Swell Maps: Classic or Dud?

"Armadillo" presumably = Winter Rainbow (on the International Rescue comp)

The 1991 Mute CD reissues of "A Trip To Marineville", "In Jane From Occupied Europe" and "Train Out Of It" collect almost all of their officially released catalog. These are the tracks that aren't included:
Steven Does - from the 7" that came with "Jane"
English Verse / Monologues - from "Real Shocks" 7"
St. Saviour's Road / Blues No. 2: Beatle Bonfire / Fashion Cult / Texas - from "Collision Time Revisited"
Black Velvet (remix) / Dresden Style - from "International Rescue"
Cave Mines - from "Sweep The Desert"

Idk, I can think of several songs unaccounted for here but would have to compare tracklists to be sure

Yeah, that list is missing stuff :)

I don't know this release, but wonder if there's some overlap with the new one:
https://www.discogs.com/Swell-Maps-Whatever-Happens-Next/release/1499935

Ok, I wasn't aware of that double LP. or another demos and whatnot released called "Wastrels And Whippersnappers". Looks like the barrel still needs scraping...

Well like for example 'Winter Rainbow' is not on one of those 3 CD's but but you didn't list it among the songs on International Rescue that is not on one of those CD's. And there are others.

Tbf it looks like it was included on a later reish of Marineville (not on Mute)

Ah, my mistake, that's because I have it as part of a bootleg radio sessions comp.

Whatever Happens Next desperately needs a reissue IMHO

Honestly I think they need a definitive box set, the catalog isn't that huge that it wouldn't be feasible and every time their albums get reissued things get left off and the catalog becomes even more confusing.

Have hoped taht Cherry Red might do one of its punk era boxes on them. Seem to be some good ones around.

https://thequietus.com/articles/30006-swell-maps-interview

"Head has spent the ensuing months working on two Swell Maps archive albums – Mayday Signals...

...and a collection of the band's three sessions for John Peel's radio show"

YES

So got the Secretly Canadian Jane yesterday and may get the SC Marineville.
But now need to get the Mute bonus material if I can. Is that out anywhere else.
Would love a Cherry Red compilation of the 2 main lps and whatever.

I don't think the bonus Mute tracks are anywhere else - see upthread for more extensive analysis

happy to YSI, just ILXmail me

I am now a member of Swell Maps. We are playing 2 nights in December Cafe OTO. My teenage self would be cockahoop.

— Luke Haines Rock N Roll (@LukeHaines_News) October 6, 2021

I am now a member of Swell Maps. We are playing 2 nights in December Cafe OTO. My teenage self would be cockahoop.

— Luke Haines Rock N Roll (@LukeHaines_News) October 6, 2021

Also starring David Callaghan from the Wolfhounds - perhaps a more appropriate recruit.

Wuh....? Without Nikki and Epic, isn't it more like a Swell Maps tribute band? I mean, still, I'd pay to see Luke and Dave and Jowe play together.

yeah — seems very odd to be calling it Swell Maps. Could be good, though?

Are we sure that Haines is not taking the piss?

I guess "Jowe Head Plays the Music of Swell Maps" doesn't sell as many tickets as calling it Swell Maps, is the reality behind this decision.

Here's the details

It's a bit like when the Bonzo Dog Band did those gigs with dozens of guests and half the surviving band.

Jowe Head Swell Maps book incoming:

https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/jowe-head/swell-maps-1972-1980

edition of only 1000 copies btw, and comes with a 7" of unreleased material