― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:35 (seventeen years ago) link
I'm not the first one to mention it...I think Trouser Press says this too, but Respect is kind of a great lost RH album and a great comeback after the overproduced Perspex Island. (Recently downloaded the Perspex demos, and am finally enjoying these songs stripped of some of the gloss.)
― dlp9001 (dlp9001), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:14 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:15 (seventeen years ago) link
― dlp9001 (dlp9001), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:18 (seventeen years ago) link
I was just going to ask you where you found the Perspex demos. I saw him in LA a couple times when he was still working on the Perspex material and I've always like the original versions better than what turned up on the album.
― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:20 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:44 (seventeen years ago) link
Two words: Paul Fox.
― Myke. (Myke Weiskopf), Sunday, 17 September 2006 02:44 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ficky Stingers (Bimble...), Sunday, 17 September 2006 08:42 (seventeen years ago) link
Well I got word he's to have a new album out with a new band. It's called Ole Tarantula I think, something like that.
― Ficky Stingers (Bimble...), Sunday, 17 September 2006 08:44 (seventeen years ago) link
― Squirrel_Police (Squirrel_Police), Monday, 18 September 2006 00:15 (seventeen years ago) link
― dan. (dan.), Monday, 9 October 2006 14:17 (seventeen years ago) link
I blathered on and on (without saying much at all) about it here. Normally I don't self-promote, but I didn't feel like rehashing it all in condensed form.
― EZ Snappin (EZSnappin), Monday, 9 October 2006 15:08 (seventeen years ago) link
― N Mallin (DocMartensBoots), Monday, 9 October 2006 15:48 (seventeen years ago) link
― Sweat Loaf (Sweat Loaf), Monday, 9 October 2006 15:57 (seventeen years ago) link
― dan. (dan.), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 19:00 (seventeen years ago) link
― kyle (akmonday), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 19:14 (seventeen years ago) link
― zeus (zeus), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:27 (seventeen years ago) link
― Emily B (Emily B), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 23:41 (seventeen years ago) link
― Kid B (Bimble...), Monday, 13 November 2006 04:57 (seventeen years ago) link
― Kid B (Bimble...), Monday, 13 November 2006 04:59 (seventeen years ago) link
― Kid B (Bimble...), Monday, 13 November 2006 05:02 (seventeen years ago) link
Cause you're just an old pervert and you hang around "under the bridge".
I won't do you no harm I just wanna show you what's in my fridge...
― Kid B (Bimble...), Monday, 13 November 2006 05:06 (seventeen years ago) link
― Umpire Teen (Bimble...), Saturday, 18 November 2006 04:17 (seventeen years ago) link
― Umpire Teen (Bimble...), Saturday, 18 November 2006 04:58 (seventeen years ago) link
― Umpire Teen (Bimble...), Saturday, 18 November 2006 04:59 (seventeen years ago) link
― clotpoll (Clotpoll), Thursday, 4 January 2007 19:55 (seventeen years ago) link
All I know by Robyn Hitchcock solo is his cover of Kung Fu Fighting! Which does rule.
― Colonel Poo (Colonel Poo), Thursday, 4 January 2007 20:59 (seventeen years ago) link
Love the Soft Boys, love solo Hitchcock, though both are frustratingly hit or miss. Understand the objections to Hitch's stereotypically Engwish brand of teapot psychedelia, but his best tunes are organic, moving and catchy as hell - and he's got a TON of best tunes. He's similar to Robert Pollard in that the superficial non-sequiters conceal/reveal a core of real longing and alienation that'll draw blood if you let it. He can be cute 'n' funny without being cloying, too, which is a rare trick.
Recent stuff is patchy, but Invisible Hitchcock, Queen Elvis, I Often Dream of Trains, Eye and Mossy Liquor are (relatively) solid. Lots of great stuff buried elsewhere, too.
― Adam Beales (Pye Poudre), Thursday, 4 January 2007 22:32 (seventeen years ago) link
Yep Roc is starting to reissue Robyn's back catalogue. The first box will include _Black Snake_, _I Often Dream Of Trains_, _Eye_ and a 2 disc set of odds and sods. _Groovy Decay_ will be available as a digital download (Robyn always hated it, I guess that's why no physical reissue).
Next year brings another box containing _Fegmania_, _Gotta Let This Hen Out_, _Element Of Light_ and another odds and sods disc.
I, for one, am totally looking forward to the barrel scrapings. Seriously. I mean, _Invisible Hitchcock_ and _You & Oblivions_ are b-sides and outtakes and are packed with gems.
― Mr. Odd, Thursday, 9 August 2007 15:01 (sixteen years ago) link
They're saying the 2-disc oddities part will have a lot of unheard stuff. Also:
"All of the individual albums feature bonus tracks and enhanced liner notes, including Hitchcock's personal reminiscences on Black Snake and While Thatcher, an extract from a novel in progress on Trains and several pieces of original poetry on Eye, along with previously unpublished photos and Hitchcock cartoons."
Hopefully the bonus tracks for Black Snake et al will be different from the ones on the last editions.
― Jon Lewis, Thursday, 9 August 2007 15:10 (sixteen years ago) link
As long as they include the one from last time. Let's not get into an Elvis Costello situation here where you need mutiple versions of the same album if you want all the bonus tracks!
As it is you need both versions of _Black Snake_ because the sax-version of "The Man Who Invented Himself" was replaced with the sax-less one and the original didn't show up on any of the Rhino reissues.
― Mr. Odd, Thursday, 9 August 2007 16:02 (sixteen years ago) link
Let's not get into an Elvis Costello situation here where you need mutiple versions of the same album if you want all the bonus tracks!
That's for damn sure. As it stands I'm going to hold on to mine for the time being. Even Gravy Deco.
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 9 August 2007 16:04 (sixteen years ago) link
Well, the sax version of "Man..." needs to be on this new version, either as track 1 or a bonus, that much is clear.
I see what you guys are saying. But I didn't care for the extras on the Rhino I Often Dream Of Trains (by which I mean the home demos). They added nothing.
― Jon Lewis, Thursday, 9 August 2007 16:08 (sixteen years ago) link
Plus...check this out!:
Wanna Go Backwards will also be released as an eight-record vinyl box set version complete with original LP artwork.
Now I have to start saving for this as well. Maybe this, unlike the Neil Young box set I am anticipating, will actually see the light of day.
― kwhitehead, Thursday, 9 August 2007 17:01 (sixteen years ago) link
You can pre-order the box from Yep Roc's site and stream it for free as well. Here's the analysis I did - bottom line, you still need your Rhino editions.
Black Snake Diamond Role The Man Who Invented Himself [Sax-less version, the Sax version is still in limbo.] Brenda's Iron Sledge Do Policemen Sing? The Lizard Meat Acid Bird I Watch The Cars Out Of The Picture City Of Shame Love
Bonus Tracks: All I Wanna Do Is Fall In Love [from Invisible Hitchcock] A Skull, A Suitcase & A Long Red Bottle Of Wine [from Invisible Hitchcock] It Was The Night [from Rhino edition] I Watch The Cars No. 2 [from Rhino edition] Give Me A Spanner Ralph [from Invisible Hitchcock] It's A Mystic Trip [from Invisible Hitchcock] Grooving On A Inner Plane [from Rhino edition] Happy The Golden Prince [from Rhino edition]
Missing: Dancing On God's Thumb [from Rhino edition]
Note: Nothing previously unreleased.
I Often Dream Of Trains Nocturne (prelude) Sometimes I Wish I Was A Pretty Girl Cathedral Uncorrected Personality Traits Sounds Great When You're Dead Flavour Of Light Ye Sleeping Knights Of Jesus This Could Be The Day Trams Of Old London Furry Green Atom Bowl Heart Full Of Leaves Autumn Is Your Last Chance I Often Dream Of Trains Nocturne (Demise) Winter Love The Bones In The Ground My Favourite Buildings I Used To Say I Love You
Bonus Tracks: Chant/Aether Heart Full Of Leaves (alternate) I Often Dream Of Trains (demo) Not Even A Nurse Slow Chant/That's Fantastic Mother Church Traveller's Fare
Missing: Mellow Together [from Rhino edition] Sometimes I Wish I Was A Pretty Girl (demo) [from Rhino edition] Cathedral (demo) [from Rhino edition] Mellow Together (demo) [from Rhino edition] The Bones In The Ground (demo) [from Rhino edition]
Note: Original LP running order restored with previous CD bonus tracks moved to the end.
Eye Cynthia Mask Certainly Cliquot Queen Elvis Flesh Cartoons Chinese Water Python Executioner Linctus House Sweet Ghost Of Light Transparent Lover Beautiful Girl Clean Steve Raining Twilight Coast Agony Of Pleasure Glass Hotel Satellite Aquarium Queen Elvis II
Bonus Tracks: Century Shimmering Distant Love Lovers Turn To Skulls The Beauty Of Earl's Court
Missing: Agony Of Pleasure (demo) [from Rhino edition] Note: College Of Ice isn't listed here but is on the Thatcher set. Running order from original LP is slightly altered.
While Thatcher Mauled Britain She Reached For A Light [from You & Oblivion] August Hair [from You & Oblivion] Take Your Knife Out Of My Back [from You & Oblivion] Fiend Before The Shrine [from You & Oblivion] Raymond Chandler Evening (demo) [from Rhino _Element Of Light_] Birdshead [from You & Oblivion] Victorian Squid [from You & Oblivion] You've Got [from You & Oblivion] Captain Dry [from You & Oblivion] Raining Twilight Coast (Demo) [from Rhino _Eye_] Point It At Gran [from Invisible Hitchcock] Vegetable Friend [from Invisible Hitchcock] Flesh Number 1 (demo) Surgery [from You & Oblivion] I Got A Message For You [from Invisible Hitchcock] If I Could Look [from You & Oblivion] Parachutes & Jellyfish Queen Elvis (Demo) [from Rhino _Eye_] Nothing [from You & Oblivion] Stranded In The Future [from You & Oblivion] Melting Arthur The Abandoned Brain [from Invisible Hitchcock] You're So Repulsive Opiatrescence September Cones [from You & Oblivion] Lovely Golden Villains Dr Sticky (live) Toadboy Trash [from Invisible Hitchcock] Pit Of Souls (Country version) [from Invisible Hitchcock] Mr Deadly [from Invisible Hitchcock] Let There Be More Darkness [from Invisible Hitchcock] Listening To The Higsons [from Invisible Hitchcock] College Of Ice [from Rhino _Eye_] My Favourite Buildings (Demo) [from Rhino _IODOT_] Lightplug Sleeping Knights Of Jesus (Demo) [from Rhino _IODOT_] Insect Mother (demo) [from Rhino _Fegmania_] I Wanna Go Backwards
Missing from _Invisible Hitchcock_: My Favourite Buildings [Or is it the same as either version in box?] Falling Leaves Eaten By Her Own Dinner Star Of Hairs Messages Of Dark Blues In A Dr. Sticky
Missing From _You & Oblivion_: Don't You Mr. Rock 'N' Roll The Dust Polly On The Shore Into It Keeping Still The Ghost Ship You & Me Aether
― Mr. Odd, Friday, 31 August 2007 20:05 (sixteen years ago) link
thanks for breaking all that down! on first glance, it doesn't appear quite as exciting as it seemed when they announced it, in terms of unreleased stuff ... but Robyn's gone through his demos/outtakes quite a bit over the years, so it's not too surprising there isn't all that much "new" stuff here. The "I Wanna Go Backwards" tune sounds good. But the A&M records (Globe of Frogs, Queen Elvis, Perspex Island and Respect) are the ones that really need the deluxe reissue treatment. Anyone know if that's in the works?
― tylerw, Friday, 31 August 2007 21:01 (sixteen years ago) link
Hmph. There's not a lot on there I need. I think I'll be cherrypicking the dozen or so unreleased songs off emusic.
This is mostly just moving a bunch of previously available stuff into new configurations. Also NO LOBSTERMAN WTF ROBYN I AM HAVING A HARD TIME RESPECTING YOU
― Jon Lewis, Friday, 31 August 2007 21:09 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm torn; I've bought these in multiple configurations before, but I'm not seeing much incentive this time. I want the unreleased stuff (being a total Hitchcock geek), but listening to them at the Yep Roc site makes me think there is a reason these were left off of the Rhino reissues.
― EZ Snappin, Friday, 31 August 2007 21:20 (sixteen years ago) link
One correction to your incredibly helpful list Mr. Odd - big thanks, by the way, it is most helpful - it looks like "Aether" moved from You & Oblivion to I Often Dream of Trains.
I wish they were publishing the tracklist to the second boxset; I'm assuming/hoping many of the tracks that appear to be dropping from Rhino reissues are just being reassigned. Relegating "Polly On The Shore" to the dustbin of history would be shameful.
― EZ Snappin, Friday, 31 August 2007 21:38 (sixteen years ago) link
I thought that initially as well, but listening to it on the stream showed it's something different, or a demo of what wound up on _Y&O_. Also, I have found that the version of "The Abandoned Brain" (one of my faves) is a demo with an even more moving vocal take.
― Mr. Odd, Friday, 31 August 2007 21:57 (sixteen years ago) link
For starters, it would be nice if the CD versions of his 80s albums would be available in Europe again. I didn't discover him properly until they were deleted, and now I'm stuck with burned copies based on downloaded stuff.
― Geir Hongro, Friday, 31 August 2007 22:16 (sixteen years ago) link
Geir -
do you mean the A&M years? Because this Yep Roc project will redo all the other 80s recordings, and they have international distrobution deals.
The A&M stuff really needs a proper archive. There's plenty of extra stuff too - I'd love to hear the full set of solo covers that made the rounds on an A&M promo tape.
― EZ Snappin, Friday, 31 August 2007 22:59 (sixteen years ago) link
Can someone please clarify - the bonus tracks for Eye don't look familiar to me, are they previously unreleased? Also, aren't the last three bonus tracks for "I Often Dream..." also previously unreleased?
― Bimble, Saturday, 1 September 2007 00:27 (sixteen years ago) link
Those ones you mention are all previously unreleased. Mr. Odd has done a good job attributing all previously released material.
― EZ Snappin, Saturday, 1 September 2007 00:40 (sixteen years ago) link
Wait-- how can the vocal on Abandoned Brain be more moving?! That seems impossible...
― Jon Lewis, Saturday, 1 September 2007 01:42 (sixteen years ago) link
Just thought I'd bump this now that the reissues are out in the wild. I haven't compared the sound to the Rhino or other previous releases, but did listen to the first disc of While Thatcher Mauled Britain. The previously unreleased stuff fits in nicely with the other demos and oddities. It is nicely paced - no major dips or lags.
Anyone else pick this up?
― EZ Snappin, Tuesday, 13 November 2007 18:13 (sixteen years ago) link
And Mr. Odd was right - this latest version of "The Abandoned Brain" is actually more moving. Definite standout track.
― EZ Snappin, Tuesday, 13 November 2007 18:15 (sixteen years ago) link
you know what's particularly good here? the bonus tracks on Black Snake Diamond Role. Nothing that wasn't released on either Invisible HItchcock or the Rhino reissue, but taken together, it's like a great, lost circa 81-82 Hitchcock solo record. The songs are:
1. All I Wanna Do Is Fall In Love 2. A Skull, A Suitcase ... 3. It Was The Night 4. I Watch The Cars No. 2 5. Give Me A Spanner Ralph 6. It's A Mystic Trip 7. Grooving On An Inner Plane 8. Happy The Golden Prince
Anyway, I've just got promo burns of the box set, but I'm considering shelling out for the real deal.
― tylerw, Tuesday, 13 November 2007 18:19 (sixteen years ago) link
long interview over at avclub.com today. most interesting bit is this: "In January, there is a record coming out called Shadow Cat, which is unreleased recordings from the '90s. But that's only coming out in Britain to start with, on a label called Sartorial, which is run by a friend of mine called Terry Edwards. And then, sometime in the spring, the Egyptians-era stuff is coming out, which we've just started work on. That will have Element Of Light, Fegmania!, and Gotta Let This Hen Out! and a bunch of related stuff, and then I'm hoping that the Soft Boys material will come out next autumn on Matador Records, and by then, the new one with The Venus 3 will have come out as well."
― tylerw, Tuesday, 13 November 2007 18:30 (sixteen years ago) link
I've been diving in for the past two days. Agreed about the Black Snake bonus tracks being the high point so far. Overall, seems worth the splurge, at least for the CD versions - really pretty inexpensive.
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Tuesday, 13 November 2007 20:39 (sixteen years ago) link