Mapping The Definitive Editions - Low-life

GotBlueEyes wrote:

I'm sure it's old news to the faithful but I only just heard this - John Robie's "One More Shot", which several people claim online was the track New Order reworked with Robie in their rush to put together Shellshock

I guess similar to Arthur Baker and IOU / Confusion

One More Shot

Funnily enough this came up here on the forum within the past year. Reply #45 and below.

Speaking of IOU, does anyone here do Wordle? I always end up singing the chorus to IOU in my head when thinking about vowels...

Any news on this?

Gotta be soon...

If it was this year surely it would have been announced by now.

Aye, looks like they've left it too late for the christmas market. Which reminds me of that awful flexidisc they made, possibly the worse thing I've ever heard and thankfully rarely mentioned...until now.

It was delivered to production at the very last minute (for 2022 release). I've no update as to whether anything has delayed it beyond that. Other releases are still being announced for this year, so maybe there's still time, though not much.

Thanks JJ. Always good to have mini-updates.

tapebias wrote: Which reminds me of that awful flexidisc they made, possibly the worse thing I've ever heard and thankfully rarely mentioned...until now.

I'm fine with the flexi (which technically was released under the 'BeMusic' moniker, rather than the band name).

Obviously the music is a bit daft, but I appreciate that the band thought it might be fun to have a go at a couple of famous songs and put their stamp on them (albeit it in a jokey way). Then releasing them, free to people at their own club as way of a Christmas present. That's pretty cool if you ask me.

I miss the band doing things like that. Like creating a 22 minute piece of music (Video 5-8-6) and giving it away to a fanzine to release. Like supplying two of their greatest ever songs (Atmosphere & Dead Souls) to a French 'arty' label that would release them in very limited quantities. Producing other bands' work, but anonymously under the 'BeMusic' label. etc.

So many reasons to love this great band.

perspexorange wrote:

Like supplying two of their greatest ever songs (Atmosphere & Dead Souls) to a French 'arty' label that would release them in very limited quantities.'

It used to amaze me that they gave away Atmosphere like that. But i sometimes wonder that they didn't realise at the time what they had created with that song. Sounds impossible or even a mad theory, i know. Maybe only later they realised what an incredible piece of music they'd done?

Fotz wrote:

perspexorange wrote:

Like supplying two of their greatest ever songs (Atmosphere & Dead Souls) to a French 'arty' label that would release them in very limited quantities.'

It used to amaze me that they gave away Atmosphere like that. But i sometimes wonder that they didn't realise at the time what they had created with that song. Sounds impossible or even a mad theory, i know. Maybe only later they realised what an incredible piece of music they'd done?

How about Factory letting them do that!

Johnny James wrote:

Fotz wrote:

perspexorange wrote:

Like supplying two of their greatest ever songs (Atmosphere & Dead Souls) to a French 'arty' label that would release them in very limited quantities.'

It used to amaze me that they gave away Atmosphere like that. But i sometimes wonder that they didn't realise at the time what they had created with that song. Sounds impossible or even a mad theory, i know. Maybe only later they realised what an incredible piece of music they'd done?

How about Factory letting them do that!

Haha, yes it did occur to me later after i posted that. A very Factory thing to do.

FYI, January for Low Life now. Announcement pre-Chistmas.

Hello guys

Just received The Perfect Kiss (writing session recording) on my Deezer ! 3'17

edit : and the Low-Life box cover seems to be light grey...

In A Noisy Place wrote: Hello guys

Just received The Perfect Kiss (writing session recording) on my Deezer ! 3'17

edit : and the Low-Life box cover seems to be light grey...

Also available now on the NewOrder YouTube channel

And on Amazon Music as the preview track. Can also see the tracklist of the second disc if you search the individual tracks

• Let's Go (Low-life Session Instrumental)
• Sub-culture (Low-life Session Instrumental)
• Skullcrusher (Demo)
• Sooner Than You Think (Writing Session Recording)
• Love Vigilantes (TV Pitch Instrumental Edit)
• Sunrise (Writing Session Recording)
• Face Up (Writing Session Recording)
• Untitled 1 (Writing Session Recording)
• Love Vigilantes (Writing Session Recording)
• Sunrise (Instrumental Rough Mix)
• Untitled 2 (Writing Session Recording)
• Elegia (Full Length Version)
• Sooner Than You Think (Full Length Version)
• The Perfect Kiss (Writing Session Recording)

edit: also in order here https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/low-life-definitive-new-order/hizoo92hvrgnc

Also noticed that Let's Go is the only one with a track timing on QOBUZ - and it says 2:01, so it's either an unreleased version or the abbreviated "Let's G..." version from the Retro boxset (which is 2:03)

Sunrise (Instrumental Rough Mix) is presumably the same as the one on the Discreet Campaigns cassette comp

The Record Mirror EP exclusive Sub Culture remix is absent though - a shame as I like that version

Some exciting stuff to look forward to though - if TPK writing demo is anything to go by, these could all be embryonic gems

Plus Untitled tracks and a full length STYT! (I wonder what was edited out, as the LP version has a cold start and a proper ending, so presumably there was a longer instrumental section)

GotBlueEyes wrote:

Plus [1] Untitled tracks and [2] a full length STYT! (I wonder what was edited out, as the LP version has a cold start and a proper ending, so presumably there was a longer instrumental section)

These were the exact two thoughts I had. Face Up would be the more obvious contender for a "full length" considering it fades out while Bernard is still singing. There must be an un-faded recordng somewhere? (As there turned out to be for BM in multitrack form)

Col72 wrote: Also available now on the NewOrder YouTube channel

So it is!

All very intriguing. Wondering if one of the untitled ones is that 9 minute instrumental that was or still is available on YouTube. Think there was a Sept 1984 recording date associated with it. It had some qiite melodic passages and also the car skidding noise that they use on live versions of TPK.Hope so.

Curious to hear stuff like a full length STYT .

Wow! Great stuff!

More thoughts later (I’m in the office today), but excited by a lot of those. STYT extended? Yes please!

Curiously (and a tad disappointingly), there doesn’t appear to be the vocal version of Let’s Go. But it’s a minor quibble (after all, we have the bootleg).

I wonder if the full-length Elegia is the one we’ve already heard. Hooky mentioned in one of his weekly Covid/Jack chats back in 2020 that he had discovered an even longer version.

Anyone able to find the DVD listing yet?

Fotz wrote: Wondering if one of the untitled ones is that 9 minute instrumental that was or still is available on YouTube. Think there was a Sept 1984 recording date associated with it. It had some qiite melodic passages and also the car skidding noise that they use on live versions of TPK.Hope so.

Can't immediately find that video. Does anyone have a link?

There is also a bootleg of Let's Go with vocals (completely different lyrics and tune to the later version on the 1963 single) which seems absent on the Boxset tracklist

GotBlueEyes wrote:

Can't immediately find that video. Does anyone have a link?

Last track here, I think. Starts around 1:06:50

perspexorange wrote:

GotBlueEyes wrote:

Can't immediately find that video. Does anyone have a link?

Last track here, I think. Starts around 1:06:50

Ah - yes, I did have that track in a bootlegs folder somewhere. Bit rambling and actually nearly 12 minutes long - would be a surprise if that was deemed good enough quality to use on a definitive edition, but we will find out soon!

What’s interesting, based on the track order provided on that Quboz link, is that the bonus tracks follow the LP ordering.

Seen as if we are missing a version of ‘This Time Of Night’ and that ‘Untitled 1’ is in its place, I wonder if it’s a proto-version of that track. Or maybe they just put it there to keep the running order similar to the original LP.

Love Vigilantes (TV Pitch Instrumental Edit)

The Perfect Kiss (Writing Session Recording)

Untitled 1 (Writing Session Recording)

Sunrise (Instrumental Rough Mix)

Elegia (Full Length Version; 2022 Digital Master)

Sooner Than You Think (Full Length Version)

Sub-culture (Low-life Session Instrumental)

Face Up (Writing Session Recording)

Let's Go (Low-life Session Instrumental)

Untitled 2 (Writing Session Recording)

Sunrise (Writing Session Recording)

Love Vigilantes (Writing Session Recording)

Sooner Than You Think (Writing Session Recording)

Skullcrusher (Demo)

Wonder what that ‘TV Pitch’ name refers to for the LV opener. Maybe the band were toying with the idea of soundtrack work even in those early days.

Wonder if Skullcrusher is a vocal version.

On the face of it, the tracks I’m most excited by are the two Untitled tracks and the STYT extended.

Colour me excited. Obvs.

GotBlueEyes wrote: would be a surprise if that was deemed good enough quality to use on a definitive edition, but we will find out soon!

I doubt this version of the track would be suitable for release. As I understand it, the track linked to above was a ‘rehearsal’ rather than a demo.

I think what Fotz was speculating is that the band may have recorded a ‘demo’ of the same track as well.

It’s an interesting piece of music and I’d like to hear more from it.

Amazon Music states 27th Jan release date

The set is now live on the store.

https://store.neworder.com/gb/low-life-definitive-edition/0825646253012.html

DVD track listings:

DVD1: Live in Tokyo The Koseinenkin Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1985

1. Confusion
2. Love Vigilantes
3. We All Stand
4. As It Is When It Was
5. Sub-culture
6. Face Up
7. Sunrise
8. This Time Of Night
9. Blue Monday

Live in Rotterdam The Rotterdam Arena, Netherlands 1985

10. As It Is When It Was
11. Everything's Gone Green
12. Sub-Culture
13. Ceremony
14. Let's Go
15. This Time Of Night
16. The Village
17. The Perfect Kiss
18. Age Of Consent
19. Sunrise
20. Temptation
21. Face Up

Live in Manchester Whistle Test, The Hacienda 1985

22. As It Is When It Was
23. Sunrise
24. Face Up - Restored version using available footage from The Hacienda Dec ‘85 and July ‘85.

DVD2: Live in Leuven The Manhattan Club, Leuven, Belgium 1985

1. Let's Go
2. The Perfect Kiss
3. Age Of Consent
4. State Of The Nation
5. As It Is When It Was
6. The Village
7. Sub-Culture
8. Atmosphere
9. Blue Monday

Bonus Tracks 10. Thieves Like Us 11. Temptation 12. Confusion - Restored version from damaged tape with mixing desk audio.

Live in Toronto Filmed by Paul Boyd The International Centre, Toronto, Canada 1985

13. Elegia
14. Sub-Culture
15. The Village
16. Sunrise
17. We All Stand
18. As It Is When It Was
19. Love Vigilantes
20. 586
21. Age Of Consent
22. Temptation
23. Ceremony
24. The Perfect Kiss

The Perfect Film Rehearsal Room, Cheetham Hill, Manchester 1985

25. The Perfect Kiss

Looks great!

So, a few things to note.

1. It is a 2xDVD set. I think Johnny mentioned it might only be a 1xDVD set, so this is a great bonus.

2. 3x12" being released alongside; TPK, Sub-Culture and Shellshock. I'm very glad of the latter, as I always think of it as more Low Life than Brotherhood.

3. TPK 12" is limited, with clear vinyl and a mirrored sleeve. Looks like it might be rather lovely.

4. Leuven and PFD are included. I have said previously that I'd rather they weren't included (as great as they are, especially Leuven). Just because we've got this material in good quality already. However, I'm still pleased they're on there, and makes sense now that we have 2xDVDs.

5. Wonder if 'The Perfect Film' is the standard TPK video or whether there's additional footage. I suspect the former. The greatest video ever made, IMHO.

6. Face Up from OGWT is a surprise. I think JJ mentioned that the BBC stopped the cameras roiling part-way through this. I wonder how they managed to fix this. It mentions July '85 footage being used, which seems strange.

7. Confusion at Leuven. I think that's new, isn't it?

8. Last, and best of all... full gigs of Rotterdam and Toronto! (yay, especially for the latter which looks awesome, based on what we've seen).

Thrilled. i really am.

Better start saving!

Hmm - just noticed this from the description:

The two DVDs include rarely seen live performances from Rotterdam Arena (Netherlands), Koseinenkin Hall (Tokyo, Japan) and the International Centre (Toronto, Canada) alongside a BBC session and three tracks performed at the Hacienda in 1985.

I can see the three Hacienda tracks, but not sure where the BBC session is. I guess they're referring to the 'Rock Around The Clock/Saturday Live' tracks, but I can't see them on there (unless I'm going blind/stupid).

£149 for the set - that's gone up since PCL! The box isn't listed on Amazon yet, so I'll wait until it appears there, as I've a few quids worth of gift vouchers built up and the price often drops as it gets closer to release date, and they honour that price no matter when you order.

Think that's Pumped Full Of Drugs on the DVD isn't it? Already had that on the Japanese DVD edition, but appreciate many won't have it digitally yet. Again, echo the comments about it being a shame the original vocal 'Let's Go' isn't on there (guess the recording was too iffy), and also hope it's an even longer 'Elegia' but expect it to be the same version that appeared on Retro and the Low-Life Collectors 2CD previously. Really excited to hear the rest of those disc 2 tracks though!

Also looking forward to finally getting digital versions of Perfect Pit and the full Shellshock 12", as well as the other 3 x 12' tracks remastered. First re-release of Kiss Of Death since Substance 35 years ago!

Can't wait to get my hands on this new box set at last!

What a fantastic job! Thanks JJ et al. 👏

Cripes, £149.99 ? Yep, i'm with Mr Discography on this, i'm sure i only paid £80 for the previous definitive boxes. I'll try wait it out to see if it's cheaper elsewhere neare the time.

But i will pre-order that 5000 limited edition of TPK with the mirrored sleeve and clear vinyl. The mirror image sleeve was something Saville originally envisaged for it ? Didn't know that. Or is that a story that's been cobbled together for a clever marketing ploy to get us to buy the limited edition? Bit cynical of me to think that, i know, sorry.

So the x3 12" singles are all released the same day as the box. Previous definitive boxes have seen the accompanying singles released week by week leading up to the box release i seem to recall, right? Anyway.

Yeah that Face Up footage seems a bit odd, split over 2 different gigs? Still, will be good to see.

Oh and cool that the CD will have the tracing paper sleeve. Though i'm a little puzzled that it " will be the first time ever" for the CD to have it. My old Low Life CD has the tracing paper that you slip the x4 cards into , like the cassette box does. Or do they mean the CD will have the fold-in tracing paper sleeve like the vinyl album?

Anyway, it's all looking good and many thanks to Johnny James and all involved.

sorry, too busy ordering things to look at the listings.. will get to that later on.

going for the deluxe..

all the singles.

the crystal perfect kiss one, and the black one

also got both tshirts.

yikes.

=====

ok, i did notice one thing.

the cover to the subculture single is different.

later -1