After a very long period of Jeff Lynne's '60s work being out of print, there are several Idle Race reissues coming out in Europe. The original albums will be available separately (issued in Spain and France), and as a package called Back To The Story (a UK reissue of their 1996 compilation). This is very helpful since the Back To The Story collection had risen to insane prices on the collectors' market (the original pressing is going for $175 on Amazon!) ~ the new pressing is identical to the previous version, it's a straight reissue and goes for a normal price. For purists or completists, you can also pick up Lynne's two original Idle Race albums as separate discs ~ the first is a reissue of The Birthday Party with lots of non-album tracks and alternative versions tacked on as bonus tracks, and the second is a reissue of the Idle Race's self-titled second album as a two-fer with their third album Time Was (their third album was recorded after Lynne left the band, however).

Note ~ either way you decide to get these, whether the one UK compilation or the two separate Euro releases, you'll end up with all the Idle Race tracks. There are no tracks unique to one which aren't found on the other.

All the forthcoming Idle Race titles can be found here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF ... ative=9325

HOLY CRAP!

I can't wait.

There has been a lot of discussion at the Hoffmann site as to

a) The possibility that these are actually bootlegs.

b) That "Back To The Story is actually missing some tracks from the earlier release.

Hope not!!!

Maybe they should have checked with an owner first. I got the Spanish discs a couple of weeks ago from mi amiga en España ~ for some reason they never import from Spain to the big stores in the States (Amazon, CDU), but they do from France, so I expect the ones now listed at Amazon and CDU are French pressings. They're on an indie label, but not "bootlegs" since I also own some contemporary Spanish powerpop bands who released their material on the same label.

Lemme scan the front and back for y'all (see below) ...

As you can see, they used the American LP's front cover (without all the psychedelic frou-frou) and a second album era photo for the back. What they've done, because the second disc is a two-fer of albums 2 & 3, is to shove all the bonus material onto the first disc. So it's a bit out of order, as far as bonus tracks go, but you do still get EVERYTHING if you buy both albums.

It sounds about the same as the quality of the original Back To The Story collection, "maybe" a little better (but that might be a placebo effect from the superior packaging ~ I always prefer original albums to comps ). "Digitally Remastered" on the back insert might be referring to the first remastering from 1996 rather than any additional work. (It's also possible that Spain's copyright laws would allow ANY label to reissue work after 35+ years ... dunno ... but the albums look and feel pretty legit to me. Hell I'd have wanted them if they were boots too. )

EMI's tracklist for the new Back To The Story shows the same tracks as the previous one. That's not out until April so I suppose it might be different, but as of right now they're saying it's a straight-up reissue.

Hey, Linda:



Thanks!

Here's an extensive history of The Idle Race, for those unfamiliar with Jeff Lynne's early work:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~althomp/au ... tory1.html

At this point I can only advise to hold off on any and all of these cd's !
As part of the current ELO re-issue campaign, an Idle Race box set is currently in preparation. Already up to 5 cd's no less it should include every single note the Race has ever recorded, including all unreleased material that can be found. Unfortunately the main hold-up right now is that Universal has not yet given permission for the Nightriders tracks so talks are still going on about that. For the same reason the Back to the Story re-issue is also still on hold as it's supposed to be a straight re-issue of the original set.

The Nightriders tracks are on the Spanish/French reissue of Birthday Party. If those are going to delay EMI's reissue of Back To The Story, and a box set yet!, it'll be a shame ... the Nightriders tracks bear little resemblance to what followed, and Jeff isn't the lead singer.

I'll get the box set too , if it ever really comes out ... they've been promising it since what, 1998? ELO's official site has had this page up, along with what looks like a Photoshop quickie to represent the box's provisional artwork:

http://www.ftmusic.com/biogs/idle/idle_biog.html



>> A complete Idle Race biography is currently being prepared as part of EMI Records forthcoming 5-CD Idle Race box set anthology, 'On With The Show'.

Featuring remastered editions of the groups original albums (including the rare mono mix of debut album 'The Birthday Party') plus single A & B sides, previously unreleased material, BBC sessions and more! <<

Would love to have the mono mixes of their 1968 material. The BBC sessions came out on boot around 2000, and are nice to have but nowt special. (Too close to the studio versions, mostly.) All their single sides are on the two Spanish/French reissues, along with the unreleased stuff from Back To The Story (which were nothing but alternate versions of released material anyway). Are there more unreleased tracks in the vaults?

BTW, let me correct something I said above ~ I had it back-to-front ~ the Spanish/French Birthday Party CD does in fact use the original UK cover art. It's the American LP pressing which mutated the artwork into psychedelic goop.

Updating this info ...

The Back To The Story compilation reissue is already out in the UK, but if you can wait a couple more weeks there's going to be a less expensive domestic pressing on the Caroline label. This set features the original remastering from the first pressing, very similar packaging, but is missing the two Nightriders tracks due to licensing issues. (Still, it's about $100 less than the first pressing was going for on the collectors' market!)



Disc: 1
1. Skeleton and the Roundabout
2. Happy Birthday
3. Birthday
4. I Like My Toys
5. Morning Sunshine
6. Follow Me, Follow
7. Sitting in My Tree
8. On With the Show
9. Lucky Man
10. Mrs. Ward
11. Pie in the Sky
12. Lady Who Said She Could Fly
13. End of the Road
14. Come With Me
15. Sea of Dreams
16. Going Home
17. Reminds Me of You
18. Mr. Crow and Sir Norman
19. Please No More Sad Songs
20. Girl at the Window
21. Big Chief Wooly Bosher
22. Someone Knocking
23. Better Life (The Weatherman Knows)
24. Hurry up John
25. Lucky Man [#]
26. Follow Man [#]
27. Days of the Broken Arrows [#]

Disc: 2
1. (Here We Go Round) The Lemon Tree
2. My Father's Son
3. Imposters of Life's Magazine
4. Knocking Nails into My House
5. Days of the Broken Arrows
6. Worn Red Carpet
7. In the Summertime
8. Told You Twice
9. Neanderthal Man
10. Victim of Circumstance
11. Dancing Flower
12. Sad O' Sad
13. Clock
14. I Will See You
15. By the Sun
16. Alcatraz
17. And the Rain
18. She Sang Hymns Out of Tune
19. Bitter Green
20. We Want It All

Amazon USA:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LE1EQE/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000LE1EQE/?tag=imwan-21

I took advantage of J&R's all-label sale to pick up Back to the Story. Here's where it gets confusing: It rang up at a reasonable $16.99, and it's an EU pressing on EMI (sticker says "Made in Holland"). The Nightriders tracks are not included. No mention of Caroline anywhere on the package.

Did EMI decide to ship over surplus EU stock? Do the Nightriders tracks appear on any current reissue?

No. There were licensing issues with the Nightriders tracks, which is why they went ahead with the set without them. Negotiations are still ongoing regarding both sides of the single and unreleased material so they can be included on the box set.

Similar situation over in the Groundhogs thread, Jimbo:

http://www.imwan.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14565

What I think is happening is that Caroline's new arrangement with EMI isn't to press domestic copies under their own imprint, but rather to bring batches of EMI imports to the States en masse and sell them at domestic prices.

Thanks Linda, I'm sure you've got it right. Gets the price down, works for me!

Up next is a UK remaster of Roy Wood's Boulders album, coming on August 27th:



>> 2007 Digitally Remastered Edition of the First Solo Album by the Former Principle of the Move, Electric Light Orchestra and his Own Wizzard. It was One of the First Recordings in a Very Elite Club Where One Person Actually Played 98% of the Instruments Heard on the Album (With Just John Kurlander's Harmonium Sounding on One Track). Most of the Tracks for the Album were Recorded During Wood's Tenure in the Move, but He Didn't Finish the Project Until after his Departure from Elo and Had Formed Wizzard. This Edition Adds a Rough Mix of "Dear Elaine" that Didn't Appear in Prior Issues of the Album on CD. <<

1. Songs Of Praise
2. Wake Up
3. Rock Down Low
4. Nancy Sing Me A Song
5. Dear Elaine
6. All The Way Over The Hill / Irish Loafer And His Hen [Medley]
7. Miss Clarke And The Computer
8. When Gran'ma Plays The Banjo
9. Rock Medley: Rockin' Shoes / She's Too Good For Me / Locomotive
10. Dear Elaine - Rough Mix

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OCXF6U/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000OCXF6U/?tag=imwan-21

This import collection of ELO violinist Mik Kaminski's solo recordings came out in May, let me add it here:



>> 2007 UK 20-track digitally remastered CD album comprising all the band's A & B-sides, key LP tracks, early demos, alternate takes, and previously eleven previously unreleased sides from spinoff of the multi-platinum selling Electric Light Orchestra whose 2 highly-collectable vinyl albums $200+ on eBay! have never appeared on CD. Castle. <<

1. Clog Dance
2. Silent Love
3. Captain Dandy
4. Save Me
5. Whats Your Game
6. Princess Of Darkness (Instrumental) (Previously Unreleased)
7. Caped Crusader
8. Hide It
9. I Dont Know (Previously Unreleased)
10. Clear Away
11. Tango (Instrumental) (Previously Unreleased)
12. Ruby Rhythms (Alternate Mix) (Previously Unreleased)
13. No Cause For Alarm (Early Version) (Previously Unreleased)
14. Need Your Love (Instrumental) (Previously Unreleased)
15. Rock Steady (Previously Unreleased)
16. Scenario (Alternate Take) (Previously Unreleased)
17. Paris (Instrumental) (Previously Unreleased)
18. Mirror Mirror
19. Home For Tea (Alternate Take) (Previously Unreleased)
20. Clog Dance (Rock Version) (Previously Unreleased)

Amazon USA:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OMD2EU/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000OMD2EU/?tag=imwan-21

These are must-gets, guys!! Imports coming on September 10th:



>> The Move's debut album expanded to a deluxe 2 CD set. Features four Top 5 hits (including Flowers In the Rain) and a wealth of previously unreleased tracks including brand new stereo mixes of the entire album. Remastered from original master tapes by Rob Keyloch at Church Walk Studio, the music here has never sounded better. Stylish double digipack with 20 page booklet designed by Grammy award winner Rachel Gutek and containing rare and previously unseen photographs plus detailed, authoritative notes by Mojo's Mark Paytress. In short it was pop psychedelic masterpiece and Salvo is now proud to present the most comprehensive and beautifully realised reissue of 'Move' yet. Immaculately remastered and expanded to a 90-minute deluxe 2-CD set, it is sure to get the band's existing fans, as well as 60s pop and psychedelic rock enthusiasts in a lather. It includes the classic hits 'Flowers In the Rain', 'Fire Brigade', 'I Can Hear The Grass Grow' and 'Night Of Fear', rare B-sides and a wealth previously unreleased songs. Salvo 2007 <<

CD One
1. Yellow Rainbow
2. Kilroy Was Here
3. Here We Go Round The Lemon Tree
4. Weekend
5. Walk Upon The Water
6. Flowers In The Rain
7. Hey Grandma
8. Useless Information
9. Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart
10. Girl Outside
11. Fire Brigade
12. Mist On A Mondy Morning
13. Cherry Blossom Clinic
14. Vote For Me
15. Disturbance
16. Night Of Fear
17. Wave The Flag And Stop The Train
18. I Can Hear The Glass Grow

CD Two
1. Move Intro
2. Move
3. Cherry Blossom Clinic
4. Fire Brigade
5. Kilroy Was Here
6. Here We Go Round The Lemon Tree
7. Weekend
8. Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart
9. Don't Throw Stones At Me
10. Mist On A Monday Morning
11. Vote For Me
12. Night Of Fear
13. Girl Outside
14. Walk Upon The Water
15. Useless Information
16. Flowers In The Rain

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TJ6C6S/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000TJ6C6S/?tag=imwan-21

---

>> The Move's second LP expanded to double its original size and featuring the No. 1 smash hit Blackberry Way and 6 previously unreleased tracks. Remastered from original master tapes by Rob Keyloch at Church Walk Studio, Shazam has never sounded better. Stylish wallet-style packaging with 16 page booklet designed by Grammy award winner Rachel Gutek and containing rare and previously unseen photographs plus detailed, authoritative notes by Mojo's Mark Paytress. Salvo 2007 <<

Hello Susie
Beautiful Daughter
Cherry Blossom Clinic Revisited
Fields Of People
Don’t Take My Baby Blue
The Last Thing On My Mind
This Time Tomorrow
A Certain Something
Curly (alt. mix)
Wild Tiger Woman (stereo mix)
Omnibus (full length version)
That Certain Something (demo version)
This Time Tomorrow (demo version)
Blackberry Way (alt. mix)

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TJ6C6I/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000TJ6C6I/?tag=imwan-21

---

Also, for completists ~ a 40th anniversary reissue of The Move's "Flowers In The Rain" single is being expanded and released on CD:



>> To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its portentous release and kick off a Move reissue programme, Salvo released this collector's CD EP. The supplementary tracks on the CD single are Beautiful Daughter, taken from the newly discovered original master tape of The Move's second album Shazam; a previously unreleased edit of Feel Too Good, taken from the forthcoming Move box set (available February 2008); and a previously unheard instrumental mix of the hit single Fire Brigade, which is exclusive to this release. <<

1. Flowers In The Rain
2. Beautiful Daughter
3. Feel Too Good
4. Fire Brigade (Instrumental)

Track information :

'FLOWERS IN THE RAIN' newly created stereo mix from the original 4-track session tape. (Original overdubbed parts restored and used to create new multitracks)

'BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER' taken from newly recovered original master tapes

'FEEL TOO GOOD' previously unreleased version edited for inclusion on this release in 2007. (Full length version will be released later)

'FIRE BRIGADE' (instrumental) Newly restored and mixed to stereo in 2007 from the original multi-track session tape.

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TZGPUU/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000TZGPUU/?tag=imwan-21

Looks great! I've only got the Move album with the bald heads on the cover, so these two landmarks will be a welcome addition. I haven't heard Salvo's Slade remasters yet, so I don't know about their sound, but all that bonus material on the Move reissues makes for very attractive packages.

Okay, I finally found a cover image for the "Flowers In The Rain" CD single and have added it to the post above. Let me also add this Roy Wood reissue to the thread, his wonderful and bizarre [lilred]Super Active Wizzo[/lilred] album from 1977 ~ it was quietly released in the USA by the Wounded Bird label back in July 2007:



1. Life Is Wonderful
2. Waitin' at This Door
3. Another Wrong Night
4. Sneakin'
5. Giant Footsteps (Jubilee)
6. Earthrise

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QJLQJE/?tag=imwan-20

Well, i received my "Boulders" cd yesterday from the UK (pre-ordered through the Move's email/fan club list), and wowie zowie. The sound is superb, as is the booklet. It's an absolute must for any Roy Wood fan. Roy even wrote some liner notes for the booklet, some fascinating insights into the story of "Boulders". I won't get into any spoiling with specifics beyond that, 'cept to say that the working version of "Dear Elaine" is the cherry on top of the whipped cream on top of the fudge on top of the.........

On the Wounded Bird issues of "Superactive Wizzo" and "On the Road Again", Woody collectors who have bought them have cautioned about both the sound and artwork quality. If the whole Move and Roy Wood reissue campaign goes well, these should see proper remastering for UK release eventually (which could mean years from now, frankly). If you've never heard them and don't own the records, it's probably worth it to get them anyways, but if you do own the records, a couple of folks who have done their own vinyl transfers (with cleanup) have said that those are superior to the sound on the WBs.

And believe me, this is not a knock on Wounded Bird. I have numerous titles from them in my collection, and couldn't thank them enough for the OOP or never released on cd titles that they've made available, sound quality aside. What i have heard is that they did make numerous requests for access to the original masters, but were ultimately blown off. So they did give every effort to obtain the best sounding source possible.

Googamooga wrote:

Looks great! I've only got the Move album with the bald heads on the cover, so these two landmarks will be a welcome addition.


That's "Looking On", their third LP (first for Capitol), the first with Jeff Lynne in the lineup. Follows up the harder-rocking aspects of "Shazam", but with some prog-ish and classical leanings foreshadowing the ELO project, which was already in the works, and use of some of the eclectic instruments that Roy had begun mastering while working on "Boulders", and would continue to use on the final Move LP "Message From the Country". Quite a unique and powerful LP.

Googa, just wait until you hear "Shazam" (not to mention the 1st LP).

Here's the Wounded Bird reissue of Roy's On The Road Again album that Rick was talking about ...



1. (We're) On The Road Again
2. Wings Over The Sea
3. Keep Your Hands On The Wheel
4. Colourful Lady
5. Road Rocket
6. Backtown Sinner
7. Jimmy Lad
8. Dancin' At The Rainbow's End
9. Another Night
10. Way Beyond The Rain

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QJLQKS/?tag=imwan-20