Rob Gretton Diaries and MDMA. — Forum Archive

2 Oct 2008, 21:44

Most of us will already know, but this is from MDMA:

October will see the release of ‘1 Top Class Manager’ – The Notebooks of Joy Division’s Manager 1978-1980.

Published by Rob Gretton’s widow, Lesley Gilbert, in association with Manchester District Music Archive, the book condenses over twenty working notebooks into one volume, and contains posters, letters, diaries and studio notes, dating from August 1978 to late 1980 – the Joy Division years. The foreword is by Jon Savage.

‘1 Top Class Manager’ is strictly limited to 1500 copies and is currently available to pre-order online at www.1topclassmanager.co.uk.

The book is due for release on October 7th, and will also be available to buy over the counter for a limited period at Vinyl Exchange, 18 Oldham Street, Manchester.

For more information, please email: info@1topclassmanager.co.uk

2 Oct 2008, 22:52

Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel

13 Oct 2008, 14:09

This out tomorrow by the way, get it online via:

http://www.1topclassmanager.co.uk

or in person at Vinyl Exchange, Manchester.

13 Oct 2008, 14:32

Coming next Summer:

COLONY: A Collection of Memoirs from Ian Curtis' Landlord 1979-1980

Includes 20 color pages filled with receipts and original rental application!

13 Oct 2008, 23:39

My sides have actually split.

As ever anything related to the band is trashed on NOOL, even the very mention of the Factory box, which may be fantastic for all we know.

Ho hum.

14 Oct 2008, 01:40

just put my new order in,, now its down to postman pat.

im waiting for the

14 Oct 2008, 05:04

johnny james wrote: This out tomorrow by the way, get it online via:

http://www.1topclassmanager.co.uk

16 Oct 2008, 05:41

Just had an email to say mine is in the post. I can't wait to read it.

JJ (as ever) makes a good point.

My own personal opinion is that people find fault with cool stuff because they think that will make them cooler than the thing. Either that, or it's an attempt to sound clever.

This book will be cool.

16 Oct 2008, 06:24

Is everything Factory related Cool Col? :D

16 Oct 2008, 06:52

Flying Teapot wrote: Is everything Factory related Cool Col? :D

No.

Laugh? I nearly cried! :cry:

16 Oct 2008, 06:57

johnny james wrote: As ever anything related to the band is trashed on NOOL, even the very mention of the Factory box, which may be fantastic for all we know.

I agree there can be excessive negativity towards new stuff and some people take it too far (Tarbox in the other thread) but as we all know the basic reasons for an outcry do exist. The New Order back catalogue has been badly mismanaged to the point of disbelief and the band frequently shrug their shoulders and heap blame - probably justifiably - onto the label. The recent NO reissues are just the tip of an iceberg of failures that stretch back 6 years to the fairly redundant Retro; who knew at the time that would be the best we were going to get?

My own negative reaction to the Factory box set was born of spending £60-70 on a bunch of New Order reissues that were audibly defective. £70 is still a reasonable wedge to most people. Yes, I could've taken them back but at the same time the people involved could have simply done a better job and there wouldn't have been half the outcry. As Rhino were behind them and will supposedly also be behind the forthcoming Factory box set it's not unreasonable to assume the quality level won't be much better.

Don't get me wrong, I hope it will be and I'll gladly buy it if it is.

The Gretton book looks fascinating from the looks of things so I don't think it can come in for any meaningful criticism from anyone. I'm going to look into acquiring a copy today although I'm probably too late.

EDIT: They seem to have processed my order and will let me know when the book's dispatched :nod: qualidee.

16 Oct 2008, 08:15

Flying Teapot wrote: Is everything Factory related Cool Col? :D

Could this website be described as Factory related?

:laugh:

16 Oct 2008, 12:37

Well, I pre-ordered the book when it was first mentioned via the MDMA website - just awaiting delivery.

Looking forward to reading it.

:smoking:

16 Oct 2008, 14:49

My copy was posted today, hopefully be here the morra. Mind you, in keeping with Factory tradition i'll probably receive it around Christmas time. :evil4:

16 Oct 2008, 16:44

I find this stuff fascinating...always amazing to see the decisions that could have been made, and changed history.

17 Oct 2008, 00:04

If it has any of their production/engineering notes, tracksheets, etc.....I want one. If not, I think I can do without reading Rob's bar bills.

17 Oct 2008, 02:17

I bought this.

I very much doubt I'll ever get round to reading it though.

That is all.

17 Oct 2008, 06:55

El Jarvo wrote: I bought this.

I very much doubt I'll ever get round to reading it though.

That is all.

You know where to send it.

That is all.

:D

17 Oct 2008, 07:21

I wonder if his diary will have Barney's birthday in it ? :evil4:

17 Oct 2008, 08:19

How thick is it?

My floor is a bit uneven and the dining table wobbles a bit...

17 Oct 2008, 10:19

Just read it from cover to cover, if you can actually do such a thing with a load of notebooks full of stuff that is of no consequence to me! Disappointed there weren't as many setlists in there as I was hoping for, but nonetheless there is an absolute ton of stuff that will be of interest. And some that isn't!

We do at least now know that Decades was indeed played more than once.

Can't help thinking of Dave McCullough's comment when Still was released........ ;)

18 Oct 2008, 01:55

I think my copy has went on a slow boat via china :shrug:

20 Oct 2008, 12:49

hello,

for anyone who has received this could they post what the quality and size is like as very interested in buying as a christmas present.

have they reproduced the notebook as a notebook or made into a larger style book?

I think the proper phrase is sometimes coffee table?

However what sort of wanker has a coffee table??

cheers

20 Oct 2008, 17:40

I would be curious to know as well...is there quite a bit of content?

22 Oct 2008, 01:28

got my copy yesterday and read some interesting bits,,, little minutia of detail ,, they stayed at oxfords linton lodge hotel on the 79 tour ,, a hotel i frequented many times when working in oxford,, though that was the 90s,,if id have known then id have put a plauque up,, rob certainly mapped out the future ,,, things to do for the weekend... phone annik :evil4:

a means to an end.

22 Oct 2008, 02:15

johnnyboy wrote: for anyone who has received this could they post what the quality and size is like as very interested in buying as a christmas present.

Got mine yesterday, had a quick flick.

It's A4 size and fairly hefty. Not a hardcover though. Just looks like a chunky A4 pad.

22 Oct 2008, 07:24

got mine yesterday :clap:

well chuffed :read:

22 Oct 2008, 07:47

Hands up who has thrown the packaging away without finding the badge that was tucked into the 'documents enclosed' bit...

22 Oct 2008, 16:53

Old Blue wrote: Hands up who has thrown the packaging away without finding the badge that was tucked into the 'documents enclosed' bit...

I got mine from VINYL EXCHANGE on my day off.No badge or package but i had several drinks in the KRO BAR! I :love: the SMELL of the :read: Don't understand a bloody word mind........ :nono:

22 Oct 2008, 19:14

Would you recommend the book then? I am thinking of buying it but with would probably cost over $80.00 Canadian. I want to be sure it is well worth the money before I purchase...thanks!