Bauhaus – ‘Archive’ UK video cassette (Beggars Banquet, BB 002, 1984)

March 14th, 2019

We looked at the first of the Bauhaus home video releases, ‘Shadow of Light’ in a previous post. Its companion video of the era is ‘Archive’, which came along late 1984 and gathered together the remainder of the live material filmed at the Old Vic Theatre that had first appeared on ‘Shadow of Light’, bookended by a couple of newly created pieces originally exclusive to this video.

Bauhaus 'Archive' video cassette front cover design

^ Bauhaus ‘Archive’ video cassette front cover design

Proceedings open with ‘Lagartija Nick’, one of the newly filmed pieces. The single didn’t have a promo video at the time of its original release, but here we have a dramatised film without any involvement from the band on screen. Shot in a Victoriana sepia theme, a gentleman thief, if you will, is seen exiting the Thornhill Arms tavern, having left one of a group of three punters lighter of wallet. They give chase to the gent through cobbled streets, he eventually find himself in a deserted warehouse with an old film projector… showing Bauhaus live in concert.

Bauhaus 'Archive' video cassette rear cover design

^ Bauhaus ‘Archive’ video cassette rear cover design

The remainder of this video proceeds in the fashion whereby the live tracks are intercut with footage of this gent watching the show, listening to the old gramophone (Bauhaus ‘face’ design labels on the platter, naturally), by the start of the last of the live tracks, ‘We Love Our Audience’ (aka ‘Spirit’), his face has been eclipsed by a projection of Peter Murphy’s pancaked face in eerie possession.

Bauhaus 'Archive' video cassette label design

^ Bauhaus ‘Archive’ video cassette label design

The final track is ‘The Sanity Assassin’, with a selection of Bauhaus stills animated over the music. When it was released, this was the only way to track down ‘The Sanity Assassin’ – it had previously only been released on the ultra rare fan-club-only 7″ single and would be another year away until it appeared as part of the ‘1979-1983’ double album compilation. The ‘We Love Our Audience’ track was also another wonderful find on this video, ‘Spirit’ remodelled upon the the album version from ‘The Sky’s Gone Out’.

Both ‘Shadow of Light’ and ‘Archive’ would eventually be paired together for a DVD release in 2005.

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Various: Tobacco Perfecto (LTM LTMCD 2578 Promo CD, 2013)

February 28th, 2019

This curious little compilation (packaged in a slimline CD case rather then the bulkier standard size) was a compilation album of obscure and previously unreleased tracks/versions from acts released via the LTM label. It could be yours gratis if you bought three or more LTM products in one order. Aside from the beautiful packaging design, my main attraction to this compilation was the Durutti Column track, the version of which is exclusive to this compilation.

Tobacco Perfecto compilation CD front cover design

^ Tobacco Perfecto compilation CD front cover design

I was most familiar with ‘Homage to Martinů’ originally from the ‘Lips That Would Kiss’ compilation CD (FBN2CD) from 1991. The version to be found here is described thus on the packaging: ‘Recorded at Graveyard Studio in 1981 during sessions for the album L.C. The ‘flange’ version of this outtake appears on FBN 2 CD and FBN 10 CD but this slightly different mix is unavailable elsewhere.’ Interestingly, the credits on the FBN2CD describe the track as having been recorded at Little Big One, Brussels, 1982. The version itself is not radically different, sonically a few changes here and there.

Tobacco Perfecto compilation CD rear cover design

^ Tobacco Perfecto compilation CD rear cover design

Amongst other acts with tracks exclusive to this CD are The Orchids, Dislocation Dance, Ultramarine. All in all, quite an interesting selection to explore if you can track down a copy (it is now long sold out at LTM).

Tobacco Perfecto compilation CD label design

^ Tobacco Perfecto compilation CD label design

Tracklist:

  1. THE ORCHIDS: Another Saturday Night (Remix)
  2. DISLOCATION: DANCE Stop Breathing (Version)
  3. JOSEF K: Endless Soul
  4. 23 SKIDOO: Retain Control
  5. ULTRAMARINE: Find a Way
  6. FINITRIBE with PAUL HAIG: Theme
  7. SNAKEFARM: Marbletown Girl
  8. SECTION 25: Inner Drive (Dub Mix)
  9. REVENGE: Pineapple Face’s Big Day
  10. CLAUDINE COULE: My Darling
  11. GNAC with ALESSANDRA CELLETTI: Gogol
  12. THE DURUTTI COLUMN: Homage to Martinů (Version)
  13. ANNA DOMINO: The Light Downtown
  14. NYAM NYAM: So Long Ago
  15. CRISPY AMBULANCE: Open, Gates of Fire
  16. SAVAGE REPUBLIC: Taranto!!!

Posted in Compilation albums, Design crazy, Promo only, Versions, versions | No Comments »

The Compact and Mercurial Bill Nelson Part 1: Quit Dreaming And Get On The Beam

February 14th, 2019

Welcome to the wonderful world of Bill Nelson on CD – a small number of CD variants that played fast and loose with running orders, which may either leave you smacking your lips in anticipation of the otherwise unavailable obscurities to be found, or bamboozled at the wrecking of otherwise fine tracklists. Starting with Bill’s first solo release on Mercury records, ‘Quit Dreaming And Get On The Beam’.

Bill Nelson 'Quit Dreaming And Get On The Beam' CDs

^ Bill Nelson ‘Quit Dreaming And Get On The Beam’ CDs

Cocteau Records, JC CD 15

The first UK release on CD, released 25th July 1986 according to one of my Bill Nelson fan club newsletters from June 1986, five years in from the original release date. This edition was largely faithful to the original album release tracklisting except for the addition of one extra track, ‘White Sound’, slapped bang in the middle of proceedings and swapping the version of ‘Living In My Limousine’ for the 12″ remix version. The sleeve design also stayed close to home to the original for the front/back, but the inner spread made use of two photos from the same session as used for the ‘Do You Dream In Colour’ single, by the excellent Brian Griffin, sadly uncredited on this release. The inner spread doesn’t attempt to replicate the original so there are no lyrics, but the original credits in hand-written style are preserved.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Bill Nelson – Flaming Desire UK 7″ and 12″ and 7″ Promo [Mercury WILL5 / WILL 512 / WILL D 5

January 28th, 2019

Flaming Desire (4’55”) – LP and UK 7″ single

Flaming Desire (Long Version) (6’22”) – UK 12″ single and US/Canada ‘Flaming Desire and Other Passions’ mini-album

Flaming Desire (3’26”) – UK Promo-only 7″ single, US ‘A Half Nelson’ 12″ Promo EP, Canadian 7″ single

A highlight track on what is already far and away one of Bill Nelson’s finest albums, ‘Flaming Desire’ tapped into the spirit of the times with a largely synthesized vibe, propelled by snappy, high voltage electronic percussion and rhythm box work and showcasing Nelson’s e-bow skills to fashion the guitar nearer the keyboard driven shapes of the song.

Bill Nelson - Flaming Desire 7" (front) and 12" sleeve designs

^ Bill Nelson – Flaming Desire 7″ (front) and 12″ sleeve designs

It wasn’t the hit single it should have been, sadly, but it did have a high profile courtesy of the black and white promo video produced to accompany it. I first came across that in 1983 on the BBC’s Monday night ‘Riverside’ arts programme, where Bill was interviewed by an up and coming Mariella Frostrup.
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Tones On Tail – ‘Tones On Tail’ EP (4AD, BAD203, 1982)

January 14th, 2019

The first 12″ EP release by Tones On Tail, at the time very much the prime focus was shining on Daniel Ash as a solo project from the day job with Bauhaus. The record itself has an interesting history in that respect, with ‘Copper’ having its roots in Bauhaus, but the mix of input from both Ash and fellow Tones collaborator, Glenn Campling, who was famously at this point involved in Bauhaus in the capacity of their road crew, brings a richer variety to it all. Campling’s basslines are somewhat unique on ‘A Bigger Splash’ and ‘Means of Escape’, while the record also showcases some lower end of the market rhythm boxes, long before the arrival of Kevin Haskins to the drum stool in Tones On Tail. The record also established two elements that would become definitive Tones On Tail, the moody and mysterious cover painting and the use of Caslon Antique for the band logo.

Tones on Tail EP front cover design

^ Tones on Tail EP front cover design


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Posted in General, Versions, versions | 2 Comments »

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