Archive for the ‘Echo and the Bunnymen’ Category

Echo And The Bootleg

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

When this goes up, I’ll be in (not so) lovely NYC. Remember all the smack I was talking about Toronto and Canada? That was mostly facetious. Toronto is actually a pretty alright town. It might not be for me, but I can see why so many people dig it. And it has some pretty great record stores.

But New York City? Man, fuck that place. An overcrowded, overrated, overpriced and oversantized nightmare amalgamation of everything horrible that America has to offer. Sure, it’s the “city that never sleeps” and you can always find an amazing restaurant, bar or whatever, but damn, between the racist cops, smelly subways, mean people, crowded streets and every other disgusting and evil thing the city has to offer, why the hell would you want to leave your home in the first place?

If the above rant offended anyone who lives in the greater New York City area, I’m sorry…that you’re stuck in New York City.

Echo And The Bunnymen
New Horizon – Live in Tokyo January 1984
Two of my favorite things, Tokyo and post-punk/new wave music from Liverpool!

This is a bootleg. As the title suggests, it was recorded in Tokyo, sometime in January of 1984. I really don’t know much about it aside from that. There are no linear notes on the release, just a poorly made photocoppied piece of paper taped to the front cover. Judging from the setlists at this Echo And The Bunnymen fansite, however, it would appear that this an abridged recording of their January 17th show at the Nakano Sun Plaza Hall, with the encore of “All My Colours (Zimbo)” and “Do It Clean” absent.

I’ve posted bootlegs here before, and unfortunately most have sounded like hot garbage. Not the case with this one! Judging from the snippet of Japanese audio that plays at the beginning of the first track, I suspect this is a rip taken from a Japanese radio broadcast. While that means its definitely a cut above your typical audience recording, it still does have its fair share of flaws. The stereo cuts out from time to time on the first track, and the overall fidelity of the recording (and the vinyl I ripped it from) are less than perfect. That being said, it’s completely listenable, with clear vocals and instruments on all the tracks.

It’s also a pretty great performance from the band during their peak. Ian’s voice is incredible throughout the performance, and the band as a whole sounds damn near perfect. A must-listen for Echo fans who want a glance of the band during their prime, no doubt.

Click on the link above for a complete zip of the concert. But if you’re curious, here’s the entire tracklist:

  • Over The Wall
  • Stars are Stars
  • The Killing Moon
  • The Cutter
  • All That Jazz
  • Never Stop
  • Thorn of Crowns
  • Crocodiles

Posted in bootlegs, Complete Albums, Echo and the Bunnymen | 3 Comments »

Prince’s Madhouse is full of Bunnymen

Tuesday, February 26th, 2013

I finally got all the records from Japan and China cleaned and I’m intent on plowing through them as fast as possible. If I listen to as many as possible for seven days a week, I think I might be done by 2014.

Did I mention I bought a lot of records in Japan?

Ironically, none of tonight’s music is from those records.

Madhouse
6
6 (End Of The World Mix)
6 and 1/2
I’ve written about Prince “associate” acts before. A while ago I did a quick post about The Family, a band that was pretty much just Prince save for a different vocalist (and even that’s debatable). Then a few months ago I posted a tune by Mazarati, a band that was more independent than other Prince associates, but was still heavily guided and controlled by The Purple One.

Madhouse is another Prince associate act, albeit not as well known as those groups or others like The Time. That’s probably because while those acts were just extensions of Prince’s already successful funk/pop sound, Madhouse was an entirely instrumental jazz act with some funk influences. That’s not the kind of act that sells records.

Madhouse released just two albums, both of which came out in 1987. The first, called 8, was pretty much nothing but Prince, with longtime Prince collaborator Eric Leeds contributing some sax and flute parts. The second album, called 16, was more of a group effort, and featured Shelia E on drums and another longtime Prince associate, Levi Seacer, Jr. on bass.

Apparently there were at least two other Madhouse albums recorded, both called 24, but neither have ever seen the light of day (a common story when discussing Prince). Bootlegs are out there though, for those who are interested.

(By the way, all of this is “alleged” I have found no proof documenting any of this, and all the articles I can find online about Madhouse are completely without credible citation.)

I’m going to be honest, I bought this 12″ single just because I knew it was Prince. I really have no interest in jazz fusion, and while I like these tracks, especially the remix, nothing on here really changed my mind. It’s a catchy tune, with an obvious Prince/funk edge, but I’d be lying if I found it especially memorable. Still, I think this kind of thing, a top-secret song by a super-famous artist, is fascinating, and it’s worth hearing once if for that reason alone.

Echo And The Bunnymen
Lips Like Sugar (12″ Mix)
Lips Like Sugar (Dub Version)
I think that “Lips Like Sugar” is Echo And The Bunnymen’s best song. A lot of people disagree with me, but a lot of people can go to hell. I could dance to this song till my feet fell off, and I’m a sucker for a good new wave love ballad. So you all can take your “The Cutter” and “The Killing Moon” suggestions and cram it. Yes, they’re great songs, but they’ll never hold a candle to this one for me.

The 12″ Mix is nearly seven-minutes long, and since we’ve already established that I could listen to this song all day and all night, I’m a fan of this extended mix. Shit, I wish it was even longer. The dub mix is a dub mix, and I’m including it for the sake of being a completionist.

The 12″ single from which I took these songs had two additional tracks. One was the single mix of the song, and the other was the b-side “Rollercoaster.” Both of these are available on the still in-print Echo box set Crystal Days, and I highly recommend you pick that up. Not only for those tracks (“Rollercoaster” is the secret best Echo And The Bunnymen track!) but for additional great rarities, including a haunting nine-minute version of “The Killing Moon” (woot!) and an awesome live cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Heroin.”

Posted in B-sides, Echo and the Bunnymen, Prince, remixes | 2 Comments »

Is This The Blog Im Singing

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Vodka!

Echo And The Bunnymen
Think I Need It Too
Lips Like Sugar (Way Out West Remix Edit)
Do It Clean (Live)
This is a first for me. I actually got permission to post one of these songs. For some reason I was put on the right mailing list and some lovely people from Echo And The Bunnymen’s label sent me a link to download the new album in its entirety, with permission to post the single on my blog! That’s awesome! Finally, this blogging shit is starting to pay off. Well, to be honest I only got permission to post the one song, not the older tracks, but hell, they never stopped me before. They’re not Steve Winwood after all. The “Lips Like Sugar” remix is from a compilation called Future Retro and the live version of “Do It Clean” is from an EP called The Sound of Echo.

I have listened to The Fountain (the band’s upcoming release) and I can tell you that it totally totally kicks all kinds of ass. When it comes out you should fucking buy it. It kicks ass.

The Icicle Works
Understanding Jane (Live)
Should I Stay Or Should I Go? (Live)

Roadhouse Blues (Live)

And in “also ran” news I have some tracks by the third-tier Liverpool band The Icicle Works, who pale in comparison to the awesome awesomeness of Echo And The Bunnymen, “Whisper To A Scream” notwithstanding. This live version of “Understanding Jane” is actually quite amazing, but the live covers are holy shit bad. I’m posting them because they’ve never been released on CD as far as I know and there has to be some die hard Icicle Works fan out there clamoring for them right?

Posted in B-sides, Echo and the Bunnymen, live, remixes, The Icicle Works | 4 Comments »

A-ha! It’s The Cure! Also Bunnymen and rap.

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

This post is a little light on content but I believe the quality makes up for the quantity. It also gives me a chance to explain something.

I started this blog to highlight rare and hard-to-find recordings, primarily music you can’t find on CD. When I started this blog a few years ago the pool from which to get tracks from was huge, but it’s getting harder and harder to fulfill my original mission statement. Everything seems to be on CD (or iTunes/Amazon MP3 store) now! It’s annoying! That is one of the reason why updates have slowed down recently (that and a booze-filled bender). Last week I bought 12” singles by Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, Book Of Love and New Order – all of the tracks are on iTunes and CD now. This is all great for the artists, who deserve to have these tracks available, but it makes my job a little harder.

Now, as people have pointed out in the comment section, sometimes I put up stuff that is in-print/easily available. That’s usually do to general ignorance on my part, or because it’s not in print in the states, which is what really matters to me (and judging by my statcounter most of my visitors). Also sometimes I just let my rules be dammed because I feel like it, but that usually just applies to Depeche Mode. I’m careful though, I don’t need another cease and desist from Steve Winwood.

My point is that you’re probably going to start to see some lesser-known acts on The Lost Turntable. However, if I start to get into a good groove and find some interesting shit you’ll also get more music. So it evens out.

And its all free for you anyways, so what do you care?

a-ha
The Sun Always Shines on T.V. (Extended Mix)
Driftwood
I was ecstatic that these tracks weren’t on iTunes or any American-released compilation. I won’t profess to being a huge a-ha fan (I only own a greatest hits) but “The Sun Always Shines On TV” is probably my favorite track of theirs that I have heard, yes even more than “Take On Me.” It’s a beautiful track and this extra-long version is even better. “Driftwood” is a good b-side as well, the lead singer is rocking a Bowie vibe a bit and it works for him.

Echo & The Bunnymen
Bring On The Dancing Horses (Extended Mix)
Yay extended Bunnymen singing about horses! Wow, when I say it like that I sound like a seven-year-old girl. Anyways, this is from a 12” single.

The Cure
Why Can’t I Be You? (12” Version)
My favorite song by The Cure? Maybe, definitely my favorite Cure song that doesn’t bring up painful memories of failed relationships. Seriously, how many people can’t listen to “Lovesong” anymore? I’m not the only one I know it. This is from a 12” single, which makes sense because it’s the 12” version.

J.J. Fad
Supersonic (Remix)
And now for something completely different. The first person who says that this track sounds like a Fergie song will get punched in the face. I will find you. This is from a 12” single.

Posted in A-ha, B-sides, Echo and the Bunnymen, J.J. Fad, remixes, The Cure | 2 Comments »