So at long last, the back catalogue of Orange Juice is finally made available, thanks to the efforts of Domino Records.
The thing is, I've been so busy that I havent had the chance to listen to any of Coals To Newcastle over the past 24 hours since I picked up my copy. But then again, given that I already know (and adore) about 90% of the tracks, its easy enough to offer a few thoughts.
Every album is here in its entirety, along with numerous b-sides, remixes, BBC sessions and a DVD release of the dAdA with the juice gig that was put on VHS in the mid 80s.
So, whether you love the Postcard stuff, or the albums that they recorded and released on their way to being bona-fide pop stars, or if, like me, your preference is for a lot of the later releases when in all truth it wasnt much more than an Edwyn Collins solo project, then Coals To Newcastle has something for you.
It's an essential purchase. It may seem like an expensive purchase at £45, but 6CDs and a DVD means it is actually a bargain.
What makes it particularly pleasing is the care and attention that has gone into the accompanying booklet. Loads of very rare and previously unseen photos, an entertaining and informative bio written by Simon Goddard (including a few snippets that I'm sure are new to even the most hardcore of fans) and all the details and information behind every single one of the 124 tracks across the box set.
If you don't fancy forking out so much money just now, then I insist that you ask Santa Claus to put it in your stocking this coming Christmas. It is THE essential item that should be on every music fan's list......
Here's one from the boxset I've been after for years:-
mp3 : Orange Juice - Felicity (flexi version)
This came with the earliest versions of the Falling And Laughing single (and that in itself is near impossible to track down without having to re-mortgage your house).
And here's one that isn't part of the boxset:-
mp3 : Orange Juice - I Can't Help Myself (12" version)
The boxset has the 7" version and the version that appears on the Rip It Up LP. However, the 12" version is some 21 seconds longer (ie the sax solo takes a bit longer to fade out.
Oh and eventually I'll finish this post off with another bit of footage shot at the Oran Mor the other night
6 comments:
I've really tried to get into Orange Juice but beyond 'Rip It Up' which was a great single, I just don't get it
How can I follow that?! Er...just waiting patiently for the first hard copies to hit Sydney. Can't wait to get my hands on it.
Unless my wife has suddenly become crap at taking hints I should be getting a copy of this for my 50th.
Actually the 12" version of I Can't Help Myself is longer because there are an additional 4 bars of "tell the world" in the middle - the sax solo fade is only a couple of seconds longer.
And yes I did have to do an A-B comparison to figure out where that 21 seconds came from!
Hi Jim
This post of yours got me thinking about the rest of the boxset and what was missing.
I just posted up a fairly lengthy analysis (with the emphasis on the anal!) at Frankosonic.
Cheers
Rob
Been listening to this for about 2 weeks now, and love it to death. My only issue is that the spine came unglued the 2nd day! Other than that, I've been waiting for this since the late '80's, and the music is wonderful!
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