White Stripes – White Blood Cells Deluxe

It was with the release of their third LP that The White Stripes really exploded beyond the confines of the Detroit music scene. The band entered a professional recording studio to record but had only completed a week of rehearsals. Meg was unsure that this was enough time, feeling that more rehearsals were needed. However, Jack was keen to get a real tense feeling and to make the process as disorganised as possible. To save money, the band would use 12 of the 24 tracks on the tape machine to record one song and then the other 12 to record another. Jack also asked recording engineer Stuart Sikes to not make it sound too good. 

This record moved away from the bands blues roots and was more of a garage rock LP. When the album came out, it received mass critical acclaim  as well as their first industry awards. It was also included of many end of year best of lists. 

Like others in this series, disc 1 is the album with period related singles. Disc 2 comes from the ‘White Blood Cells XX’ Vault 48 package from 2021. Disc 3 comprises of the complete sessions recorded for legendary British DJ, John Peel. 

Disc 1

The third album with single A and B sides from 2001 (except Candy Cane Children, Story of the Magi and Silent Night were released in 2002 as a special one off Christmas related single). 

1. Dead Leaves & A Dirty Ground
2. Hotel Yorba
3. I’m Finding It Hard To Be A Gentlemen
4. Fell In Love With A Girl
5. Expecting
6. Little Room
7. The Union Forever
8. The Same Boy You’ve Always Known
9. We’re Going To Be Friends
10. Offend In Every Way
11. I Think I Smell A Rat
12. Aluminum
13. I Can’t Wait
14. Now Mary
15. I Can Learn
16. This Protector
17. Hotel Yorba (Single A-Side – Live At The Hotel Yorba)
18. Rated X (Single B-Side – Live At The Hotel Yorba)
19. Love Sick (Single B-Side – Live At The Forum, London 6th December 2001)
20. Stop Breaking Down (Single B-Side – Live At The BBC Studios, Maida Vale)
21. Red Death 6:14 (Single A-Side)
22. Candy Cane Children (Single A-Side)
23. Story Of The Magi/Silent Night (Single B-Side)

Disc 2

Alternative takes, early versions and outtakes

1. Dead Leaves & A Dirty Ground (Boombox Demo – Take 1)
2. Dead Leaves & A Dirty Ground (Boombox Demo – Take 2)
3. Hotel Yorba (Alternative Take – Live At Hotel Yorba)
4. Fell In Love With A Girl (Alternative Take)
5. The Union Forever (Working Mix)
6. Offend In Every Way (Acoustic Boombox Demo)
7. That’s Where It’s At (Outtake)
8. Ooh-Aah (Demo)
9. I Can’t Wait (Alternative Mix)
10. Hey Mary (Demo)
11. Feel Like I’m Three Feet Tall (Boombox Demo)
12. Rated X (Alternative Take – Live At Hotel Yorba)
13. When I Hear My Name – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
14. Dear Letter/Grinnin’ In Your Face – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
15. Lord, Send Me An Angel – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
16. You’re Pretty Good Looking (For A Girl) – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
17. Dead Leaves & A The Dirty Ground – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
18. Hotel Yorba – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
19. Truth Doesn’t Make A Noise – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
20. I Think I Smell A Rat – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
21. Jolene – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
22. We’re Going To Be Friends – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
23. Expecting – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
24. The Union Forever – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
25. The Same Boy You’ve Always Known
26. Apple Blossom – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
27. Cannon/John The Revelator – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
28. Astro – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)
29. Boll Weevil – Live At Headliners, Louisville, KY (9th June 2001)

Disc 3 – Complete John Peel Sessions

1. Let’s Shake Hands – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
2. When I Hear My Name – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
3. Jolene – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
4. Death Letter – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
5. Cannon – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
6. Astro/Jack The Ripper – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
7. Hotel Yorba – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
8. I’m Finding It Hard To Be A Gentleman – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
9. Screwdriver – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
10. We’re Going To Be Friends – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
11. You’re Pretty Good Looking (For A Girl) – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
12. Boil Weevil – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
13. Hello Operator – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
14. Baby Blue – Maida Vale (25th July 2001)
15. Lord, Send Me An Angel – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
16. Dead Leaves & the Dirty Ground – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
17. I Think I Smell A Rat – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
18. Let’s Build A House/Goin’ Back To Memphis – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
19. Little Room – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
20. The Union Forever – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
21. The Same Boy You’ve Always Known – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
22. Look Me Over Closely – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
23. Looking At Your – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
24. St James Infirmary Blues – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
25. Apple Blossom – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
26. Do – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
27. Rated X – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
28. Jumble Jumble – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)
29. Little People – Peel Acres (8th November 2001)