AudioChimp wrote:Yesterday's Shadow (Single Version - Previously Unreleased)
... just out of curiosity any clue as to the actual time of this one, i had previously come across a version of the song which was approx 4:47 and was wondering if it is the same version.
It's 4 minutes long. There are a few edits throughout the song and then an early fade. I had no idea what to expect until I got the tape transfer. It would have been cool had it been a remix but it really is just a 'single edit'. It's an interesting take, especially for anyone who felt the 6.5 minute album version was a bit long.
Regarding the album overall, I admit I didn't even own it on any format at the time I sent the reissue request in to Universal. It just seemed like a sure bet since the others I reissued did well. But I also admit that the endless, for lack of another term, nagging about this album was maddening. I couldn't make a single post on Facebook for the last two years without someone asking "What about Beat Boy?" So I'll be happy to never hear that question again! But I do appreciate the enthusiasm around this reissue now that's it's finally happening.
After I made the reissue request, I found a mint copy of the US edition of the LP at a local store for $4, so this would be my first time hearing it in full. Like most, I agree this is an entirely different animal to Visage mark 1. Midge Ure has a sophistication and elegance with his melodies and those are not really present here, aside from the sublime Yesterday's Shadow. It's more of a dance album with some admittedly huge missteps. Ok, maybe only one really bad and that is the puzzling Casualty. I had read the comments elsewhere referring to this 'heavy metal' song, and I see where they get that opinion. Although, aside from the part where Andy Barnett takes on the vocals to sound like he's in Bon Jovi, I think the Steve Strange vocal parts are just fine.
The album also may have benefited from better sequencing. The two best tracks, Love Glove and Yesterday's Shadow, are at the end. The interview with Steve Barnacle as part of the booklet is very insightful. It's interesting to read him recall that Rusty referred to the excellent Love Glove as 'Eurotrash' and had very little involvement in the song.
Remastering is about done. I'm just at the final proofing phase now. The 'tentative' regarding the release date in February is down to how quickly Universal approve the artwork. They go on their company-wide two week holiday vacation after this coming Friday, so if I don't get approval by then, I would expect the release to maybe move to March but pre-orders may still open in February depending on when I have stock.
Not sure if it has been mentioned here yet but around summer I have a colored vinyl reissue of the Visage 'The Singles Collection' with two bonus tracks added coming out, for those who like that sort of thing.