Posts Tagged ‘Box Set’

SIMPLE MINDS – ” New Gold Dream ” Box Set

Posted: May 21, 2016 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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New Gold Dream Box Set Exploded Pack Shot 530

On July 29th ‘New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)’ will be released as a new 5CD / 1 DVD super deluxe box set including a newly remastered version of the classic album, plus a further four discs of B-sides, edits, extended versions and previously unreleased BBC sessions.

The 1982 album was the Scottish band’s second on the Virgin label and the first to feature drummer Mel Gaynor (recruited after producer Peter Walsh declared himself unsatisfied with Mike Ogletree’s playing). New Gold Dream launched Simple Minds’ career worldwide and delivered the hit singles Promised You A Miracle, Glittering Prize and Someone Somewhere In Summertime.

The new super deluxe edition of New Gold Dream boasts an abundance of material. Disc one features a 2016 remaster (by Andrew Walter at Abbey Road) approved by Charlie Burchill and the second disc gathers 12-inch remixes and instrumentals of the singles, a few of which enjoy their CD debut.

Various edits and B-sides can be found on the third CD in the set while disc four features previously unreleased BBC John Peel and Kid Jensen radio sessions, recorded in February and August 1982.

All ten tracks on disc five are previously unreleased; made up of alternative mixes and demos and the icing on the cake is the sixth and final disc which is a DVD, featuring Charlie Burchill and Ronald Prent’s 5.1 surround sound mix, first released on the now long out-of-print DVD-Audio in 2005. This mix of the album is a unique ‘full duration’ mix which is different to the standard version. DVD also includes promo videos and a few Top of the Pops performances. Note, this is a DVD-V unlike the DVD-A/V disc from previous Simple Minds box sets.

The super deluxe includes a 36-page booklet with sleeve notes by journalist and broadcaster, Billy Sloan including new interviews with Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill.

The reissue is being issued on two-CD deluxe and vinyl LP. The DVD content is also put out as a blu-ray audio.

New Gold Dream is reissued on 29 July 2016.

The DVD contains the famed 2005 ‘5.1 surround sound’ mix of the album, plus promo videos and BBC appearances, not to mention a stunning booklet with new interviews and rare photos.

The release will also be available in various versions: CD, 2CD set, 180gm LP and Blu-ray.

CD #1: Original Album

  1. Someone Somewhere In Summertime
  2. Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel
  3. Promised You A Miracle
  4. Big Sleep
  5. Somebody Up There Likes You
  6. NewGoldDream (81,82,83,84)
  7. Glittering Prize
  8. Hunter And The Hunted
  9. King Is White And In The Crowd

CD #2: Extended Versions

  1. Promised You A Miracle [Extended] (from Promised You A Miracle 12″ single)
  2. Seeing Out The Angel [Instrumental Remix] (from Promised You A Miracle 12″ single)
  3. Promised You A Miracle [US Remix] (from Promised You A Miracle American 12″ single)
  4. Promised You A Miracle [US Dub] (from Promised You A Miracle American 12″ single) First time on CD.
  5. Promised You A Miracle [US Special Extended Remix] (from Promised You A Miracle American Promo 12″ single) First time on CD.
  6. Glittering Prize [Club Mix] (from Glittering Prize 12″ single)
  7. Glittering Prize [Extended Theme] (from Glittering Prize 12″ single)
  8. Someone Somewhere In Summertime [Extended] (from Someone Somewhere In Summertime 12″ single)
  9. NewGoldDream (81,82,83,84) [German 12″ Remix] (from NewGoldDream German CD issue of album. Later released on 12″ singles.)
  10. King Is White And In The Crowd [Instrumental] (unedited and restored mix originally released with a Touch Tape magazine). First time on CD.
  11. NewGoldDream (81,82,83,84) [German 12″ Remix With Drums] (from X5 compilation)
  12. In Every Heaven (from X5 compilation)

CD #3: Edits And B-Sides

  1. Promised You A Miracle [Edit] (from Promised You A Miracle 7″ single)
  2. Theme For Great Cities (from Promised You A Miracle 7″ single)
  3. Glittering Prize [Edit] (from Glittering Prize 7″ single)
  4. Glittering Prize [Theme] (from Glittering Prize 7″ single) First time on CD.
  5. Someone Somewhere In Summertime [Edit] (from Someone Somewhere In Summertime Promo 7″ single) First time on CD.
  6. Soundtrack For Every Heaven (from Someone Somewhere In Summertime 12″ single)
  7. NewGoldDream (81,82,83,84) [7″ Mix] (from NewGoldDream Italian 7″ single)

CD #4: Radio Sessions

  1. Promised You A Miracle [Kid Jensen Session]
  2. In Trance As Mission [Kid Jensen Session]
  3. King Is White and In The Crowd [Kid Jensen Session] (from Someone Somewhere In Summertime 12″ single)
  4. Promised You A Miracle [John Peel Session] First time on CD
  5. Love Song [John Peel Session] First time on CD
  6. Sons And Fascination [John Peel Session] First time on CD
  7. King Is White And In The Crowd [John Peel Session] First time on CD
  8. Someone Somewhere In Summertime [Kid Jensen Session]
  9. Glittering Prize [Kid Jensen Session]
  10. Hunter And The Hunted [Kid Jensen Session]

CD #5: Alternative Mixes, Roughs And Demos

  1. Someone Somewhere In Summertime [Full Duration] Previously unreleased. First time on CD.
  2. Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel [Full Duration Instrumental] Previously unreleased. First time on CD.
  3. Promised You A Miracle [Remix For Album: Long] Previously unreleased. First time on CD.
  4. Big Sleep [Instrumental] Previously unreleased. First time on CD.
  5. In Every Heaven [Full Duration] Previously unreleased. First time on CD.
  6. Somebody Up There Likes You [Full Duration Instrumental] Previously unreleased. First time on CD.
  7. NewGoldDream (81,82,83,84) [Full Duration] Previously unreleased. First time on CD.
  8. Hunter And The Hunted [Alternative Take] Previously unreleased. First time on CD.
  9. King Is White And In The Crowd [Monitor Mix] Previously unreleased. First time on CD.
  10. In Every Heaven [Early Version] Previously unreleased. First time on CD.

DVD: 5:1 Mix And Videos

  1. Someone Somewhere In Summertime [5:1 Mixes]
  2. Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel [5:1 Mixes]
  3. Promised You A Miracle [5:1 Mixes]
  4. Big Sleep [5:1 Mixes]
  5. Somebody Up There Likes You [5:1 Mixes]
  6. NewGoldDream (81,82,83,84) [5:1 Mixes]
  7. Glittering Prize [5:1 Mixes]
  8. Hunter And The Hunted [5:1 Mixes]
  9. King Is White And In The Crowd [5:1 Mixes]
  10. In Every Heaven [5:1 Mixes]
  11. Promised You A Miracle [Promo Video]
  12. Glittering Prize [Promo Video]
  13. Promised You A Miracle [Top Of The Pops] First time commercially released.
  14. Glittering Prize [Top Of The Pops] First time commercially released.

The BEACH BOYS – ” Pet Sounds ” 50TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTORS EDITION EXCLUSIVE SIGNED BRIAN WILSON LITHOGRAPH BEACH BUNDLE

Posted: March 25, 2016 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds: 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition Exclusive Signed Brian Wilson Lithograph Beach Bundle

petPet Sounds 50th Anniversary Reissue

When Capitol Records initially released “Pet Sounds” in the UK the label ran adverts in the music press like the one you can see here. At the time there were some fans who were confused by The Beach Boys’ 11th studio album where were the stripped shirts and the surf -boards? In the intervening 50 years Pet Sounds has been acknowledged as a masterpiece, a record that has topped countless polls of the greatest albums ever made and is revered by musicians and fans as the pinnacle of Brian Wilson’s song writing, production and all round creative genius. Fifty years on it is to be reissued in all its glory with bonus material that will have many drooling with pleasure.

The influence that Pet Sounds has had, began even before it’s release outside the USA. On Monday, 16th May, 1966, Bruce Johnston, who was then the newest Beach Boy, arrived at London’s Heathrow Airport carrying a copy Pet Sounds that had come out in the USA that very day – well in advance of its UK release.

The following day, in his suite at the Waldorf Hotel, Bruce played Pet Sounds, in its entirety,for John Lennon and Paul McCartney – not once but twice. After the two Beatles left the Waldorf they went straight back to Paul’s house and there, inspired by Brian’s incredible music, they worked on the introduction to their song ‘Here, There and Everywhere’ that appeared on Revolver.

“Pet Sounds blew me out of the water. First of all, it was Brian’s writing. I love the album so much. I’ve just bought my kids each a copy of it for their education in life—I figure no one is educated musically ’til they’ve heard this album.” – Paul McCartney

Beach Boys Pet Sounds 1966

Ironically, given the love and respect that exists around the world for this album, the 1966 US release failed to achieve the kind of success that had been anticipated or the level of sales achieved by the band’s earlier albums. Pet Sounds made No.10 in the US. In the UK it fared far better, making No.2 on the album charts, the most successful of the band’s albums to that point.

The 50th anniversary release includes both Brian Wilson’s original mono mix and the later stereo remaster that captures the depth and perfection of Brian’s arrangements. The two ‘session’ CDs give us amazing insight into Brian’s control of the many musicians who play much of the music that underpins the sublime vocal harmonies of The Beach Boys.

Pet Sounds features some of the greatest LA musicians of the period. There are guitarists as varied as, Glen Campbell, Barney Kessel, Tommy Tedesco and Al Casey. On keyboards there’s Larry Knetchel, drummers, Hal Blaine and Jim Gordon along with French Horns, violins, an electric Theremin, and all manner of percussion instruments, including Coca-Cola cans. Listening to Brian encouraging, demanding and cajoling the musicians on the session tapes is like a master class in record production.

And then there are the vocals that include Brian Wilson’s most poignant ever performance on the sublime, ‘Caroline No’, Mike Love on ‘Here Today’, as well as Carl Wilson’s heart-stopping tour de force – ‘God Only Knows’. The fourth CD features a capella versions of the songs on the album and this is where The Beach Boys collectively shine. The soaring harmonies of ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’, the beautiful harmonic counterpoint of ‘I Know There’s An Answer’, and ‘I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times’ are all surf-soul music

Following the release of the album, ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’, ‘Sloop John B’ and ‘God Only Knows’ all became staples of The Beach Boys live shows and in more recent times, both, Brian and The Beach Boys touring band have featured songs from the album in concert and versions of Pet Sounds’s tracks performed live feature on disc 4  all of these are previously unreleased.

On ‘God Only Knows’ it is just Carl, Brian and Bruce that are singing and on the a capella version, when they finish their vocal, a voice asks, “How was that? Was that cool?” It’s Bruce Johnston asking the question and it is the perfect coda for not just the song, but also the album, because Pet Sounds is arguably the coolest record of all time. This is the kind of record that makes life worth living, reaffirming the notion that pop music is the most admired art form in the world. And make no mistake, Pet Sounds is art.

Beach Boys Prog ad

All editions of the 50th anniversary Pet Sounds will be released on 10th June and we have an exclusive offer in our store for the 4CD Super Deluxe Edition that includes a Beach Ball and Beach Bag, as well as an exclusive slip mat with the stereo and mono vinyl editions of the album.

Pet Sounds (50th Anniversary Edition) will be available in several configurations, including a 4CD/Blu-ray Audio collectors edition presented in a hardbound book, featuring the remastered original album in stereo and mono, plus hi res stereo, mono, instrumental, and 5.1 surround mixes, session outtakes, alternate mixes, and previously unreleased live recordings; a 2CD and digital deluxe edition pairing the remastered album in stereo and mono with highlights from the collectors edition’s additional tracks; and remastered, 180-gram LP editions of the album in mono and stereo with faithfully replicated original artwork.

Track listings for the Pet Sounds 50th anniversary reissues

CD 1
Pet Sounds (Mono)
1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
2. You Still Believe In Me
3. That’s Not Me
4. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
5. I’m Waiting For The Day
6. Let’s Go Away For Awhile
7. Sloop John B
8. God Only Knows
9. I Know There’s An Answer
10. Here Today
11. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
12. Pet Sounds
13. Caroline No
Pet Sounds (Stereo)
14. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
15. You Still Believe In Me
16. That’s Not Me
17. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
18. I’m Waiting For The Day
19. Let’s Go Away For Awhile
20. Sloop John B
21. God Only Knows
22. I Know There’s An Answer
23. Here Today
24. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
25. Pet Sounds
26. Caroline No
Additional Material
27. Caroline No (Promotional Spot #2)
28. Don’t Talk. . . (Unused Background Vocals)
29. Hang On To Your Ego (Alternate Mix)
30. Caroline No (Promotional Spot #1)

CD 2
The Pet Sounds Sessions
1. Sloop John B (Highlights from Tracking Date)
2. Sloop John B (Stereo Backing Track)
3. Trombone Dixie (Highlights from Tracking Date)
4. Trombone Dixie (Stereo Backing Track)
5. Pet Sounds (Highlights from Tracking Date)
6. Pet Sounds (Stereo Track Without Guitar Overdub)
7. Let’s Go Away For Awhile (Highlights from Tracking Date)
8. Let’s Go Away For Awhile (Stereo Track Without String Overdub)
9. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Highlights from Tracking Date)
10. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Stereo Backing Track)
11. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Stereo Track with Background Vocals)
12. You Still Believe In Me (Intro – Session)
13. You Still Believe In Me (Intro – Master Take)
14. You Still Believe In Me (Highlights from Tracking Date)
15. You Still Believe In Me (Stereo Backing Track)
16. Caroline No (Highlights from Tracking Date)
17. Caroline No (Stereo Backing Track)
18. Hang On To Your Ego (Highlights from Tracking Date)
19. Hang On To Your Ego (Stereo Backing Track)
20. I Know There’s An Answer (Vocal Session) [previously unreleased]
21. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Brian’s Instrumental Demo)
22. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Stereo Backing Track)
23. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (String Overdub)
24. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (Highlights from Tracking Date)
25. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (Stereo Backing Track)
26. That’s Not Me (Highlights from Tracking Date)
27. That’s Not Me (Stereo Backing Track)

CD 3
The Pet Sounds Sessions (continued)
1. Good Vibrations (Highlights from First Tracking Date)
2. Good Vibrations (Stereo Backing Track)
3. I’m Waiting For The Day (Highlights from Tracking Date)
4. I’m Waiting For The Day (Stereo Backing Track)
5. God Only Knows (Highlights from Tracking Date)
6. God Only Knows (Stereo Backing Track)
7. Here Today (Highlights from Tracking Date)
8. Here Today (Stereo Backing Track)
Alternate Versions
9. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Mono Alternate Mix 1)
10. You Still Believe In Me (Mono Alternate Mix)
11. I’m Waiting For The Day (Mono Alternate Mix, Mike sings lead)
12. Sloop John B (Mono Alternate Mix, Carl sings first verse)
13. God Only Knows (Mono Alternate Mix, with sax solo)
14. I Know There’s An Answer (Alternate Mix) [previously unreleased]
15. Here Today (Mono Alternate Mix, Brian sings lead)
16. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (Mono Alternate Mix)
17. Banana & Louie
18. Caroline No (Original Speed, Stereo Mix)
19. Dog Barking Session
20. God Only Knows (With A Cappella Tag)
21. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Mono Alternate Mix 2)
22. Sloop John B (Mono Alternate Mix, Brian sings lead throughout)
23. God Only Knows (Mono Alternate Mix, Brian sings lead)
24. Caroline No (Original Speed, Mono Mix)

CD 4
Live Recordings [all previously unreleased]
1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
2. Sloop John B
3. God Only Knows
Michigan State University, October 22, 1966
4. Good Vibrations
5. God Only Knows
6. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, Washington DC, November 19, 1967
7. God Only Knows
Carnegie Hall, New York, November 23, 1972 (2nd Show)
8. God Only Knows
Jamaican World Music Festival, Montego Bay, Jamaica, November, 26, 1982
9. Sloop John B
Universal Studios, Universal City, California, May, 23, 1989
10. Caroline No
11. You Still Believe In Me
Paramount Theater, New York City, November 26, 1993
Stack-O-Vocals
12. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
13. You Still Believe In Me
14. That’s Not Me
15. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
16. I’m Waiting For The Day
17. Sloop John B
18. God Only Knows
19. I Know There’s An Answer
20. Here Today
21. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
22. Caroline No
Bonus Track
23. Good Vibrations (Master Track with Partial Vocal) (previously unreleased)

Blu-ray Pure Audio Disc
Pet Sounds:
5.1 Surround Sound: 96kHz/24-bit
Mono; Stereo; Stereo Instrumental (new to hi res): 192kHz/24-bit

1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
2. You Still Believe In Me
3. That’s Not Me
4. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
5. I’m Waiting For The Day
6. Let’s Go Away For Awhile
7. Sloop John B
8. God Only Knows
9. I Know There’s An Answer
10. Here Today
11. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
12. Pet Sounds
13. Caroline No
Additional Material in 5.1 Surround and Stereo
14. Unreleased Backgrounds (Unused Intro for “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)”)
15. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Session Highlights)
16. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Alternative Mix without Lead Vocal)
17. God Only Knows (Session Highlights)
18. God Only Knows (Master Track Mix with A Cappella Tag)
19. Summer Means New Love
__

Pet Sounds (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
2CD

CD 1
Pet Sounds (Mono)
1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
2. You Still Believe In Me
3. That’s Not Me
4. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
5. I’m Waiting For The Day
6. Let’s Go Away For Awhile
7. Sloop John B
8. God Only Knows
9. I Know There’s An Answer
10. Here Today
11. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
12. Pet Sounds
13. Caroline No
Pet Sounds (Stereo)
14. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
15. You Still Believe In Me
16. That’s Not Me
17. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
18. I’m Waiting For The Day
19. Let’s Go Away For Awhile
20. Sloop John B
21. God Only Knows
22. I Know There’s An Answer
23. Here Today
24. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
25. Pet Sounds
26. Caroline No

CD 2
Live Recordings [all previously unreleased]
1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
2. Sloop John B
3. God Only Knows
Michigan State University, October 22, 1966
4. Good Vibrations
5. God Only Knows
6. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, Washington DC, November 19, 1967
7. God Only Knows
Carnegie Hall, New York, November 23, 1972 (2nd Show)
8. God Only Knows
Jamaican World Music Festival, Montego Bay, Jamaica, November, 26, 1982
9. Sloop John B
Universal Studios, Universal City, California, May, 23, 1989
10. Caroline No
11. You Still Believe In Me
Paramount Theater, New York City, November 26, 1993
Instrumentals
12. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
13. You Still Believe In Me
14. That’s Not Me
15. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
16. I’m Waiting For The Day
17. Let’s Go Away For A While
18. Sloop John B
19. God Only Knows
20. I Know There’s An Answer
21. Here Today
22. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
23. Pet Sounds
24. Caroline, No
__

Mono Vinyl Reissue
1LP + download card

180-gram heavyweight black vinyl LP reissue of ‘Pet Sounds’ remastered in Mono. Includes download card for digital redemption of the audio.

Side A
1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice – Mono (2:22)
2. You Still Believe In Me – Mono (2:29)
3. That’s Not Me – Mono (2:27)
4. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) – Mono (2:50)
5. I’m Waiting For The Day – Mono (3:03)
6. Let’s Go Away For Awhile – Mono (2:18)
7. Sloop John B – Mono (2:55)
Side B
1. God Only Knows – Mono (2:49)
2. I Know There’s An Answer – Mono (3:07)
3. Here Today – Mono (2:52)
4. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times – Mono (3:10)
5. Pet Sounds – Mono (2:20)
6. Caroline, No – Mono (2:53)
__

Stereo Vinyl Reissue
1LP + download card

180-gram heavyweight black vinyl LP reissue of ‘Pet Sounds’ remastered in Stereo. Includes download card for digital redemption of the audio.

Side A
1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice – Stereo (2:34)
2. You Still Believe In Me – Stereo (2:34)
3. That’s Not Me – Stereo (2:29)
4. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) – Stereo (2:57)
5. I’m Waiting For The Day – Stereo (3:05)
6. Let’s Go Away For Awhile – Stereo (2:25)
7. Sloop John B – Stereo (3:00)
Side B
1. God Only Knows – Stereo (2:56)
2. I Know There’s An Answer – Stereo (3:16)
3. Here Today – Stereo (3:06)
4. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times – Stereo (3:22)
5. Pet Sounds – Stereo (2:38)
6. Caroline, No – Stereo (2:52)

Pet Sounds 50th

 

 

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and the E.STREET BAND – ” The River “The River Tour, Tempe 1980)

Posted: November 23, 2015 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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Bruce Springsteen

The Tempe 1980 concert film features 24 songs — 2 hours, 40 minutes — on 2 DVDs, and is included in The Ties That Bind: The River Collection. The new film was produced from footage professionally filmed in 1980 using four cameras and recorded in multitrack audio.

A comprehensive look at The River era, the box set contains 52 tracks on 4 CDs with a wealth of unreleased material, and 4 hours of never-before-seen video on 3 DVDs.

Included in the box set:
The River (Records 1 & 2)
The River: Single Album (Previously unreleased)
The River: Outtakes (Contains previously unreleased music)
The Ties That Bind (Brand new 60-minute minute documentary)
The River Tour, Tempe (Never-released video footage of famed 1980 show)
The River Tour Rehearsal (Rare video footage)
Coffee table book of 200 rare/previously unseen photos
New essay by Mikal Gilmore

The JAM – ” Fire and Skill ” 6Cd Set of Live Recordings

Posted: October 18, 2015 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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All the details on the 6CD “Fire and Skill” Jam box, which features six previously unreleased concert recordings

Named after the legendary sign painted on Paul Weller’s amp, Fire And Skill is a superb six disc boxed set – featuring six previously unreleased concerts, one from each year of The Jam’s major-label career.

Starting with an incendiary early gig at London’s famous 100 Club from 1977, A Music Machine show from 1978, featuring most of the 2nd album – ‘This Is The Modern World’, Reading University show in 1979 – playing material from their breakthrough album ‘All Mod Cons’, Newcastle City Hall in 1980 – previewing songs from forthcoming album ‘Sound Affects’, London’s legendary Hammersmith Palais show in 1981 – part of The Jam’s four consecutive nights, previewing material from the forthcoming final album ‘The Gift’ and one of the band’s final ever gigs at Wembley Arena in 1982.

Packaged in mini, lift-off lid box this set includes a separate hard-back book and individual gatefold wallets for the discs, as well as new essay, period photos and rare memorabilia. All audio has been remastered at Abbey Road.

‘Fire & Skill: The Jam Live’, a 6 CD deluxe box set, will be released on Universal/Polydor on 30th October 2015.

It’s 40 years since classic The Jam line-up first started touring. The band had a phenomenal impact on pop music and wider youth culture. In their short career, they influenced a generation with their music, style, politics and inspiration.With Somerset House’s current exhibition and Universal Music’s recent CD ‘About The Young Idea’ which both trace the band’s story in hits and images – Universal/Polydor now announce a live box set that follows the journey through incendiary concert recordings.

1.) Starting with an early gig at London’s famous 100 Club from 1977, the show featured took place 10 months after they first played the venue in November 1976, and was recorded for broadcast on American radio ahead of the trio’s inaugural visit to US in October 1977 for a six-date tour.

2.) A Music Machine show from 1978, featuring most of the 2nd album – ‘This Is The Modern World’. This was The Jam’s sixth live show of the year and one of four low-key shows in the capital to fanfare their new ‘News Of The World’ single under the banner ‘The London Blitz’.

3.) Reading University – Feb 1979. Playing material from their breakthrough album ‘All Mod Cons’, this was The Jam’s first live appearance of 1979, and found the band in a radically different place to their showcase at the Music Machine 12 months before. In that time, their third album, ‘All Mod Cons’, had been released to critical acclaim, and their status as one of the New Wave’s most musically substantial and exciting bands had been secured. And Paul Weller was still only 20 years old…

4.) Newcastle City Hall – October 1980, previewing songs from forthcoming album ‘Sound Affects’. In the time between the show at Reading University (on Disc 3) and this appearance at Newcastle City Hall 20 months later, there had been more extraordinary developments in the group’s world. ‘Setting Sons’, their fourth album, had given them a Top 3 hit with ‘The Eton Rifles’, which was followed in February 1980 with the stirring Number 1 single, ‘Going Underground’. After three years on Polydor, The Jam had finally become the biggest group in the UK.

5.) London’s legendary Hammersmith Palais – December 1981. Part of The Jam’s four consecutive nights, previewing material from the forthcoming final album ‘The Gift’. The shows took in the form of a ‘60s soul revue, showcasing new acts including Bananarama, Department S and TV21.

6.) One of the band’s final ever gigs at Wembley Arena – December 1982. Late in 1982 The Jam announced they were splitting up – there would, though, be a final chance for fans to experience The Jam’s astonishing live shows, with a 14-date ‘farewell’ tour announced. The centrepiece was a five-night stand at Wembley Arena, the 10,000-capacity shed next to the London football stadium (the recording here is from the second date), the biggest live venue in the capital.

* Packaged in mini, lift-off lid box with 72-page, colour hard-back book.* Individual gatefold wallets for the discs, designed as facsimiles of the original tape boxes.

* Includes new essay, period photos, rare memorabilia and set of five postcard prints.* Remastered at Abbey Road.* Featuring stunning live versions of all the band’s classic hits and favourites of which only 11 tracks previously released.

 

The WHO – ” The Reaction Singles 1966 ” Box Set

Posted: June 13, 2015 in MUSIC
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Second Who Box Set To Cover 1966 Brunswick Era

The second of four limited edition 7” singles box sets by The Who,‘The Reaction Singles 1966,’ will be released by USM worldwide on August 14th. It’s the latest in the series of releases commemorating the band’s 50th anniversary this year. The new set follows the release of ‘Volume 1: The Brunswick Singles 1965-1966’ in April, with the Reaction singles to be followed by further anthologies of their Track and Polydor releases.

The Who - Vol 2 The Reaction Singles Box exploded packshot‘

Volume 2: The Reaction Singles 1966’ chronicles the five 7” single releases by The Who on the Reaction label during that important year in the band’s early history. Each of the discs has been faithfully recreated with authentic replicas of the original sleeves, pressed on heavyweight audiophile vinyl with die-cut centre holes.

The box includes such signature songs as ‘Substitute,’ ‘Happy Jack,’ and ‘I’m a Boy,’ as well as the ‘Ready Steady Who’ EP and other tracks. It will be housed in a full colour, rigid outer box, containing a 7” sized eight-page colour booklet with liner notes about each release by Who biographer Mark Blake.

The releases encompasses the period in which The Who broke their contract with producer Shel Talmy and Brunswick Records, and signed a temporary deal with the independent Reaction label, run by their agent Robert Stigwood. In March 1966, just before Brunswick released ‘A Legal Matter’ without the band’s permission, they released their own new single, ‘Substitute,’ with ‘Circles’ as the B-side.

The disagreement with Talmy led to the ‘Substitute’ single being withdrawn, and it was then reissued a week later with ‘Circles’ retitled ‘Instant Party.’ When ‘Substitute’ appeared for a third time, it had another different B-side, the instrumental ‘Waltz For A Pig.’ This was credited to The Who Orchestra, but actually featured another of Stigwood’s clients, the Graham Bond Organisation. ‘Substitute’ went on to a No. 5 peak in the UK, and returned to the top ten a decade later, reaching No. 7 on reissue in autumn 1976.

The title of ‘Ready Steady Who’ was inspired by the hit pop show ‘Ready Steady Go,’ on which the band made regular appearances. It included ‘Circles’ as the lead track, accompanied on the A-side by the new Pete Townshend composition ‘Disguises.’ The EP’s flipside featured the whimsical cover of the ‘Batman’ TV show theme, which The Who often played live, as well as versions of two of surf music fan Keith Moon’s favourite songs: Jan And Dean’s ‘Bucket T’ and the Beach Boys’ recent hit ‘Barbara Ann.’

FOTHERINGAY – ” Nothing More ” Box Set

Posted: April 3, 2015 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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Surviving Members Of Fotheringay For London Show

The surviving members of folk music giants Fotheringay have announced a London concert on June 19th, their first such show for 45 years. Jerry Donahue, Gerry Conway and Pat Donaldson will reunite under the band name for the gig at Under The Bridge.

News of the performance comes on the day March 30th that Universal release the four-disc set ‘Nothing More: The Collected Fotheringay,’ by the group formed by vocal legend Sandy Denny, on her departure from Fairport Convention, with her future husband Trevor Lucas. She had named the group after her 1968 composition which was inspired by Fotheringhay Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned. That song became part of Fairport’s landmark 1969 album and Sandy Denny’s debut with the group, ‘What We Did On Our Holidays.’

The new set features their one released album, from 1970, a 1971 follow-up that was abandoned when Denny left the group, plus unseen TV footage, previously unreleased live recordings from August 1970 and seven tracks recorded in session for BBC radio. This 3CD/1DVD set is the most comprehensive compilation yet of the group’s recordings, including hitherto unseen television footage, previously unreleased live recordings from a festival in Rotterdam (both from August 1970) and, for the first time, the official release of the seven existing tracks which Fotheringay recorded in session for BBC radio. The final DVD disc is the real Holy Grail for her fans. The four songs recorded by the group for the German TV show Beat Club effectively double the existing footage of Sandy Denny in performance. Two of these, ‘Nothing More’ and ‘John the Gun’ were never even broadcast at the time. Nothing More comes in hardcover book format complete with rare and previously unseen photographs of the band plus previously unseen original sketches for the Fotheringay cover by Marion Appleton, Trevor Lucas’s sister.

Lucas, Conway and Donahue all went on to join Fairport in 1972; the unfinished second album was finally released in 2008 as ‘Fotheringay 2,’ leading a whole new audience towards the delights of this short-lived but seminal outfit.

Buy ‘Nothing More: The Collected Fotheringay’

RORY GALLAGHER – ” Irish Tour ’74 ” ( 40th Anniversary Edition ) Classic Live Albums

Posted: December 20, 2014 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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Rory Gallagher - Irish Tour '74

The Irish blues-rock guitar icon made strong, often great albums in the Seventies. But he was at his best, always, on stage. Rory Gallagher‘s present to the home country, at the turn of ’74, was seven shows in three cities, including Belfast, where sectarian violence had scared off most touring bands. A fantastic 1974 double LP was taken from riotous gigs in Cork, where Gallagher grew up. This boxed set is the tour complete, with similar set lists but vigorously different performances each night by one of rock’s most reliantly electrifying guitarists.

Rory Gallagher was also growing increasingly frustrated at not being able to capture the energy of his live shows in the studio. During one session, he threatened to “chuck the tapes in the dustbin”. It was no ideal threat – he would go on to shelve whole albums in the future.

“He was a live performer,” said keyboard player Lou Martin. “He didn’t like the studio because he was playing to the walls and wasn’t getting any feedback from the audience. But he had to do the albums for the record company.” But  onstage, it was another matter entirely, and Gallagher understandably jumped at the chance to record another live album. But this one would be different: it would be recorded in Ireland. Although his previous live album Live In Europe has a more raw, one-take sound, Irish Tour ‘74 showcases Rory’s growth as a songwriter and shines where he explores his then-most recent studio album, the very musically varied Tattoo. Opener Who’s That Coming, Tattoo’d Lady and the lengthy, looser version of A Million Miles Away show a man who’s enjoying his talent to the fullest musically.

“We were one of the only bands to play Belfast,” says Lou Martin proudly. “Thin Lizzy were not doing it because of the aggravation. But Rory insisted on it. I was from Belfast, Gerry was from Belfast and there was co-operation from ‘The Organisation’ to make sure the concerts went OK.”. “We were taken care of very well,” said drummer Rod de’Ath. “The hotels that we stayed at were carefully chosen, without going into too much detail.” (Neither man was willing to go into more detail about ‘The Organisation’, though we can presume that they’re not talking about the British government).

The resulting album, “Irish Tour ’74”, remains the highlight of Gallagher’s career. Recorded in Belfast, Dublin and Cork, it finally nailed his live performances on vinyl. While the sound quality is variable – partly due to the fact that they couldn’t get insurance for Ronnie Lane’s Mobile Studios in the more troubled areas – the album never loses its primal, raw urgency. It’s the sound of a band leaning out over the precipice – something Gallagher deliberately encouraged, making up the show as he went along.

A DVD of Tony Palmer’s eyewitness film, “Irish Tour ’74”, captures the soft-spoken Gallagher defying the bloodshed in Belfast, determined to play for fans on both sides of the Troubles with no guns drawn except for the one in Blind Boy Fuller’s “Pistol Slapped Blues.” The 40th anniversary expanded deluxe edition release of one of Rory Gallagher’s most celebrated recordings. The most expansive edition to date, of this landmark album.  Featured for the first time on record, all three shows.  Packaged in a special deluxe edition 8 cd, 10” boxset and including previously unreleased tracks, remastered audio, photos, extensive liner notes, feature length documentary, memorabilia and more.

rory box set

“Irish Tour captures some of his finest known live recordings and, while it’s impossible to tell which songs were recorded where, across nine in-concert recordings (plus one after-hours jam session, Back on My Stompin’ Ground), the energy crackling from stage to stalls and back again packs an intensity that few live albums – Gallagher’s others among them – can match.” (AllMusic)

“Unlike many other of his contemporaries, he lived long enough to see his legacy and influence take hold and flourish in the musical world. This display of one man’s ability to unite a people and a country in turmoil through his music is an essential listen for all rock fans, young and old, and is a crucial part of Irish musical history as well as the very legacy of blues rock.” (Sputnik Music)

“From the moment the music starts, Rory Gallagher: Irish Tour ’74 more than justifies itself. Gallagher played like his guitar was plugged straight into the universal source, and it probably was. That Gallagher was on his home turf for this tour only increases the sense of some sort of direct connection with his sound. Every note played, every string struck and every song sung vibrates with all the passion and intensity of a spiritual experience, which this surely was.” (Pop Matters)

WILCO – ” Alpha Mike Foxtrot ” Rare Tracks 1994-2014 Box Set

Posted: November 30, 2014 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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In the book that accompanies Alpha Mike Foxtrot: Rare Tracks 1994-2014, a four-disc collection of rare and non-LP recordings by Wilco, the former Reprise Records publicist Bill Bentley admits that no less a legend than Doug Sahm thought he was making a mistake when, after Uncle Tupelo abruptly and acrimoniously broke up, Bentley opted to work with Jeff Tweedy’s new band rather than Son Volt, Jar Farrar’s post-UT project. “Come on, Bentley, you gotta go with the other guy,” Sahm said, “he’s gonna happen.” Which was certainly the conventional wisdom when Wilco and Son Volt  both launched in 1994 , Most fans seemed certain that Farrar was going to go on to a brilliant career on his own, and Tweedy’s band would be a fine but lesser commodity.

But those bets were off after Wilco released their ambitious, game-changing second album, “Being There”, in 1996, and in the years that followed, it became clear that Tweedy was the stronger songwriter, With a more imaginative sonic visionary, and a keener judge of collaborators than he’d had the chance to show in Uncle Tupelo. Two decades on from their debut, Wilco have created a large and impressively diverse body of work, and Alpha Mike Foxtrot is a massive odds-and-sods collection, bringing together 77 tracks from singles, promo releases, movie soundtracks, bonus discs, and downloads from Wilco’s website.

Alpha Mike Foxtrot plays like an alternate history of Wilco, and most of what’s here is every bit as satisfying as what the band delivered on its first eight studio albums, if more idiosyncratic; it traces the evolution of the band from early solo cassette demos Tweedy cut in his living room to extended workouts from the line-up that solidified after the release of “A Ghost Is Born”, as Wilco grew from a spirited alt-country combo to a rock band as adventurous and eager to innovate as it was engaging and tuneful (Tweedy’s simple but powerful way with a melody is the surest unifying factor that holds these songs together). And the plentiful live tracks here demonstrate how willing Tweedy and his bandmates have been to give their songs new shapes on-stage (a ten-minute live recording of “Spiders [Kidsmoke]” is a tremendous showcase for Nels Cline’s stellar guitar work), and there’s a fistful of studio tracks that didn’t fit on an album but sound splendid in this context, especially the Replacements-styled “Student Loan Stereo,” the soulful “The Thanks I Get,” and the faux-live pop/rocker “The Good Part.” In the strictest sense, nothing on Alpha Mike Foxtrot is unreleased, but there’s a lot here that’s never been available for general public consumption, and while the sheer bulk of this set means it’s most likely to be heard by hardcore fans, anyone with a genuine interest in Wilco will find a lot of great music that fell between the cracks on this set, as well as a fascinating map of the many roads Wilco did and didn’t take.

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Chronologically ordered, the 77 songs clock in at 4 hours and 40 minutes and there’s much to enjoy. The live version of ‘Impossible Germany’ is mind blowing with the Television style duelling guitars and Nels Cline’s staggering extended guitar solo, it’s better than the studio version. Most of the covers (Big Star, Steely Dan, Buffalo Springfield, etc.) remain faithful to the originals and their guitar heavy cover of the Gram Parsons written ‘One Hundred Years from Now’ is the best recording of the song I’ve heard. Full marks to Tweedy for his falsetto on the third verse of ‘I Shall Be Released’ (funny but cool!) and the memory of the late multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett lives on with many of his co-writes and playing featuring on Discs 2 & 3. The alternative versions though interesting are never better than the originals but what this collection does highlight, much like the ‘Kicking in Television’ live album, is what a well drilled and impressive live act Wilco are.

Wilco are one of those bands that are always around and always releasing quality music. Whether it be through the Wilco name or through one of the band’s many side projects, there is no doubting the sheer amount of talent in the Wilco camp. In celebration of their 20th birthday, the band have decided to release a massive 77-song collection of rarities, alternative takes, and live tracks that are bound to be essential for any big Wilco fan. And, considering they are so popular that they have their own annual festival, that’s a good amount of people!

LED ZEPPELIN – ” III ” reissue June 3rd 2014

Posted: May 29, 2014 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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Led Zeppelin III is about to be released, take a glimpse of whats available on the super deluxe edition.

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