John Foxx compilations across the years Part 2

The second part of this series looking at John Foxx’s music as compiled over the years… 1989’s (presumably) self titled promo video clip collection and 1992’s compilation CD, Assembly’.


John Foxx video compilation (Virgin Music Vault, VVC582, 1989)

John Foxx 1989 UK VHS video EP
^ John Foxx 1989 UK VHS video EP

This odd little release was one in a series of short video compilations of Virgin label catalogue artists issued in 1989, while VHS was still the format of choice. Amongst other acts of interest in the series (at least for me…) were Skids and Magazine. This video was the first time I was able to view again some promo videos I had seen only a handful of times anyway back in the very early ’80s, and some I had never seen before, so it was a welcome purchase, despite the brevity (clocking in around 25 minutes). Being a UK based Top Of The Pops viewer, the videos were less common sights due to the frequent and memorable John Foxx appearances in the TOTP studio, not least for ‘Underpass’, ‘No One Driving’ (the latter with no less than four Yamaha CS80’s for the backing band!) and ‘Europe, After The Rain’. Continue reading “John Foxx compilations across the years Part 2”

John Foxx compilations across the years Part 1

With a post-Ultravox solo career now into its 43rd year, John Foxx has a rich back catalogue to his name and along the way there has been many a compilation that gathered up his work and sliced and diced it salted with tasty, unreleased or hard to come-by morsels. This series of posts will examine each of these compilations in detail and summarise what each one has going for it and therefore worth your time seeking out.

A selection of John Foxx compilation albums
^ A selection of John Foxx compilation albums

Starting with two releases dating from 1981… Continue reading “John Foxx compilations across the years Part 1”

New Order ‘Touched By The Hand Of God’ UK CD single (Factory, FACD193, 1987)

‘Touched By The Hand Of God’ was one of a handful of tracks by New Order included on the soundtrack to the movie ‘Salvation’. Released as a single in December 1987, it was remixed for the occasion and also acted as the follow-up to the surprisingly big chart success that ‘True Faith’ had gifted the band a few months earlier.

New Order 'Touched By The Hand Of God' UK CD single front cover design
^ New Order ‘Touched By The Hand Of God’ UK CD single front cover design

Continue reading “New Order ‘Touched By The Hand Of God’ UK CD single (Factory, FACD193, 1987)”

Side by side: Tones On Tail – ‘Tones On Tail’ US compilation CD and cassette (Beggars Banquet/RCA, 2410-2-H / 2410-4-H, 1990)

Another compilation that sifts through the Tones On Tail back catalogue panning for gold… this time out it was on CD and cassette formats only – and the cassette version included three extra tracks. This was issued in 1990 in the United States – and was the third compilation released in the US by this point (preceded by ‘The Album Pop’ in 1984 and ‘Night Music’ in 1987).

Tones On Tail - 'Tones On Tail' US compilation cassette and CD front cover designs side by side

    ^ Tones On Tail – ‘Tones On Tail’ US compilation cassette and CD front cover designs side by side

Continue reading “Side by side: Tones On Tail – ‘Tones On Tail’ US compilation CD and cassette (Beggars Banquet/RCA, 2410-2-H / 2410-4-H, 1990)”

Side by side: Hard Corps – Je Suis Passée versions

Returning once more to an old favourite featured many times before, Hard Corps, and their wonderful single that should have been a hit, ‘Je Suis Passée’ and all its many versions. It has been a long while in the offing, this post, what prompted me to post it now is the newly released compilation CD celebrating the work of producer Martin Rushent, ‘Autonomy – The Productions Of Martin Rushent’, available from Ace Records, as this includes the 7″ single mix of ‘Je Suis Passée’, its first release on CD format.

Hard Corps 'Je Suis Passée' multiple versions sleeve assemblage
^ Hard Corps ‘Je Suis Passée’ multiple versions sleeve assemblage

From the moment I heard Hard Corps I was hooked – that was in the summer of 1984 with the release of the ‘Dirty’/Respirer’ double A side 12″ (and later 7″) single. That love for the band became even greater with ‘Je Suis Passée’. Continue reading “Side by side: Hard Corps – Je Suis Passée versions”