Ceremony - original recording ?

I was browsing through NO's discography and I heard there was an original version of Ceremony (which differs from the Substance version).

On wikipedia : "There are significant differences in the recordings. The original is approximately 4:34 in length while the re-recording is 4:23. The original has a much more "Joy Division" sound, with throbbing bass, distorted guitar, passionate vocals, and solid drums also contributing a wash of cymbals. In the re-recording the bass is diminished, cymbals restrained, and vocals less dramatic and quieter in the mix. The guitar has a sound typical of that used on the album Movement. Drum hits in the opening verse are dramatically panned in the mix. There is a greater contrast between verse and chorus, with the latter sections reaching some of the emotional pitch of the original."

Has anyone heard about it and is there some way to listen to it/find it ?

It's on the "Singles" compilation. :)

Prefer the Substance version, though.

Big Black wrote: Prefer the Substance version, though.

Me too. Such a simple song. But simplicity breads beauty.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this the one that Martin Hannett recorded with New Order in some studio in New Jersey... They spent ages mixing it and left late at night, exhausted, with all the faders left in position so they could mix it down the next day... they came back to find some cheery kid in the studio saying that he'd "zeroed" everything for them so they could get back to work straightaway on their next song and Hannett and the band almost attacked the kid.

Anyway, I think they then took the recording and mixed/mastered back in the UK...

Personally I like the guitar line on this version better but maybe it's just because I've heard the Substance version so many times...

Kerry Harris wrote: Someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this the one that Martin Hannett recorded with New Order in some studio in New Jersey... They spent ages mixing it and left late at night, exhausted, with all the faders left in position so they could mix it down the next day... they came back to find some cheery kid in the studio saying that he'd "zeroed" everything for them so they could get back to work straightaway on their next song and Hannett and the band almost attacked the kid.

Anyway, I think they then took the recording and mixed/mastered back in the UK...

Personally I like the guitar line on this version better but maybe it's just because I've heard the Substance version so many times...

not sure what you are thinking of... but i believe that the band had not even been to the USA until later

No he's right - they recorded the original (and best) version of Ceremony during their late 1980 mini-tour of the USA.

They played the following dates:

Sun, Sep 21 1980 Maxwell's - Hoboken, New Jersey (US) Sat, Sep 27 1980 Hurrah's - New York, New York (US) Sun, Sep 28 1980 Pier 3 - New York, New York (US) Tue, Sep 30 1980 The Underground - Boston, Massachussetts (US)

They recorded Ceremony / IALP at (I think) EARS in New Jersey.

The 'zeroing the faders' story applies to ACR's first album, To Each, which was recorded at the same studio.

Ceremony - original is best. Still slightly amazing that it remains unheard by some, 26 years later.

El Jarvo wrote:

It's got more bollocks.

I've got BIGGER bollocks.

What was the reason for re-recording/re-releasing it anyhow?

Barney didn't like the frst one.

ally wrote:

pumped full of drugs wrote: not sure what you are thinking of... but i believe that the band had not even been to the USA until later

Yes they had, they did a US mini-tour as a 3 piece right after Ian's death but before they recorded anything didn't they?

TIM?!?

That story is recounted in Mick Middles From JD to NO book, but I seem to recall it was later in the 80s. I'll check a little later.

SO wrote: What was the reason for re-recording/re-releasing it anyhow?

Gillians' on it,while not on the first.Everything is explained in 'An Ideal for Living' book.For what it's worth,I much prefer the 1st recording

Someone then PLEASE make sure I get a good listen to the original 'Ceremony', alrighteh?

Alrighteh!

NOOL's Resident Ray of 'Sunshine'... wrote: Someone then PLEASE make sure I get a good listen to the original 'Ceremony', alrighteh?

Alrighteh!

Buy the Singles Double CD, then play the first CD and listen to the first track... as long as you access to a CD player and somebody pays your electricity... it's not difficult, you can do it

hohun wrote: I was browsing through NO's discography and I heard there was an original version of Ceremony (which differs from the Substance version).

On wikipedia : "There are significant differences in the recordings. The original is approximately 4:34 in length while the re-recording is 4:23. The original has a much more "Joy Division" sound, with throbbing bass, distorted guitar, passionate vocals, and solid drums also contributing a wash of cymbals. In the re-recording the bass is diminished, cymbals restrained, and vocals less dramatic and quieter in the mix. The guitar has a sound typical of that used on the album Movement. Drum hits in the opening verse are dramatically panned in the mix. There is a greater contrast between verse and chorus, with the latter sections reaching some of the emotional pitch of the original."

Has anyone heard about it and is there some way to listen to it/find it ?

yeh the above is the original new order version. i dunno about the J D vid though. to complicate matters, there are at least two not so well recorded Joy Division live recordings of Ceremony out there.

Old Blue wrote: Barney didn't like the frst one.

The mix is kind of muddled.

Old Blue wrote: Barney didn't like the frst one.

Im not surprised. It sounds horrible and is a shit recording. The substance version is far superior.

i like both.

although i never play them.