Just when I finally got the out-of-print cd of Promise. I need me some Coal Porter!
From Beggar's Banquet
Gene Loves Jezebel
On 25 April, Beggars Banquet are re-issuing the first three Gene Loves Jezebel albums in de-luxe, expanded editions.
Fronted by androgynous twins Jay and Michael Aston and featuring an evolving cast of musicians (including All About Eve's Julianne Regan), the early recordings had an experimental edge that has kept the music fresh today. The Jezebels didn't follow the shiny, neutered pop yearnings of their contemporaries but were always attuned to the darker side of romance and sex. Like most early 80's bands, they had been weened on ‘Glam rock', but it was the underground that was receptive to their punk-funk undertones and vision. They're a reminder of a time when musical explorations were encouraged, indie was actually alternative, maverick wasn't marketed and Gene Loves Jezebel just might have been contenders.
Long unavailable (even on CD), these editions are mid price, double CD sets which feature all the recordings released between 1982 and 1986. Disc one of each set is the original UK album remastered from studio analog tapes and disc two collects singles, mixes, rareties and unreleased tracks. As expected from a Beggars Banquet re-issue, the packaging is comprehensive, with full track details, lyrics, unseen photos and new sleeve notes.
[go on, you want to know the track listing]
* indicates tracks previously unavailable on CD
Promise
CD 1 - The album has been restored with the very rare original version of "Wraps And Arms" which was substituted on all subsequent worldwide pressings (and CD releases) with an alternative take. No one remembers exactly why.
Upstairs
Bruises
Pop Tarantula
Screaming For Emmalene
Scheming
Bread From Heaven
Influenza
Shower Me With Brittle Punches
Wraps And Arms *
Psychological Problems
CD 2 – Includes the first ever re-issue of the long deleted, 1982 debut EP "Shaving My Neck" and early, alternate single versions.
1. Shame (original version) (unreleased) *
2. Influenza (relapse)
3. Stephen (original version) *
4. Walking In The Park *
5. Wraps and Arms (version 2)
6. Bruises (extended version) *
7. Punch Drunk
8. Brando (Bruises) (extended version) *
9. Scheming (original version) (unreleased) *
10. Screaming (for Emmalene) (single version) *
11. So Young (Heave Hard, Heave Ho)
12. No Voodoo Dollies
13. Shaving My Neck *
14. Sun And Insanity *
15. Machismo *
16. Glad To Be Alive *
* tracks previously unavailable on CD
Immigrant
CD 1 – Currently on offer second hand at Amazon for $50, this is an alternative 80's classic. Produced by John Leckie (contemporaneous with The Fall's ‘This Nation's Saving Grace'), astute Stone Roses fans may find some of the drum sounds familiar… It became an Indie no.1 album.
Always A Flame
Shame
Stephen
The Immigrant
Cow
Worth Waiting For
The Rhino Plasty
Deep South Wale
Coal Porter
CD 2 – featuring the full version of "Flame" produced by Steve Harley (Cockney Rebel) as well as two early drafts for songs performed for a John Peel BBC session.
1. Desire (extended version) *
2. Flame (extended Harley version) (unreleased) *
3. The Cow (extended version) *
4. One Someone
5. You Weaken Her (Cow) *
6. Shame (Whole Heart Howl) *
7. Thin Things
8. Gorgeous
9. Waves (BBC Session) (unreleased) *
10. Five Below (BBC Session) (unreleased) *
11. Always A Flame (Alternate version) (unreleased) *
* tracks previously unavailable on CD
Discover
CD 1 – A Top 40 UK chart entry, this was the album that got the band signed to Geffen records in the USA and introduced the classic line-up.
Heartache
Over The Rooftops
Kick
White Horse
Wait And See
Desire
Beyond Doubt
Sweetest Thing
Maid Of Sker
Brand New Moon
CD 2 – The bonus disc includes some tracks never issued on vinyl, let alone CD, which were only avilable on cassette single.
1. Desire (Come And Get It) (extended version) *
2. Sapphire Scavenger *
3. New horizons *
4. Message (Original version) *
5. Heartache (UK Club Mix) *
6. Before Doubt *
7. Suspicion (Original version) *
8. Deli Babies *
9. Vagabond *
10. Lipstime *
11. Down To The Water *
12. Heartache (part 2) *
13. Sweetest Thing (extended mix) (unreleased) *
14. Psycho 2 *
15. Sweetest Jezebel *
np: Ivy - Tess Don't Tell
( 08:00 FH | aural pleasures. )