saint etienne

Just back from the Edinburgh show, thought both bands were grey. What a voice Green Gartside has on him.

"Grey" should have been "great". Both bands were great.

Two weeks ago I got Finisterre on CD and am heartily glad: at least six keepers, the highest average since So Tough.

Wow, Alfred, we hear Good Humor very differently.

I really like 'Finisterre' too. I was saying earlier that think 'Good Humour' is a good album without any major standout songs, while i never seem to think of 'Words and Music' as being a great album despite having quite a few really good songs on it.

So many Saint Etienne threads. Not sure which is the right one to bump.

New soundtrack by Pete and Sarah now on sale at the SE web shop: https://saintetienne.greedbag.com

Ordered the vinyl but i have no idea what the music sounds like. There are a ton of tracks on it so I hope it makes for a pleasant listening experience.

He played three tracks on the last Séance radio show. Nice stuff.

https://m.mixcloud.com/jamespapademetrie/the-séance-29th-november-2013/

Sorry, bad link. I'm sure you can work it out.

Yeah, I went ahead and ordered a copy because, hey, Saint Etienne.

Saint Etienne update for anyone not following Bob Stanley on Twitter:

Bob's Waitrose bag ripped causing him to smash a bottle of wine - a bottle of Barefoot Merlot. It's okay, though. Waitrose have got in touch with him.

Don't want to walk around barefoot in those circumstances

I'm afraid there have been no updates on Bob's wine situation, today.

My copy arrived today. Clicked the purchase button with some trepidation as I fully expect the DVD to be released in a few months, packaged with the soundtrack CD.

^ Yes, I know that feeling well.

Almost finished listening through it for the first time and it is really good! The Cracknell solo song sits pretty well in the track listing, I haven't listened to 'Lipslide' enough to have recognised it as being from that, I actually thought it was newly recorded for the soundtrack.

So how is this sounding? Like their soundtracks to other recent films or proper songs? Not that I mind too much. In general I like their instrumentals. Also it makes me a little nervous that Bob isn't on this. I've always assumed (with no reason) his contribution is the most important to the band's sound.

Ready or Not is one of my favourite St Et-related songs. Does anyone know if it's a new version?

At the cinema, I came away with the impression that the soundtrack wasn't as good as previous ones (some of which I adore) but will update if playing the CD makes me change my mind.

Not a new version of "Ready or Not", Re-make. It's well deployed in the film, though.

daavid, it's "soundtrack" rather than proper songs. Good, though. Can't compare it to previous stuff without going back and giving '...Mervyn Day' a listen. Don't think I have any others.

"Mervyn Day" is one of my favourite Saint Etienne releases.

Does Wiggs play much Ghost Box on his Séance show? There's definitely an influence on his soundtrack.

"You Don't Own Me" & "After The Rain", especially composed and performed for the KENZO Paris Fashion Week 2015 show.
https://soundcloud.com/kenzoparis/kenzo-women-fw15-show-soundtrack-by-saint-etienne

air france wouldn't exist without them, so i have much love

Sarah solo LP & single details + pre-order:
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/sarah-cracknell-red-kite-full-album-details-plus-limited-edition-vinyl-pre-orders-available-now/

:)

tasty!

https://www.discogs.com/Unknown-Artist-Decimal-Currency-Training-Package/release/2483230

hmm..

"Would you like some sweets willy?" right?

that's the chap.

"Mr. and Mrs. J Somers..." That too?

that too i'm guessing. would love to hear a copy. the Richard X 'Beta' mix of 'Wilson' has different samples too; "I don't understand dear!" etc

There *was* one for sale.

(burp)

oh you!

haha awesome

ha excellent do please rip it to YouTube or some such..

I am now listening to Foxbase Alpha and it is so delightful. I love this album so much.

I pulled out So Tough this morning. It was so fun. Will probably play side 2 when I get home from work.

foxbase alpha getting what looks to be a nice vinyl reissue (as opposed to the chintzy one that came out a couple years ago on Plain.)

“And now ladies and gentlemen, what you’ve been waiting for!”

Finally we can bring you news on the 25th anniversary re-issues for ‘Foxbase Alpha’.

It’s hard to believe that a quarter of a century has passed since our debut album first appeared in record shops and we hope you’ll like what we we have lined up to celebrate this special anniversary.

First up…..

- a single disc vinyl re-issue -

An exact replica of the original Heavenly pressing from 1991 - resplendent with full colour inner sleeve and a digital download code for the music. Available to purchase from all good record shops and via the Saint Etienne webshop (link below) - for immediate shipping - from 5pm UK time this Thursday 27th October.

- ‘Special Edition’ Box Set -

Limited to just 2000 copies worldwide the box includes:

• The original album remastered and cut onto two twelve inch 45rpm discs for higher fidelity, housed in an exclusive gatefold version of the original sleeve.
• ‘Remains Of The Day’, an exclusive album that gathers together ten rare 'Foxbase Alpha'-era recordings from the period most of which are appearing on vinyl for the first time.
• An exclusive one-sided 7” featuring the original, previously unreleased version of ‘Kiss And Make Up’, featuring ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’ singer Moira Lambert.
• A perfect bound, 12" square, 28 page book featuring many unseen photographs and artefacts from the era, plus a new interview with Bob Stanley by the Guardian's Michael Hann.
• Three 10”x 8” black and white portraits of the group.
• A perforated sheet of Foxbase Alpha trading cards.
• Exact reproductions of the original album press release and biography.
• A digital download code for all of the music.

All items included in the box are exclusive and won’t be available elsewhere.

The box set can be pre-ordered at £50 (plus postage) from the Saint Etienne webshop (link below) from 5pm GMT this Thursday 27th October. Please move quickly as we’re expecting these to sell fast*.

Due to lead times we have been advised that this item will not leave the factory until December 14th. We are doing all we can to bring that date forward so we can ship orders in time for Christmas but there is a strong possibility that orders will not ship until the first week or so in January. We’re sorry for this but wanted to ensure the contents of the box were the best quality possible.

buried at the end of the Facebook update:

We’re recording a brand new album at the moment and will be bringing you news on that very soon. We’re also planning a couple of Christmas bashes so stay tuned via all the usual places!!

Lots of love,
Bob, Pete and Sarah xxx

They've also said they're going to be reissuing all their other albums on vinyl too as they weren't happy with those Plain reissues. Looking forward to filling in a few gaps in my collection.

Very excited about a new album! The vinyl box looks nice, but I already have, um... three different editions already.

yeah much as this looks nice etc part of me is already wondering what they might line up for its 30th anniversary

I got more into FBA recently, as I had got on the bus for "So Tough" and found everyone's feelings for FBA were the same as mine for ST/YNAMOHTSA.

I got FBB, and found I liked it more than FBA, I did wonder if they'd do "So Tougher" but I guess not.

that richard x remix of Girl VII is all-time deathless yoga flame 4ever

This didn't seem to be a perfectly planned reissue. I did the interview with Bob on a Monday night at the end of Sept. On the Thursday, their manager emailed me saying they needed to copy by the following Tuesday at the latest. Which, given that I was flying to Georgia and back within that timeframe for work, presented some logistical issues. So it's only a Q&A. However, I am pleased to say that it should be the only ever set of Saint Etienne sleevenotes ever to mention Judas Priest. My payment for it is that Bob and missus will buy me and my wife a curry.

What was wrong with the Plain re-issues?

they were 'virtually bootlegs' that 'did not use the master tapes'

or so they said.

"My payment for it is that Bob and missus will buy me and my wife a curry."

This is the start of a rocky road ...

"yeah much as this looks nice etc part of me is already wondering what they might line up for its 30th anniversary"

I must admit this has set me off wondering if I've ever been pleased with a box set (with novelty things rather than just a handy collection of albums) ... I don't think I have been.