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XTC / The Big Express CD+blu-ray

Features Steven Wilson Atmos, 5.1 and stereo mixes

By Paul Sinclair

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58

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The Big Express / XTC CD+blu-ray

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4.8

XTC’s 1984 album The Big Express will be reissued as a CD+blu-ray edition with new Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and stereo mixes by Steven Wilson.

This is the seventh in the ongoing series of expanded XTC reissues and as with the others it includes a wealth of audio including four album remixes by Wilson (Atmos, 5.1, stereo and instrumental), the whole album in demo form, plus extra demos and bonus tracks.

The Atmos Mix is actually a first for XTC since up until now the surround mixes have been 5.1 only, so that’s good news.

The original stereo mix of All You Pretty Girls

Described as “a neglected classic of its era”, The Big Express made extensive use of new technology, at the time, with Linn-Drum programming (alongside drummer Peter Phipps), E-mu Emulator and other synths. It was a post-punk concept album about growing up in an industrial town. “The Big Express is the closest we ever came to recording a ‘concept’ album. It’s full of Swindon and deep seams of life there, that run through myself, Colin, and Dave, (Terry too of course). It’s populated by members of our families, our hopes and dreams. The things we wished for, or feared, a stew of memories.” – Andy Partridge

The two-disc set is packaged in a digipak sleeve and resides in a cardboard slip case. It comes with a 16-page booklet.

This CD+blu-ray edition of The Big Express will be released on 29 September 2023 (was 22 September), via APE. You can place an order via the SDE shop using this link or the button below.

EU SHIPPING NOTES: If you are ordering from the EU please be aware that that goods may be subject to import VAT when they arrive from the UK. The prices the SDE shop charge you do not include VAT

Tracklisting

The Big Express XTC / CD+blu-ray edition

    • CD: The Big Express (new stereo mix)
      1. Wake Up
      2. All You Pretty Girls
      3. Shake You Donkey Up
      4. Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her
      5. This World Over
      6. The Everyday Story of Smalltown
      7. I Bought Myself a Liarbird
      8. Reign of Blows
      9. You’re the Wish You Are I Had
      10. I Remember the Sun
      11. Train Running Low on Soul Coal
      Bonus tracks
      1. Red Brick Dream
      2. Washaway
      3. Blue Overall

       

    • Blu-ray
      2023 Dolby Atmos and 5.1 mixes
      1. Wake Up
      2. All You Pretty Girls
      3. Shake You Donkey Up
      4. Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her
      5. This World Over
      6. The Everyday Story of Smalltown
      7. I Bought Myself a Liarbird
      8. Reign of Blows
      9. You’re the Wish You Are I Had
      10. I Remember the Sun
      11. Train Running Low on Soul Coal
      Additional 2020 Dolby Atmos and 5.1 mixes
      1. Red Brick Dream
      2. Washaway
      3. Blue Overall
      2023 Stereo Outtakes
      1. Broomstick Rhythm (guide vocal)
      2. The Troubles (Big Express version – Backing Track)
      Instrumental Mixes
      1. Wake Up
      2. All You Pretty Girls
      3. Shake You Donkey Up
      4. Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her
      5. This World Over
      6. The Everyday Story of Smalltown
      7. I Bought Myself a Liarbird
      8. Reign of Blows
      9. You’re the Wish You Are I Had
      10. I Remember the Sun
      11. Train Running Low on Soul Coal
      12. Red Brick Dream
      13. Washaway
      14. Blue Overall
      Original Stereo and Extra Tracks
      1. Wake Up
      2. All You Pretty Girls
      3. Shake You Donkey Up
      4. Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her
      5. This World Over
      6. The Everyday Story of Smalltown
      7. I Bought Myself a Liarbird
      8. Reign of Blows
      9. You’re the Wish You Are I Had
      10. I Remember the Sun
      11. Train Running Low on Soul Coal
      12. Red Brick Dream
      13. Washaway
      14. Blue Overall
      Album and Additional Demos
      1. Wake Up
      2. All You Pretty Girls
      3. Shake You Donkey Up
      4. Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her
      5. This World Over
      6. The Everyday Story of Smalltown
      7. I Bought Myself a Liarbird
      8. Reign of Blows
      9. You’re the Wish You Are I Had
      10. I Remember the Sun
      11. Train Running Low on Soul Coal
      12. Red Brick Dream
      13. Washaway
      14. Blue Overall
      15. Now We All Dead (It Doesn’t Matter)
      16. Work
      17. Gangway, Electric Guitar is Coming Through
      18. Broomstick Rhythm
      19. Shiny Cage
      20. A Patriotic Romance

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