Smashing Pumpkins – Adore (Alternative Album)

And so we come to the last of my alternatives of the first four Smashing Pumpkins albums. Considering the dramas that had plagued the band as they recorded their first two albums, they paled into what happened on the Mellon Collie tour. Both dummer Jimmy Chamberlain and touring keyboard player, Jonathan Melvoin overdosed on heroin. Melvoin unfortunately died. Chamberlain survived but was fired form the group. 

Corgan had also felt that he had taken guitar driven rock as far as he could so he decided that the next album would be a very different beast. This proved to be the case with more electronica and acoustic guitar were used a lot more. The first evidence of this being the song ‘Eye’, which featured on the soundtrack to the David Lynch movie, ‘Lost Highway’. After contributing a song to the ‘Batman & Robin’ movie (called ‘The End Is the Beginning Is the End’), mains songwriter Billy Corgan suggested that this songs electronic/guitar hybrid was the future sound of the band. However, their next album which was called ‘Adore’ did not sound like this single at all. 

The album had a more somber feel to it compared to the Pumpkins albums that came before it. This could be attributed to the death of Morgan’s mother and divorce from his then wife. The change of direction was praised by the critics but it affected sales with this being the first Pumpkins record not to outsell its predecessor. The hard rock guitar sound would return for their fifth album, ‘Machina/The Machines Of God’ which came out in 2000. 

What I did not realise when I bought ‘Adore’ on vinyl back in 1998 was that this mix was in mono. The clues were there in that the record label was red, the same as the Decca Record label would do for their mono releases back in the 1960s. Stereo releases on Decca at the same time had blue labels. I should have been able to work it out with my ears as well but it was only with the release of the deluxe edition 2014 that I realised there were two different mixes. I have followed the same track listing as the vinyl with one difference. The original vinyl came as a three sided affair, so for my version, the fourth side it comes with a selection of B-Sides which are all the original versions of these songs. 

Side A

  1. To Shelia – Early Banjo Version (Adore Deluxe)
  2. Ava Adore – Puffy Combs Remix 1998 (Adore Deluxe)
  3. Perfect – Nellie Hooper Mix (Rarities & B-Sides)
  4. Daphne Descends – Live: Sao Paulo Session (Adore Deluxe)
  5. Once Upon A Time – Sadlands Demo (Adore Deluxe)

Side B

  1. Tear – From Digital Transfer (Adore Deluxe)
  2. Crestfallen – Matt Walker Realigned 2014 (Adore Deluxe)
  3. Appels + Oranjes (Adore Deluxe)
  4. Pug – Matt Walker Reimagined (Adore Deluxe)
  5. The Tale Of Dusty & Pistol Pete – Sandlands Demo (Adore Deluxe)

Side C

  1. Annie-Dog – Take 10/CRC Demo (Adore Deluxe)
  2. Shame – Take 1 (Adore Deluxe)
  3. Behold! The Night Mare – Alternative Vocal (Adore Deluxe)
  4. For Martha – Take 1/CRC Demo (Adore Deluxe)
  5. Blank Page – Early Version (Adore Deluxe)

Side D

  1. Daphne Descends – Kerry B. Mix (Perfect Single B-Side)
  2. Summer – Perfect (Single B-Side)
  3. Once In A While (Ava Adore Single B-Side) 
  4. Czarina (Ava Adore Single B-Side)
  5. Call Out Hook (Crestfallen/To Shelia Single Bonus Track)

The Beach Boys – 1964

This is the third entry in my on going series of Beach Boys yearly deep dive box sets and this one is posted today as it celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the US release of the ‘All Summer Long’ LP

1964 was a challenging year for the artists that had been setting the music trends in the US because this was the year in which the British Invasion occurred. The Beatles had started to dominate the charts and any American artist who did not want to get left behind needed to adapt. The Brian Jones haircut was a regular request at the barbers and some bands even adopted names (such as The Palace Guard) to make themselves sound more British. Though Brian Wilson had been influenced by Phil Spector, he would start to keep more of an eye on what The Beatles were doing and it would not be long before he felt he needed to compete with them. A friendly rivalry would ensue between the two grounds between now and 1967. 

This was also a year of turmoil for The Beach Boys. Murray Wilson, the bands manager and father of the Wilson brothers was relived of his duties. Murray was seen as an overbearing precedes in the bands life, trying to control their lifestyles and offering, often unwanted advice on how studio sessions should proceed. One of these was infamously recorded by the studio engineer and has been doing the rounds on bootlegs for years. 

It would also see Brian Wilson suffer a panic attack whilst on a flight from Los Angeles to Houston. The pressures of touring, writing and producing the records had become too much for him. The fact that he was working with outside artists as well had also pilled on the work load. It was agreed by the rest of the ban that he should concentrate on the study and that someone else should take his place. Initially, this was future country legend Glen Campbell. 

Brian Wilson was also experimenting with different instruments and with more session players to expand the overall sound. This included the use of harpsichord, marimba, glockenspiel as well as actual saxophone players. Mike Love is a lot of things but a saxophone player he is not. 

Like 1963, they would also release three albums, the last one being a Christmas album. This is not covered in this compilation but will receive its own entry at the end of this year. 

Once again, I have tried to include as many versions of the songs as possible including sessions, false starts and breakdowns included. One track, ’Our Favourite Recording Session’ does not seem to have ever been released in stereo. Even on the stereo album, this was released in mono only. 

Sources for the songs included on this set. 

1 – Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 5 – Miscellaneous Trax, Vol. 2 (Bootleg)

2 – Keep an Eye On Summer: The Beach Boys Sessions 1964

3 – Hawthorne, CA: Birthplace Of A Musical Legacy

4 – Shut Down Vol.2

5 – Surfer Girl/Shut Down Vol.2 (1990 Reissue)

6 – Made In California (2012 Box Set)

7 – Sounds Of Summer: The Very Best of The Beach Boys

8 – Good Vibrations: 30 years Of The Beach Boys (1993 Box Set)

9 – Summer Love Songs

10 – Rarities Volume 1 (Bootleg)

11 – Unsurpassed Masters Vol.6 – The Alternate “All Summer Long” Album (Bootleg)

12 – All Summer Long

13 – The Warmth Of The Sun

14 – Stack-O-Tracks

15 – Little Deuce Coupe/All Summer Long (1990 Reissue)

16 – Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 7 – The Alternate “Today” Album, Part 1

17 – The Beach Boys Today!

18 – The Beach Boys Today (2012 Stereo Remaster)

19 – Alternative Dumb Angel 1 (Bootleg)

20 – The Beach Boys Today! (2012 Stereo Remaster)

21 – Endless Harmony Soundtrack (1998 Version)

22 – U.S. Singles Collection – The Capitol Years 1962 – 1965

23 – Complete Christmas

24 – Sounds Of Summer: The Best Of The Beach Boys (Expanded Super Deluxe)

25 – Unknown Bootleg

Disc 1

  1. Fun, Fun, Fun (Rehearsal) – 1
  2. Fun, Fun, Fun (Instrumental Session Highlights/Stereo Mix) – 2
  3. Fun, Fun, Fun (Backing Track) – 3
  4. Fun, Fun, Fun (Instrumental Insert Takes 1, 2, 3 & 4) – 1
  5. Fun, Fun, Fun (Instrumental Insert Take 5) – 1
  6. Fun, Fun, Fun (Instrumental Insert Take 6) – 1
  7. Fun, Fun, Fun (Vocal Overdub Takes 4 & 5) – 
  8. Fun, Fun, Fun (Vocal Overdub Take 8) – 1
  9. Fun, Fun, Fun (Vocal Overdub Takes 9, 10 & 11) – 1
  10. Fun, Fun, Fun (Vocal Overdub Takes 12, 13 & 14) – 1
  11. Fun, Fun, Fun (Vocal Overdub Unknown Take) – 1
  12. Fun, Fun, Fun (A Capella) – 2
  13. Fun, Fun, Fun (Single Version) – 5
  14. Fun, Fun, Fun (Mono) – 4
  15. Fun, Fun, Fun (Stereo) – 4
  16. Fun, Fun, Fun (2013 Stereo Mix) – 2
  17. Fun, Fun, Fun (Alternate Version, Vocal Overdub) – 1
  18. Don’t Worry Baby (Session Highlights/Instrumental Mix With Backing Vocals) – 2
  19. Don’t Worry Baby (Stereo Session Outtake With Alternate Lead Vocal) – 6
  20. Don’t Worry Baby (Single Version) – 7
  21. Don’t Worry Baby (Mono) – 4
  22. Don’t Worry Baby (Stereo) – 4
  23. Don’t Worry Baby (2009 Stereo Mix) – 2
  24. Don’t Worry Baby (2021 Stereo Mix) – 24

Disc 2

Disc 2 is a little sparse when it come to outtakes. It would seem that the bootleggers were not able to get their hands on those session tapes or possibly they have gone missing.

  1. Koma (Radio Promo Slot) – 8
  2. “Cassius” Love Vs ‘Sonny” Wilson (Mono) – 4
  3. “Cassius” Love Vs ‘Sonny” Wilson (Stereo) – 4
  4. The Warmth Of The Sun (Mono) – 4
  5. The Warmth Of The Sun (Stereo) – 4
  6. This Car Of Mine (Mono) – 4
  7. This Car Of Mine (Stereo) – 4
  8. Radio Spot #1 – 8
  9. Why Do For Fall In Love? (Session Highlights/Stereo Mix) – 2
  10. Why Do For Fall In Love? (Extended Version) – 9
  11. Why Do For Fall In Love? (Mono) – 4
  12. Why Do For Fall In Love? (Stereo) – 4
  13. Why Do For Fall In Love? (2009 Stereo Mix) – 6
  14. Why Do For Fall In Love? (New Stereo Mix) – 2
  15. Radio Spot #3 – 8
  16. Pom Pom Play Girl (Session Highlights/Instrumental Mix With Backing Vocals) – 2
  17. Pom Pom Play Girl (Vocal Session Highlights) – 6
  18. Pom Pom Play Girl (Mono) – 4
  19. Pom Pom Play Girl (Stereo) – 4
  20. Pom Pom Play Girl (New Stereo Mix) – 2
  21. Radio Spot #4 – 8
  22. Keep An Eye On Summer (Instrumental Mix With Backing Vocals) – 2
  23. Keep An Eye On Summer (Mono) – 4
  24. Keep An Eye On Summer (Stereo) – 4
  25. Shut Down, Part II (Mono) – 4
  26. Shut Down, Part II (Stereo) – 4
  27. Louie, Louie (Mono) – 4
  28. Louie, Louie (Stereo) – 4
  29. Denny’s Drums (Session Highlights/Alternate Take) – 2
  30. Denny’s Drums (Mono) – 4
  31. Denny’s Drums (Stereo) – 5
  32. In The Parkin’ Lot (Session Highlights/A Capella Mix) – 2
  33. In The Parkin’ Lot (Mono) – 4
  34. In The Parkin’ Lot (Stereo) – 4
  35. Karen (TV Theme) – 10
  36. Radio Station Jingles – 8

Disc 3

  1. I Get Around (Rehearsals #1) – 11
  2. I Get Around (Rehearsals #2) – 11
  3. I Get Around (Instrumental Insert) – 11
  4. I Get Around (Track Only) – 11
  5. I Get Around (Takes 4, 5 & 6) – 11
  6. I Get Around (Take 7) – 11
  7. I Get Around (Takes 8 & 9) – 11
  8. I Get Around (Take 10) – 11
  9. I Get Around (Take 11) – 11
  10. I Get Around (Take 12, 13 & 14) – 11
  11. I Get Around (Vocal Overdub) – 11
  12. I Get Around (Session Highlights/Instrumental Mix With Backing Vocals) – 2
  13. I Get Around (A Capella) – 2
  14. I Get Around (Mono With Session Intro) – 6
  15. I Get Around (Mono) – 12
  16. I Get Around (Stereo) – 12
  17. I Get Around (Stereo Mix) – 11
  18. I Get Around (2021 Stereo Mix) – 24
  19. Hushabye (Instrumental With Backing Vocals) – 2
  20. Hushabye (1st Vocal Overdub) – 11
  21. Hushabye (2nd Vocal Overdub) – 11
  22. Hushabye (Vocals) – 8
  23. Hushabye (Mono) – 12
  24. Hushabye (Stereo) – 12
  25. Hushabye (2009 Stereo Mix) – 9

Disc 4

  1. All Summer Long (Takes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15) – 11
  2. All Summer Long (Takes 16, 17, 18 & 19) – 11
  3. All Summer Long (Takes 20 – 42) – 11
  4. All Summer Long (Take 43) – 11
  5. All Summer Long (Session Highlights/Stereo Mix) – 2
  6. All Summer Long (Instrumental Insert) – 11
  7. All Summer Long (1st Vocal Overdub) – 11
  8. All Summer Long (Vocal Overdub Takes 1A & 2A) – 11
  9. All Summer Long (Vocal Overdub Takes 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A & 10A) – 11
  10. All Summer Long (Vocals & Music ReChannelled Clearer Mix) – 11
  11. All Summer Long (A Capella) – 2
  12. All Summer Long (Mono) – 12
  13. All Summer Long (Stereo) – 12
  14. All Summer Long (2007 Stereo Mix) – 13
  15. All Summer Long (2021 Stereo Mix) – 24
  16. Wendy (Vocal Session Highlights/A Capella Mix) – 2
  17. Wendy (Vocal Overdub Takes 1A, 2A & 3A) – 11
  18. Wendy (Vocal Overdub Take 4A) – 11
  19. Wendy (Vocal Overdub Takes 5A & 6A) – 11
  20. Wendy (Vocal Overdub Take 7A) – 11
  21. Wendy (Vocal & Music ReChannelled) – 8
  22. Wendy (Mono) – 12
  23. Wendy (Stereo) – 12
  24. Wendy (New Stereo Mix) – 13
  25. Our Favourite Recording Session – 12

Disc 5

  1. We’ll Run Away (Rehearsal) – 11
  2. We’ll Run Away (Takes 1 & 2) – 11
  3. We’ll Run Away (Instrumental Insert) – 11
  4. We’ll Run Away (1st Vocal Overdub) – 11
  5. We’ll Run Away (Vocal Overdub Takes 1A, 2A, 3A & 4A) – 11
  6. We’ll Run Away (Vocal Overdub 5A) – 11
  7. We’ll Run Away (Mono) – 12
  8. We’ll Run Away (Stereo) – 12
  9. We’ll Run Away (Stereo Mix) – 11
  10. She Knows Me Too Well (Rehearsal) – 16
  11. She Knows Me Too Well (Session Highlights/Instrumental Mix With Backing Vocals) – 2
  12. She Knows Me Too Well (Takes 1, 2 & 3) – 16
  13. She Knows Me Too Well (Take 16) – 16
  14. She Knows Me Too Well (1st Vocal Overdub) – 16
  15. She Knows Me Too Well (2nd Vocal Overdub) – 16
  16. She Knows Me Too Well (Lead Vocal Overdub) – 16
  17. She Knows Me Too Well (A Capella) – 2
  18. She Knows Me Too Well (Mono) – 17
  19. She Knows Me Too Well (Duophonic) – 17
  20. She Knows Me Too Well (Stereo) – 17
  21. She Knows Me Too Well (Stereo Mix) – 16
  22. She Knows Me Too Well (2008 Stereo Mix) – 22
  23. Little Honda (Track Only) – 11
  24. Little Honda (Vocal track) – 11
  25. Little Honda (Stack-O-Tracks Version) – 14
  26. Little Honda (Single Mix) – 2
  27. Little Honda (Mono) – 12
  28. Little Honda (Stereo) – 12
  29. Little Honda (Alternative Version, Vocal Overdub 1) – 11
  30. Little Honda (Alternative Version, Vocal Overdub 2) – 11
  31. Little Honda (Alternative Version, Vocal Overdub 3) – 11
  32. Little Honda (Alternative Version, Session Highlights/New Stereo Mix) – 2
  33. Little Honda (Alternative Version) – 15

Disc 6

  1. Do You Remember? (Takes 1, 2 & 3) – 11
  2. Do You Remember? (Take 4) – 11
  3. Do You Remember? (Takes 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9) – 11
  4. Do You Remember? (Take 10) – 11
  5. Do You Remember? (Instrumental Insert) – 11
  6. Do You Remember? (1st Vocal Overdub) – 11
  7. Do You Remember? (Vocal Overdubs Takes 1A & 2A) – 11
  8. Do You Remember? (Vocal Overdubs Take 3A) – 11
  9. Do You Remember? (Vocal Overdubs Takes 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A & 9A) – 11
  10. Do You Remember? (Mono) – 12
  11. Do You Remember? (Stereo) – 12
  12. Do You Remember? (Stereo Mix) – 11
  13. Girls On The Beach (Alternative Vocal Session Highlights/Master A Capella Version) – 2
  14. Girls On The Beach (Vocal Overdub Take 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A & 6A) – 11
  15. Girls On The Beach (Vocal Overdub Take 8A) – 11
  16. Girls On The Beach (Vocal Overdub Take 9A) – 11
  17. Girls On The Beach (Vocal Overdub Take 10A) – 11
  18. Girls On The Beach (Vocal Overdub Takes 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B & 8B)- 11
  19. Girls On The Beach (Vocal Overdub Take 9B) – 11
  20. Girls On The Beach (1st Vocal Overdub) – 11
  21. Girls On The Beach (2nd Vocal Overdub) – 11
  22. Girls On The Beach (Mono) – 12
  23. Girls On The Beach (Stereo) – 12
  24. Memphis Beach (AKA Carl’s Big Chance Takes 1-12) – 11
  25. Memphis Beach (AKA Carl’s Big Chance Take 13) – 11
  26. Memphis Beach (Instrumental Inserts) – 11
  27. Carl’s Big Chance (Mono) – 12
  28. Carl’s Big Chance (Stereo) – 12

Disc 7

  1. Don’t Back Down (Rehearsal) – 11
  2. Don’t Back Down (Takes 1, 2 & 3) – 11
  3. Don’t Back Down (Instrumental Insert) – 11
  4. Don’t Back Down (Vocal Overdub) – 11
  5. Don’t Back Down (Vocal Overdub Takes 1A, 2A & 3A) – 11
  6. Don’t Back Down (Additional Vocal Overdub Take 1) – 11
  7. Don’t Back Down (Additional Vocal Overdub Take 2) – 11
  8. Don’t Back Down (Unknown Version) – 25
  9. Don’t Back Down (Mono) – 12
  10. Don’t Back Down (Stereo) – 12
  11. Don’t Back Down (Alternative Version Session Highlights/New Stereo Mix) – 11
  12. Don’t Back Down (Alternative Version #1) – 11
  13. Don’t Back Down (Alternative Version #2) – 15
  14. All Dressed Up For School (Session Highlights/New Stereo Mix) – 2
  15. All Dressed Up For School (Takes 1, 2, 3 & 4) – 11
  16. All Dressed Up For School (Takes 5) – 11
  17. All Dressed Up For School (Takes 6, 7 & 8) – 11
  18. All Dressed Up For School (Take 9) – 11
  19. All Dressed Up For School (1st Vocal Overdub) – 11
  20. All Dressed Up For School (2nd Vocal Overdub Takes 1 & 2) – 11
  21. All Dressed Up For School (2nd Vocal Overdub Takes 6 & 7) – 11
  22. All Dressed Up For School – 15
  23. Drive-In (Track Only & Vocals) – 11
  24. Drive-In (1st Vocal Overdub) – 11
  25. Drive-In (2nd Vocal Overdub) – 11
  26. Drive-In (Mono) – 12
  27. Drive-In (Stereo) – 12

Disc 8

  1. Brian’s Message To “Log” (Take 22) – 3
  2. Radio Spot #2 – 8
  3. Dance, Dance, Dance (Takes 1 – 12) – 16
  4. Dance, Dance, Dance (Take 14) – 16
  5. Dance, Dance, Dance (Take 15) – 16
  6. Dance, Dance, Dance (Takes 16 & 17) – 16
  7. Dance, Dance, Dance (Instrumental Insert) – 16
  8. Dance, Dance, Dance (Backing Track) – 19
  9. Dance, Dance, Dance (Vocal Overdub Take 1A) – 16
  10. Dance, Dance, Dance (Vocal Overdub Takes 2A & 3A) – 16
  11. Dance, Dance, Dance (Vocal Overdub Takes 4A, 5A, 6A & 7A) – 16
  12. Dance, Dance, Dance (Vocal Overdub Takes 8A & 9A) -16
  13. Dance, Dance, Dance (Vocal Overdub Take 10) – 16
  14. Dance, Dance, Dance (Vocal Overdub Takes 11A, 12A, 13A & 14A) – 16
  15. Dance, Dance, Dance (Vocal Overdub Unknown Take) – 16
  16. Dance, Dance, Dance (A Capella) – 2
  17. Dance, Dance, Dance (Mono) – 17
  18. Dance, Dance, Dance (Stereo) – 17
  19. Dance, Dance, Dance (Stereo Remix) – 20
  20. Dance, Dance, Dance (Unknown Stereo Remix) – 3
  21. Dance, Dance, Dance (Alternative Version, Takes 1 & 2) – 16
  22. Dance, Dance, Dance (Alternative Version, Instrumental Insert) – 16
  23. Dance, Dance, Dance (Alternative Version, Vocal Overdub) – 16
  24. Dance, Dance, Dance (Alternative Version, Stereo Mix) – 16
  25. Dance, Dance, Dance (Alternative Version, New Stereo Mix) -16

Disc 9

  1. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Rehearsal) – 16
  2. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Takes 1 – 9) – 16
  3. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Takes 10 – 18) – 16
  4. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Takes 19 – 36) – 16
  5. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Take 37 & Outro Instrumentals) – 16
  6. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Instrumental Insert Take 1) – 16
  7. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Instrumental Insert Takes 2 & 3) – 16
  8. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Instrumental Insert Take 4) – 16
  9. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Instrumental Insert Take 5) – 16
  10. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Instrumental Insert Unknown Take) – 16
  11. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (1st Vocal Overdub) – 16
  12. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (2nd Vocal Overdub Takes 1 – 12) – 16
  13. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (2nd Vocal Overdub Take 13) – 16
  14. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (2nd Vocal Overdub Take 14) – 16
  15. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Backing Track With A Capella Fragment) – 19
  16. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (A Capella) – 2
  17. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Vocals & Music ReChannelled) – 8
  18. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Mono) – 17
  19. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Duophonic) – 17
  20. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (Stereo) – 18
  21. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (New Stereo Mix) – 22

Disc 10

  1. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Take 1) – 16
  2. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Take 2) – 16
  3. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Take 3) – 16
  4. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Take 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8) – 16
  5. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Take 10) – 16
  6. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Take 11, 12 & 13) – 16
  7. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Takes 14, 15, 16 & 17) – 16
  8. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Take 18) – 16
  9. Don’t Hurt my Little Sister (Instrumental Overdub) – 23
  10. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (1st Vocal Overdub) – 16
  11. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (2nd Vocal Overdub) – 16
  12. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Session Highlight/A Capella Mix)- 2
  13. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Mono) – 17
  14. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Duophonic) – 17
  15. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Stereo) – 18
  16. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (Unknown Stereo Mix) – 16
  17. Kiss Me, Baby (Takes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6) – 16
  18. Kiss Me, Baby (Take 7) – 16
  19. Kiss Me, Baby (Take 8) – 16
  20. Kiss Me, Baby (Take 9) – 16
  21. Kiss Me, Baby (1st Vocal Overdub) – 16
  22. Kiss Me, Baby (2nd Vocal Overdub) – 16
  23. Kiss Me, Baby (A Capella Mix) – 3
  24. Kiss Me, Baby (Mono) – 17
  25. Kiss Me, Baby (Duophonic) – 17
  26. Kiss Me, Baby (1998 Stereo Mix) – 21
  27. Kiss Me, Baby (2000 Stereo Mix) – 6
  28. Kiss Me, Baby (2012 Stereo Mix) – 20

On the previous collections, I looked to place the track as they corresponded to the running order on their original albums. However, this proved to be impractical in this case so I have looked to fill as much music onto as few CDs as I can. 

The Iveys – Maybe Tomorrow (55th Anniversary Box Set)

The history of music is full of stories of musicians being badly treated by the industry, but arguably the most infamous case is that of Badfinger. Originally hailing from Swansea in South Wales, the band went by a few names before settling on The Iveys, named after Ivey Place, a street in their home town. In mid 1966, the band moved to London and started to make a name for themselves on the live circuit. They also converted a room in their shared house in Golders Green into a makeshift studio. This allowed the band to produce a number of demo recordings. Record labels started to show some interest and Ray Davies of The Kinks produced some demos. 

In early 1968, Mal Evans and Peter Asher from Apple Records saw the band at The Marquee Club and this would lead to the band not only securing a recording contract but a publishing deal. The band had a massive backlog of songs that they had demoed as all four members were writers. Over the next twelve months, the band would spend time in the recording studio preparing songs for a debut album. Before 1968 had finished, the band had released their first single. ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ was one of the first UK productions by Tony Visconti and even though Paul McCartney felt sure that the song would be a hit, it failed to make any impression on the UK charts and only managed to reach 67 in the USA. It was more successful in other countries, being number 1 in the Netherlands as well as being a major hit in a few countries in continental Europe and Japan. 

‘Dear Angie’ was selected as the second single and was scheduled to come out on the same day as the parent album, also called ‘Maybe Tomorrow’. Another song by the band was included on an EP from the Apple Records promoting Walls Ice Cream. Things were looking up, but then Allen Klein took over the running of Apple Corps. Apple Corps were haemorrhaging money and Klein was brought in to offer financial as well managerial stability. What this meant though was that the album The Iveys were working on was only released where ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ had been a hit. 

Bass player Ron Griffiths complained in an interview with a music magazine about the band feeling that they were being neglected by Apple. Paul McCartney saw this and offered the band the song ‘Come & Get It’. McCartney had been commissioned to write some songs for the soundtrack of a film called ‘The Magic Christian’. McCartney decided to fulfil this commission by producing two songs The Iveys had written. These songs were ‘Carry On To Tomorrow’ and ‘Rock Of Ages’. 

It was also at this point that the band decided that they needed a change of name. The Iveys sounded a little old fashioned for the time and was quite close to another band, The Ivy League. Numerous names were suggested but they decided to use Badfinger, based on ‘Badfinger Boogie’ which was the working title of The Beatles ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’. 

With a change in the name also came with a change in the lineup. Ron Griffiths was dismissed from the band. Being the only married member of the group and had also recently become a father created some friction with the other members. Guitar player Tom Evans convinced the rest of the group that Griffiths was not one of the boys anymore and a replacement was sought. Guitarist Joey Molland was hired and Evans moved to bass. ‘Come & Get It’ was a major in the US and UK and the band continued to produce quality power pop records for the next five years. This would include writing the song ‘Without You’ which was a massive hit for Harry Nilsson, as well as Mariah Carey. 

The tragic story of what happened to Badfinger is one for another day. This is a box set dedicated to their earlier incarnation as The Iveys. This includes the original album as well as numerous demos, alternative versions and even recording they made under other names. These are The Pleasure Garden and the song Permissive Paradise. This was released on the flip of an obscure flexi single where the A-Side looks a ‘Young London’ as seen though the eyes of DJ Emperor Rosko & Jonathan King. The other is where they were the backing band for the David Garrick LP, ‘Blow Up Live’. On that album, they are known as The Dandy. Well, the internet says they were The Dandy but there isn’t a lot of evidence for this but I included it here anyway. 

Disc 1 – Orignal Album & Mono Mixes

  1. See-Saw, Granpa
  2. Beautiful & Blue
  3. Dear Angie
  4. Think About The Good Times
  5. Yesterday Ain’t Coming Back
  6. Fisherman
  7. Maybe Tomorrow
  8. Sali Bloo
  9. Angelique
  10. I’m In Love
  11. They’re Knocking Down Our Home
  12. I’ve Been Waiting
  13. Maybe Tomorrow (Mono)
  14. And Her Daddy’s A Millionaire (Mono)
  15. Dear Angie (Mono)
  16. No Escaping Your Love (Mono)
  17. Storm In A Teacup (Mono)
  18. See-Saw, Grandpa (Mono)
  19. Think About The Good Times (Mono)
  20. Yesterday Ain’t Coming Back (Mono)
  21. Sali Bloo (Mono Mix with Was Way Intro)
  22. Maybe Tomorrow (US Mono Mix)

Disc 2 – Sessions & Alternative Versions

  1. And Her Daddy’s A Millionaire (Drum Count In)
  2. Storm In A Teacup (Stero)
  3. Maybe Tomorrow*
  4. Sali Bloo**
  5. No Escaping Your Love (Drum Count In)
  6. Arthur (Drum Count In)
  7. Looking For My Baby
  8. Fisherman (Intro Edited)
  9. And Her Daddy’s A Millionaire (Stereo Remix)
  10. No Escape (No Drum Intro)
  11. Mrs Jones
  12. I’ve Been Waiting (Unedited Stereo Remix)
  13. Clown Of The Party
  14. Carry On ‘Till Tomorrow***
  15. Crimson Ship***
  16. Give It A Try***
  17. Midnight Sun***
  18. And Her Daddy’s A Millionaire (Alternative Version)

**When the ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ album was re-released on CD, the stereo channels had been reversed on this song (for reasons unknown)

*** When the ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ album was re-released on CD, ‘Salt Bloo’ had the wah-wah into edited (for reasons unknown)

***All of these songs were included on the first Badfinger album ‘Magic Christian Music’. However, each of these songs were cut to acetate with The Iveys name on them. These are included here for completeness. 

Disc 3 – Demos

All are band demos unless noted

  1. Take Good Care Of My Baby
  2. And I Love Her
  3. Walk Out In The Rain
  4. Taxi
  5. Black & White Rainbows
  6. Tomorrow’s Today
  7. Mr. Strangeways
  8. Maybe Tomorrow
  9. I’ve Been There Once Before
  10. Man Without A Heart
  11. I Believe In You Girl (Version 1)
  12. She Came Out Of The Cold (Version 1)
  13. The Girl Next Door In A Mini-Skirt (Faded Ending)
  14. They’re Knocking Down Our Home (Pete Demo)
  15. I’m In Love (Pete Demo)
  16. Black & White Rainbows (Pete Demo)
  17. Mrs. Jones (Pete Demo)
  18. I’ve Been There Once Before (Pete Demo)
  19. The Leaves (Version 1) 
  20. The Leaves (Version 2)
  21. The Leaves (Version 3)
  22. The Leaves (Version 4)
  23. The Leaves (Version 5)
  24. The Leaves (Version 6)
  25. Untitled Guitar Demo
  26. Words Without You
  27. Bingo Comment (Hidden track)

Disc 4 – Radio Sessions & Demos

  1. Surrender (Radio Session)
  2. Proud Mary (Radio Session)
  3. Maybe Tomorrow (Radio Session)
  4. Harmonising
  5. Man Without A Heart
  6. The Girl Next Door In A Mien-Skirt (Unfaded Ending)
  7. Turn On Your Lovin’ Mood
  8. It Takes So Long
  9. Handsome Malcolm (Practise)
  10. Handsome Malcolm
  11. Hey Baby
  12. Mr. Strangeways
  13. I’ll Kiss You Goodnight
  14. Sausage & Eggs
  15. Another Day
  16. I Believe in You Girl (Version 2)
  17. Love Hurts
  18. For My Sympathy
  19. How Does It Feel
  20. Bittersweet Adieu
  21. I’m Too Shy
  22. Tube Train
  23. She Cam Out Of The Cold (Version 2)
  24. Untitled Instrumental
  25. Stay By Me
  26. Christmas Flexi

Disc 5 – Pseudonyms 

  1. See See Rider
  2. Mr. Pleasant
  3. Words
  4. Simon Said
  5. If I Were A Carpenter
  6. Medley
    • Rainbow
    • Please Mr. Moving Man
    • Lady Jane
    • Dear Mr’s Applebee’s
  7. River Deep Mountain High
  8. Dandy
  9. Gimme Little Sign
  10. Dedicated Follower Of Fashion
  11. World
  12. Bend Me Shape Me
  13. Permissive Paradise

Disc 6 – Live At The Empire, Neath (7th June 1966)

  1. Keep On Running
  2. My Babe
  3. Youngblood
  4. Love Hurts
  5. Buzz With The Fuzz
  6. Hey, Girl
  7. Crocodile Walk
  8. Crawling Up A Hill
  9. Daddy Rolling Stone
  10. The Fool
  11. Tell Me What You’re Gonna Do
  12. Stupidity
  13. It’s All Right
  14. I Go Crazy
  15. Sitting On My Sofa
  16. See Saw
  17. I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself
  18. Keep A Driving
  19. Everything Is Gonna Be Alright
  20. What Kind Of Boy
  21. Keep On Running

Disc 7 – Live At The Thingamajig Club, Reading (6th September 1968)

  1. Walk Away Renee
  2. So You Want To Be A Rock ’N’ Roll Star
  3. River Deep, Mountain High
  4. Crawling Up A Hill
  5. Respect
  6. N.S.U.
  7. Summertime Blues
  8. 634-5789
  9. Long Tall Sally
  10. Purple Haze
  11. Stone Free
  12. Storm In A Teacup
  13. Release Me
  14. Hide Away
  15. No Escaping Your Love
  16. Lady Madonna
  17. When Will I Be Loved
  18. The Letter
  19. And Her Daddy’s A Millionaire
  20. It Ain’t Necessarily So/Summertime
  21. Needle In A Haystack
  22. I Thank You

The cover is the same as the 1968 album

Peter Ham recorded a lot of demos during his life time, and many have been released down the years. However, this might not be a complete collection of the ones recorded during the time when the band were called The Iveys as the collection of these demo recordings do not give dates of when they were recorded.  

Various Artists – The Britpop Years Vol.7

The seventh and final instalment of the Britpop Year. With this edition, more obscure bands get an airing as well as album tracks and B-Sides.

  1. Joyriders – Pulp
  2. Sandstorm – Cast
  3. 500 (Shake Baby Shake) – Lush
  4. Rise & Shine – The Cardigans
  5. Car Song – Elastica
  6. London Girls – Duffy
  7. Perverts Servant – Elcka
  8. Another Flavour – The Sundays
  9. Guest List – Eels
  10. On Your Own – Blur
  11. Small Flowers That Grown In The Sky – Manic Street Preachers
  12. You Showed Me – The Lightning Seeds
  13. Statuesque – Sleeper
  14. Underground – Ben Folds Five
  15. Nosebleed – Chest
  16. No Time – Whiteout
  17. Uncle Pat – Ash
  18. Twinkle – Whipping Boy
  19. Download – Super Furry Animals
  20. Married With Children  – Oasis

Disc 2

  1. Haunted By You – Gene
  2. Come Back Brighter – Reef
  3. Hope Street – the Levellers
  4. Removables – Manic Street  Preachers
  5. Good Intentions – Livingstone
  6. Hypocrite – Lush
  7. Evening Angels – Space
  8. So Let Me Go Far (Remix) – Dodgy
  9. 20th Century Gods – Powder
  10. Sleeper – Audioweb
  11. Elevator Song – Dubstar
  12. Post Modern Sleaze (Album Version) – Sneaker Pimps
  13. Back Street Luv – Salad
  14. Marquis – Linoleum
  15. Violent Men – Marion
  16. Miss Modular – Stereolab
  17. Chasing Rainbows – Shed Seven
  18. A Million Miles – The Gyres
  19. I Got The Wherewithal – theaudiecne
  20. Mountain People – Super Fury Animals
  21. Dark Therapy (Single Version) – Echobelly

Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness (Alternative Album)

I took a couple months off between SP releases but I now present an alternative version of their most successful and some might say, overblown album. Well, in their first phase anyway.

Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness was a true double album for the CD age with around a hours worth of music on each disc. There was so much music that the limited edition vinyl release of this album back in 1995 were a triple set. I was quite surprised see this get a vinyl release back int he day as I was relying informed by my friends that vinyl was dead. Needless to say, the LP was a sound investment if I was ever tempted to sell it.

Anyway, Corgan brought so many songs to the sessions that a box set of the singles was released which contained around 30 fully recorded songs, very few of which was filler.  He was most defiantly on a hot streak here.

New co-producers in the form of Alan Moulder and Flood came on board and new working practises were adopted. The included working more together as a band by rehearsing together before they went into the studio. Time was set aside for jamming as well as James Iha and D’arcy Wretazky given more of an opportunity to contribute musically to the album. This was also the first album where Iha was given some space to include a couple of his songs he written by himself instead of in collaboration with Corgan. More would be included on the singles as B-Sides. The album was a massive seller, shipping over 5 million unites in the USA alone. It did beg the question though, where could the band go next?

This reconstruction of ‘Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness’ does not quite follow the original vinyl because some of the sides would be too long for the record to sound any good due to the grooves being too close together. Looking at vinyl double albums in my collection, most run between 70 and 90 odd minutes, but this one went on for a mind blowing 121 (CD & cassette) and 128 minutes (for the original 1995 vinyl release). It fully utilised the time afforded with a CD. With traditional vinyl, that would a be triple and so it proved with the 1995 vinyl release doing just that. The band included two bonus tracks not included on the CD version to make up the time as well.

I do have one question about this LP and it is, was this the only triple album of new music released in the 1990s? I would love someone to confirm that. The only other triples vinyls I can think of from the decade were The Beatles ‘Anthology’ LPs’.

Side A

  1. Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness – Home Piano Demo (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  2. Tonight, Tonight – Band Version, No Strings (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  3. Thirty-Three – Badlands Demo (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  4. In The Arms Of Sleep – Early Love Demo (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  5. Take Me Down – Instrumental Mix (The Aeroplane Flies High Deluxe)

Side B

  1. Jellybelly – Instrumental Pit Mix 3 (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  2. Bodies – Live In Philadelphia 1996 – The Aeroplane Flies High Deluxe
  3. To Forgive – Sadlands Demo (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  4. Here Is No Why – Pumpkinland Demo (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  5. Porcelina Of The Vast Ocean – Live Studio Rough (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)

Side C

  1. Bullet With Butterfly Wings – Sadlands Demo (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  2. Thru The Eyes Of Ruby – Acoustic Version (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  3. Muzzle – Live At Rockpalast 1996 (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  4. Galapogos – Double Door Rehearsal (The Aeroplane Flies High Deluxe)
  5. Tales Of A Scorched Earth – Instrumental Pit Mix 3 (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)

Side D

  1. 1979 – Acoustic Mix (The Aeroplane Flies High Deluxe)
  2. Beautiful – Loop Version (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  3. Cupid De Locke – BT 2012 Mix (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  4. By Starlight – Double Door Rehearsal (The Aeroplane Flies High Deluxe)
  5. We Only Come Out At Night – Live Roskide Festival 1997 – (Exit Mellon Collie – Bootleg)

Side E

  1. Where Boys Fear To Tread – Live Cleveland 1996 (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  2. Zero – Synth Mix (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  3. Fuck you (An Ode To No One) – Production Master Rough (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  4. Love – Flood Rough Mix (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  5. X.Y.U. – Take 11 (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)

Side F

  1. Stumbleine – Live Chicago 1995 (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  2. Lily (My One & Only) – Double Door Rehearsal (The Aeroplane Flies High Deluxe)
  3. Tonight, Tonight – String Mix (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  4. Goodnight – Basic Vocal Rough (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)
  5. Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness – Nighttime Version 1 (Mellon Collie & Infinite Sadness Deluxe)

Various Artists – Caught Beneath The Landslide Volume 3

After completing a second volume of the compilation ‘Caught Beneath The Landslide’, I found that I have music left over to make a third volume. 

So here we have another four disc set of tracks from Britpop big hitters, second division acts and a section of songs from bands who were part of the scene but their records weren’t successful at the time, or any time for that matter. 

Disc 1

  1. The Living Dead (Piano Version) – Suede
  2. Information Man – The Farm
  3. Her Jazz – Huge Bear
  4. Feel The Pain – Dinosaur Jr.
  5. Punk Boy – Ash
  6. Wembley – The Candyskins
  7. French Disko – Stereolab
  8. Cat’s Chorus – Lush
  9. Planet In The Ocean – Salad
  10. Modern History (Acoustic) – The Auterus
  11. Blue (US Mix) – The Verve
  12. Lewis (Mistreated) – Radiohead
  13. Time Baby III – Medicine
  14. Teenage Emergency – Flamingoes
  15. Happy Day – Blink
  16. You’re Always Right – These Animal Men
  17. Zoo’d Out – Strangelove
  18. Snakedriver – The Jesus & Mary Chain
  19. It’s A Fire – Portishead
  20. Big Nurse – Sleeper
  21. Take Me Away – Oasis
  22. Sunshine Smile – Adorable
  23. Even When Your Eyes Are Open – Leviathon

Disc 2

  1. Addicted To A.T.V. – The High Fidelity
  2. Shut Up – The Sweeney
  3. The Joy Of Living – Blueboy
  4. Mr. Appointment – Shack
  5. Under Canvas Wraps – The Delgados
  6. Checking In, Checking Out – The High Llamas
  7. Whirlpool (1995 Version) – BMX Bandits
  8. Hypersonic – Fluffy
  9. Cleopatra – Elastica
  10. Brains – Nut
  11. Sleep – Marion
  12. Steve Austin – Sexlovebusterbaby
  13. Delicious – Shampoo
  14. Firebox – Lick
  15. The Young Own The Town – Soda
  16. I Suppose – Puresence
  17. Look At You Now – Elcka
  18. Don’t Say You’re Sorry – Blameless
  19. Being Brave – Menswear
  20. 6am Jullander Shere – Cornershop
  21. An Open Letter To The Lyrical Transporter – Mansun

Disc 3

  1. Egotripper – The Kind
  2. Wake Up America – Poppyheads
  3. Mum’s Gone To Iceland – Bennett
  4. No Bell At Bognor – Twister
  5. Mermaid – Posh
  6. Ginger – David Devant & His Spirit Wife
  7. We Love You – Subcircus
  8. Get Out Of Cities – Blur
  9. I Can’t Make it – Dodgy
  10. Vote You – The Boo Radleys
  11. Summer Smash – Denim
  12. Chill Out – Pa Skinny
  13. One In A Million – Sussed
  14. Polly’s Domain – Coast 
  15. Ever – Descent
  16. 1962 – Grass Show
  17. Punka – Kenickie
  18. Dance Of The Bad Angel (Archive Mix) – Booth & The Bad Angel
  19. Keep The Light On – Geneva
  20. Since – Mercedes
  21. Huckleberry Grove – Ocean Colour Scene
  22. Adrenalina – Octopus
  23. 24 – The Hybrids

Disc 4

  1. Theme From Dweeb – Dweeb
  2. First Foot – Po!
  3. Somebody’s Follow Me – Speedomatic
  4. Four Skinny Indie Kids – Half Man Half Biscuit
  5. (Never Be A) Milksop – Ricky Spontane
  6. Fat Neck – Black Grape
  7. Torra Fy Ngwallt Yn Hir – Super Furry Animals
  8. That’s Why We Lose Control – The Young Offenders
  9. Lava – Silver Sun
  10. Long Live The UK Music Scene – Helen Love
  11. Drive In – Catch
  12. Govinda, Hari & St. George – Kula Shaker
  13. Something To Tell Her – Topper
  14. Ciao – Lodger
  15. Fantastic Legs – The Yummy Fur
  16. Tiny Meat (Original Version) – Ruby
  17. Beatnik Girl – Snug
  18. Grease – 18 Wheeler
  19. You Make Me Want To Scream – The Dandy
  20. Liar – Pullover
  21. Come & Go – Astral
  22. Bad Old Man – Babybird
  23. Rolled On Southern Blues – Mainstream
  24. Hanging Around – Me Me Me

The front cover is similar to Volume 1 with different bands added. The cover stars are as follows. 

Top row (l to r) – Ocean Colour Scene, Dodgy, Stereolab

Middle row (l to r) – Kula Shaker, Silver Sun, Booth & the Bad Angel

Bottom row (l to r) – BMX Bandits, Mansun, Radiohead

Volume 2 can be found at this link. – https://www.thesquirepresents.co.uk/various-artists-caught-beneath-the-landslide-volume-2/

Various Artists – Early Alternatives

Now this was a compilation I really enjoyed putting together. All bands/artists start somewhere before making it, so I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the earliest releases by a number of the more well known bands that have graced some of the compilations I have posted this month. What was most interesting for me was how long some of the bands were plying their trade before finding success. Pulp being the most extreme by taken the best part of a decade. 

Side 1

  1. It’s Not True – The Wonder Stuff
  2. Who Wants to Know – The Charlatans
  3. I Know (Single Version) – Blur
  4. You Can – Catatonia
  5. Sway (12” Mix) – Ocean Colour Scene
  6. The Last Days Of Winter – The Levellers

Disc 2

  1. It Happens – Primal Scream
  2. What’s The World – James
  3. Oasis – Happy Mondays
  4. Art – Suede
  5. Strange Ones (Backbeat Version) – Supergrass
  6. Same Old Story – The Farm
  7. Here It Comes – The Stone Roses

Side 3

  1. Give Me Less Time – Inspired Carpets
  2. Everybody’s Problem – Blur
  3. Heaven Can Wait – Salad
  4. Quite Content – The Soup Dragons
  5. Seance Sight – Lush
  6. Seems Like A Bad Day – Dodgy
  7. Endless – The La’s

Side 4

  1. Walking 5th Carnival – The Boo Radleys
  2. Columbia (White Label Demo) – Oasis
  3. One Way To Go – The Verve
  4. The Waning Moon – The Mock Turtles

It’s Not True – The Wonder Stuff – First song on their first EP (called ‘A Wonderful Day’), from 1986. 

Who Wants to Know – The Charlatans – Second of the two B-Sides issued with their debut single from 1990. The A-Side was called ‘Indian Rope’. 

I Know (Single Version) – Blur – B-Side of their debut single from 1990. This is the shorter version of the song which was initially only available on the 7’ single. The A-Side was ‘She’s So High’. 

You Can – Catatonia – B-Side of the their debut single from 1994. The A-Side was called ‘Whale’.

Sway (12” Mix) – Ocean Colour Scene – ‘Sway’ was the A-Side of the bands debut single. This was the longer version that was released on the 12” version of that single. Released in 1990. 

The Last Days Of Winter – The Levellers – The opening song on the bands debut release, a cassette EP called ‘All The Free Commons of England’ from 1988. 

It Happens – Primal Scream – The B-Side of their debuts single from 1985. The A-Side was called ‘All Fall Down’. 

What’s The World – James – The B-Side of the bands debut EP called ‘Jimone’ from 1983. This was the first of two B-Sides included on that release. 

Oasis – Happy Mondays – The second of two B-Sides from the bands first EP from 1985. The EP was called ‘Forty-Five EP’. This song was not the inspiration for the band of the same name. 

Art – Suede – The only song on this compilation to not be officially released, now or then. It got as far as a white label stage in 1989 but was rejected by the band as they were dissatisfied with it. The line up was included both Justine Freshman and Justin Welch who would later form the band Elastica. ‘Art’ was the B-Side of this release with ‘Be My God’ on the other. If this fantasy compilation release were to ever happen, to have a genuine rarity like this included would be a necessity. 

Strange Ones (Backbeat Version) – Supergrass – The B-Side of their debut single from 1994. Re-rerecorded once the band had signed for Parlophone. The A-Side was ‘Caught By The Fizz’. I could have included a song by The Jennifers, as two members of Supergrass were in that band. However, I did not as I covered them for my fantasy Record Store Release back in April https://www.thesquirepresents.co.uk/rsd-special-the-jennifers-the-complete-recordings/.

Same Old Story – The Farm – The fourth song on their debut EP, called ‘Hearts & Minds’  from 1989

Here It Comes – The Stone Roses – This was the B-Side of the ‘Sally Cinnamon’ single, released in 1987.

Give Me Less Time – Inspiral Carpets – Inspiral carpets released two albums worth of songs on a couple of cassettes in 1987. Some of the songs were re-recorded for later records but this song was not (as far as I can tell), even though it did appear on a couple of cassette collections of demos in the same year.  

Everybody’s Problem – Pulp – This was the bands second single, but unlike the first, this was a non album release. This was the A-Side and was released in 1983. 

Heaven Can Wait – Salad – The third song on their debut EP called ‘Kent’ from 1993. 

Quite Content – The Soup Dragons – The first song on their debut EP, ‘The Sun Is In The Sky’ from 1986.

Second Sight – Lush – Taken from their Mini LP, ‘Scar’, released in 1989. What was surprising is that the mini album came out before their released any singles. 

Seems Like A Bad Day – Dodgy – The B-Side to the second single, released in 1991. The A-Side was called ‘Easy Way’.

Endless – The La’s – The B-Side to the debut single, released in 1987. The A-Side was called ‘Way Out’. 

Walking 5th Carnival – The Boo Radleys – This was the sixth song on their debut LP, released in 1990. Like Lush, they released an album before they had released a single. 

Columbia (White Label Demo) – Oasis – Released in 1993 as a single-sided white label as a way of introducing the band to the world. 

One Way To Go – The Verve – The B-Side of their debut single from 1992. The A-Side was ‘All In The Mind’. 

The Waning Moon – The Mock Turtles – The fourth song on their debut EP. Called ‘Pomona’ and it was released in 1987. 

The cover is from the Twitter (or X, or whatever Elon Musk wants to call it this week) account of Images That Could Be Album Covers (@imagesalbum)

Various Artists – The Britpop Years Vol.6

It’s the first of the month so here is the sixth volume of music from the Britpop Years.

Disc 1

  1. I’d Like To Know – Supergrass
  2. Drink The Elixir – Salad
  3. Speeed King – These Animal Men
  4. Grateful Moon – Dodgy
  5. Life Is Sweet – The Chemical Brothers & Tim Burgess
  6. Are You Blue Or Are You Blind? – The Bluetones
  7. Neighbourhood – Space
  8. The Land of Do As You Please – Jocasta
  9. Love Is The Law – Seahorses
  10. Acrylic Afternoons – Pulp
  11. Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good) – Skunk Anansie
  12. Solitary Party Groover – Drugstore
  13. Today Tomorrow Sometime Never (Live) – Echobelly
  14. Be My Light, Be My Guide – Gene
  15. Whipsnade – Suede
  16. X-Static – Foo Fighters
  17. I’ll Manage Somehow – Menswear
  18. On & On – Longpigs
  19. Safe Boy – Out Of My Hair
  20. Kelly’s Heroes – Black Grape

This playlist could not have reproduced on Spotify because of one or more songs was not available on that platform.

Disc 2

  1. Fade Away – Oasis & Friends
  2. How High – The Charlatans
  3. Insomnia – Salad
  4. Dolphin – Shed Seven
  5. Black Nite Crash – Ride
  6. There Will Never Be Another Me – Silver Sun
  7. Razzmatazz (Acoustic Version) – Pulp
  8. Monday Morning – The Candyskins
  9. Look Inside America – Blur
  10. This Man Don’t Give A Fuck – Super Fury Animals
  11. Kevin Carter – Manic Street Preachers
  12. Something For The Weekend – The Divine Comedy
  13. Let’s All Go Together – Marion
  14. Tears – The Stone Roses
  15. Lipgloss – Pulp
  16. Monochrome – The Sundays
  17. Planet Telex (Hexadecimal Mix) – Radiohead
  18. Fade In-Out – Oasis
  19. The Underdogs – Rialto

Oasis – Heroes

Oasis, like Suede, were well known for the quality of their early B-Sides. Therefore, it would have been a no briner to complete one, but someone got there first. Namely, the band themselves when they put out ‘The Masterplan’ in 1998

Unlike Suede, a key member did not leave early on to act as a convenient cut off point for a new collection so I couldn’t replicate the method I used to compile the ‘Sci-Fi Lullabies’ idea from back in February. I therefore took a slightly different angle for this entry as Oasis did sneak a few cover versions on to their B- Sides So here they are compiled, with one live track from the ‘Familiar To Millions’ LP. 

Side A

  1. Street Fighting Man (Rolling Stones) – All Around The World (1998)
  2. Within You, Without You (The Beatles) – BBC Sgt Pepper 40th Anniversary Tribute (2007)
  3. Hey Hey, My My Into The Black (Neil Young) – Familiar To Millions (2000)
  4. My Generation (The Who) – Little By Little (2002)
  5. Cum On Feel The Noize (Slade) – Don;t Look Back In Anger (1996)

Side B

  1. Helter Skelter (The Beatles) – Who Feels Love? (2000)
  2. You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away (The Beatles) – Some Might Say Japanese CD (1995)
  3. Heroes (David Bowie) – D’You Know What I Mean? (1997)
  4. I Am The Walrus (The Beatles) – Cigarettes & Alcohol (1994)

Bonus 12”

This includes their cover of the classic Slade Christmas song. The second side is a BBC interview with Noel Gallagher talking about the recording process for Within’ You, Without You. 

A. Merry Christmas Everyone

B. Within You, Without You (Recording Process) 

‘Heroes’ is not only one of the covers on here, it serves as a pretty apt title because these songs come from artists that inspired Noel Gallagher. The cover comes from imgur user LisaBerglund. 

Ash – B-Sides & Covers

Ash were official formed in 1992 but two of the members had been playing in an Iron Maiden covers band for the precious three years. After recording some demos and releasing these on cassettes (remember them folks), one of these, ‘Garage Girl’, caught the attention of Stephen Taverner. Taverner put up the money press up 1000 7” records of ‘Jack Names The Planet’s on his own LaLaLand records label whilst becoming the bands manager. What needs to be remembered here is that the members of Ash were so young during these early years that they were still in school. 

The band gained some momentum and airplay when in 1994, they released the mini album ‘Trailer’. Steve Lamacq played some of these songs on his BBC Radio 1 show. American audiences become aware of the band after their song ‘Kung Fu’ was used in the closing credits of the Jackie Chan film, ‘Rumble In The Bronx’. After touring the USA in support of Weezer, the band felt that they needed another guitar player to help flesh out the sound whilst they played live. Charlotte Hatherley (previously of Nightnurse) joined and her first recorded contribution to the band was on their single from the film ‘A Life Less Ordinary’. 

The early singles and album of the band were more upbeat than what came on their second LP and subsequent singles which had a good deal more garage rock influences. The ‘Numbskull’ single included a number of cover versions of grunge acts as well, no doubt showing the influences of the band but it could be argued that these were needed because main songwriter Tim Wheeler was suffering from writers block. The second album gained mix reviews from critics and Wheeler went into an 18 month depression which he eventually come out form after moving back to his parent house in Northern Ireland to focus on writing. 

The band continue to record and play live to this day, even though Charlotte Hatherley left in 2006. This continuation of my series of B-Sides compilations comes in two parts. I liked the covers the band did because instead of doing straight covers, they tried to do something a little different, especially on ‘Give Me Some Truth’. Both of these compilations cover the classic Britpop period of 1994-8 with a couple of songs that were released in 1999 for good measure. 

Side A

  1. What Deaner Was Talking About (A Life Less Ordinary – 1997)
  2. Sneaker (Goldfinger – 1996)
  3. Halloween (A Life Less Ordinary – 1997)
  4. Don’t Know (Jack Names The Planets – 1994)
  5. Story Weather (Wild Surf – 1998)
  6. Dancing On The Moon (Jesus Says – 1998)

Side B

  1. I Need Somebody (Goldfinger – 1996)
  2. When I’m Tired (Wild Surf – 1998)
  3. Gonna Do It Soon(Wild Surf – 1998)
  4. Take Out (Jesus Says – 1998)
  5. Radiation (Jesus Says – 1998)
  6. Everywhere Is All Around (Oh Yeah – 1995)
  7. Heroin, Vodka, White Noise (Jesus Says – 1998)

Side A

  1. Blew – Nirvana (Numbskull – 1999)
  2. Does Your Mother Know – ABBA (Oh Yeah – 1995)
  3. Who You Drivin’ Now? (Numbskull – 1999)
  4. Cantina Band – John Williams (Girl From Mars – 1995)

Side B

  1. Get Ready – The Miracles (Goldfinger – 1996)
  2. Give Me Some Truth – John Lennon (Angel Interceptor – 1995)
  3. I Only Want To Be With You – Dusty Springfield (Single A-Side – 1997) 

The covers I have used for these compilations show the band in similar poses but separated by a few years. The image used for B-Sides was used for the compilation ‘Teenage Wildlife – 25 Years of Ash’.