'Guardian' review of New Order Peel Session CD

"The world can never have too many New Order John Peel Sessions. Strange Fruit have already released their 1981 debut and the 1982 visit containing arguably the most statuesque 20 minutes of New Order's entire canon. This one marks the Mancunian synthesists return to the programme after a 16-year absence with appropriately momentus versions of their Joy Division-era Isolation and Atmosphere and a radical dance reworking of 1987's classic True Faith. The 2001 session features slightly creakier takes from the slighlty creaky Get Ready album. However, the reason to purchase is the enhanced video footage from Peel's 2002 birthday party, where New Order beamed in from their rehearsal rooms. A live rampage through Transmission is predictably intense, if less revealing than the curious close-ups of the band hard at work in a white, brick square not much bigger than an average bedroom. That makes this a rare glimpse into the clearly still normal private world of a band who, even now, grown adults believe are descended from the Gods" (Dave Simpson)

Great last sentence (though what's all this "hard at work" bollocks - more like 'captures New Order between tea breaks'!!)

A right riveting read,as my grandfather used to say!

Originally posted by steve52 A right riveting read,as my grandfather used to say!

Ah, but what do you make of his comment about the 1982 session???

I did pick up on it,but like you said the last sentence is so on the money i let it go! He must be a fan of reggae? It (82) is a good session though.

Dave Simpson used to be one of the leading New Order bootleggers - got half my collection from him !

Nice article. I love New Order's all Peel Sessions (1981-2001). I've always wondered why they performed at Peel's not that often as say The Fall or whoever else.

'....statuesque.....'