Confusion was also remade for Substance??
Archived26 replies · 834 views
Indeed... Singles has the original version, though it is a 'unique edit' according to the discog... Not having played the 12" in ages I couldn't tell you what the difference is, but I'm sure someone can/will...
SHEDi xxx
Call me crazy if you like for this but I actually prefer the Substance version to the original. In my (very humble) opinion, the original's just horrible.
The original that came out in 1983 was actually also combined into a white label 12" megamix with another Arthur Baker production that came out onto the clubs a couple of months later - a track by a UK dance outfit called Freeeze called "IOU" - which was almost identical in sound - same beatbox rhythm and synths and bpm. Bit before my time of course (I was only about 10 then and not aware of New Order or Joy Div) but I managed to get to hear it some years ago and it DOES sound very similar. It's when NO were dallying with the white boys doing Hip Hop scene that made them want to record that song in New York at the time. I wouldn't say that that experiment was a particular success....and it's one of my least-played New Order records anyway.
The original version is quite weak, although groundbreaking at the time I suppose. I much prefer the 87 version (better vocals, love the bass work at the end). Keep in mine I find the live versions ace. 
Yeah, they redid ones that they didnt produce themselves and did their own versions of them. I love Confusion but it has dated wuite badly, the original version that is. I like the original durm pattern opening on the 1983 version but then its the 87 version for me. The Confusion drum pattern is one of my faves of all.
Miss Disco wrote: Call me crazy if you like for this but I actually prefer the Substance version to the original. In my (very humble) opinion, the original's just horrible.
i too. i also prefer the substance 'temptation' to the original.
I prefer the Confusion and Temptation originals.
The drums in the Confusion Substance mix sound horrible, although Hooky's bass near the end is good.
The '87 version of Cconfusion is far more cleaner than the original and has better vocals. The original isn't bad - it goes well with the video - but the '87 version just doesn't sound as dated.
i have always preferred the original versions of confusion, ceremony and temptation. it could be that it is that i heard them first. they just sound purer to me.
Tempted wrote: is the original the same version that's in the video?
Sort of.
There was a promo 7" (3:39 long) that is quite a severe edit of the original 12" version. The video version (3:57 long), however, is different in that it incorporates elements of Confused Beats as opposed to being just an edit of the standard 12" mix.
His singing sounds a bit better in my opinion on the Substance version of "Confusion", but I still like the 12 inch version too. The 12 inch version reminds me of the video for Confusion.
Wasim wrote:
The drums in the Confusion Substance mix sound horrible,
They always sounded a tad like the drums used on True Faith...when were the re-recorded Temptation and Confusion recorded? Like the same sessions as True Faith/1963 (minus Hague, obviously)?
Emile Strunz wrote: The instrumental version on Disc 2 of Substance is awesome.
Yeah, always preferred that to the vocal remake... The original is still better... I suppose I just love the more 'ramshackle' approach of early NO - less polished, you can hear everything that's going on in the mix so much better (cf. Temptation)... There are some good live versions out there as well, especially when the guitar and bass come to prominence...
SHEDi xxx
The original Confusion I think is great, albeit quite dated now. Still quite cool and funky. Frankly I think the substance version is rubbish.
For me 1987 was a great era for New Order. With 1963 and True Faith they had found musical zenith and were brimming with confidence. Temptation and Confusion versions which appear on Substance sound like they were recorded during the same time, with same studio/technology(?)
The lyrics and guitar are much improved compared to the originals and I love Barneys slap bass on confusion (especially the live versions).
It is well known that Barney had a cold during the vocal track performance of original Confusion and it is quite possible the worst vocal on a cart single. It stinks and he knows it. Must have been embarassing for them to put it out. It tarnishes an otherwise classic dance track.
Bernards vocals may well have sounded rather awful and weak on that 1983 original version but they're nowhere near as bad or embarrassing as the squeaky falsetto vocals that featured on the Freeeze song "IOU" which this old megamix combined with the New Order track. That band's singer sounded like a bloomin eunuch for fucks sakes! 
Andy wrote:
Tempted wrote: is the original the same version that's in the video?
Sort of.
There was a promo 7" (3:39 long) that is quite a severe edit of the original 12" version. The video version (3:57 long), however, is different in that it incorporates elements of Confused Beats as opposed to being just an edit of the standard 12" mix.
The UK 7" was the 4 min video version. The promo edit was some sort of Rough Trade release.
Andy
Mr Discography wrote:
Andy wrote:
Tempted wrote: is the original the same version that's in the video?
Sort of.
There was a promo 7" (3:39 long) that is quite a severe edit of the original 12" version. The video version (3:57 long), however, is different in that it incorporates elements of Confused Beats as opposed to being just an edit of the standard 12" mix.
The UK 7" was the 4 min video version. The promo edit was some sort of Rough Trade release.
Andy
The 3:39 time came from my green vinyl 7". I don't have it in front of me but I believe it was German. The UK 7" must have been promo only as well.
The original Confusion released in 1983 is one of my favourite all time New Order tracks. 
For me the Substance version represents how the band played the song live.
mil wrote: Yeah, they redid ones that they didnt produce themselves and did their own versions of them. I love Confusion but it has dated wuite badly, the original version that is. I like the original durm pattern opening on the 1983 version but then its the 87 version for me. The Confusion drum pattern is one of my faves of all.
I thought Temptation was all there own work. That got remade.
IMO Confusion on Substance is crap compared to the 12" The Tempation version isn't far ahead of it.
I think the opinions of others above are based on what version was heard first. For me it was in sweaty nightclubs during '83-'84. Always played along with Divine's Shoot Your Shot.
Dave Fox wrote:
mil wrote: Yeah, they redid ones that they didnt produce themselves and did their own versions of them. I love Confusion but it has dated wuite badly, the original version that is. I like the original durm pattern opening on the 1983 version but then its the 87 version for me. The Confusion drum pattern is one of my faves of all.
I thought Temptation was all there own work. That got remade.
you are right. it is all their own work. as i understand it they re-recorded temptation at least, to better reflect their live sound.
I prefer the original 12" of Confusion to the Substance version by quite a bit. However, I prefer the Substance versions of Temptation and Sub-Culture to the originals.
Blasphemy, I know, but whatever.
