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Tones On Tail – Burning Skies/OK, This Is The Pops versions

The versions

Burning Skies [12″ Version] (6’20”)

Burning Skies [7″ Edit] (4’13”)

Burning Skies [Gothic Rock compilation Edit] (5’15”)

Burning Skies [‘Something!’ promo CD ‘Single Edit’] (4’34”)

OK, This Is The Pops (7″ / 12″ version)

OK, This Is The Pops (fade-in start)

OK, This Is The Pops (‘phased’ version)

NB: All timings are approximate and intended as a guide for differentiation only

Tones On Tail - Burning Skies / OK This is The Pops 7 inch single front cover
^ Tones On Tail – Burning Skies / OK This is The Pops 7 inch single front cover

I never imagined there was going to be quite so much version craziness when I sat down to listen to these original vinyl releases and compare them against what has subsequently emerged across various compilation LPs and CDs. First off, it was a surprise to realise that the 7″ edit of ‘Burning Skies’ had never appeared on CD at any point – and in the end, no less than four different variants of ‘Burning Skies’ came to light when I dug the vinyl out for a spin. Similarly, ‘OK, This Is The Pops’ in the version as was released on vinyl back in 1983 (the versions on 7″ and 12″ are the same) hasn’t quite made it to CD unscathed either. I would love to know how these things come to be – can there be so many different tape boxes at Beggars Arkive that it is so easy to confuse? Or are these accidents that happen during remastering? Continue reading “Tones On Tail – Burning Skies/OK, This Is The Pops versions”

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Button badge goodness: Cocteau Twins

These badges all date from 10 December 1984, which – no coincidence – is when I saw Cocteau Twins play live at Edinburgh Playhouse. These were all on sale at the merchandise stall, along with a T-shirt design I bought but has long ago passed on to T-shirt heaven, through wear and tear.

Cocteau Twins 1984 badge set 1
^ Cocteau Twins 1984 badge set 1

There were two separate sets of 1″ button badges available, along with a more expensive enamel/metal badge, which was particularly beautiful.

Cocteau Twins 1984 enamel/metal badge
^ Cocteau Twins 1984 enamel/metal badge

I used to have the accompanying paper merchandise stall flyer that documented all the available merch along with prices, but it seems to have disappeared over the years. If I come across it again I’ll scan it and post it here for reference. Continue reading “Button badge goodness: Cocteau Twins”

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

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 (in 1982) 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 finds himself in a deserted warehouse with an old film projector… showing Bauhaus live in concert. Continue reading “Bauhaus – ‘Archive’ UK video cassette (Beggars Banquet, BB 002, 1984)”

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

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 Martin? 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. Continue reading “Various: Tobacco Perfecto (LTM LTMCD 2578 Promo CD, 2013)”

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

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. Continue reading “The Compact and Mercurial Bill Nelson Part 1: Quit Dreaming And Get On The Beam”