Author: Paul Sinclair

Review: The Police Around The World

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Restored documentary delivers pristine pictures and a fun global jaunt

Around The World is a film that follows The Police on their 1980 (and later, 1981) world tour at a time where, in the words of guitarist Andy Summers the group had “just about enough popularity to get booked around the globe”.

Issued in 1982 on VHS (and later on Laserdisc in Japan), the documentary has now been ‘restored and expanded’ and issued on blu-ray and DVD (both for the first time), within specific combo sets (LP+DVD, CD+blu-ray and CD+DVD).

In his excellent notes in the booklet, Summers writes of various challenges, including an almost drug bust, confrontations with the local law enforcement, illness and more, and so depicts a more troubled tour than we actually see in the film. Around The World, for the most part, is a travelogue set to music, embracing some well-worn documentary tropes and indulging in shots of Bullet Trains in Japan, Rickshaws in Hong Kong and a rather unfortunate and ragged-looking snake-in-a-basket in India! 

It’s no less fascinating for all that and watching the band play live at arguably their peak (there was some later overdubbing of these performances), in sometimes sweaty and cramped venues, is the core appeal of this film. Today’s World Disco in Hong Kong, is crazy, with fans almost eyeball to eyeball with the three musicians on stage. Not all the audio is live, since the filmmakers couldn’t resist the opportunity to shoot some on-the-hoof promo videos (with the band lip-syncing to the studio tracks) in various locations such as the subway in Hong Kong (‘So Lonely’) and on a cable car in South America (‘When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around’).

‘Message in a Bottle’ as performed live in Hong Kong on Around The World

Around The World is at its weakest when it indulges in some forced set pieces such as Andy Summers trying his hand at Sumo wrestling (resulting in a bad case of the flu); a topless Sting pulling a Rickshaw up a hill; what can only be described as a comedy ‘skit’ on Camels in Cairo; and a very unfunny Jools Holland (interviewing the band towards the end of proceedings). The moments that stand out are the real ones, such as the Indian ladies and dignitaries in Bombay who seemed thrilled to welcome The Police to the Time and Talents Club for a charity concert (where they played a version of ‘Can’t Stand Losing You’ that Stewart Copeland told SDE was “maybe the best one on record”) and the blonde kid in Australia who, when asked by a local news reporter what he likes most about The Police, earnestly says “their music”. There’s also an amusing encounter in Hong Kong where a tailor doesn’t like the idea of adding zips to the lapels of Andy Summers’ jacket (we see the zip-laden garment later on!).

In Cairo, we get a sniff of Spinal Tap (that mockumentary was three or four years away at the time of filming) as Stewart’s brother Miles, who managed the band, grapples with red tape and the challenge of getting their gear out of customs and ready in time for the concert (“obviously we need the lights!” we hear him say, exasperated) but again, that’s a rare peak into the mechanics and frustrations that go with a world tour. Around The World prefers music, performance, off-stage japes and the texture and colour of capital cities and their residents.

The picture quality is now stunning, although Andy Summers last year told SDE “It’s taken forever got get it sorted, because of issues like restoring 16mm film and getting the extras up to 4K level”. The credits on the blu-ray actually confirm that the negatives were scanned at 2K, which is HD blu-ray quality but not 4K. 

The Police live on stage (click image to enlarge)

In terms of this being ‘expanded’ there are welcome “complete” live performances of ‘Walking On The Moon’, ‘Next To You’ (both from Kyoto) and ‘Message in a Bottle’ and ‘Born in the 50’s’ (both Hong Kong) in the bonus section of the blu-ray/DVD. Also, let’s not forget that depending on which package you buy you get a CD or vinyl LP of live performances (the CD has a few more songs). What’s interesting, is there are numerous tweaks and edits, mostly small and largely inconsequential, although that doesn’t include the omission of a performance of ‘De Do Do Do De Da Da Da’ in France, almost certainly because Sting gets annoyed by what someone in the crowd does (spitting?) and shouts “You fucking bastard! I’m going to get you” during the performance of the song! Trying to ‘get’ one of your fans is not a good look these days, one presumes. Kudos to Thepolicewiki.org for some forensic work on this issue and a full breakdown of the changes!

The Police Around The World is ultimately glossy, but a lot of fun. You don’t learn much about the personalities of the members of the group and all the tension and stress of a global tour is hidden under the surface. 40 years on, the film is now a historical document and that fact that it exists in the first place, and has been restored to modern standards in both video and audio, is excellent. Most of all, it reminds us just how ferociously good Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland were, together as a band in 1980. You can’t help but agree with Copeland when he told SDE that “We were always a very guerrilla band, so we were psychically equipped to play weird places”. Highly recommended.

The Police Around The World is out now.

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The Police

Around The World - Blu-ray + CD edition

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The Police

DVD + silver vinyl - in USA - and blue vinyl elsewhere

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Tracklisting

Around The World The Police / Blu-ray or DVD

    • Features performances of:
      1. Next To You
      2. Walking On The Moon
      3. Born In The 50’s
      4. So Lonely
      5. Man In A Suitcase
      6. Can’t Stand Losing You
      7. Bring On The Night
      8. Canary In A Coalmine
      9. Voices Inside My Head
      10. When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What’s Still Around
      11. Shadows In The Rain
      12. Don’t Stand So Close To Me
      13. Truth Hits Everybody
      14. Roxanne
      Bonus Features:Complete live performances of:
      1. Walking On The Moon (Live from Kyoto)
      2. Next To You (Live from Kyoto)
      3. Message In A Bottle (Live from Hong Kong)
      4. Born In The 50’s (Live from Hong Kong)

Tracklisting

Around The World The Police / CD

      1. Walking On The Moon – Live from Kyoto
      2. Next To You – Live from Kyoto
      3. Deathwish – Live from Kyoto
      4. So Lonely – Live from Kyoto
      5. Can’t Stand Losing You – Live from Kyoto
      6. Truth Hits Everybody – Live from Kyoto
      7. Visions Of The Night – Live from Hammersmith
      8. Roxanne – Live from Hammersmith
      9. Intro
      10. Born In The 50’s – Live from Hong Kong
      11. Message In A Bottle – Live from Hong Kong
      12. Bring On The Night – Live from Hong Kong

Tracklisting

The Police / Around The World DVD+vinyl LP deluxe edition

Around The World The Police / Vinyl LP

    • Side A
      1. Walking On The Moon – Live from Kyoto
      2. Deathwish – Live from Kyoto
      3. So Lonely – Live from Kyoto
      4. Can’t Stand Losing You – Live from Kyoto
    • Side B
      1. Truth Hits Everybody – Live from Kyoto
      2. Roxanne – Live from Hammersmith
      3. Born In The 50’s – Live from Hong Kong
      4. Message In A Bottle – Live from Hong Kong
      5. Bring On The Night – Live from Hong Kong

Talk Talk / The Party’s Over vinyl reissue

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Talk Talk’s 1982 debut album, The Party’s Over, is to be reissued on coloured vinyl for its 40th anniversary. The album features the singles ‘Mirror Man’, ‘Talk Talk’ and the band’s first top 20 hit, ‘Today’.

The Party’s Over was produced by Colin Thurston, who’d produced Duran Duran’s first two albums before working with Talk Talk on this album.

This 40th anniversary vinyl does not offer any bonus content, but is pressed on white vinyl. It’s released on 15 July 2022 via Parlophone Label Group.

The Party’s Over 40th anniversary edition pressed on white vinyl (click image to enlarge)

Tracklisting

Talk Talk / The Party's Over 40th anniversary coloured vinyl

The Party’s Over Talk Talk / 40th anniversary coloured vinyl

    • Side A
      1. Talk Talk
      2. It’s So Serious
      3. Today
      4. The Party’s Over
      Side B
      1. Hate
      2. Have You Heard The News
      3. Mirror Man
      4. Another Word
      5. Candy

Fans mourn the death of Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher from Depeche Mode

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Depeche Mode fans are in shock with the announcement late yesterday that band member Andy Fletcher had died, aged only 60. No cause of death has been released.

In a statement, the band said:

“We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member, and bandmate Andy “Fletch” Fletcher.

Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh or a cold pint.

Our hearts are with his family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy in this difficult time”.

A founding member of Depeche Mode, and keyboard (and bass) player, Fletch along with Martin Gore and Dave Gahan was one of the three original members still in the group. Their last album was 2017’s Spirit.

With the early departure of Vince Clark (in 1981) and Alan Wilder quitting in 1995, that now only leaves Gore and Gahan to fly the flag for Depeche Mode. With this devastating news, questions will be asked over the band’s future, although it’s true that Gore and Gahan come up with most of the material, these days.

In a dark Thursday, Yes drummer Alan White also passed away at the age of 72. In a six-decade career he had played with some greats, including two Beatles (John Lennon and George Harrison). White joined Yes in July 1972 and so was the longest continuously serving band member.

Rest in Peace Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher and Alan White (and Ray Liotta who also died yesterday aged 67).

This Week’s Box Set and Reissue Deals

Posted on by Paul Sinclair
Nirvana / Nevermind 30 vinyl LP + 7" single

Nirvana / Nevermind 30 vinyl LP + 7″ single Remastered vinyl + 7″

£19 was £33

Deal Over!

Excellent price in the UK for a quality vinyl reissue. Nirvana’s Nevermind has been newly remastered from the original analog tapes and packaged in a premium ‘tip-on’ gatefold jacket for the first time. This comes with a bonus 7″ single featuring ‘Endless, Nameless’, ‘Even in His Youth’ and Aneurysm.

Kirsty MacColl / Tropical Brainstorm blue vinyl LP

Kirsty MacColl / Tropical Brainstorm blue vinyl LP Blue vinyl LP

£11

Deal Over!

The Killers / Pressure Machine vinyl LP Vinyl LP

£14

Deal Over!
Elton John / Madman Across The Water 50th anniversary 3CD+blu-ray super deluxe edition

Elton John / Madman Across The Water 3CD+blu-ray super deluxe 3CD+blu-ray super deluxe

$55 was $90

Deal Over!

Great deal in America for the forthcoming super deluxe which is out at the end of next week. This expanded set includes rarities such as piano demos of the album and the audio of the BBC Sounds For Saturday concert, broadcast on BBC in 1972 and a 5.1 mix of the album by Greg Penny.

Crowded House / Dreamers are Waiting blue vinyl LP blue vinyl LP

£13 was £16

Deal Over!

Absurd price for the coloured vinyl edition of a great album

Elton John / Jewel Box: Deep Cuts 4LP vinyl 4LP vinyl

£25 was £45

Deal Over!

Hard to argue with £25 for a 4LP vinyl box set. You need to click on the voucher on the product page to get this UK deal.

John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band 2CD deluxe

John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band 2CD deluxe 2CD deluxe

£9 was £16

Deal Over!

Superb 2CD deluxe with a bonus disc of an alternative version of the album and the non-album singles. Nice packaging with slipcase, oversized booklet and War Is Over If You Want It poster!

Nirvana / Nevermind 30 – 2CD deluxe 2CD deluxe

£6 was £12

Deal Over!

Click voucher on product page for a great half-price deal. The bonus CD on this remastered Nevermind 30 has selections from 4 concerts on the Nevermind tour from Amsterdam, Netherlands; Del Mar, California; Melbourne, Australia and Tokyo, Japan.

ABBA / Voyage eco box CD box

£7 was £10

Deal Over!

Includes exclusive poster, art cards & sticker sheets.

David Bowie / Toy:Box 10″ box set 6 x 10″ vinyl box

£58 was £100

Deal Over!

Suede to release new studio album called ‘Autofiction’

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

“Back to basics”, with Ed Buller twiddling the knobs

Suede will release their ninth studio album, Autofiction, in September.

The album sees the band apparently ditching the grandeur and concepts of the last two records and going ‘back to basics’, with frontman Brett Anderson describing Autofiction as “our punk record. No whistles and bells. Just the five of us in a room with all the glitches and fuck-ups revealed; the band themselves exposed in all their primal mess.”

You can preview the first single ‘She Still Leads Me On’, above. The song is written from Brett to his late mother and lyrically Autofiction is described as “one of Anderson’s most personal records yet”. The album was recorded in Konk studios in North London. Ed Buller returns as producer after Suede worked with Alan Moulder for the The Blue Hour.

Standard formats for the album are CD, black gatefold vinyl and indies grey gatefold vinyl. The official artist shop (US fans have their own shop) offers a clear vinyl variant, signed bundles and a deluxe box set that gathers CD, clear vinyl along with “stencil, postcards, poster and signed setlist”. Not quite as impressive as 2018’s The Blue Hour box, it has to be said, which offered exclusive instrumentals on CD, a unique song on seven-inch and a DVD with band commentary.

Cover art to store exclusive ‘She Still Leads Me On’ EP

An exclusive 12-inch EP of ‘She Still Leads Me On’, is available on all bundles in the Suede shop (although not in the US). This includes non-album bonus tracks ‘The Prey’, ‘Days Like Dead Months’, and ‘The Sadness In You, The Sadness In Me’. SDE has been advised that if you ordered the bundle yesterday after the 12-inch sold out you will still get the 12-inch EP for the sake of fairness, etc. So that’s very good news!

US fans should note that there’s a separate ‘London Suede’ shop for you, although the box isn’t available from there.

Suede will play a couple of dates at London’s Electric Ballroom on 5 & 6 October and ordering from their shop does get you access to pre-sale tickets.

Autofiction will be released on 16 September via BMG.

Suede shop highlights

US fans should click here for official US ‘London Suede’ shop

Autofiction gatefold vinyl LP (click image to enlarge)

Tracklisting

Autofiction Suede /

      1. She Still Leads Me On
      2. Personality Disorder
      3. 15 Again
      4. The Only Way I Can Love You
      5. That Boy on the Stage
      6. Drive Myself Home
      7. Black Ice
      8. Shadow Self
      9. It’s Always the Quiet Ones
      10. What am I Without You
      11. Turn off Your Brain and Yell

Tracklisting

She Still Leads Me On Suede / 12″ EP

    • SIDE A
      1. She Still Leads Me On
      2. The Sadness In You, The Sadness In Me
      SIDE B
      1. Days Like Dead Moths
      2. The Prey

Now Yearbook ’81 unboxing video

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Released last week, the fourth in the Now That’s What I Call Music Yearbook series focuses on 1981. Watch as SDEtv explores the three physical editions of Now Yearbook ’81.

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Various Artists

Now Yearbook 81 - deluxe 4CD set in hardcover book

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Now Yearbook 81 - limited edition 3LP red vinyl

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Now Yearbook 81 - standard 4CD set

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Tracklisting

Now Yearbook '81 / 4CD hardcover book deluxe edition

Now Yearbook ’81 Various Artists / 4CD set

    • CD 1
      1. Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure
      2. The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
      3. The Specials – Ghost Town
      4. Ultravox – Vienna
      5. Visage – Fade To Grey
      6. The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
      7. Duran Duran – Planet Earth
      8. Soft Cell – Tainted Love
      9. Japan – Quiet Life
      10. Kim Wilde – Kids In America
      11. Toyah – It’s A Mystery
      12. Adam & The Ants – Prince Charming
      13. Blondie – Rapture
      14. ABBA – Lay All Your Love On Me
      15. Olivia Newton-John – Physical
      16. Stars On 45 – Stars On 45
      17. Shakin’ Stevens – Green Door
      18. Madness – It Must Be Love
      19. Smokey Robinson – Being With You
      20. Michael Jackson – One Day In Your Life
    • CD 2
      1. John Lennon – Imagine
      2. Roxy Music – Jealous Guy
      3. Pretenders – I Go To Sleep
      4. Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
      5. REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You
      6. Electric Light Orchestra – Hold On Tight
      7. The Who – You Better You Bet
      8. Rainbow – I Surrender
      9. Status Quo – Something ‘Bout You Baby I Like
      10. Motorhead, Girlschool – Please Don’t Touch
      11. Hazel O’Connor – Will You?
      12. Tom Tom Club – Wordy Rappinghood
      13. Yarbrough & Peoples – Don’t Stop The Music
      14. Imagination – Body Talk
      15. Hi-Gloss – You’ll Never Know
      16. Freeez – Southern Freeez
      17. Odyssey – Going Back To My Roots
      18. Earth, Wind & Fire – Let’s Groove
      19. The Whispers – It’s A Love Thing
      20. Four Tops – When She Was My Girl
      21. Champaign – How ‘Bout Us
    • CD 3
      1. John Lennon – Woman
      2. ABBA – One Of Us
      3. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross – Endless Love (From “The Endless Love” Soundtrack)
      4. Randy Crawford – Rainy Night In Georgia
      5. Sheena Easton – For Your Eyes Only
      6. Adam & The Ants – Stand And Deliver
      7. Godley & Creme – Under Your Thumb
      8. Kiki Dee – Star
      9. Cliff Richard – Wired For Sound
      10. Dollar – Hand Held In Black And White
      11. Aneka – Japanese Boy
      12. Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up
      13. Shakin’ Stevens – This Ole House
      14. Coast To Coast – (Do) The Hucklebuck
      15. Stray Cats – Rock This Town
      16. Bad Manners – Can Can
      17. Modern Romance – Everybody Salsa
      18. The Look – I Am The Beat
      19. The Nolans – Attention To Me
      20. Julio Iglesias – Begin The Beguine (Volver A Empezar)
      21. Kate Robbins & Beyond – More Than In Love
      22. Elaine Paige – Memory (From ‘Cats’)
    • CD 4
      1. Adam & The Ants – Antmusic
      2. Altered Images – Happy Birthday
      3. Duran Duran – Girls On Film
      4. The Human League – Love Action (I Believe In Love)
      5. Spandau Ballet – Chant No. 1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure On)
      6. Haircut 100 – Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)
      7. ABC – Tears Are Not Enough
      8. Landscape – Einstein A Go-Go
      9. Phil Lynott – Yellow Pearl
      10. Gary Numan – She’s Got Claws
      11. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Souvenir
      12. The Passions – I’m In Love With A German Film Star
      13. The Jam – That’s Entertainment
      14. U2 – Fire
      15. Siouxsie And The Banshees – Spellbound
      16. The Teardrop Explodes – Reward
      17. Tenpole Tudor – Swords Of A Thousand Men
      18. Department S – Is Vic There?
      19. UB40 – One In Ten
      20. Fun Boy Three – The Lunatics (Have Taken Over The Asylum)
      21. Squeeze – Labelled With Love
      22. Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Good Year For The Roses

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Various Artists

Now Yearbook 81 - deluxe 4CD set in hardcover book

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Now Yearbook 81 - limited edition 3LP red vinyl

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Now Yearbook 81 - standard 4CD set

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Tracklisting

Now Yearbook '81 / 4CD hardcover book deluxe edition

Now Yearbook ’81 Various Artists / 4CD set

    • CD 1
      1. Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure
      2. The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
      3. The Specials – Ghost Town
      4. Ultravox – Vienna
      5. Visage – Fade To Grey
      6. The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
      7. Duran Duran – Planet Earth
      8. Soft Cell – Tainted Love
      9. Japan – Quiet Life
      10. Kim Wilde – Kids In America
      11. Toyah – It’s A Mystery
      12. Adam & The Ants – Prince Charming
      13. Blondie – Rapture
      14. ABBA – Lay All Your Love On Me
      15. Olivia Newton-John – Physical
      16. Stars On 45 – Stars On 45
      17. Shakin’ Stevens – Green Door
      18. Madness – It Must Be Love
      19. Smokey Robinson – Being With You
      20. Michael Jackson – One Day In Your Life
    • CD 2
      1. John Lennon – Imagine
      2. Roxy Music – Jealous Guy
      3. Pretenders – I Go To Sleep
      4. Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
      5. REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You
      6. Electric Light Orchestra – Hold On Tight
      7. The Who – You Better You Bet
      8. Rainbow – I Surrender
      9. Status Quo – Something ‘Bout You Baby I Like
      10. Motorhead, Girlschool – Please Don’t Touch
      11. Hazel O’Connor – Will You?
      12. Tom Tom Club – Wordy Rappinghood
      13. Yarbrough & Peoples – Don’t Stop The Music
      14. Imagination – Body Talk
      15. Hi-Gloss – You’ll Never Know
      16. Freeez – Southern Freeez
      17. Odyssey – Going Back To My Roots
      18. Earth, Wind & Fire – Let’s Groove
      19. The Whispers – It’s A Love Thing
      20. Four Tops – When She Was My Girl
      21. Champaign – How ‘Bout Us
    • CD 3
      1. John Lennon – Woman
      2. ABBA – One Of Us
      3. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross – Endless Love (From “The Endless Love” Soundtrack)
      4. Randy Crawford – Rainy Night In Georgia
      5. Sheena Easton – For Your Eyes Only
      6. Adam & The Ants – Stand And Deliver
      7. Godley & Creme – Under Your Thumb
      8. Kiki Dee – Star
      9. Cliff Richard – Wired For Sound
      10. Dollar – Hand Held In Black And White
      11. Aneka – Japanese Boy
      12. Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up
      13. Shakin’ Stevens – This Ole House
      14. Coast To Coast – (Do) The Hucklebuck
      15. Stray Cats – Rock This Town
      16. Bad Manners – Can Can
      17. Modern Romance – Everybody Salsa
      18. The Look – I Am The Beat
      19. The Nolans – Attention To Me
      20. Julio Iglesias – Begin The Beguine (Volver A Empezar)
      21. Kate Robbins & Beyond – More Than In Love
      22. Elaine Paige – Memory (From ‘Cats’)
    • CD 4
      1. Adam & The Ants – Antmusic
      2. Altered Images – Happy Birthday
      3. Duran Duran – Girls On Film
      4. The Human League – Love Action (I Believe In Love)
      5. Spandau Ballet – Chant No. 1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure On)
      6. Haircut 100 – Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)
      7. ABC – Tears Are Not Enough
      8. Landscape – Einstein A Go-Go
      9. Phil Lynott – Yellow Pearl
      10. Gary Numan – She’s Got Claws
      11. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Souvenir
      12. The Passions – I’m In Love With A German Film Star
      13. The Jam – That’s Entertainment
      14. U2 – Fire
      15. Siouxsie And The Banshees – Spellbound
      16. The Teardrop Explodes – Reward
      17. Tenpole Tudor – Swords Of A Thousand Men
      18. Department S – Is Vic There?
      19. UB40 – One In Ten
      20. Fun Boy Three – The Lunatics (Have Taken Over The Asylum)
      21. Squeeze – Labelled With Love
      22. Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Good Year For The Roses

Tracklisting

Now Yearbook '81 / 4CD hardcover book deluxe edition

Now Yearbook ’81 Various Artists / Limited edition 3LP red vinyl

    • LP 1
      SIDE A
      1. Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure
      2. The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
      3. Blondie – Rapture
      4.  Olivia Newton-John – Physical (Remastered)
      5. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross – Endless Love (From “The Endless Love” Soundtrack)
      6. Pretenders – I Go To Sleep
      7.  ABBA – One Of Us
      SIDE B
      1. Ultravox – Vienna
      2.  Visage – Fade To Grey
      3. Soft Cell – Tainted Love
      4.  Japan – Quiet Life
      5. Duran Duran – Planet Earth
      6. The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
      7. Kim Wilde – Kids In America
      8. Adam & The Ants – Stand And Deliver
    • LP 2
      SIDE A
      1. John Lennon – Woman
      2. Roxy Music – Jealous Guy
      3. Hazel O’Connor – Will You?
      4.  Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
      5. REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You
      6. The Who – You Better You Bet
      7.  Electric Light Orchestra – Hold On Tight
      SIDE B
      1. The Specials – Ghost Town
      2. The Jam – That’s Entertainment
      3. UB40 – One In Ten
      4.  Madness – It Must Be Love
      5. Sheena Easton – For Your Eyes Only
      6.  Odyssey – Going Back To My Roots
      7. Earth, Wind & Fire – Let’s Groove
      8. Imagination – Body Talk
    • LP 3
      SIDE A
      1. Duran Duran – Girls On Film
      2. Spandau Ballet – Chant No. 1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure On)
      3. Haircut 100 – Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)
      4. ABC – Tears Are Not Enough
      5. Phil Lynott – Yellow Pearl
      6. Landscape – Einstein A Go-Go
      7.  Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Souvenir
      8.  The Passions – I’m In Love With A German Film Star
      SIDE B
      1. Adam & The Ants – Prince Charming
      2. Altered Images – Happy Birthday
      3. Toyah – It’s A Mystery
      4. Tom Tom Club – Wordy Rappinghood
      5. Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up
      6. Shakin’ Stevens – This Ole House
      7. Smokey Robinson – Being With You
      8. Michael Jackson – One Day In Your Life

Moonage Daydream – official teaser trailer

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Moonage Daydream is a new film by Brett Morgen that will be in Cinemas worldwide, in September. It’s a “a genre defying immersion into the art and sounds of David Bowie“.

The David Bowie Archive granted Morgen unprecedented access to their collection. They presented Morgen with over five million assets, including rare and never-before seen drawings, recordings, films, and journals. 

The audio should be good. Tony Visconti and sound mixer Paul Massey remixed and translated Bowie’s original stems for a theatrical environment that will be presented in 12.0, 5.0, Atmos, and 7.1/5.1. 

Elton John vinyl reissues

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

July sees a clutch of Elton John remastered vinyl reissues including a 2LP edition of his 2005 album Peachtree Road, a stereo release of 1968’s Regimental Sgt. Zippo and his first album of the 1990s, The One.

Regimental Sgt. Zippo is the ‘album that never was’ for Elton John. It was recorded in London in 1968 and was supposed to be his debut album. For reasons unknown, it was never released. During the research for the Jewel Box collection, the original running order was located and this album was issued last year, in mono, for Record Store Day. It has now been newly mixed into stereo and will be issued on black vinyl. There’s also a CD edition that contains both the original mono mixes and the new stereo mix.

The new 2LP vinyl remaster of Peachtree Road (click image to enlarge)

Peachtree Road was issued in 2004 and was self-produced. The vinyl wasn’t issued until 2005 at which point the rather dull original cover art was superseded by the image you see at the top of this post. It also became a special expanded edition, with three bonus tracks from the musical Billy Elliot, including ‘Electricity’, which reached #4 in the UK charts. The new 2LP vinyl replicates this original version.

Finally, The One was issued in June 1992 and followed his The Very Best Of compilation. It features guest appearances from Kiki Dee, Eric Clapton and David Gilmour, and reached #2 in the UK album charts. The title track preceded the album and was a top ten hit in June of that year. For this new remaster, the original running order, which was squeezed onto two sides of a single album originally, has been expanded to 2LPs in a new gatefold sleeve.

All three vinyl reissues (and the CD of Sgt Zippo) are released on 8 July 2022.

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Elton John

Regimental Zippo in Stereo - black vinyl LP

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Tracklisting

Peachtree Road Elton John / 2LP vinyl

    • LP 1
      Side A
      1. Weight Of The World
      2. Porch Swing In Tupelo
      3. Answer In The Sky
      4. Turn The Lights Out When You Leave
      Side B
      1. My Elusive Drug
      2. They Call Her The Cat
      3. Freaks In Love
      4. All That I’m Allowed (I’m Thankful)
    • LP 2
      Side A
      1. I Stop And I Breathe
      2. Too Many Tears
      3. It’s Getting Dark In Here
      4. I Can’t Keep This From You
      Side B
      1. The Letter
      2. Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher
      3. Electricity

Tracklisting

The One Elton John / 2LP vinyl

    • LP 1
      Side A
      1. Simple Life
      2. The One
      3. Sweat It out
      Side B
      1. Runaway Train
      2. Whitewash County
    • LP 2
      Side A
      1. The North
      2. When A Woman Doesn’t Want You
      3. Emily
      Side B
      1. On Dark Street
      2. Understanding Women
      3. The Last Song

Tracklisting

Regimental Sgt. Zippo Elton John / vinyl LP

    • LP 1
      Side A
      1. When I Was Tealby Abbey
      2. And The Clock Goes Round
      3. Sitting Doing Nothing
      4. Turn To Me
      5. Angel Tree
      6. Regimental Sgt. Zippo
      Side B
      1. A Dandelion Dies In The Wind
      2. You’ll Be Sorry To See Me Go
      3. You’re My Woman (aka Nina)
      4. Tartan Coloured Lady
      5. Hourglass
      6. Watching The Planes Go By

Out This Week / on 27 May 2022

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

ABBA / Album CD or Vinyl Box Set CD, Vinyl

With perfect timing, as the ABBA Voyage concert experience is about to open in London, a new ‘complete’ ABBA albums box set is issued with both CD and vinyl formats available. This 10-disc package has been updated to include their chart-topping Voyage album and also features a bonus disc of non-album singles and B-sides.

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Marc Almond / Stranger Things (reissue)

Marc Almond’s 2001 album Stranger Things is reissued as a 3CD set and 2LP ‘crystal clear’ vinyl. Both offer bonus tracks.

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Stranger Things - 3CD set

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Stranger Things - 2LP clear vinyl

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Swing Out Sister / Blue Mood, Breakout and Beyond

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

A Swing Out Sister 8CD box set will be released in July called Blue Mood, Breakout and Beyond.

The box set will feature the group’s first three studio albums, It’s Better To Travel (1987), Kaleidoscope World (1989) and Get In Touch With Yourself (1992) and the Japan-only live album Live at the Jazz Café (1993).

Additionally, there will be four discs of bonus content: three CDs of remixes and a final disc collecting B-sides.

I spoke to band members Corinne Drewery and Andy Connell along with producer Paul O’Duffy about this era, and my interviews with them feature in the included booklet as they talk through the various albums (and the B-sides!).

The box set will be presented in the style of the recent Level 42 packages, although it should be noted that the artwork displayed above is only a temporary front cover and will change.

Blue Mood, Breakout and Beyond will be released on 19 August 2022 (was 29 July), via Cherry Red.

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Swing Out Sister

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Tracklisting

Swing Out Sister / Blue Mood, Breakout & Beyond

Blue Mood, Breakout and Beyond Swing Out Sister / 8CD box set

    • 1. It’s Better To Travel
      1. Breakout
      2. Twilight World (Superb, Superb, Mix)
      3. After Hours
      4. Blue Mood
      5. Surrender
      6. Fooled By A Smile
      7. Communion
      8. It’s Not Enough
      9. Theme (From – “It’s Better To Travel”)
    • 2. Kaleidoscope World
      1. You On My Mind
      2. Where In The World?
      3. Forever Blue
      4. Heart For Hire
      5. Tainted
      6. Waiting Game
      7. Precious Words
      8. Masquerade
      9. Between Strangers
      10. The Kaleidoscope Affair
      11. Precious Words
      12. Forever Blue
      13. Masquerade
    • 3. Get In Touch With Yourself
      1. Get In Touch With Yourself
      2. Am I The Same Girl
      3. Incomplete Without You
      4. Everyday Crime
      5. Circulate
      6. Who Let The Love Out
      7. Understand
      8. Notgonnachange
      9. Don’t Say The Word
      10. Love Child
      11. Everyday Crime (Inst.)
    • 4. Live at the Jazz Café
      1. Get In Touch With Yourself
      2. You On My Mind
      3. Surrender
      4. Everyday Crime
      5. Twilight World
      6. Circulate
      7. Am I The Same Girl
      8. Breakout
      9. Notgonnachange
      10. Who Let The Love Out / Expansions / Coney Island Man / Wives & Lovers
    • 5. Remixes
      1. Blue Mood Dubbed-Up Version
      2. Blue Mood Growler Mix
      3. Breakout A New Rockin’ Version
      4. Breakout N.A.D. Mix
      5. Breakout Horny Version
      6. Breakout Carnival MIx
      7. Fooled By A Smile Ralph Mix
      8. Fooled By A Smile TV Mix
      9. Breakout American Instrumental Mix
      10. Communion Instrumental
      11. Fooled By A Smile Phi Phi Mix
      12. Twilight World Remix
    • 6. Remixes
      1. Twilight World – The World Travel Mix
      2. Twilight World – Vocal Dub
      3. Twilight World – Classical Dub
      4. Twilight World – Instrumental Dub
      5. Twilight World – Beat Your Sister Dub
      6. Surrender – Stuff Gun Mix
      7. Surrender Pop – Stand Remix
      8. Surrender – Roadrunner Mix
      9. Precious Words – Orchestral Mix
      10. Waiting Game – Extended Version
      11. Waiting Game – Remix Edit
      12. Waiting Game – Ulti Mix
      13. Waiting Game – Dub
    • 7. Remixes
      1. Where In The World – Bongo Fury Mix
      2. Where In The World – Radical Mix
      3. You On My Mind – Extended Version
      4. Precious Words – Earth Bound Mix
      5. Am I The Same Girl – Bubba’s Version
      6. Notgonnachange – Classic Club Version (Mix)
      7. Notgonnachange – Classic Song Mix
      8. Notgonnachange – Mix Of Drama
      9. Notgonnachange – Dashi I Mix
      10. Notgonnachange – O’Duffy’s 7″ Mix
      11. Notgonnachange – New Jack Swing Out Mix
      12. Am I The Same Girl – Instrumental
    • 8. B-sides
      1. Wake Me When It’s Over (B-Side – Blue Mood)
      2. Dirty Money (B-Side – Breakout)
      3. Who’s To Blame (B-Side – Surrender)
      4. Another Lost Weekend – Long Version (B-Side Twilight World)
      5. Fever (B-Side Fooled By A Smile)
      6. Coney Island Man (B-Side – You On My Mind)
      7. Taxi Town (B-Side – Where In The World)
      8. Windmills Of Your Mind (Where In The World Bonus Track)
      9. Spirit Moves (B-Side – Am I The Same Girl)
      10. I Can Hear You But I Can’t See You Am (I The Same Girl – Bonus Track)
      11. Alone (Notgonnachange Bonus Track)
      12. Surrender 7″ Version
      13. Twilight World (Single Edit)
      14. Notgonnachange (Edit)
      15. Circulate Live Version (Japanese single version)

xPropaganda / The Heart Is Strange: ‘all formats’ unboxing

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

xPropaganda’s new album The Heart Is Strange is out today. Issued on ZTT, the long-player has been made available on six physical formats (some of which have sold out). Watch the video, as SDEtv ‘unboxes’ them all!

The Beatles Get Back blu-ray is back on track

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

After the late February release of Peter Jackson’s acclaimed documentary, The Beatles Get Back, was postponed, some doubt was cast over whether the blu-ray version of the ‘3-part event’ would ever see the light of day. Perhaps Disney had changed their minds and wanted to stick with just having the documentary on its streaming service?

Thankfully, that hasn’t come to pass and the entertainment giant has confirmed this week that the 468-minute film will be issued on blu-ray (and DVD) in July.

How the blu-ray 3-disc set will look (click image to enlarge)

Other than that, nothing has changed from the January announcement. Both editions will be three-disc sets with each disc containing one of the three episodes:

  • Part One – The band gathers at Twickenham Film Studios to rehearse for a planned concert.
  • Part Two – Recording sessions start at Apple Studios, rehearsals continue and the mood lifts.
  • Part Three – The Beatles perform on the rooftop of their Apple offices.

The HD blu-ray edition features the Dolby Atmos mix, 7.1 PCM and 2.0 PCM stereo sound, while the DVD offers 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital. These also have English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles.

The Beatles Get Back will be released on 11 July 2022. Existing pre-orders on Amazon should be fine, although there are no DVD pre-order links that I can find…

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The Who / Tommy and The Who Sell Out half-speed mastered vinyl

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Two classic albums from The Who will be issued as new half-speed mastered vinyl pressings in July.

1967’s The Who Sell Out is one of the albums in question, which is mildly surprising, given that this album was reissued just over a year ago, when a 2LP vinyl edition with bonus tracks was offered. This time it’s strictly a single LP, ‘album-only’ affair, but of course this has been cut at half-speed by Miles Showell of Abbey Road for optimum/superior sound. If you’d like an in-depth explanation of the half-speed mastering process, check out this SDE post.

The 2LP half-speed mastered vinyl pressing of Tommy (click image to enlarge)

The Who’s ‘rock opera’ Tommy, from 1969, is the second of the two albums to be issued as a half-speed mastered vinyl pressing. Like The Who Sell Out, Tommy was given the full reissue treatment but this was way back in late 2013. The album mastering is courtesy of longtime Who engineer Jon Astley (as is The Who Sell Out), but again, this has been cut at half-speed by Miles Showell.

Both releases are packaged in original sleeve and come with OBI-strip and certificate of authenticity. The Who Sell Out and Tommy are issued as half-speed mastered vinyl pressings on 8 July 2022.

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The Who Sell Out - half-speed mastered vinyl

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Tracklisting

Tommy The Who / Half-speed mastered vinyl

    • LP 1
      SIDE 1
      1. Overture
      2. It’s A Boy
      3. 1921
      4. Amazing Journey
      5. Sparks
      6. Eyesight For the Blind (The Hawker)
      SIDE 2
      1. Christmas
      2. Cousin Kevin
      3. The Acid Queen
      4. Underture
    • LP 2
      SIDE 3
      1. Do You Think It’s Alright?
      2. Fiddle About
      3. Pinball Wizard
      4. There’s A Doctor
      5. Go To the Mirror!
      6. Tommy, Can You Hear Me?
      7. Smash The Mirror
      8. Sensation
      SIDE 4
      1. Miracle Cure
      2. Sally Simpson
      3. I’m Free
      4. Welcome
      5. Tommy’s Holiday Camp
      6. We’re Not Gonna Take It

Tracklisting

The Who Sell Out The Who / Half-speed mastered vinyl

    • LP 1
      SIDE 1
      1. Armenia City in The Sky
      2. Heinz Baked Beans
      3. Mary Anne With the Shaky Hand
      4. Odorono
      5. Tattoo
      6. Our Love Was
      7. I Can See for Miles
      SIDE 2
      1. Can’t Reach You
      2. Medac
      3. Relax
      4. Silas Stingy
      5. Sunrise
      6. Rael (1 And 2)

Classic Rock & Pop acts feature in ‘white label’ vinyl charity auction

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Next month, The White Label Auction will see rare vinyl test pressings sold off to the highest bidder in aid of recorded music charity The BRIT Trust.

‘White labels’ are so-called because they are vinyl test pressings of an album with no sleeve/label artwork; they literally have a white/blank label. Normally only a small number (perhaps 5 to 10 units) are produced for artists/management to listen to and approve for large scale vinyl pressing.

A number of the UK’s major and independent record labels led by Universal Music UK/UMC (including A&M, Chess, Island Records, Motown, Polydor and Virgin), Sony Music Entertainment UK (Columbia), Warner Records (Atlantic), BMG, Cherry Red, Cooking Vinyl, Domino Records and others, have joined forces to pull together an extensive selection of white-label items for auction.

The Cure white labels are signed/annotated by Robert Smith (click image to enlarge)

Among the discs that fans will be able to bid for are various recordings released/reissued in recent years, including some that are artist-signed and annotated by Robert Smith (The Cure – Acoustic Hits, Disintegration, Pornography, Seventeen Seconds, and Head On The Door), Dio (Holy Diver), Howard Devoto (Magazine – Correct Use of Soap), and Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys (OMD – Souvenir and OMD).

Other featured lots include catalogue repertoire from artists including ABC, The Buggles, Eurythmics, The Cranberries, Genesis, Mike Oldfield, The Moody Blues, The Police, Rory Gallagher, Roxy Music, Simple Minds, Sparks, The Who, T-Rex and Paul Weller. 

The auction is hosted live onside and online by Omega Auctions, the music memorabilia and vinyl records specialists, and funds raised go to music industry charity The BRIT Trust, which since 1989 has donated around £28 million to charities and causes that promote education and wellbeing through the power of music and the creative arts, such as the BRIT School and Nordoff-Robbins music therapy. 

The White Label Auction takes place on 7 June 2022. Head over to Omega Auctions and peruse all the lots.

 

Michael Jackson / Thriller 40

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Michael Jackson’s 1982 album Thriller (you may have heard of it) is to be reissued for its 40th anniversary later this year.

The world’s biggest selling album of all time™ has revised cover art, with updated typography and will be issued on vinyl (album only) and as a two-CD set with “bonus material including previously unreleased demos”. After a torturous ‘reveal’ process those 10 bonus tracks are now announced and can be seen in the track listing below,

Thriller reissue hiSTORY

A special edition of Thriller was issued in 2001 with a bonus CD of extra content that included the home demo of ‘Billie Jean’; the songs ‘Someone In The Dark’ (originally recorded for the storybook album E.T. The Extra Terrestrial) and ‘Carousel’; and various interviews and voiceovers. In 2006, US fans got a stereo-only SACD of the album and two years after that, ‘Thriller 25’ added some ill-advised Will.I.Am, Kanye West and Akon remixes of the classic singles and included yet another song from the Thriller sessions: ‘For All Time’. The CD version of this anniversary release included a DVD with promo videos and the ‘legendary’ Billie Jean peformance from Motown 25. Four years ago Sony issued a picture disc version of Thriller along Jackson’s other albums.

Thriller 40 is a 2CD set with bonus tracks to include “previously unreleased demos” (click image to enlarge)
Why no big box?

Whatever your view of the bonus disc of Thriller 40, Sony and/or Jackson’s estate clearly do not feel inclined to issue a full bells and whistles super deluxe edition box set. They perhaps do not wish to commit to such an investment when they may have good reason to feel uncertain about how Thriller 40 will be received in the marketplace.

Jackson’s reissue campaigns over the years have been the very definition of ‘missed opportunity’, regularly embracing whomever the hot names are at that particular time (how’s it going, Afrojack?) and not getting the basics right (none of those sought after 12-inch mixes from the Bad-era appeared on Bad 25, which was a slam-dunk dereliction of duty on the part of the compilers.

Audiophile Thriller

One very interesting element to this campaign is that Sony have authorised two audiophile editions of the album, licensing to Mobile Fidelity. There will be a new SACD edition, ”mastered from the original analog master tapes and housed in mini-gatefold sleeve packaging” and also a MoFi UltraDisc One-Step vinyl box set (“strictly limited to 40,000 numbered copies”). If you are not familiar with the latter, instead of utilising the industry-standard three-step lacquer process, UltraDisc One-Step (UD1S) uses only one step, “bypassing two processes of generational loss and thereby revealing extra musical detail and dynamics otherwise lost due to the standard copying process”. Mobile Fidelity claim that “every UD1S pressing serves as an immaculate replica of the lacquer sourced directly from the original master tape”.

These ‘One Step’ vinyl sets are normally close to impossible to get hold of in the UK but you can pre-order the Thriller edition here. Believe it or not, £90 is actually a very good price for one of these releases! More info for and pre-order links for international fans, here. In the UK you can pre-order the SACD via this link.

Update Nov 2022: Mobile Fidelity’s reputation was damaged by the revelations that despite claiming to always use the original analogue mastertapes for these ‘One-Step’ pressings, they’ve actually been using digital transfers of said master tapes. That doesn’t mean Thriller won’t sound good, but it is, of course, an important distinction.

This 40th anniversary reissue of Thriller will be released on 18 November 2022.

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Jackson, Michael

Thriller 40 - vinyl LP

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Jackson Michael

Thriller vinyl picture disc

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Tracklisting

Thriller 40 Michael Jackson /

    • CD 1
      1. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
      2. Baby Be Mine
      3. The Girl Is Mine – Michael Jackson with Paul McCartney
      4. Thriller
      5. Beat It
      6. Billie Jean
      7. Human Nature
      8. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
      9. The Lady in My Life
    • CD 2
      1. Starlight
      2. Got the Hots
      3. Who Do You Know
      4. Carousel
      5. Behind The Mask
      6. Can’t Get Outta The Rain
      7. The Toy
      8. Sunset Driver
      9. What A Lovely Way To Go
      10. She’s Trouble

Out This Week / on 20 May 2022

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

The Police / Around The World CD, Vinyl, Blu-ray, DVD

All Around The World, previously only available on VHS and Laserdisc, follows The Police on their first world tour in 1979 and 1980 offers a jovial glimpse of the band as they travel around the world and spotlights their visits to local sights between performances. The reissue comes with restored picture and remastered audio and formats include Blu-ray+CD edition and vinyl LP+DVD.

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Peter Gabriel / Passion (half-speed mastered vinyl LP)

Passion – Music for The Last Temptation of Christ was released a year after Martin Scorsese’s controversial film and features additional music not included in the film. This half-speed mastered vinyl is cut at 33RPM and comes with a hi-res download card.

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Peter Gabriel

Passion - half-speed mastered vinyl LP

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Van Morrison / What’s It Gonna Take (new album)

Van Morrison’s 43rd studio album follows after last year’s prosaically titled Latest Record Project double album and is actually his ninth album in seven years.

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Whats it Gonna Take - 2LP grey vinyl

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Whats it Gonna Take - CD edition

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Kim Wilde (limited splatter vinyl)

Kim Wilde’s first three studio albums are reissued as special limited ‘splatter’ vinyl editions, with audio remastered from fresh transfers.

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Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde - white and black splatter vinyl LP

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Select - white and black splatter vinyl LP

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Catch as Catch Can - white and blue splatter vinyl

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More Roxy Music half-speed vinyl

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

As revealed back in February, UMC/Virgin is issuing all eight Roxy Music albums as half-speed mastered pressings. Stranded and Country Life are out today and release dates for the final four albums are now available.

Siren (1975, featuring ‘Love is the Drug’) and Manifesto (1979, featuring ‘Dance Away’ & ‘Angel Eyes’) are both released on 10 June 2022, while Flesh + Blood (1980, featuring ‘Over You’) and the final studio album Avalon (1982, featuring ‘More Than This’ and the title track) follow three weeks later on 1 July 2022.

Avalon is the final half-speed mastered studio album (click image to enlarge)

These new 2022 pressings are brand new half-speed versions cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road and the artwork for these has been ‘revised’ with lyrics and a “deluxe gloss laminated finish”. Notably, they do not feature the now common Abbey Road branded half-speed master OBI-strips, presumably because Bryan Ferry doesn’t want such froth spoiling the cover art!

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Siren - half-speed mastered vinyl

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Manifesto - half-speed mastered vinyl

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Flesh and Blood - half-speed mastered vinyl

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Avalon - half-speed mastered vinyl

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Tracklisting

Siren Roxy Music / Half-speed mastered vinyl LP

    • Side A
      1. Love Is the Drug
      2. End of the Line
      3. Sentimental Fool
      4. Whirlwind

      Side B

      1. She Sells
      2. Could It Happen to Me?
      3. Both Ends Burning
      4. Nightingale
      5. Just Another High

Tracklisting

Manifesto Roxy Music / Half-speed mastered vinyl LP

    • Side A
      1. Manifesto
      2. Trash
      3. Angel Eyes
      4. Still Falls the Rain
      5. Stronger Through the Years

      Side B

      1. Ain’t That
      2. My Little Girl
      3. Dance Away
      4. Cry, Cry, Cry
      5. Spin Me Round

Tracklisting

Flesh + Blood Roxy Music / Half-speed mastered vinyl LP

    • Side A
      1. In the Midnight Hour
      2. Oh Yeah
      3. Same Old Scene
      4. Flesh and Blood
      5. My Only Love

      Side B

      1. Over You
      2. Eight Miles High
      3. Rain Rain Rain
      4. No Strange Delight
      5. Running Wild

Tracklisting

Avalon Roxy Music / Half-speed mastered vinyl LP

    • Side A
      1. More Than This
      2. The Space Between
      3. Avalon
      4. India
      5. While My Heart Is Still Beating

      Side B

      1. The Main Thing
      2. Take A Chance With Me
      3. To Turn You On
      4. True to Live
      5. Tara

Tim Bowness / Butterfly Mind

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

Tim Bowness returns next month with Butterfly Mind, his seventh solo album.

The album features a rhythm section of Richard Jupp (formerly of Elbow) and Nick Beggs and boasts a remarkable guest list of contributors, including Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Dave Formula (Magazine), Peter Hammill (Van Der Graaf Generator), Stephen W Tayler (Kate Bush) and No-Man violinist Ben Coleman. Butterfly Mind is produced by Tim and Brian Hulse and was mixed and mastered by Steven Wilson.

The record label talk of “the long-form ambition of the sensuous ‘Dark Nevada Dream'”, “the cinematic Electro-Ballroom of ‘Glitter Fades‘” and the “dystopian paranoia of ‘Say Your Goodbyes Parts 1 and 2′” but of course, nothing beats having a listen, and so for a flavour of the new album, check out the first single, ‘Always The Stranger’, above, and down below, the aforementioned ‘Dark Nevada Dream’, which is the second song to be made available.

Butterfly Mind reveals a fresh new feel in terms of Bowness album artwork (handled by Carl Glover), and as usual, there’s a thoughtful selection of physical formats. A limited 2CD edition offers an alternative mix of the entire album along with an outtake and a couple of demos. Both black and limited edition transparent green vinyl come in a die-cut sleeve and both also include a CD version of the album.

Butterfly Mind will be released on 5 August 2022 (was 17 June) via InsideOutMusic. Pre-orders via Burning Shed come with a fridge magnet and a signed postcard (the green vinyl is also exclusive to Burning Shed).

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Bowness, Tim

Butterfly Mind - 2CD edition with bonus audio

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Bowness, Tim

Butterfly Mind - black vinyl LP+CD

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Green vinyl comes in a die-cut sleeve and a CD edition of the album (click image to enlarge)

Tracklisting

Butterfly Mind Tim Bowness /

    • CD 1 / LP
      1. Say Your Goodbyes, Pt. 1 2:22
      2. Always The Stranger 2:50
      3. It’s Easier To Love 5:13
      4. We Feel 4:53
      5. Lost Player 3:13
      6. Only A Fool 4:33
      7. After The Stranger 1:15
      8. Glitter Fades 4:50
      9. About The Light That Hits The Forest Floor 3:49
      10. Dark Nevada Dream 8:26
      11. Say Your Goodbyes, Pt. 2 1:59
    • CD 2
      1. Say Your Goodbyes, Pt. 1  Alt 2:23
      2. Always The Stranger  Alt 2:48
      3. It’s Easier To Love  Alt 5:10
      4. We Feel  Alt 5:02
      5. Lost Player  Alt 3:16
      6. Only A Fool  Alt 4:36
      7. After The Stranger  Alt / Extended Version 2:06
      8. Glitter Fades  Alt 4:53
      9. About The Light That Hits The Forest Floor  Alt 3:48
      10. Dark Nevada Dream  Alt 8:26
      11. Say Your Goodbyes, Pt. 2  Alt 1:52
      12. Clearing Houses 3:34
      13. Always The Stranger – Raw :45
      14. Lost Player – Primitive 2:48


The Rolling Stones / 7″ Singles 1963-1966

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

ABKCO Records will release The Rolling Stones 7″ Singles 1963-1966 next month, which is a new, limited edition seven-inch singles box set that includes reproductions of the first 18 vinyl singles and EPs as issued by Decca and London Records.

The set includes three early multi-track EPs and two versions of both (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction and Get Off Of My Cloud, each with alternate London and Decca B-sides.

7″ Singles 1963-1966 contains 18 reproduction vinyl singles (click image to enlarge)

The box – which features nine top 20 hits and five number ones – includes period-correct picture sleeve art, comes with a 32-page book with extensive sleeve notes by Nigel Williamson, and a set of five photo cards and a poster, all housed in a hard-shell box. All tracks are all remastered by engineer Bob Ludwig.

7″ Singles 1963-1966 will be released on 10 June 2022 via ABKCO Records. A second box, 1966-1971, will be released next year.

Tracklisting

Singles Box Volume One: 1963 – 1966 The Rolling Stones / 7″ singles box set

    • Come On (originally released June 1963)
      1. Come On
      2. I Want To Be Loved
    • I Wanna Be Your Man (originally released November 1963)
      1. I Wanna Be Your Man
      2. Stoned
    • The Rolling Stones E.P. (originally released January 1964)
      1. Bye Bye Johnny
      2. Money
      3. You Better Move On
      4. Poison Ivy
    • Not Fade Away (originally released February 1964)
      1. Not Fade Away
      2. Little By Little
    • Tell Me (originally released June 1964)
      1. Tell Me
      2. I Just Want To Make Love To You
    • It’s All Over Now (originally released June 1964)
      1. It’s All Over Now
      2. Good Times, Bad Times
    • Five by Five E.P. (originally released August 1964)
      1. If You Need Me
      2. Empty Heart
      3. 2120 South Michigan Avenue
      4. Confessin’ The Blues
      5. Around & Around
    • Time Is On My Side (originally released September 1964)
      1. Time Is On My Side
      2. Congratulations
    • Little Red Rooster (originally released November 1964)
      1. Little Red Rooster
      2. Off The Hook
    • Heart Of Stone (originally released December 1964)
      1. Heart Of Stone
      2. What A Shame
    • The Last Time (originally released February 1965)
      1. The Last Time
      2. Play With Fire
    • Got Live If You Want It! E.P. (originally released June 1965)
      1. We Want The Stones
      2. Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
      3. Pain in My Heart
      4. Route 66
      5. I’m Moving On
      6. I’m Alright
    • (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (US version, originally released June 1965)
      1. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
      2. The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man
    • (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction) (UK version, originally released August 1965)
      1. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
      2. The Spider and The Fly
    • Get Off Of My Cloud (US version, originally released September 1965)
      1. Get Off My Cloud
      2. I’m Free
    • Get Off Of My Cloud (UK version, originally released October 1965)
      1. Get Off My Cloud
      2. The Singer Not The Song
    • As Tears Go By (originally released December 1965)
      1. As Tears Go By
      2. Gotta Get Away (US 1965)
    • 19th Nervous Breakdown (US version, originally released February 1966)
      1. 19th Nervous Breakdown
      2. Sad Day – US B-side

Shakespears Sister / Hormonally Yours 30th anniversary

Posted on by Paul Sinclair

New formats including coloured vinyl, CD+DVD and 7CD singles box • Mirror-board packaging and limited ‘Sequinned Catsuit Editions’

Shakespears Sister’s 1992 album Hormonally Yours will be reissued in August for its 30th anniversary across various special vinyl and CD formats, including a 75-track, 7CD singles box set!

The album was a enormous success off the back of the astonishing UK chart-topping single ‘Stay’ which spent a staggering eight weeks at number one across February, March and April of 1992. Five singles were issued in Britain including ‘I Don’t Care (which peaked at #7) and ‘Hello (Turn Your Radio On)’ which was a top 20 hit in November ’92.

The 30th anniversary reissues of Hormonally Yours sees all formats make use of special ‘mirror-board’ packaging. This means that instead of the white front cover, the artwork is printed on special reflective, ‘mirror’ stock.

There are two new vinyl editions, white and ‘splatter’ vinyl, with the band’s official store exclusively offering a special ‘Sequinned Catsuit Edition’ of the white variant. This is literally a bespoke sequinned sleeve inspired by the band’s famous catsuits. Very flash!

Exclusive to the SS official store are ‘Sequinned Catsuit Editions’ of vinyl and CD+DVD formats! (click image to enlarge)

A ‘bookpack’ (aka casebound book) CD+DVD edition adds three bonus tracks to the (remastered) album proper and offers all the videos as shot by Sophie Muller, plus live recordings of album tracks from the bands 2019 tour. Also on this disc, is previously unseen footage shot during the making of the album. Again, this is printed on mirror-board and the official store has a ‘Sequinned Catsuit Edition’ of this format as well (the vinyl Sequinned Catsuit Edition is limited to 1000 units, the CD+DVD version, 2000 units).

So far, so good, but the format which has the SDE readers’ name all over it, is the 7CD singles box! Like the other formats, this is printed on special mirror-board stock and this set devotes a CD to each of the singles five singles, plus the promo single ‘Black Sky’. These CD singles are absolutely packed with variants of each song. For example the ‘Stay’ CD has 13-tracks, while ‘I Don’t Care’ and ‘Goodbye Cruel World’ have 11 apiece. Fantastic stuff. If you are wondering why it’s seven CDs and not six, it’s because the remastered album with the 3 bonus tracks is included as well! What’s not to like? Especially at £35 with a signed A5 photo, exclusive from the band’s official store.

CD singles box set includes six singles and the expanded album in ‘mirror-board’ packaging (click image to enlarge)

These 30th anniversary editions of Hormonally Yours include new sleeve notes and will be released on 30 September 2022 (was 19 August 2022).

Shakespears Sister Official Store Exclusives

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Shakespears Sister

Hormonally Yours - CD+DVD

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JPC de   27.99 Order
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AL!VE AG

Hormonally Yours - splatter vinyl

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JPC de   58.99 Order
FNAC fr   82.07 Pre-Order
Rough Trade uk   39.99 pre-order
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Tracklisting

Shakespears Sister / Hormonally Yours 30th anniversary reissue

Hormonally Yours Shakespears Sister / 25th anniversary

    • Hormonally Yours
      1. Goodbye Cruel World 4:05
      2. I Don’t Care 4:15
      3. My 16th Apology 4:16
      4. Are We in Love Yet 3:45
      5. Emotional Thing 3:48
      6. Stay 3:48
      7. Black Sky 4:08
      8. The Trouble with Andre 4:38
      9. Moonchild 4:27
      10. Catwoman 3:59
      11. Let Me Entertain You 4:44
      12. Hello (Turn Your Radio On) 4:12