Thieves (Extended Remix)
      2. Begotten
      3. What You Need (Nick Launay Remix)
      4. I’m Over You
      5. Sweet As Sin
      6. Six Knots
      7. Listen Like Thieves (Instrumental Remix)
      8. Same Direction (Live from Royal Albert Hall 1986 – London, UK)
      9. Kiss The Dirt (Live from Royal Albert Hall 1986 – London, UK)
      10. Biting Bullets (Live from Royal Albert Hall 1986 – London, UK)
      11. Shine Like it Does (Live from Royal Albert Hall 1986 – London, UK)
      12. Listen Like Thieves (Live from Royal Albert Hall 1986 – London, UK)
      13. One X One (Live from Royal Albert Hall 1986 – London, UK)
      14. What You Need (Live from Royal Albert Hall 1986 – London, UK)
      15. Red Red Sun (Live from Royal Albert Hall 1986 – London, UK)

Order a signed CD of Steven Wilson’s new album

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Steven Wilson’s new studio album, The Overview, is released in just under three weeks and you can pre-order a signed copy of the CD from Amazon in the UK.

The two-track, 42-minute​ album is inspired by the “overview effect” experienced by astronauts looking back at the Earth from space and sees Wilson return to expansive, progressive music, a genre he helped redefine and repopularise with both his solo and Porcupine Tree releases.

The signed CD of The Overview is exclusive to Amazon in the UK and is exceptional value at just £10.99. The album is released on 14 March via Fiction Records. Coloured vinyl and blu-ray editions are also available to pre-order via the SDE shop.

Compare prices and pre-order

Steven Wilson

The Overview (Amazon Exclusive Signed CD)

Shop Price gbp Stock
Amazon uk   10.95 Order
Currency:

Steven Wilson at the SDE shop:

Tracklisting

Steven Wilson / new studio album The Overview

The Overview Steven Wilson /

    • OBJECTS OUTLIVE US (23.17)
      1. No Monkey’s Paw
      2. The Buddha Of The Modern Age
      3. Objects: Meanwhile
      4. The Cicerones
      5. Ark
      6. Cosmic Sons Of Toil
      7. No Ghost On The Moor
      8. Heat Death Of The Universe
      THE OVERVIEW (18.27)
      1. Perspective
      2. A Beautiful Infinity I
      3. Borrowed Atoms
      4. A Beautiful Infinity II
      5. Infinity Measured In Moments
      6. Permanence

Rush / Rush 50

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Rush will release Rush 50, a career-spanning box set next month.

The Canadian rock band settled on their classic lineup of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart in July 1974, four months after releasing their debut album. The lineup would then remain unchanged for the rest of the band’s career, as Rush became one of biggest prog rock bands of the 70’s and 80’s.

The new anthology box sets are available across four CDs or seven vinyl LPs. Both features 50 tracks, with seven previously unreleased. Tracks are taken from every studio album, live release, and deluxe reissue that the band has officially released. 

The 4CD edition of Rush 50 (click image to enlarge)

Amongst the rarities are the first ever official CD and LP reissue of Rush’s very first single, a cover of Buddy Holly’s ‘Not Fade Away’, with ‘You Can’t Fight It’ on the B-side, both of which have been newly remastered from the original tapes. There are also “vault editions” of ‘Working Man’ and ‘The Trees’, featuring alternate guitar solos. ‘Working Man’ had previously only been available as a digital single, and ‘Trees’ had never been officially released besides appearing in the Rock Band 2 video game. Alongside this are five unreleased live songs, including two non-album cuts, ‘Bad Boy’ and ‘Garden Road’.

Each box includes new artwork from the band’s creative director Hugh Syme, and a hardcover book featuring essays and photographs. The 180g vinyl is housed in high quality ‘tip-on’ sleeves.

Rush 50 will be released on 21 March 2025 via UMC/Mercury.

The 7LP edition of Rush 50 (click image to enlarge)

Tracklisting

Rush 50 Rush /

    • CD 1
      1. Not Fade Away
      2. You Can’t Fight It
      3. Working Man (Vault Edition)
      4. Need Some Love
      5. Before and After
      6. Bad Boy
      7. Garden Road
      8. Anthem
      9. Fly By Night
      10. Bastille Day
      11. 2112: Overture/The Temples of Syrinx
      12. By-tor & the Snow Dog
      13. Something for Nothing
    • CD 2
      1. Closer to the Heart
      2. Xanadu
      3. Drum Solo
      4. The Trees (Vault Edition)
      5. La Villa Strangiato
      6. In the Mood
      7. The Spirit of Radio
      8. Natural Science
      9. A Passage to Bangkok
      10. Tom Sawyer
      11. Limelight
      12. Vital Signs
    • CD 3
      1. YYZ
      2. Subdivisions
      3. Red Sector A
      4. Witch Hunt
      5. New World Man
      6. The Big Money
      7. Time Stand Still
      8. Distant Early Warning
      9. Superconductor
      10. Dreamline
      11. Stick It Out
      12. Test for Echo
      13. The Rhythm Method
    • CD 4
      1. One Little Victory (Remixed)
      2. Cygnus X-1
      3. The Seeker
      4. Between the Wheels
      5. The Main Monkey Business
      6. Workin’ Them Angels
      7. Freewill
      8. Red Barchetta
      9. Headlong Flight
      10. Manhattan Project
      11. Jacob’s Ladder
      12. What You’re Doing/Working Man/Garden Road

Simple Minds / Live in the City of Diamonds

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Simple Minds will release, Live in the City of Diamonds, a new live album, in April.

The performance was recorded at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome, and songs include ‘Waterfront’, ‘Love Song’, ‘New Gold Dream’, ‘Promised You A Miracle’, ‘Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)’, ‘Alive and Kicking’, ‘Sanctify Yourself’ and, inevitably, ‘(Don’t You) Forget About Me’.

This release is available as a 2CD set in deluxe hardcover ‘mediabook’ packaging (24 tracks) or as a 2LP vinyl package (black and ‘clear-with-glitter’ options) which has 18 tracks.

Live in the City of Diamonds will be released on 25 April 2025, via BMG.

Simple Minds Shop highlights

Tracklisting

Simple Minds / new live album Live in the City of Diamonds

Live in the City of Diamonds Simple Minds /

    • CD 1
      1. Waterfront
      2. Love Song
      3. Sons And Fascination
      4. Sweat In Bullet
      5. This Fear Of Gods
      6. Let There Be Love
      7. She’s A River
      8. Once Upon A Time
      9. Glittering Prize
      10. New Gold Dream
      11. Promised You A Miracle
      12. Belfast Child
    • CD 2
      1. Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
      2. See The Lights
      3. Book Of Brilliant Things
      4. Don’t You (Forget About Me)
      5. Alive And Kicking
      6. Sanctify Yourself
      7. Vision Thing
      8. The American
      9. Solstice Kiss
      10. Premonition
      11. Hunter And The Hunted
      12. Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel

Genesis reissue moves back to the summer

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

The 50th anniversary reissue of Genesis’ 1974 album, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, is now delayed until June.

Two super deluxe editions are available for pre-order: a 5LP+blu-ray and 4CD+blu-ray. Both feature a brand-new remaster by Miles Showell at Abbey Road of the original album mix from the 1974 tapes and a Dolby Atmos Mix (and a 96/24 hi-res stereo mix) of the album by Bob Mackenzie, under the supervision of Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks. The box sets also include The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway live at the Shrine Auditorium, 1975 – in full.

No reason has been given for the delay, but The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway will now be reissued on 13 June 2025, via Rhino.

Compare prices and pre-order

Genesis

Lamb Lies Down on Broadway - 5LP+blu-ray super deluxe

Shop Price gbp Stock
Amazon uk   189.78 Order
Amazon usa   142.75 Order
Amazon it   171.03 Order
Amazon es   174.32 Order
Amazon ca   229.99 Order
JPC de   209.99 Order
Rough Trade uk   189.99 pre-order
Currency:

Tracklisting

Genesis / Lamb Lies Down on Broadway 50th anniversary super deluxe

Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Genesis / super deluxe edition

    • LP 1 / CD 1
      Side 1
      1. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
      2. Fly On a Windshield
      3. Broadway Melody of 1974
      4. Cuckoo Cocoon
      5. In the Cage
      6. The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging
      Side 2
      1. Back In N.Y.C.
      2. Hairless Heart
      3. Counting Out Time
      4. The Carpet Crawlers
      5. The Chamber Of 32 Doors
    • LP 2 / CD 2
      Side 3
      1. Lilywhite Lilith
      2. The Waiting Room
      3. Anyway
      4. Here Comes the Supernatural Anaesthetist
      5. The Lamia
      6. Silent Sorrow in Empty Boats
      Side 4
      1. The Colony Of Slippermen (The Arrival · A Visit to The Doktor · Raven)
      2. Ravine
      3. The Light Dies Down on Broadway
      4. Riding The Scree
      5. In the Rapids
      6. it.
    • LP 3 / CD 3 The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Live from the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA (January 24, 1975)
      Side 1

      1. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
      2. Fly On a Windshield
      3. Broadway Melody of 1974
      4. Cuckoo Cocoon
      5. In the Cage

      Side 2

      1. The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging
      2. Back In N.Y.C.
      3. Hairless Heart
      4. Counting Out Time
      5. The Carpet Crawlers
    • LP 4 / CD 4: The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Live from the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA (January 24, 1975)

      Side 3

      1. The Chamber Of 32 Doors
      2. Lilywhite Lilith
      3. The Waiting Room
      4. Anyway
      5. Here Comes the Supernatural Anaesthetist
      Side 4

      1. The Lamia
      2. Silent Sorrow in Empty Boats
      3. The Colony Of Slippermen (The Arrival · A Visit to The Doktor · Raven)
    • LP 5 / CD 4: The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Live from the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA (January 24, 1975)

      Side 5

      1. Ravine
      2. The Light Dies Down on Broadway
      3. Riding The Scree
      4. In the Rapids
      5. it.
      Side 6 (The Encore)

      1. Watcher of the Skies
      2. The Musical Box
    • Download! – The Headley Grange Demos
      1. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway / Fly On a Windshield
      2. The Chamber Of 32 Doors / The Lamia
      3. In the Cage [Strange Vocals] (Take 1)
      The download card includes full audio from the set (quality TBC)
    • Blu-ray Audio
      1. Dolby Atmos mix by Bob Mackenzie at Real World Studios
      2. Studio Album Stereo Mix (24bit/96kHz Uncompressed audio)
      Remastered from the original 1974 tapes by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios with assistance from Nick Davis

Last chance to order the Roxy Music Avalon blu-ray

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Quick pre-order at the SDE shop

The pre-order window for the Roxy Music Avalon SDE-exclusive blu-ray is about to close.

The blu-ray audio – #36 in the ongoing SDE Suround Series – will feature the Grammy-nominated Dolby Atmos Mix created by Bob Clearmountain, the 5.1 Surround Sound Mix from the now very-hard-to-get-hold-of Super Audio CD (SACD) released in 2003 (also by Bob Clearmountain) and the original 1982 stereo mix.

Audio streams on the Avalon SDE exclusive blu-ray:

  • Avalon 2024 Dolby Atmos Mix (48/24)
  • Avalon 2003 DTS-HD 5.1 Mix (96/24)
  • Avalon 1982 Original Stereo Mix (96/24)

The new Atmos Mix was overseen by Bryan Ferry and the album’s co-producer Rhett Davies and approved by Roxy Music. The blu-ray comes packaged in the same deluxe hardcover mediabook packaging used for the Bryan Ferry Retrospective.

When Bob Clearmountain heard that Avalon was coming out on blu-ray, he threw his arms up and said, ‘fantastic!, because at least people get to hear it in its true quality’.

Rhett Davies, Avalon co-producer

The Immersive Audio Album website, in a review of the new Avalon Atmos Mix, said “Going up against arguably one of the best-ever 5.1 remixes of a classic album is an unenviable task, but Clearmountain and Davies have amazingly managed to outdo their past work”. 

The blu-ray audio is region-free and will ship with a free and collectible SDE slipcase and is exclusively available via the SDE shop using this link or the buttons below.

The pre-order window closes tomorrow, on Friday 21 February and is the last point you can guarantee a copy of this release, although there may be some availability due to cancellations/contingency stock much nearer to the release date (which is 9 May 2025).

All of the releases of the last four months (Bryan Ferry, Simple Minds, Elton John, The Who etc.) are now out-of-print, so do not miss out!

Tracklisting

Avalon Roxy Music / SDE exclusive blu-ray

    • Dolby Atmos Mix (48/24)
      5.1 Mix (96/24)
      Stereo Mix (96/24)
      1. 1.More Than This
      2. The Space Between
      3. Avalon
      4. India
      5. While My Heart Is Still Beating
      6. The Main Thing
      7. Take a Chance with Me
      8. To Turn You On
      9. True to Life
      10. Tara

1 Tears For Fears / The Tipping Point

2 xPropaganda / The Heart is Strange

3 Gilbert O’Sullivan / Driven

4 Shakespears Sister / Hormonally Yours

5 Brian Eno / ForeverAndEverNoMore

6. Orbital / Optical Delusion

6.5 Various Artists / Concert For George

7 Ten Years After / A Space in Time

8 Bob Dylan / Time Out Of Mind (2022 Remix)

9 Tears For Fears / The Hurting

10 Mike Oldfield / Tubular Bells

11 Suede

12 ABC / The Lexicon of Love

13 Duran Duran / Danse Macabre

13a Duran Duran / Danse Macabre De Luxe

14 Trevor Horn / Echoes – Ancient and Modern

15 Soft Cell / Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

16 Def Leppard / Diamond Star Halos

17 Paul Young / No Parlez

18 Mark Knopfler / One Deep River

19 Wham! / Fantastic

20 Wham! / Make It Big

21 Keane / Hopes and Fears

22 Luther Vandross / Never Too Much

23 Crowded House / Gravity Stairs

24 Ultravox / Lament

25 Tori Amos / Unrepentant Geraldines

26 Bronski Beat / The Age of Consent

27 Thin Lizzy / 1976

28 Tears For Fears / Songs For A Nervous Planet

29 Thompson Twins / Into The Gap 

30 The Who / Who’s Next

31 Elton John / Diamonds

32 Simple Minds / New Gold Dream

33 Simple Minds / Sparkle in the Rain

34 Bryan Ferry / Retrospective

35 Envy of None / Stygian Waves

36 Roxy Music / Avalon

37 INXS / Listen Like Thieves

Madonna announces Bedtime Stories reissue

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

In a surprising turn of events, Madonna has announced that her 1994 album Bedtime Stories will be reissued at some point in the near future.

Released in October 1994, the album features the singles ‘Secret’, ‘Take A Bow’, ‘Bedtime Story’ and ‘Human Nature’. ‘Take A Bow’ spoiled Madonna’s run of consecutive top 10 UK hit singles (she’d had 32 at that point) by peaking at No 16, although in America that song was an enormous hit, reaching No 1 and staying there for seven weeks. The album was perceived as a return to form, or perhaps more a return to the mainstream, after the raunch-fest that was 1992’s Erotica. That album was very successful (in the UK all five singles went top 10) but it was her first studio album since her debut not to have a single that reached number one in the US or the UK. As mentioned, normal service was resumed with Take A Bow in America.

There is no official announcement or press release from the label, but Madonna herself has broken the news on her social channels. On X she said “Bedtime Stories Re -release and Vinyl coming soon !” and on Instagram, in a now deleted post, she offered more details with a graphic depicting the album with alternative artwork and the heading ‘The Untold Chapter’. Underneath is the text: “A vinyl EP featuring a never before heard story, early demos from the main manuscript and more. Pre-orders coming soon!“

There’s no real clarity over what is happening, other than the fact that something is happening. It feels like it could be interesting, but not comprehensive. Let’s reserve judgement, although I wouldn’t go expecting a 4CD+blu-ray super deluxe, with Atmos, demos, all the remixes etc.

The reason I say that it’s a surprising turn of events is that it has been four and a half years since Warner Music announced its “multi-year catalog series” of Madonna’s output. Since that time they’ve missed the opportunity to release 40th anniversary editions of Madonna’s debut album and Like A Virgin. In fact no studio albums have been reissued at all. The Finally Enough Love compilation has been the most significant activity (see SDE review, here).

Good though Bedtime Stories is, starting this campaign, nearly half a decade down the line, with a record that is only about her eighth best-selling studio album simply demonstrates that Madonna herself is in control and one suspects there’s some frustrated executives within Warners right now wondering what they’ve got themselves into. Madonna is also in the middle of recording her new record with Stuart Price that she’s hash-tagging as “Confessions Part 2”.

More news on Bedtime Stories, when we get it.

Neil Young’s Oceanside Countryside to be released on CD

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Neil Young’s ‘lost’ album Oceanside Countryside was announced on vinyl at the beginning of the year and is released in early March. There was an assumption that this wouldn’t surface on CD since it’s similar – although not the same – to CD 4 in last year’s Archives Vol III, but Reprise have just announced a CD edition, due in April.

As a reminder, the album was recorded in 1977 and features songs such as ‘Lost in Space’, ‘Captain Kennedy’ and ‘The Old Homestead’ (that ended up on Hawks and Doves, in 1980) and ‘Sail Away’, ‘Goin’ Back’, ‘Human Highway’, ‘It Might Have Been’ and ‘Pocohontas’ which are the same as on Archives Vol III. Other tracks, such as ‘Field of Opportunity’ and ‘Dance Dance Dance’ are unique in that they are slightly different to the versions of Archives Vol III (on these versions Young is on backing vocals, rather than Nicolette Larson).

Young stresses that “These songs are the original mixes done at the time of the recordings”. The Oceanside element (side one) was recorded in Florida and Malibu with NY singing and playing (most of) the instruments. Countryside (side two) features songs recorded in Nashville with Ben Keith, Joe Osborn and a few others.

The CD edition features the same 10 tracks at the vinyl, so quite why the label split the announcements and release dates of both formats is unclear. Perhaps they had no plans for a CD version until Neil Young intervened?

Oceanside Countryside will be issued on CD on 25 April 2025 via Reprise Records. The vinyl is out on 7 March.

Tracklisting

Neil Young releases 'lost' album Oceanside Countryside

Oceanside Countryside Neil Young /

      1. Sail Away
      2. Lost In Space*
      3. Captain Kennedy*
      4. Goin’ Back
      5. Human Highway
      6. Field Of Opportunity**
      7. Dance Dance Dance**
      8. The Old Homestead*
      9. It Might Have Been**
      10. Pocahontas***
      Produced by Neil Young
      *Produced by David Briggs, Tim Mulligan & Neil Young
      **Produced by Neil Young & Ben Keith
      ***Produced by David Briggs. Overdubs produced by Neil Young

Snow Patrol issue new tracks on a vinyl EP

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Last month Snow Patrol announced an Extended Edition – on CD – of their 2024 album, The Forest Is The Path, which features five new songs and a remix. Fans understandably grumbled about having to buy the album again to get the new songs, something which, as it turns out, vinyl aficionados will not have to do.

That’s because the same six tracks are being issued as a standalone vinyl EP called The Forest Is The Path: Onwards To The Endless. This is being released on ‘Coke Bottle’ clear 12-inch vinyl.

On the face of it, this is annoying for CD fans, although if you want to put a positive spin on it, the 18-track Extended Edition of the album on CD is £12.99, while the six tracks on the vinyl EP will set you back £24!

The Forest Is The Path: Onwards To The Endless will be released on 30 May 2025, via Polydor. The Extended Edition of the album on CD is still scheduled for a 14 March release.

Compare prices and pre-order

Snow Patrol

The Forest Is The Path - Onwards To The Endless - vinyl EP

Shop Price gbp Stock
Amazon uk   22.58 Order
Amazon de   21.49 Order
Amazon usa   25.13 Order
Amazon fr   25.80 Order
Amazon it   33.19 Order
Amazon es   28.85 Order
Amazon ca   30.41 Order
JPC de   23.99 Order
Currency:

Tracklisting

The Forest Is The Path: Onwards To The Endless Snow Patrol /

      1. But I’ll Keep Trying
      2. This Is The Silence
      3. What’s Left In The Light
      4. Waking Up Now
      5. Falling Through All Of This Time
      6. This Is The Sound Of Your Voice (Will Reynolds Remix)

Tracklisting

Snow Patrol / The Forest is the Path - Extended Edition

The Forest is the Path – Extended Editon Snow Patrol /

      1. All
      2. The Beginning
      3. Everything’s Here And Nothing’s Lost
      4. Your Heart Home
      5. This Is The Sound Of Your Voice
      6. Hold Me In The Fire
      7. Years That Fall
      8. Never Really Tire
      9. These Lies
      10. What If Nothing Breaks?
      11. Talking About Home
      12. The Forest Is The Path
      Bonus tracks
      1. But I’ll Keep Trying
      2. This Is The Silence
      3. What’s Left In The Light
      4. Waking Up Now
      5. Falling Through All Of This Time
      6. This Is The Sound Of Your Voice – Will Reynolds Remix

Mike + the Mechanics / Looking Back – Living The Years

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

A new Mike + the Mechanics compilation, Looking Back – Living The Years, will be released in March.

The collection spans 40 years of music and includes tracks from seven of the band’s nine studio albums (1999’s Mike and the Mechanics aka ‘M6’ and 2004’s Rewired are not represented).

Hits include ‘Silent Running’, ‘All I Need is a Miracle’ (in ’96 guise), ‘Living Years’, and ‘Over My Shoulder’, and the compilation features vocals from all Mike + The Mechanics singers through the years: Paul Young (not that one), Paul Carrack, Andrew Roachford, and Tim Howar.

Looking Back – Living The Years will be released on CD on 14 March 2025, via Concord. A double vinyl LP edition follows on 4 April. If you order a 2LP+CD bundle from the official shop, it comes with a signed print.

Mike + The Mechanics shop highlights

Tracklisting

Looking Back – Living The Years Mike and the Mechanics /

      1. Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)
      2. All I Need Is A Miracle ‘96
      3. The Living Years
      4. Word Of Mouth
      5. Over My Shoulder
      6. A Beggar On A Beach Of Gold
      7. Another Cup Of Coffee
      8. Taken In
      9. Nobody’s Perfect
      10. Everybody Gets A Second Chance
      11. Nobody Knows
      12. Seeing Is Believing
      13. The Road
      14. The Best Is Yet To Come
      15. Don’t Know What Came Over Me
      16. Out Of The Blue

Mike Oldfield / Tubular Bells 2003 reissue

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells 2003 is being reissued in May.

Released by Warner Music Spain back in, you guessed it, 2003, the album was a re-recording of the 1973 original, released to mark its 30th anniversary. John Cleese replaced Viv Stanshall as Master of Ceremonies (Stanshall died in 1995 in a house fire, in London).

Tubular Bells related projects top and tailed Oldfield’s 20+ year tenure at Warners, since the Trevor Horn produced Tubular Bells II had been Mike’s first album with the label back in 1992, and the self-produced Tubular Bells 2003 was his last (Tubular Bells III was released in ’98).

For this reissue the album is simply issued on CD and as a blue vinyl pressing. No real frills and certainly no bonus material (or even talk of remastering).

Tubular Bells 2003 will be released on 23 May 2025, via Warner Music Spain

Tracklisting

Tubular Bells 2003 Mike Oldfield /

    • Part One
      1. Introduction – 5:52
      2. Fast Guitars – 1:04
      3. Basses – 0:46
      4. Latin – 2:18
      5. A Minor Tune – 1:21
      6. Blues – 2:40
      7. Thrash – 0:44
      8. Jazz – 0:48
      9. Ghost Bells – 0:30
      10. Russian – 0:44
      11. Finale – 8:32 (Featuring John Cleese)
      Part Two
      1. Harmonics – 5:12
      2. Peace – 3:30
      3. Bagpipe Guitars – 3:08
      4. Caveman – 4:33
      5. Ambient Guitars – 5:10
      6. The Sailor’s Hornpipe – 1:46

Tangerine Dream / Phaedra 50th anniversary

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Tangerine Dream’s fifth studio album, Phaedra, is being reissued as a 50th anniversary 5CD+blu-ray box set, in April.

The album was the German electronic group’s first for Virgin Records and was recorded in November 1973 at The Manor Studios (about six months after Mike Oldfield completed Tubular Bells at the same studio). It was released in February 1974 (so this is technically a 51st anniversary reissue) and spent 15 weeks on the UK album chart, peaking at No 15.

The new box set includes a remastered version of the album (I suspect this is actually the same as the version from 2019), previously released outtakes, the complete Victoria Palace Theatre concert from June 1974 (the band’s live debut in the UK) and a blu-ray with Steven Wilson’s 5.1 mix of the album (of which two out of the four tracks are Penteo upmixes, due to the master tapes being unavailable).

All of the content was previously available on the In Search of Hades 1973-1979 box set from 2019, which contained 16 CDs and two blu-rays, but that is long out-of-print. The new Phaedra box also features an illustrated book with a new essay by Tangerine Dream authority Wouter Bessels. 

Phaedra will be reissued on 18 April 2025, via UMR.

Compare prices and pre-order

Tangerine Dream

Phaedra 50th anniversary 4CD+blu-ray box

Shop Price gbp Stock
JPC de   65.99 Order
FNAC fr   54.99 Pre-Order
Rough Trade uk   57.99 pre-order
Rough Trade usa   75.00 pre-order
Currency:

Tracklisting

Phaedra Tangerine Dream / 50th anniversary box

    • CD 1
      1. Phaedra
      2. Mysterious Semblance at the Strand of Nightmares
      3. Moments of a Visionary
      4. Sequent C
      Bonus tracks
      1. Phaedra (Steven Wilson stereo mix)
      2. Sequent C (Steven Wilson stereo mix)
    • CD 2: Phaedra Outtakes Vol 1 – Nov 1973
      1. 2nd Day (20.31)
      2. Flute Organ Piece (10.57)
      3. Phaedra Out-Take version 2A (20.37)
    • CD 3: Phaedra Outtakes Vol 2 – Nov 1973
      1. Phaedra Out-Take 1 (11.43)
      2. Phaedra Out-Take 2B (5.42)
      3. 2nd Side piece 1 (13.02)
      4. 2nd Side piece 2 (9.17)
      5. Organ piece (5.49)
    • CD 4: Live at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London. 16th June 1974
      1. The Victoria Palace Concert Part One
    • CD 5: Live at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London. 16th June 1974
      1. The Victoria Palace Concert Part Two
      2. The Victoria Palace Concert – Encore
    • Blu-ray
      1. Phaedra
      2. Mysterious Semblance at the Strand of Nightmares
      3. Moments of a Visionary
      4. Sequent C

Out This Week / on 21 February 2025

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Nik Kershaw / The MCA Years CD

Better late than never! The MCA Years is a 10CD+DVD box set is definitely out this week and offers a complete overview of Nik Kershaw’s time with the label in the 1980s. Some extra tracks have been added since the original announcement last year.

Read More


Jean-Michel Jarre / Zoolook

Jarre’s 1984 album is newly remastered and is reissued on CD and vinyl with a bonus track called ‘Moon Machine’.

Voice of the Beehive / Honey Lingers reissue

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Voice of the Beehive’s second album, Honey Lingers, will be reissued and expanded in April.

The band’s 1991 long-player was released three years after their debut (Let It Bee) and saw them build further on their signature mix of jangly guitars and melodic pop hooks. It was another top 20 success, delivering three top 40 UK singles including the #17 hit ‘Monsters and Angels’ and the Don Was-produced cover of The Partridge Family hit ‘I Think I Love You’.

“I played Honey Lingers the other day for the first time in years and I have to admit that not only do I love it, but I prefer it to Let It Bee…” writes vocalist Tracey Bryn in the album’s sleeve notes.”To me, it’s like a psychotic melodic patchwork of every single emotion we were having… It spits, cries, shags, and dances and that was what we felt like we were doing as we toured, did television, press and general promotion all over the globe.”

Honey Lingers is reissued and remastered on pink vinyl and as an expanded 2CD deluxe edition, with the latter uncovering a host of previously unheard alternate versions, single B-sides (some new to CD) and live tracks taken from their show at Kentish Town and Country Club (which was recorded for Radio One).

The 2CD deluxe edition of Honey Lingers

The 2CD version also includes Voice Of The Beehive’s version of The Rolling Stones’ ‘Gimme Shelter’, recorded with Jimmy Somerville in 1993 for an EP raising funds for the ‘Putting Our House in Order’ homeless initiative. In total, the double CD edition expands the original album’s 10 tracks to an impressive 39, with 19 of the 29 bonus tracks previously unreleased.

Honey Lingers is released on 4 April 2025 via London Records.

Tracklisting

Honey Lingers Voice of the Beehive /

    • CD 1
      1. Monsters And Angels 
      2. Adonis Blue 
      3. I Think I Love You 
      4. Look At Me 
      5. Beauty To My Eyes 
      6. Just Like You 
      7. Little Gods 
      8. I’m Shooting Cupid 
      9. Say It 
      10. Perfect Place 
      11. Waitress
      12. Only If You Want To
      13. Pocketsize
      14. Something About God
      15. Shine Away
      16. Dumb Club (Alternative Version) **
      17. I Think I Love You (Don Was Guilty Pleasure Mix)
      18. Perfect Place (7” Version)
      19. Gimme Shelter (with Jimmy Somerville)
      20. Say It (Acoustic Version) **
      21. I’m Shooting Cupid (Acoustic Version) **
      22. Perfect Place (Acoustic Version) **
      **Previously unreleased
    • CD 2
      1. Monsters And Angels (Alternative Version) **
      2. I Think I Love You (Original Version 7” Remix) **
      3. Look At Me (Original Remix) **
      4. Just Like You (Phil Harding 7” Version) **
      5. Little Gods (Spector Christmas Version) **
      6. Perfect Place (Piano Version) **
      7. Monsters And Angels (12” Version) **
      8. I Think I Love You (Orgy Mix) 
      9. Perfect Place (Pat Collier Version) **
      10. I Think I Love You (Don Was 1st Mix) **
      11. VB – Goddess Of Love (Vocal Mix) **
      12. I’m Shooting Cupid (Live) **
      13. Little Gods (Live) **
      14. Monsters And Angels (Live) ** 
      15. Only If You Want To (Live) **
      16. Adonis Blue (Live) **
      17. Sit Down (Live)
      **Previously unreleased

The Alan Parsons Project / Tales of Mystery and Imagination Edgar Allan Poe

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

The Alan Parsons Project’s debut album Tales Of Mystery And Imagination Edgar Allan Poe will be re-issued next month, across a number of formats.

A new 2LP vinyl edition of the 1976 album features the 2016 remaster and is cut at half-speed at 45RPM (by Miles Showell). This features three bonus tracks (single versions) and comes in a gatefold sleeve with OBI-strip and includes a replica of the original album eight-page booklet, plus insert. Limited to 2,000 copies this is pressed at Optimal.

Also available is a single LP, clear vinyl edition, without the bonus tracks. This is a 33RPM pressing but is also cut at half speed.

CD fans aren’t been left out because there’s also a new CD edition which features four bonus tracks. Whereas the 2LP gets single versions, the CD edition offers early versions.

These are available from The Alan Parsons Project Official Shop and the first 500 vinyl orders (either edition) come with a limited edition numbered print (not signed). It’s not clear how many are left at the time of writing.

There is no reissue of the original blu-ray audio with the 5.1 and hi-res stereo mix but that is still available via the SDE shop using this link or the button below.

The vinyl and CD editions of Tales Of Mystery And Imagination Edgar Allan Poe are reissued on 21 March 2025 via Cooking Vinyl.

The Alan Parsons Project Shop Highlights

Compare prices and pre-order

The Alan Parsons Project

Tales of Mystery and Imagination - 2LP 45RPM audiophile vinyl

Shop Price gbp Stock
Amazon ca   108.33 Order
JPC de   53.99 Order
Official Artist Store   45.00 pre-order
Rough Trade uk   46.99 pre-order
Rough Trade usa   59.99 pre-order
Currency:

Compare prices and pre-order

The Alan Parsons Project

Tales of Mystery and Imagination - single LP clear vinyl

Shop Price gbp Stock
JPC de   33.99 Order
Official Artist Store   29.00 pre-order
Rough Trade uk   27.99 pre-order
Rough Trade usa   36.99 pre-order
Currency:

Tracklisting

Tales of Mystery and Imagination Edgar Allan Poe The Alan Parsons Project /

    • LP 1
      Side 1
      1. A Dream Within A Dream
      2. The Raven
      3. The Tell-tale Heart
      Side 2
      1. The Cask Of Amontillado
      2. (The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether
    • LP 2
      Side 3
      1. Fall Of The House Of Usher
      2. I Prelude
      3. II Arrival
      4. III Intermezzo
      5. IV Pavane
      6. V Fall
      Side 4
      1. To One In Paradise
      Bonus tracks
      1. The Raven (Single Version)
      2. (The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether (Single Version)
      3. To One In Paradise (Single Version)

Tracklisting

Tales of Mystery and Imagination Edgar Allan Poe The Alan Parsons Project /

    • Side 1
      1. A Dream Within A Dream
      2. The Raven
      3. The Tell-Tale Heart
      4. The Cask Of Amontillado
      5. (The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether
      Side 2
      1. The Fall Of The House Of Usher
      2. i Prelude
      3. ii Arrival
      4. iii Intermezzo
      5. iv Pavane
      6. v Fall
      7. To One In Paradise

Tracklisting

Tales of Mystery and Imagination Edgar Allan Poe The Alan Parsons Project /

      1. A Dream Within A Dream
      2. The Raven
      3. The Tell-Tale Heart
      4. The Cask Of Amontillado
      5. (The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether
      6. The Fall Of The House Of Usher
      7. i Prelude
      8. ii Arrival
      9. iii Intermezzo
      10. iv Pavane
      11. v Fall
      12. To One In Paradise
      Bonus tracks
      1. Dream Within A Dream The Raven (Early Mix With Eric On Vocoder)
      2. The Tell-Tale Heart (Eric Guide Vocal)
      3. The Cask Of Amontillado (Eric & Alan Guide Vocals)
      4. Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether (Eric Guide Vocal)