| Author | Message | ||
     Dave Dooley Member Username: Aztec Post Number: 17 Registered: 12-2006 |
Wow...Can't wait, Copy ordered and hopefully Santa can get it across the planet in time for Xmas for me. Even better news is that it looks a volume two is planned ! | ||
| Bryce Member Username: Rockandrollfriend Post Number: 72 Registered: 07-2005 |
Any idea on the source for the vinyl? Original master tapes? Hope so. I'm still waiting for the solo albums to be release on vinyl. In any event, this is fantastic news. | ||
| C Gull Member Username: C_gull Post Number: 259 Registered: 05-2005 |
Full details are here. http://dominorecordco.com/uk/news/01-10- 14/g-stands-for-go-betweens-volume-1-197 8-1984 I've ordered, this should make me get my turntable going again, | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 126 Registered: 09-2004 |
I'm so excited! Put this right on the list for Santa to order (and he ordered it right away)! The book from Grant's library is a really nice touch! | ||
| Paul B. Member Username: Paul_b Post Number: 70 Registered: 10-2004 |
Dam I want that book. I've no turntable, so I guess the vinyl is just collateral damage. | ||
| Matsrep Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 128 Registered: 10-2005 |
Vol. I album 1-3 Vol. II album 4-6 Vol. III album 7-9 Nice. | ||
| C Gull Member Username: C_gull Post Number: 260 Registered: 05-2005 |
Blimey will that mean £360 in total then! I hope it's an annual release ! at least I got an email back from Domino today confirming I made the cut for the first six hundred. I look forward to joining the www.go-Betweens.net book club. Are you behind this Jonathan? Will this just be an extension of the 'What are you reading?' thread on the off topic site. | ||
| JodyJames Unregistered guest |
Did you ask for that confirmation, C Gull? | ||
| C Gull Member Username: C_gull Post Number: 261 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yes I emailed the customer service address in the confirmation, could nt bear waiting until January to find out. Incidentally I see it's not for sale in Australia which seems a bit unfair!! | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 532 Registered: 05-2005 |
I've ordered mine! I decided not to leave it to Santa, or any other bearded man in my life for that matter! I've also emailed the customer service address, so will just have to hope I'm in the first bunch.. The book idea is a nice one. Saying that, hope I don't end up with a Thomas The Tank Engine pop up book Grant bought for a friend's child but forgot to give! Although... | ||
| Paul B. Member Username: Paul_b Post Number: 71 Registered: 10-2004 |
C Gull - the preorder page redirects here: http://thego-betweens.umusic.com.au/stor e/ (I remember years ago, somebody who just joined the board started to ask for unreleased music, could have been the Botany sessions or something, and the reply from the board was that they should submit a few book reviews first. Now it seems the price to pay for the box set is more book reviews) | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 222 Registered: 08-2005 |
Just ordered mine from Domino - that's a chunk of money from a recent advertorial I wrote. Well, that's how I look at it and justify it... | ||
| Steven McGowan Unregistered guest |
I pre-ordered too. And also contacted Domino customer service to see if I was one of the first 600 and they emailed back to confirm. Hopefully I can end up registering here eventually? Lol I think it's an interesting idea to add a book from his collection. We'll see how that goes. Otherwise I'll be dying until the box set is in my hands!!! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 6961 Registered: 05-2005 |
There is some more information about it all here http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6 296748/go-betweens-launch-grant-mclennan -book-club-ahead-of-anthology-release | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 261 Registered: 06-2005 |
a pic of some of the tomes that could be winging their way to you (i missed the boat - first 600 already surpassed) linked below: https://musicalshapes.files.wordpress.co m/2014/10/grantsbooks.jpg A couple of months ago if you were shown this picture and asked which Musician's library do these form part of there's a fair chance anyone on here would have guessed The Boundary Rider. Might have said Robert's but there's no Hemingway... no Genet..no Brecht...noChandler...noJoyce | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 279 Registered: 05-2005 |
The closing date for ordering the Domino Box Set was 31 October. They sold the first 600, they'd a notice up on their site about the 'books' no longer being available. It was an odd one for me - I've all the LPs already maybe two times, and alot of the other stuff on bootlegs. That left half a dozen or so early tunes, a nice Lee Remick poster, and a fascimile press release. It didn't add up for me so I passed on it. I was thinking that the very people who'd be interested in buying this are the ones who'd have most of the stuff already so I was kinda surprised it made 600 plus orders. Hope I don't end up buying it on ebay for twice the price! | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 40 Registered: 05-2005 |
This was a tricky one. Uncertainty over whether or not there would be future separate releases of the rarities cd's. I would imagine there won't be. However, my biggest sticking point was that the remastered LP's were only being mae available on vinyl. Although my guess is that these will be made available on cd in the future, the clincher was that there would be high quality wav files available to download with the box. Overall, too risky to miss out on as I do feel that SHF and BH would really benefit from a well-executed 2014 remaster. I didn't really care for the book so ended buying the set on the 'last day' of the deadline. Interestingly, the set is still available from Domino for those who are still wavering like I was. | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 41 Registered: 05-2005 |
Also - great band - so they deserve a bit more hard-earned cash for all the pleasure given over the years | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 925 Registered: 04-2005 |
I haven't cracked (yet). As I have already said before on this message board, sometimes things are unreleased for a good reason. And I don't need another version of "Before Hollywood". My original vinyl copy sounds just fine to my damaged ears! This band has probably brought me more joy in my life than any other, but I've reached a point where having something just because it is a beautiful object is not a necessity. But yes Dusty, it would be good if Lindy, Robert and Amanda benefit from this. They are an integral part of the magic. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3422 Registered: 03-2005 |
I would have fallen for this if I'd been keeping track of this thread often enough to see it in time to be one of the initial 600 who receives a book from Grant's collection. Without that I'll wait to see what people on here report. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 6977 Registered: 05-2005 |
I haven't ordered it, though I'll probably give in. I'm annoyed that it's so expensive. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1765 Registered: 08-2006 |
I feel guilty not having ordered this since I and everyone here represent the set's core market. The fact is, I don't have a turntable and don't expect I ever will again. If they ever repurpose this set for CD I'll buy it in a minute. As Andrew says, for me, in this format, it would largely be a beautiful object. (That said, the book idea is genius and almost got me.) | ||
| Matsrep Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 129 Registered: 10-2005 |
A lovely sampler: https://soundcloud.com/dominorecordco/se ts/thegobetweens | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7067 Registered: 05-2005 |
Good article on the box set/interview with Robert. http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/ music/go-betweens-remembered.115590505 | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 946 Registered: 04-2005 |
High praise from the review in the current Mojo. Apparently in the booklet there is a quote from (OJ drummer) Steven Daly saying that he was shocked seeing Forster and McLennan oggling "titties" as they walked around Glasgow. You still out there Lindy ? Did you beat those sexist attitudes out of Robert ? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7074 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Mojo review is here https://www.facebook.com/gobetweens | ||
| Matsrep Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 132 Registered: 10-2005 |
The interview is very good. I'm glad to hear that also Robert is open to the glory of SMAL. I ordered the box on day 1, and am hopeful to become a member of the book club. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 230 Registered: 08-2005 |
Ooh, I'm getting excited now about receiving it... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7081 Registered: 05-2005 |
Just got the box. (First in the world?) It's a thing of beauty. More later. | ||
| Paul B. Member Username: Paul_b Post Number: 73 Registered: 10-2004 |
Full. In-depth. Analysis. ....Please. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7082 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Able Label press release for Karen is hilarious. Tim Mustafa hails from Istanbul, Turkey, where he played traditional Turkish music. Grant McLennan hails from the outback. His family are pioneers. Robert Forster comes from Brisbane. He likes girls, beer, the fast life and collects foreign stamps. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7083 Registered: 05-2005 |
The albums have shrink wrapping on them are all heavy vinyl (I presume 180 grams). The dust jackets are plastic lined and all bar Before Hollywood have lyric sheets. The CDs also have shrink wrapping on them. Each is gatefold (is that the term used when it's a CD?), with the disc on the right in a paper sleeve, and liner notes by Robert on the left. There is also a download coupon, where you have three choices, MP3 (320Kbps), WAV (16-bit 44Khz) or WAV (24-bit 96Khz). | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7084 Registered: 05-2005 |
The book. Inside both the front and back covers it says: Abba Bowie Creedence Dolenz Easybeats Fellini Go-Betweens | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7085 Registered: 05-2005 |
There is a green ribbon in the book, which is nice. There is a card from Grant to Robert and a letter from Robert to Lindy. There is Edwyn Collins raving about Cattle And Cane in the Melody Maker, there is Grant's review of Annie Hall, and there is Peter Walsh on Lindy: "SHE SPOKE, IF NOT LIVED, EXCLUSIVELY IN CAPLOCKS." Robert refers to himself in the third person in the book, e.g. "Forster and McLennan greeted each other in the exaggerated manner of old friends". I don't normally get excited by photos, but there are some amazing pictures here, and single sleeves I've never seen before. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7086 Registered: 05-2005 |
The music. I'm listening to Life As Sweet As Lemonade, the first disc of rarities. Track 1, I Wanna Be Today, reminds me of both The Beach Boys and The Undertones. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7087 Registered: 05-2005 |
The melody of Long Lonely Day reminds me of a song by someone else, but it's not coming to me. Maybe a Velvet Underground song. The sound quality on these demos is not great, but I'm still thrilled to hear them. Day For Night has a Motown girl group-style intro. It sounds like a cross between Karen and (Don't Fear) The Reaper. The latter is one of the most ripped-off songs ever; could it be The Go-Betweens were the first to do so? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7088 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Night is a parody, according to the sleeve notes, of Springsteen's Darkness At The Edge Of Town and Patti Smith's Because The Night. It also reminds me a bit of Thin Lizzy. It's great. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7089 Registered: 05-2005 |
I Am An Architect is hilarious. The demo of 8 Pictures is superbly creepy. There's a definite VU feel to it. A touch of Television too, I think. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7090 Registered: 05-2005 |
Lies is the final track on Life As Sweet As Lemonade. Like much else here, it sounds like a New York mid-70s punk song. This box set is expensive, far too expensive to appeal to anyone other than hardcore fans, which we all are. This band has given me so much pleasure over so many years. I'm very glad I got this box, especially as up until a day earlier I wasn't sure I would get it. | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 42 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sorry to be banal, but do you get a download link for the early singles lp? | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 54 Registered: 06-2005 |
Pádraig, did you get one of McLennan's books? If so, what was it? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7091 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dusty, yes. Greg, no. I bought it in Red Eye. | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 43 Registered: 05-2005 |
Great - thanks Padraig. Having those wav downloads is akin to having the cd's in my eyes. Enjoying your track-by-track analysis by the way. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7093 Registered: 05-2005 |
The reason Long Lonely Day sounded so familiar is because it's on 78 'til 79 The Lost Album. | ||
| C Gull Member Username: C_gull Post Number: 274 Registered: 05-2005 |
So is tomorrow the big day? I'll be waiting for the postman to ring the doorbell!! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7100 Registered: 05-2005 |
Interview with Robert in Rolling Stone Australia http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/th e-go-betweens-out-of-the-box/1066 and review of the box set http://rollingstoneaus.com/reviews/post/ the-go-betweens-g-stands-for-go-betweens -vol-one/1048 | ||
| EW Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 109 Registered: 05-2005 |
"So is tomorrow the big day?" Doubt it... mine's still in the warehouse awaiting despatch  | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7104 Registered: 05-2005 |
Another review http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/go-betwe ens-g_stands_for_go-betweens_volume_1_19 78-1984 | ||
| caliban10 Member Username: Caliban10 Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2014 |
Dispatched. Finally. | ||
| Mekon Member Username: Mekon Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2009 |
Mine's on the way, too. Not sure if I made the cut for the used book offer, though. Back in October I've been told that my order may or may not have qualified. Well, I will finally know by the end of the week | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 232 Registered: 08-2005 |
Mine's on the way - with book, I believe. Simon | ||
| Allan Kingdom Member Username: Allan_kingdom Post Number: 32 Registered: 04-2006 |
Mine arrived today - with 2 books! | ||
| caliban10 Member Username: Caliban10 Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2014 |
Which books? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7105 Registered: 05-2005 |
Another review http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/20 15/01/the-go-betweens-g-stands-for-go-be tweens-volume-on.html | ||
| Steven M Member Username: Beardedsteven Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2014 |
Got mine in the mail yesterday. Not opened it for full inspection yet. But I got FOUR books! All signed by Grant. But no bookmark that was supposed to be signed by Robert. Did anyone get a bookmark? | ||
| Bryce Member Username: Rockandrollfriend Post Number: 73 Registered: 07-2005 |
I just got my box. Will review sound quality, etc. later. I got one book - a hardcover titled The Illustrated History of Australian Verse. It's signed "Grant McLennan '84". As far as I can tell, there is no bookmark in the book. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7108 Registered: 05-2005 |
Interview with Robert http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/ja n/22/robert-forster-i-wouldnt-be-able-to -make-sense-of-madonna-or-drake | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 233 Registered: 08-2005 |
c'est arrivé - and it looks great. No time to admire it at length - I'm filling in my tax self-assessment form today, the low spot of my year. The book looks great, I've got a bookmark signed by Robert Forster and two paperbacks of poetry from Grant's library (neither signed): Seamus Heaney, the Spirit Level ($12 in pencil inside) and Ted Hughes, Birthday letters. It's like Christmas, apart from the tax return. Last year I had a refund, this time I think I will owe the HMRC about £1000 (so not like Christmas, then!). | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 55 Registered: 06-2005 |
In listening to the first disc of rarities, does anyone else think that some of these tracks need speed correction? They sound too slow—Robert's voice is slurry and too deep. I used Audacity to increase the speed of "The Night" by a little more than 4%, and then it sounded normal to me; Robert's voice no longer had that slow-motion quality and Grant's background vocals sounded like Grant again. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 234 Registered: 08-2005 |
Still haven't listened yet - manic day (tax return completed, I owe HMRC £400, which is a result); I played football, 5-3 win with a fellow GBs fan in the team (he couldn't justify the price of the box set); will listen to the CDs at the weekend. That's enough of my life... | ||
| C Gull Member Username: C_gull Post Number: 275 Registered: 05-2005 |
....and its here....Book is Sister Kate 'a novel by' Jean Bedford which I understand is about Ned Kelly's sister. Looks like Grant bought this second hand asa price $7.50 is pencilled into the inside cover. Not signed but slightly mysterious symbols written in - two circles one with a line through, a Romanic looking symbol which could be an M and '98. Hoping this is GM 98?? Possibly a Divinci code leading to some lost recordings??? bookmark present and correct, odd feeling opening a package and finding three albums I already have but in brand new condition again. Will listen to the cds tomorrow and over weekend. What happened to the book club idea thing? | ||
| Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 53 Registered: 05-2005 |
I have mine with two books. One of them has what might be GW in pencil. The whole package is very nice. I'm pretty much of the view that they became the greatest band in the world with Before Hollywood and the earlier stuff is patchy at best. I hope Domino see the 3 boxed sets thing through. People getting two books each might suggest that demand has been limited. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 236 Registered: 08-2005 |
Burgers, I like you're thinking re 'becoming the greatest band in the world' (always like a bit of hyperbole!), though I'd probably go for Spring Hill Fair as that point. Each to his - or her - own! The first time I heard them was 'Send Me a Lullaby', first time I saw them was 1986. Blimey, that makes me sound old! But still playing football with my dodgy 51-year-old arthritic knees! | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 269 Registered: 06-2005 |
Lots of links on the main news page & yet another one here: http://m.pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19 958-g-stands-for-go-betweens-volume-1-19 78-1984/ Seems like more of Grants library held in reserve for future releases | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3453 Registered: 03-2005 |
Very strange. I didn't order a box set because when I tried I got a message that it was too late to qualify for one of Grant's books and, seriously, I don't have any use for the vinyl LPs. I wanted a Grant book. And now I find they sent a random multiple number of volumes to the lucky few. It seems a very strange random way to handle the promotion but maybe that randomness fits the old days of the band. I was thinking about the phenomenon of Grant's library while driving to work this morning. My guess is that he could not have accumulated any books until he returned to Oz in the 1990s. Prior to that he was largely living in a suit case, right? | ||
| Will Unregistered guest |
Mine came last week as I ordered it from Australia. It's an impossibly lovely thing. And from Grant's library I got an Umberto Eco book, The Mysterious Flame Of Queen Loana, with bookmark signed by Robert. The Book Club is such a brilliant and touching idea. | ||
| HFR Unregistered guest |
Mine arrived last Friday in Wagga Wagga, Australia, with a copy of Chip Kidd's 2001 novel "The Cheese Monkeys". The layout of the book struck me as heavily-stylised, so I wasn't surprised to discover he was a graphic designer before being a writer. No annotations that I can see. I'll read it and write it up for the book club when I can, but am heavily into post-production on an album at the moment. | ||
| bill11 Unregistered guest |
Mine on the way also. With book. I was informed that I had "made the cut" when I ordered last year. Hopefully this is the case! | ||
| Chuck Torner Unregistered guest |
Mine arrived today. The book is a photography book about cowboys and the American west called "Vanishing Breed". Interesting. It is signed by Grant and dated "London '84" Wasn't there also supposed to be a bookmark signed by Robert included as well? I did not find one. | ||
| Dan Unregistered guest |
My box arrived today, and I've just started digging through it. I also received a book from Grant's collection: "Terminal Moraine" by English poet James Fenton. It's inscribed "Grant McLennan '82." There's also an authenticating bookmark signed by Robert. It's such a touching and unique way of remembering Grant and I'm genuinely moved by the gesture. No need for sleep tonight. | ||
| dreamerdon Unregistered guest |
Received yesterday on my birthday. Unbelievable !! Book was John Betjeman Collected Poems. | ||
| Will Unregistered guest |
The bookmarks are in the box! | ||
| EW Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 110 Registered: 05-2005 |
Greg Adams
Those that are also on 78 'Til 79 are definitely slower here but I haven't yet got my head round whether they sound "wrong" now. | ||
| caliban10 Member Username: Caliban10 Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2014 |
Received. Books are: Blow-Up script by Antonioni signed: "S. McLennan '79" A Trick Of The Light by Carolyn Polizzotto not signed | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 280 Registered: 05-2005 |
"S. McLennan '79." Probably Sally McLennan, Grant's sister. | ||
| William Fisher Member Username: Wfisher Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2005 |
Greg Adams & EW: About the speed correction - I pulled out my guitar and this is what I think: As regards Life As Sweet As Lemonade: Tracks 3-12 are all running slow, a semitone too low (a problem compounded by the fact that the Lost Album version are running fast, ending up sounding a semitone higher then they should be); Tracks 13-20 are worse, even slower, running a whole tone too low; & tracks 21 & 22 are back to running a semi-tone too low. Various tracks on Skeletons that Cry are also running slightly flat, but I'm missing the liner notes for this CD, so it's hard for me to quickly spot where sources (and associated problems) start and end. The B-side version of By Chance on The First Five Singles is also running slow - Forster's voice gives it away, as it does it most cases. Everything else seems ok: a few tracks run a little fast on the fourth CD, but not noticeably badly - too fast is preferable to too slow! | ||
| C Gull Member Username: C_gull Post Number: 276 Registered: 05-2005 |
Looking back at the original press release, it says Grant's library consisted of 1800 books. Therefore its either 600 for each of the three volumes, or an average of three books per order of the first volume alone. More likely the former I guess. | ||
| Steve Genge Unregistered guest |
The bookmarks are inside the sealed box, or it was in my case. So check there if you haven't already. My box came today, received The Complete Plays of Christoper Marlowe as my book and it is signed by Grant. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 237 Registered: 08-2005 |
Mine had the two books loose in the cardboard packing box, with the bookmark in the green G Stands for Go-Betweens. | ||
| EW Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 111 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks for that. I've implemented your suggestions on the first disc and so far they sound excellent (I adjusted 5.94% for a semitone and 1.88% for a tone in Audacity after a bit of a google on how to repitch). I'm no musician so if you could give your opinion on how flat By Chance seems I'd be most grateful. Now I might have a go at grafting the missing first couple of notes to the beginning of Long Lonely Day. | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 56 Registered: 06-2005 |
This set is too expensive to have speed problems. I wonder if Domino would offer remastered replacements if people complained? | ||
| Richard67 Member Username: Richard67 Post Number: 26 Registered: 04-2004 |
Mine arrived yesterday, it really is a beautiful looking thing! Very worthy of the band. Very disappointed in not ordering early enough to receive a book but only myself to blame! Having said that, seems some people actually received more than one book! Someone received 4!?!? How does that work? | ||
| William Fisher Member Username: Wfisher Post Number: 9 Registered: 12-2005 |
EW: By Chance is an odd one: it doesn't actually appear to be that off, pitch-wise, yet it sounds horribly lethargic and dull: I'd probably try going up a semi-tone, see how that works. It will probably end up sounding somewhere near this vinyl rip on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiGos5Js ShY Whether that's correct or not I can't tell you (Forster's voice still doesn't sound quite right), but I find it preferable. Greg Adams: your talk of replacements is giving me awful flashbacks to the Oceans Apart mastering debacle: sad as this is to say, that was another problem that could have been easily avoided if someone in the Go-Betweens camp actually cared about the finished sound of the music. | ||
| EW Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 112 Registered: 05-2005 |
Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue had pitch problems for over 40 years so it's not as if this is unheard of. | ||
| EW Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 113 Registered: 05-2005 |
And just to be a bit more positive... the box is beautiful, the GBs book is lovely and the vinyl LPs are gorgeous. I got Natural History by Maureen Howard (unsigned) as my bonus treat. Have to try again next time and see if I can get a signed one. | ||
| Steven M Member Username: Beardedsteven Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2014 |
"S. McLennan '79." Probably Sally McLennan, Grant's sister." 3 of my books are signed "S McLennan '81, and one is signed Grant McLennan '82. I thought the S's were sloppy G's !?!? The McLennan part of the signature is the same tho. I think they are sloppy G's.... | ||
| William Fisher Member Username: Wfisher Post Number: 10 Registered: 12-2005 |
"Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue had pitch problems for over 40 years so it's not as if this is unheard of." Speaking of, I should clarify (and apologise for) my suggestions that By Chance is wrong. Having consulted a friend who owns the original 7', the Domino re-mastering is in fact completely accurate and correct - it just sounds wrong (I blame the 80s chorus effect liberally applied to the vocals). So please ignore me there! Here's a curious puzzle I'm throwing out in the hope someone can suggest an answer: the "Live 82" CD has been available as a bootleg for a long time - however, the bootleg version opens with Heaven Say and Ride (both missing from the CD) but doesn't contain It Could be Anyone, which is on the CD. Oh, and I should have mentioned sooner! I got a hardback copy of Illywhacker by Peter Carey, which contains this note: "You're a bugger to buy for Happy Tour Love Jude + Bleu." | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 239 Registered: 08-2005 |
Illywhacker is a great book - give it a read. I've got some poetry to delve into, and I haven't read poetry seriously for decades (since I was in my 20s with hair like Willie Nelson - worn in two very long plaits - rather than the shorn, male pattern baldness-look I sport these days!). | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7113 Registered: 05-2005 |
More links (in the second, Robert says he has started recording his new album: http://www.thefourohfive.com/review/arti cle/the-go-betweens-g-stands-for-go-betw eens-vol-1-142 http://www.popmatters.com/feature/188841 -between-the-stripes-of-that-sunlight-so und-an-interview-with-the-go-/ | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7114 Registered: 05-2005 |
And another review http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2 015/01/g-go-betweens-box-set | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 363 Registered: 05-2005 |
Pfff...I've resisted until today but finally just bought this box (it's still available on amazon.de and .ca).. | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 534 Registered: 05-2005 |
My neighbour dropped around this morning with mine. The postman had left it with him, as I'm out all day - the joys of rural living!! The whole thing is gorgeous. I haven't had a chance to forensically examine it all yet, only a quick look through. Two volumes received. The first, Shiny Objects by Dianne Benedict - a book of short stories. I'm going to assume that the google search result referring to a professor at the University of Southern Maine is proper to the author, as opposed to the one referring to Twitter's @benedictdianne, who's recent posts include "#winter soldier OMG it rocks and #bucky is hot".... From the blurb on the inside of the dust jacket, Raymond Carver thought highly of her, which would have sold the book to me anyway. The second book is Collected Poems 1963-1980 by Geoffrey Grigson. In the list of contents, there are tiny blue ballpoint dots beside the titles of some poems - possible favourites? Both books signed by Grant, '85 and '82 respectively. Going to switch off the phone, get a pot of coffee on and get stuck in. The temptation to call in sick tomorrow.... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7125 Registered: 05-2005 |
Interview with Robert in the Sydney Morning Herald. I haven't read it yet (I'm waiting for the paper copy to arrive on my lawn), but given it's by Bernard Zuel I'm sure it's very good. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musi c/how-brisbane-formed-the-striped-sunlig ht-sound-of-the-gobetweens-20150121-12te 5j.html | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7126 Registered: 05-2005 |
It is a fine piece. | ||
| EW Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 114 Registered: 05-2005 |
I apologise for this in advance as it's about a subject that I would rather not admit exists but I've been obsessing over the pitch of the demos on Life As Sweet As Lemonade for over a week now and I thought I'd dump my final thoughts on it here. It seems that there were three sessions from which tracks 3-22 were taken, those from the first and third sessions being a semitone too slow and those from the second a full tone too slow, as William Fisher kindly noted above. I've noticed a couple of possible discrepancies though. Don't Let Him Come Back is grouped in with other songs from the first session on the CD but the title only appears on the picture of the second tape in the book. When I bump it up a full tone it's in the same key as the single version so I'm pretty sure it's from the second session and that's the correct speed. Day For Night sounds better to me bumped up a full tone and as its title features on the covers of both tapes I'm going with the theory that the version on the CD is from the second. Cold Flame sounds too fast bumped up a full tone and it doesn't appear on the cover of either tape so I'm assuming it's from the third session and is just a semitone slow. Finally 8 Pictures sounds a bit chipmunk-y sped up a full tone but is then in the same key as the version on Send Me A Lullaby so I guess that's the correct speed. What's been great for me in doing all this is that I've given that CD many more listens than I probably would have done otherwise and have really been able to get into the songs. It's been a real treat. Now I'll try and give Skeletons That Cry as much of a listen. | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 57 Registered: 06-2005 |
EW, I'm pretty bummed out about the speed problems on the rarities discs. They are extremely noticeable to me, and I don't have the patience to correct all of them, so I just stopped listening to the affected tracks. | ||
| William Fisher Member Username: Wfisher Post Number: 11 Registered: 12-2005 |
EW: Since you've brought up this issue (so it's all your fault!), here's what I e-mailed to a friend during our own tedious discussions on boxset pitch problems: "I said this: 'Tracks 13-20 are worse, running a whole tone too low;' Because all these songs were taken from the same session, and because if you do what I say all the instruments sound exactly as they should, in the right key and everything (btw, Eight Pictures is the guide here, as it always starts on an Em): And it works perfectly for track 13 - Big Sleeping City; However; Everything after that point (tracks 14-20) now has in tune instruments but squeaky voices. So tracks 14-20 should only be pitched up by a semi-tone, so the vocals sound right and the guitars sound... near enough." My assumption is that Forster & McLennan tuned up from each other, unaware they were at the wrong pitch, or else the instruments detuned while they were playing - all in true embryonic garage band style! Also, depending on how anal you want to get with these things (but bearing in mind I'm a Johnny-come-lately so only have the 2CD reissues for comparison, not the original vinyl), The Girls Have Moved is missing Lindy's very quiet 4/4 count-in at the beginning of the track, and (and this one is really really minor) Draining The Pool For You and River Of Money are now presented as two separate tracks, whereas previously they had a (very subtle) slight cross-fade (and you can still hear remnants of Draining the Pool at the beginning of the boxset River Of Money, if you turn the volume up). On the plus side, Domino have kindly sent me the missing sleeve notes for Skeleton That Cry, so I suppose I can now move onto that now too! | ||
| EW Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 115 Registered: 05-2005 |
Favourite moments on Life As Sweet As Lemonade 1: "Breakfass" rhyming with "reckless" 2: Time can't be stretched/It's not a giraffe 3: The borderline... HUH! 4: She went and left me/For Singapore | ||
| Lawrence Mikkelsen Member Username: Simplythrilledhoney Post Number: 108 Registered: 03-2006 |
Having been mildly annoyed at the lack of decent tagging of the MP3 that came on the download card for the box set, I've scanned the CD covers of the 4 x rarities CDs and the First Five Singles LP for anyone else anal enough about this kind of thing. The link is here if anyone else wants these to beautify their iTunes library: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x45g19wejo2tg gk/AAB0d4itbDnJRIZuohWD3I8oa?dl=0 Still weirded out by the different speeds on the songs on The Long Album versus Life as Sweet as Lemonade. Wanting to delete duplicates in my digital library, but really not sure which ones to keep ... the old versions sound too fast now, but listening to the newer versions, they sound glacially slow. A conundrum. Generally, the box is great, and was really happy to nab seemingly the second-to-last copy in the Melbourne CBD when I was on holiday there last weekend. (There was another in the Elizabeth St. JB Hi-Fi as of Saturday afternoon.) | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 58 Registered: 06-2005 |
I listened to the rarities discs again today. Here's what I think. I haven't checked them against a tuner yet, so these assessments are all by ear: Skeletons That Cry tracks 7-11 are slow Life as Sweet as Lemondade tracks 3-22 are slow First Five Singles "By Chance" is slow | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 59 Registered: 06-2005 |
I started a page on my blog to compile a list of Grant's books: http://musicweird.blogspot.com/2015/02/g -stands-for-go-betweens-grants-books.htm l | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 535 Registered: 05-2005 |
Great work Greg. I tried to leave a comment on your blog, but don't have any of the required accounts. Jeez, I still don't even have a facebook account! I'm looking forward to the book club getting started. I assume those responsible for the task are caught up in promoting the box for the moment. I may need to invest in a kindle to access the other 598 odd books. Either that or chuck out the couch to fit in more bookshelves... | ||
| Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 54 Registered: 05-2005 |
Me neither on the facebook bollocks, Catherine. | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 60 Registered: 06-2005 |
If you click on my name next to my posts on this message board, then you can see my e-mail address. If anyone wants to send their book titles to me by e-mail, I'll add them to the list. | ||
| EW Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 116 Registered: 05-2005 |
Help Or Something is (I think) the only one that is actually a different take. | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 61 Registered: 06-2005 |
The review of the box set on Sound It Out notes the speed problems: "All of the non-single material from the 1999 release 78 ‘Til 79: The Lost Album appears here, but it’s significantly slower than on that CD, sounding slightly sluggish and tuned-down (i.e. it seems that the slower speed is incorrect and accidental, a tape transfer error, not a correction)." http://sounditout.com/2015/01/go-between s-g-stands-go-betweens/ | ||
| Rob Massie Unregistered guest |
Hi, I was a member of the old Tallulah mailing list and have lurked around here for ages. i tried posting this as a new thread but that didn't seem to work, probably my fault. Anyway, I've not seen this mentioned anywhere - March edition of Mojo with Madonna on the cover - 6 page history of the Go-Betweens. Four pages of text with contributions from Amanda, Lindy and the two Roberts. To finish off, two books with the box - Major Barbara by George Bernard Shaw signed but no date and Casanova's Chinese Restaurant by Anthony Powell signed 81. | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 64 Registered: 06-2005 |
Thanks, Rob—I added your books to the list. I'm guessing that you can't start new threads unless you register. | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 268 Registered: 02-2005 |
I've been loving the box set. I have to admit that I didn't notice the speed issues with some of the Teeki Tapes, but many of those early recordings always sounded a little "off" and it never bothered me. The fidelity of the early recordings on Disc 1 is much improved from sources used in trading circles of yore. I didn't get a book... I'd tried ordering from Domino UK when the box was first announced, but couldn't get US delivery and I didn't pay close enough attention to the US distribution. Oh well. Does anyone know if the 24-bit hi-rez mastering is true hi-rez? I DL'ed both WAV and all eight albums in 24-bit (for possible future reference). I have to say, I think the mastering of the albums proper is really first rate and I've enjoyed Send Me A Lullaby more than ever before. My original RT pressing was pants and I always had trouble getting into that album. It now sounds like a natural chapter in their career to my ears. Strange. | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 281 Registered: 05-2005 |
Great shot of Go-betweens backstage at Maxwell's on New Year's Eve 83/84 in some of the reviews. | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 272 Registered: 02-2005 |
I was there that night at Maxwell's and recorded the show... I remember that night well (through the alcohol haze). The recording got around a bit here on this forum and on Dimeadozen. I knew photographer Laura Levine back in the old days. That is a great portrait of the group; I can understand why it's getting used a lot in the promotion of this box set. That photo was posted by Laura on the Maxwell's Facebook group when it was particularly active in the closing months of the club back in 2013. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7164 Registered: 05-2005 |
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musi c/gobetweens-reviewed-20150218-13gcbn.ht ml Sydney Morning Herald review. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7165 Registered: 05-2005 |
And another http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/mu sik/steenkakan/article20348529.ab | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7173 Registered: 05-2005 |
Someone above mentioned the Go-Betweens article in the March edition of Mojo. I've just read it. It's a very good piece. Well worth reading. | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 65 Registered: 06-2005 |
A new review mentions the speed problems on this box set. It's on the Boston Hassle website, and says: "Previously heard selections appear here at significantly slower speeds, which begs the question as to whether the Lost Album contained sped-up mixes to make the band sound more sprightly, or if this box set contains slowed-down mixes. Because there can be no logical reason for the latter, we must conclude that we are now hearing the Go-Betweens’ earliest demos at their original speed, and it’s not a flattering discovery. While it could be the result of tape damage, the overall effect reinforces the notion that Forster and McLennan weren’t very picky in the early days when it came to tuning, tempos, and feel. Performances are flat and mistakes are abundant." I don't agree with the reviewer's conclusion that the slowed-down versions must be correct because there is "no logical reason" for the box set to contain tracks that were mastered at the wrong speed. The speed problems happened by mistake, not deliberately. Here's the link: http://bostonhassle.com/2015/02/the-go-b etweens-g-stands-for-go-betweens-box-set / | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 1151 Registered: 08-2004 |
Since the Go-B's time signatures and timing were regularly offbeat, it's difficult to tell which is right and which is wrong on 'The Lost Album' songs. Part of the appeal of the band is how different and kilter-free they were, particularly in the early years. Like every fan has a different favourite song. You can now enjoy your favourite speed of 'Lost' songs. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7208 Registered: 05-2005 |
I like your way of looking at it, Jerry. | ||
| Fred Tadrowski Member Username: Ftadrowski Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2015 |
Currently working my way thru the wonderful box set. I was lucky to receive one of Grant's books with it. It is "The Annals of Imperial Rome" by Tacitus (Penguin Classics) and it looks like Grant read the book (or least part of it) for a class at Uni. The first 176 pages has some highlights, underlined passages, and notes in pen and pencil next to the text. He underlined the following profound passage with a note to the side that says "good quote": "To heaven-grant me, until I die, a peaceful mind and an understanding of what is due to gods and men. To mortals-when I am dead, remember my actions and my name kindly and favourably." | ||
| Stan Murgolo Member Username: Sigmundooze Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2005 |
When is Volume 2 expected? | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 282 Registered: 05-2005 |
2035 or thereabouts, I've been reliably informed. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 252 Registered: 08-2005 |
Arf! (I was just going to post 'Arf! but that was rejected - has to be at least 2 words at least two letters long. Apparently) | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 536 Registered: 05-2005 |
You're eager Stan! Worn out volume one already? | ||
| chrisbiggs Unregistered guest |
It is good though isn't it? The demos of spring hill fair are a particular joy. | ||
| Rema Unregistered guest |
Did anyone order on Amazon and actually receive the box set? I pre-ordered on amazon.de, but all I've gotten since the supposed release date of February 3rd is a couple of emails stating they're still trying to get it for me. | ||
| Rema Unregistered guest |
They've now cancelled the order. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 376 Registered: 05-2005 |
There are some new boxes available through Domino. Preorder until September 13th. http://www.dominorecordco.com/uk/albums/ 15-09-14/g-stands-for-go-betweens---volu me-one/ | ||
| JGibs Unregistered guest |
Domino have just announced a second pressing of the box: http://www.dominorecordco.com/uk/albums/ 15-09-14/g-stands-for-go-betweens---volu me-one/ I have sent them the following question via the contact page of the Domino website: Hello, I'm excited to see that the "G Stands For Go-Betweens" box is getting a repress for December, since I missed out on the first run. On the Go-Betweens Message Board, there was extensive discussion regarding "slow" pitch or speed issues with some of the rarities CDs included in the package, beginning about midway through the following thread: http://go-betweens.org.uk/chatroom/messa ges/1/18367.html?1429117308 Will these issues be corrected in the new pressings? Thanks for your help! Sincerely, Fingers-crossed they get it right! | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 295 Registered: 05-2005 |
But if they remaster it, then I'll have to buy another copy and I already had all the albums, singles and bootlegs before I bought the box set. Don't do this to me ... please ... | ||
| Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 57 Registered: 05-2005 |
I wonder how many orders they'll take in 10 days. A two figure number I'd guess. No realistic prospect of them correcting the mastering issues. | ||
| EW Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 122 Registered: 05-2005 |
I never got a reply from Domino to my query. Well, that's not true, I got an initial reply saying they would put the questions re: speed/pitch etc to Robert. And then I never got a proper reply. Let us know if you hear anything. | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 298 Registered: 05-2005 |
I think you'll get an answer to your question here between 3.16 and 3.22 on the timeline. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=203&v=M8 5V0Y_dfO0 | ||
| Paul Unregistered guest |
I've been looking online to see if there's a version of the tracklists which stipulates which version of what is on the rarities discs - can anyone provide this? For example, there's two versions of Man O'Sand to Girl O'Sea on one disc, but it doesn't state which versions are which - same for some of the other tracks, they're just listed as their basic actual title with nothing in parenthesis. Can anyone point to a detailed list of what exactly is what version on those rarities discs? | ||
| Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 107 Registered: 05-2005 |
I don’t think such a list exists but we could probably piece most of it together. As a start, from those tracks that had previously been released... Life As Sweet As Lemonade is largely made up of songs from 78 ‘Til 79 - the Lost Album Skeletons that Cry largely from Very Quick on the Eye and Rare Trax Live 82 the Mosman Hotel A Suicide Note to Satan - a lot of this was on the bonus disc of Spring Hill Fair that came out in 2002 or 2003. There’s various singles and b sides and the John Peel session. I don’t know the source of the first, slightly longer version of Man O’sand but the second one is the 7” single. Discogs is of some use but won’t tell you everything. | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 66 Registered: 05-2005 |
Here we go: CD 1 Tracks 1-2: Bruce Windows Studios Oct 1978 Tracks 3-12: 19 Golding St, Toowong May 6 1979 Tracks 13-20: As above July 8 1979 Tracks 21-22: Adelaide St Rehearsal Room, Oct 3 1979 (tracks 3-22 all engineered by Gerry Teekman - hence 'Teekman Tapes') CD 2 Track 1 Live Glasgow April 24 1980 Tracks 2-6 Very Quick on the eye 1981 Tracks 7-12 Brisbane June 20 1981 (Teekman) Track 13 - Live Brisbane Hotel Oct 31 1981 CD 3 Live Mosman Hotel April 23 1982 CD 4 Track 1 - Live June 1982 Track 2 - Before Hollywood outtake / b side Track 3-5 Zurich Live to air March 1983 Tracks 6-7 ICC Studios, May 1983 (first attempt at single) Tracks 8-9 Ridge Farm Studios (both released as single) Tracks 10-14 Pathway Studio demos Nov 1983 Tracks 15-17 Blackwing demos Jan 1984 Tracks 18-19 B side studio versions probably rec. at Miraval studios (as per Spring Hill Fair) Tracks 20-22 Peel session Oct 1984 Track 23 Live Nov 1984 | ||
| Paul Unregistered guest |
^ ^ ^ Thank you! | ||
| Phil Unregistered guest |
I suppose another repressing of Vol.1 is out of the question? | ||
| Ian Murphy Member Username: Murphmanz Post Number: 1 Registered: 08-2005 |
They seem to be trying to assess the demand for a final re-press of Volume 1 according to the Go-Betweens' Facebook page. "While making no guarantees, we are entertaining the notion of doing a final re-press of the first volume. We know there's some demand out there but it would be good to get a picture of just how much. Unfortunately, these box sets are not inexpensive to make and between things like Brexit and COVID-19 getting increasingly so. We don't want to go down the whole road of Kickstarter/Pledge type thing, but there's a bare minimum we would need to sell to comfortably reach to make it a worthwhile endeavor. So, we're taking an informal poll here to see just how much more demand there might be. So, simply reply below if you would be interested in a future purchase if we were to proceed." The link is at https://www.facebook.com/gobetweens |