[2019-09-27] The Replacements "Dead Man's Pop" 4CD/1LP box set of recordings from "Don't Tell A Soul" era (Sire/Rhino)

Linda · **Posted:** Fri Jul 19, 2019 12:32 pm

Description
Back in 1987, Minneapolis rock and roll renegades The Replacements famously stole their Twin/Tone master tapes and threw them in the Mississippi River. A year later—while wrapping up work on their Warner Bros. album, Don't Tell A Soul—the group absconded with a collection of their reels from Paisley Park studios. Thankfully, those tapes were spared a watery fate, and instead stashed away for decades by the band. Now they’ve been recovered to form the basis of The Replacements first-ever boxed set, DEAD MAN’S POP.

Although Don’t Tell A Soul ultimately became the group’s best-selling effort, The Replacements were unsatisfied with the sound of the record. The band has radically reimagined Don’t Tell A Soul to create a 4CD/1LP set that features the album mixed as it was originally intended (Don’t Tell A Soul Redux), along with a collection of previously unheard tracks (We Know The Night: Rare & Unreleased), and a classic concert from 1989 (The Complete Inconcerated Live).

The box features a newly completed mix of the album by Don’t Tell A Soul producer Matt Wallace (based on his 1988 Paisley Park mix); a disc of unreleased recordings (including a session with Tom Waits); plus the band’s entire June 2, 1989 show at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In total, the box includes 60 tracks–58 of which have never been heard before.

Presented in a 12 x 12 hardcover book – loaded with dozens of rarely seen photos - the set features a detailed history of the Don’t Tell A Soul era written by Bob Mehr, who produced the box with Rhino’s Jason Jones, and also authored The New York Times bestseller Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements.

Mehr writes: “While it’s impossible to unhear a record that’s been around for three decades, this version, Don’t Tell A Soul Redux, is the album the band made and intended to release. In addition to Matt Wallace’s mix, Redux also restores several crucial elements from the sessions, including original drums tracks, vocal takes and tempos that were altered in post-production…[and] the band’s original sequence of the album.”

Wallace says: “The true spirit of The Replacements was always there on the recordings we did back in 1988, and now you can hear and feel it clearly…This was the project of a lifetime for me when we recorded it 30-plus years ago, and it’s even truer today as we’ve finally fulfilled our original vision.”

Paul Westerberg, Slim Dunlap, Tommy Stinson and Chris Mars started recording Don’t Tell A Soul in June 1988 with Tony Berg at Bearsville Studios, but the chaotic sessions were cut short and mothballed. Nine unreleased tracks from Bearsville appear on Dead Man’s Pop, including early versions of “I’ll Be You,” “Darlin’ One” and “Achin’ To Be” and the previously unheard “Last Thing in the World.” The collection also features tracks the band recorded with Tom Waits, five of which have never been officially released: among them, “Lowdown Monkey Blues,” “We Know The Night” and a cover of Billy Swan’s “I Can Help.”

The final two CDs of Dead Man’s Pop capture the band performing live in Milwaukee during the “Don’t Tell A Soul Tour.” A few songs from the concert originally appeared on the promo-only EP Inconcerated Live (1989), but the bulk of the 29 tracks included have never been released. The entire show has been newly mixed by Brian Kehew (Ramones, The Faces).

Additionally, Dead Man’s Pop will include Wallace’s Don’t Tell A Soul Redux mix on 180-gram vinyl.

Tracklist
[CD1: Don’t Tell A Soul Redux]
1. “Talent Show” – Matt Wallace Mix *
2. “I’ll Be You” – Matt Wallace Mix *
3. “We’ll Inherit The Earth” – Matt Wallace Mix *
4. “Achin’ To Be” – Matt Wallace Mix *
5. “Darlin’ One” – Matt Wallace Mix *
6. “Back To Back” – Matt Wallace Mix *
7. “I Won’t” – Matt Wallace Mix *
8. “Asking Me Lies” – Matt Wallace Mix *
9. “They’re Blind” – Matt Wallace Mix *
10. “Anywhere’s Better Than Here” – Matt Wallace Mix *
11. “Rock ’n’ Roll Ghost” – Matt Wallace Mix *

[CD2: We Know The Night – Rare And Unreleased]
1. “Portland” – Alternate Mix (Bearsville Version) *
2. “Achin’ To Be” – Bearsville Version *
3. “I’ll Be You” – Bearsville Version *
4. “Wake Up” – Alternate Mix – Bearsville Version *
5. “We’ll Inherit The Earth” – Bearsville Version *
6. “Last Thing In The World” *
7. “They’re Blind” – Bearsville Version *
8. “Rock ’n’ Roll Ghost” – Bearsville Version *
9. “Darlin’ One” – Bearsville Version *
10. “Talent Show” – Demo Version
11. “Dance On My Planet” *
12. “We Know The Night” – Alternate Outtake *
13. “Ought To Get Love” – Alternate Mix *
14. “Gudbuy T’Jane” – Outtake
15. “Lowdown Monkey Blues” – Featuring Tom Waits *
16. “If Only You Were Lonely” – Featuring Tom Waits *
17. “We Know The Night” – Featuring Tom Waits (Rehearsal) *
18. “We Know The Night” – Featuring Tom Waits (Full Band Version) *
19. “I Can Help” – Featuring Tom Waits *
20. “Date To Church” – Matt Wallace Remix*

[CD3: The Complete Inconcerated Live, Part One]
1. “Alex Chilton” *
2. “Talent Show” *
3. “Back To Back” *
4. “I Don’t Know” *
5. “The Ledge” *
6. “Waitress In The Sky” *
7. “Anywhere’s Better Than Here” *
8. “Nightclub Jitters” *
9. “Cruella De Ville” *
10. “Achin’ To Be” *
11. “Asking Me Lies” *
12. “Bastards Of Young” *
13. “Answering Machine” *
14. “Little Mascara” *
15. “I’ll Be You” *

[CD4: The Complete Inconcerated Live, Part Two]
1. “Darlin’ One” *
2. “I Will Dare” *
3. “Another Girl, Another Planet” *
4. “I Won’t” *
5. “Unsatisfied” *
6. “We’ll Inherit The Earth” *
7. “Can’t Hardly Wait” *
8. “Color Me Impressed” *
9. “Born To Lose” *
10. “Never Mind” *
11. “Here Comes A Regular” *
12. “Valentine” *
13. “Left Of The Dial” *
14. “Black Diamond” *

* previously unreleased

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07STGZMCH/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon Canada
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07STGZMCH/?tag=imwanca-20

Amazon UK
Available for pre-order soon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07STGZMCH/?tag=imwan-21

Smiff · 10 Aug 2006

This looks really cool! I'm very excited about this.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

I have been playing my re-mastered vinyl of this album lately. I will be in for this with Smiff!

Tricky Kid · **Joined:** 23 Sep 2007 **Posts:** 8297

Pre-orders placed directly through Rhino also include an exclusive Dead Man's Pop compilation cassette with two bonus tracks.

Quote:

This limited edition and EXCLUSIVE bundle comes with a 14-track cassette featuring highlights from the box along with two additional unreleased tracks: the outtake “Asking Me Lies” and an instrumental of “I Won’t” (Bearsville Version). The cassette also features the original, unused cover art for Don’t Tell A Soul.

(Still awaiting clarification as to whether this edition includes a download code for the cassette-only material.)

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Jul 22, 2019 4:37 pm

Dead Man's Pop is now available for pre-order from Amazon USA:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07STGZMCH/?tag=imwan-20

Invisible Pedestrian brought us the tracklist, and I've moved that up into the first post.

GodsComic · 03 Aug 2006

Going to keep my eye on this. I've always had a problem with this album. There are some great songs, but I had a problem with much of it feeling like something was missing. Maybe the Matt Wallace mix will be the revelatory window into the album I always felt I missed. Will definitely jump on a good price.

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Jul 24, 2019 1:44 pm

A sample:

GodsComic · 03 Aug 2006

I love it. Besides sounding like there is more space, I love the banjo. I guess I'm in.

djshermanus · **Joined:** 23 Jan 2015 **Posts:** 121

"It's too late to turn back, here we goooooooooooooooo.!!!!"

This is the type of alternate box-set that I (and I hope all other Mats' fans) have been looking for from this band.

When the album came out in early 1989, it was obviously way too slick for its own good.
The songs, however, were more complex and developed than ever before. Paul was evolving as a songwriter,
but the rest of the band didn't want to let go of the mindless energy that it was known for.

The lead single, I'll Be You, was a great guitar lick and had a decent, fun video to promote it.
But it couldn't crack the Top 40 and the album tanked.

It wasn't a shock to predict what happened to the band following the release of the album.
The weird part is that Tommy's solo stuff sounded a bit like Paul's.

Looking forward to getting the Rhino package with the cassette.

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2019 9:35 am

The USA pre-order price has dropped by more than $11, down to $68.39:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07STGZMCH/?tag=imwan-20

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Aug 04, 2019 12:32 pm

Linda wrote:

The USA pre-order price has dropped by more than $11, down to $68.39:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07STGZMCH/?tag=imwan-20

Further reduced to $60.80.

The Human Top · **Joined:** 29 Jan 2011 **Posts:** 1114

I am a big fan of The Replacements, but like a lot of people I never got into "Don't Tell a Soul". Too polished for my tastes and I missed Chris Mar's unique drumming. This release sounds interesting to me. If it gets a little cheaper I might check it out.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

djshermanus wrote:

"It's too late to turn back, here we goooooooooooooooo.!!!!"

This is the type of alternate box-set that I (and I hope all other Mats' fans) have been looking for from this band.

When the album came out in early 1989, it was obviously way too slick for its own good.
The songs, however, were more complex and developed than ever before. Paul was evolving as a songwriter,
but the rest of the band didn't want to let go of the mindless energy that it was known for.

The lead single, I'll Be You, was a great guitar lick and had a decent, fun video to promote it.
But it couldn't crack the Top 40 and the album tanked.

It wasn't a shock to predict what happened to the band following the release of the album.
The weird part is that Tommy's solo stuff sounded a bit like Paul's.

Looking forward to getting the Rhino package with the cassette.

Tanked?

It was the best-selling album of their career.

If the goal was to go Platinum or something then yeah, it fell short of that.

Also, "I'll Be You" was all over radio (it went to #1). was a hit single and there were two other radio hits in "Back to Back" and "Achin' to Be."

I think they were even on SNL if I recall.

By no means did this album tank.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

The Human Top wrote:

I am a big fan of The Replacements, but like a lot of people I never got into "Don't Tell a Soul". Too polished for my tastes and I missed Chris Mar's unique drumming. This release sounds interesting to me. If it gets a little cheaper I might check it out.

Chris Mars was still on drums at this point.

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

I want this release but will have to consider whether I want to pay $32 extra for a cassette I would never play. I locked in the regular set for now until I make up my mind.

The Human Top · **Joined:** 29 Jan 2011 **Posts:** 1114

Invisible Pedestrian wrote:

The Human Top wrote:

I am a big fan of The Replacements, but like a lot of people I never got into "Don't Tell a Soul". Too polished for my tastes and I missed Chris Mar's unique drumming. This release sounds interesting to me. If it gets a little cheaper I might check it out.

Chris Mars was still on drums at this point.

Yeah, but from what I read in Trouble Boys he actually only played on half the songs. I might be misremembering though. Regardless, his style is muted on the album, much more straight no frills.

djshermanus · **Joined:** 23 Jan 2015 **Posts:** 121

IP: The album was radio-friendly (if not Replacements-friendly). Warner Bros. was looking for this album to follow the path set by REM's Document/Green, meaning a Top 40 hit and a Top 10 album. The Mats went on tour as soon as it was released and played the game. Although it built on the previous album in terms of exposure and sales, it didn't make enough of an impact on the charts. The fact was the band immediately splintered was proof enough. "All Shook Down" was a PW solo album masquerading as a Mats album. The Replacements' SNL appearance was back in early 1986 in support of "Tim".

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

djshermanus wrote:

IP: The album was radio-friendly (if not Replacements-friendly). Warner Bros. was looking for this album to follow the path set by REM's Document/Green, meaning a Top 40 hit and a Top 10 album. The Mats went on tour as soon as it was released and played the game. Although it built on the previous album in terms of exposure and sales, it didn't make enough of an impact on the charts. The fact was the band immediately splintered was proof enough. "All Shook Down" was a PW solo album masquerading as a Mats album. The Replacements' SNL appearance was back in early 1986 in support of "Tim".

I remember their performance on the Fridays show, IIRC it was from the pre Sire days.

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

eelkiller wrote:

djshermanus wrote:

IP: The album was radio-friendly (if not Replacements-friendly). Warner Bros. was looking for this album to follow the path set by REM's Document/Green, meaning a Top 40 hit and a Top 10 album. The Mats went on tour as soon as it was released and played the game. Although it built on the previous album in terms of exposure and sales, it didn't make enough of an impact on the charts. The fact was the band immediately splintered was proof enough. "All Shook Down" was a PW solo album masquerading as a Mats album. The Replacements' SNL appearance was back in early 1986 in support of "Tim".

I remember their performance on the Fridays show, IIRC it was from the pre Sire days.

I don't think they performed on Fridays. The show was cancelled April 1982, and the only release the Replacements had at that point was Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash which hadn't created enough of an impression to warrant national TV exposure. And I am pretty sure I read somewhere that the SNL appearance was their first national appearance.

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

Jason Michael wrote:

I don't think they performed on Fridays. The show was cancelled April 1982, and the only release the Replacements had at that point was Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash which hadn't created enough of an impression to warrant national TV exposure. And I am pretty sure I read somewhere that the SNL appearance was their first national appearance.

Sorry, I must be thinking of another show, it was definitely not SNL and must have been later. Will check into this.

Jason Czeskleba · **Joined:** 03 Jan 2007 **Posts:** 1645

The Human Top wrote:

Invisible Pedestrian wrote:

The Human Top wrote:

I am a big fan of The Replacements, but like a lot of people I never got into "Don't Tell a Soul". Too polished for my tastes and I missed Chris Mar's unique drumming. This release sounds interesting to me. If it gets a little cheaper I might check it out.

Chris Mars was still on drums at this point.

Yeah, but from what I read in Trouble Boys he actually only played on half the songs. I might be misremembering though. Regardless, his style is muted on the album, much more straight no frills.

You are misremembering. Chris Mars plays drums on every track on Don't Tell a Soul except for "They're Blind", which has drumming by producer Matt Wallace. You are correct though that he was forced to simplify his playing style and was not happy about this.

On the following album (All Shook Down) Mars only appears on two songs, "Attitude" and "When it Began."

Jason Czeskleba · **Joined:** 03 Jan 2007 **Posts:** 1645

eelkiller wrote:

Jason Michael wrote:

I don't think they performed on Fridays. The show was cancelled April 1982, and the only release the Replacements had at that point was Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash which hadn't created enough of an impression to warrant national TV exposure. And I am pretty sure I read somewhere that the SNL appearance was their first national appearance.

Sorry, I must be thinking of another show, it was definitely not SNL and must have been later. Will check into this.

To my knowledge, their only national US TV appearances were SNL in 1986 and the MTV International Rock Awards in 1989. They also appeared on The Old Grey Whistle Test in England in 1986.

[2019-09-27] The Replacements "Dead Man's Pop" 4CD/1LP box set of recordings from "Don't Tell A Soul" era (Sire/Rhino)

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