Question About "Ceremony"

"Ceremony" is arguably my favorite JD/NO song. I'm not sure of where my favorite version comes from, though. The run-time on my favorite version is 4 min 57 sec.

I am aware of three recorded NO versions. The first two are a 12" and 7" released in March 1981, both running 4 min 34 sec. The third recording is a 12" from September 1981, and running 4 min 22 sec.

I know JD had two recordings, one on Still,a live recording, and one in the Heart and Soul box set, a demo. Both versions, according to various sources, have muffled vocals. The run-time on the Still version is 3 min 50 sec, but I've conflicting information on the recording in the Heart and Soulbox set. Some sources say it has a run-time of 4 min 21 sec, while others say 4 min 57 sec. I'm fairly certain that version in the Heart and Soul box set is not 4 min and 57 sec, though.

Where does the 4:57 version come from? The vocals are questionable, as it sounds like Sumner channeling Curtis. That being the case, it might actually be Curtis.

This is driving me mad.

Since when did New England do a version of the song?

okay, i corrected it. NO (new order)

Do you know of the version I was talking about? The one that runs 4:57?

Official Versions 12" Version with Gillian Gilbert (4:23)
2005 video (?:??)
7" Version (4:34)
Demo Version (4:21)
Demo Version (4:29)
Live 18 Nov 1981 (?:??)
Live 1980-05-02 (3:48)
Studio 54, Barcelona on 7 July 1984 (4:51)

From this sites dicography, I don't see a 4:57 version, so I assume that it must be a rarity, or live version.

I presume it must be a live version (i.e. an MP3)?

Could be a recording of the 1981 Celebration TV show - that's close enough at 4:47?

I just checked the celebration 1981 version, and that's not it. I don't think the recording I have is live. It's some sort of rarity. The problem is, I got it from a friend who didn't know the source himself!

Well thats rather unique, I suppose now we have a new "holy grail" track.

Can we hear a sample? Maybe it was taped from a record running at the wrong speed? (in which case - maybe it is from some new Rhino/Warner Brothers special "Collector Edition" CD remaster)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDbq9g87Az4&feature=related

That youtube video features the version I'm talking about. The funny thing is, if you read the comments, everyone else is clueless about it's origin as well.

Same as 7" version, only slowed down.

Actually, I had suspected as much. My friend slowed down the 7" using software, and it came pretty close.

My only question is how/when was it released? There's no official listing for it. Did their label authorize an official release of this after Martin Hannett played around with it?

gangofjoy wrote: Actually, I had suspected as much. My friend slowed down the 7" using software, and it came pretty close.

My only question is how/when was it released? There's no official listing for it. Did their label authorize an official release of this after Martin Hannett played around with it?

I'm sure they're saving it for some new or other boxset. When they do a New Order docu, completely forgetting the New Orde Story.

A holy grail track ,you say

the same old story

This MP3 has been making the rounds on filesharing services for years now. It's just the 7" version, probably a vinyl rip, that runs too slow. It's usually tagged as a Joy Division song.

So, there you go - it's the official 7" version played on a dodgy record player... :)

Demo Version (4:21) Demo Version (4:29)

I'm guessing these are one and the same Western Works version from different sources? There's only one (known) 'Demo Version' by New Order.

johnny james wrote:

Demo Version (4:21) Demo Version (4:29)

I'm guessing these are one and the same Western Works version from different sources? There's only one (known) 'Demo Version' by New Order.

Would that be the bizarre steve sung one?

It was only New Order that started the song with Hooky's bass.