| Author | Message | ||
     Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 205 Registered: 09-2004 |
Although the headline doesn't really capture it, a more glowing review would be difficult to find: https://www.npr.org/2019/12/04/782920414 /first-listen-g-stands-for-go-betweens-v olume-2 (Wish I could correct the article's errors....) | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 72 Registered: 05-2005 |
That's the fourth review I've seen. Uncut, Mojo, Q as well (all UK publications). All of them have been glittering 5-star reviews with big spreads. I'm really looking forwards to delivery tomorrow. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 607 Registered: 08-2005 |
My box set is due to arrive between 16.02 and 17.02 today! We'll see... | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 479 Registered: 05-2005 |
Saint Nicolas! | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 608 Registered: 08-2005 |
Turned up at 16.05! The book's lovely, haven't listened to owt yet. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 4272 Registered: 03-2005 |
Simon, you received one of Grant's books? Or do you mean the book that is part of the set? If you received one of Grant's books, what is it? | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 4273 Registered: 03-2005 |
On December 3 I received notice from Domino that my package had been dispatched. After reading Simon's entry and leaving my question to him I thought "well, I ought to use the tracking link and see where mine is in transmission." The link sent me to the U.S. Postal Service which said "Delivered!" According to the link it was delivered about an hour ago. Really? I opened my door and, yes! there was the box. And greater shock yet: I thought people said that you were notified in advance if you were getting one of Grant's books. My set came with a secondhand copy of the 1995 paperback edition of "Withnail & I." No idea if it was ever actually Grant's book or just a random book plopped in the box for good measure but it's a nice touch either way. And, yes, the big book that is part of the set is lovely. After struggling to read the tiny text on so many CD inserts, it's a real pleasure to leaf through the generous pages with the giant readable text. Yes, I'm old. Saint Nicolas indeed, TROU! | ||
| Gareth Unregistered guest |
Wow...I am like a child on Christmas Day morning right now. This is a terrific boxset. Well done to anyone who has bought one. The quality is superb. My book from Grant's library is 'The Book of Ebenezer Le Page' by G.B. Edwards. Not an author I am familiar with. This has been a great year to be a Go-Betweens fan. The terrific 'Inferno', saw and met Robert in Bristol and now the boxset too. Lush. | ||
| Adam Unregistered guest |
Hi all. I just received the set but unfortunately didn’t get one of Grant’s books. I ordered it October 10th, just wondering when those who did get a book ordered? I was under the impression I was at the head of the pack but could be totally wrong. (Regardless, the set is beautiful, can’t wait to dig in). | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 4274 Registered: 03-2005 |
The box does include a nice orange book mark certifying that the book belonged to Grant's personal library, verified by Robert. I've been so damaged living in the U.S. in the last few years that my default response is to disbelieve everything. I'm going to believe this. Btw, the demos for "Liberty Belle" are quite interesting. Some of the songs underwent significant changes for the final version. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 9073 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, you are a lucky man. Your box set has arrived - mine hasn't even been sent yet - and you got the screenplay of a great film. And shame on Donald Trump's America for making you doubt the book was actually Grant's. | ||
| Andreas Severins Member Username: Andreas_severins Post Number: 463 Registered: 11-2007 |
Saint Nicolas, my box arrived yesterday as well  No extra book, thou. But the box is lovely and I am listening to the music right now. Downloading the 24 bit wav-files right now. a happy Andreas. ...and Jean, listen to it right now!! You know what I mean ;) | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 609 Registered: 08-2005 |
Randy, sadly not one of Grant's books (I had two with the first box but don't ask me to name them) but the large-format book covering the Go-Betweens history – sadly without the list of their gigs in Australia in 1988, when I saw them twice: the Venue, Dee Why and the Enmore Theatre. | ||
| Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 124 Registered: 05-2005 |
Andreas, or anyone else - what’s your experience of the downloads? I kept getting an error with hd wav so ended up going for standard wav which worked okay. My brother went for hd wav but that only contained the 62 tracks from the vinyl. I downloaded the first anthology as mp3. I went back to upgrade to wav and all that is offered on either format is 16 tracks which look like a sampler across the anthology. I’ve had download codes expire on me a couple of times when I’ve bought vinyl a few years after release, it’s very annoying. | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 73 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hi Yes, I had the same problem. I managed to download all the 16 bit files but the 24 bit downloaded as 16 bit as well. I fiddled around a bit then my download card expired. I've emailed Domino to see if they'll sort it. Hopefully, it's a simple case of fixing the link. | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 74 Registered: 05-2005 |
Here's my (rather hasty) review: Been fairly immersed in the box’s contents over the weekend – here are my thoughts. Listening on: Cowon Plenue D2 Lossless player with ikko obsidian OH10 in-ear headphones. From: 16 bit downloads (couldn’t get the 24 bits to work – hopefully this will be sorted in time). Main Albums: All three are sonically excellent – listening to Liberty Belle again last night and there is a real detail to the sound e.g. ‘To Reach Me’ sounds amazing. Tallulah is probably my favourite remastering of the three. I never really liked the 2004 remastering job. I always thought the extra detail on that made the sound a bit more cluttered somehow. The new remaster somehow balances the detail with the dynamism/propulasion the songs always needed. It sounds more like a rock/pop album than a pop/rock album now – in a good way. Songs like ‘You Tell Me’ and even ‘Cut it out’ to me sound significantly better for it. Actually they all do. 16 LL. Haven’t listened to this in real detail yet. First impressions are that it is more muscular in sound on this remaster (i.e. more prominent drums and bass – more separation in the mix). I liked the 2004 remaster which was very smooth. This remaster contrasts – detail is obviously very good. It’s nice to have a choice of two sounds now for this album. Extras: The Liberty Belle Stuff is all quite interesting with some good demo versions near the beginning. The sound quality is strong all the way through. Great demo version of Spring Rain. The studio b sides all sound sharp and well-remastered. ‘I work in a health spa’ has been cleaned up quite a bit (it almost sounded unlistenable on the 2004 remaster disc), so that’s great. The only disc I’m a little bit disappointed with is the Tallulah bonus disc. The first six demos (four tracks essentially unknown) are very primitive. Drum machine with muffled guitars. Just curios really. The Alvic demos which were mentioned in the run up to the box set (masters found and presented by Beggars) are an expansion of the 3 tracks from the 2004 remasters. Unfortunately, the masters must have deteriorated for these versions sound poor sonically which, for me, renders them virtually unlistenable. The extras are rounded off by satisfying remasters of all the relevant b sides. To me, it seems ‘When People are dead’ and ‘Don’t Call me Gone’ have been remixed a bit (to good effect). I wasn’t expecting much ffom the 16 LL extras as virtually all the tracks have been released before. However, the demos (first half) have been expanded and sound considerably better than the ‘Acoustic Demos’ cd – I enjoy listening to these versions much more. The b-sides sound lovely – ‘Rock’n’ roll friend’ has never sounded better. Likewise, the ‘Botany Session’ – here renamed ‘Loving Shocks’. The sound is much better than the bootleg copy I’m used to. Some really excellent versions of songs from the first solo albums, and a few unknowns as well. The biggest surprise I have though is with the Live Album. As a rule, I do not like live albums – I never have done (unless they cheated afterwards and added in lots of overdubs e.g. Talking Heads – The Name of this band). This is, however, amazing. It starts off quite strong, then just gets better and better. ‘Spring Rain’ is fantastic, as is Apology Accepted, Head Full of Steam and so on. The band sounds dynamic, fresh, vital – ‘almost’ studio in their clarity and execution. Sorry - this is quite a long post. Anyway, I give it a 9.5 overall (docked half for the silly Tallulah Alvic demos). | ||
| Andy Mac Unregistered guest |
hey all, just received mine so can't comment on the content but where should i be looking for the download code? i was lucky enough to get a book which is Necessary Secrets: The First Volume Of Elizabeth Smart's Journals. it's not fully signed but does have initials GW on the top of the first page inside the front cover. cheers! andy | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 1640 Registered: 10-2006 |
I don't think people on the board really object to long, detailed GB reports, Dusty! Quite the opposite! Apart from the ikko obsidian stuff in my case, which might as well be Swahili. I just wish there was some honest, upstanding way for people like myself who abandoned their last turntable and LP several decades ago to get the rest of the material on the boxset. The new acoustic demos and live show sound especially interesting. | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 75 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks Stuart. With regards to the accessibility, I always used to burn the downloads onto cd. I bought a lossless player for the improvement in sound over my old cd walkman. The Cowon (Plenue D2) does really sound lovely! | ||
| Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 125 Registered: 05-2005 |
Stuart, the second anthology has a download code which gives you all 129 songs in the standard wav format. I presume all are also included in the mp3 option. The hd wav option only includes the 62 which are on the vinyl. Domino are claiming that the first anthology download only contained 16 tracks. It’s 5 years ago now so I can’t definitely recall but I have 9 folders of zipped mp3 files on my laptop. I don’t know where else they could have come from. Can anyone better recall what happened with anthology 1? | ||
| Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 126 Registered: 05-2005 |
Andymac, the download code is on a piece of card that’s about 5” square. Mine was outside of the sealed anthology - i.e. between the outer brown cardboard and the boxed set. | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 76 Registered: 05-2005 |
The first box set had everything downloadable as 16 bit and 24 bit. This box set has everything as 16 bit, but only the vinyl (4x albums) as 24 bit. As Burgers points out, the website address and unique code are on the 'back' of a square piece of card with 'Domino' written on the front. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 4279 Registered: 03-2005 |
Dusty, thanks for the report, especially on the vinyl which I haven't even opened yet. It didn't occur to me that the album recordings would have been usefully remastered yet again. I just assumed the vinyl would use the 2004 versions. I do have functioning turntables though sadly my favorite of them is connected to a preamp with a defective channel in its phono circuit. (The TT is an ancient Garrard Type A with a nice punchy-sounding old high mass tone arm and an Ortofon DJ cartridge.) I can listen on another system with a more traditionally hi-fi Thorens and Audio Technica cartridge, but it has a polite, detailed and ultimately gutless sound. So maybe I'll deal with the Domino downloads after all. I like your description of the sound moving from pop/rock to rock/pop. Lindy and Robert V deserve more emphasis. Burgers standard WAV files are at least much better than the usual mp3 or aac options. | ||
| Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 127 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks for confirming that about the first anthology, Dusty. I’m pretty unimpressed with domino about the downloads. Anyone who bought the first anthology and hasn’t downloaded the songs because they weren’t aware they could (or whatever other reason) will find they’re now restricted to a 16 song sampler. Domino claim that’s all there ever was, which isn’t true. This reminds me of Tapete’s conduct around Inferno. They advertised the vinyl version as coming with a digital download. After taking orders they edited their website to remove mention of the download. When customers received their orders and contacted Tapete to query it they provided mp3 downloads and said that download codes were expensive to supply and rarely used. On the positive side, the extras in anthology 2 are much better than in volume 1. | ||
| EW Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 125 Registered: 05-2005 |
So pleased with my box set. It's as beautiful and as engrossing as the first. It'll take me a while to go through it properly and savour everything as I should. As Adam did I ordered mine on October 10th but I was lucky enough to get a book. I must have been very fortunate - or he must have been very unfortunate. One thing I did notice already is that The House That Jack Kerouac Built has been sped up slightly. I don't have my original vinyl so can't be sure whether it's a correction to the last few CD masters or whether it's a new thing. Anyone know anything about that? Has it been pitch corrected for any particular reason? | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 77 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy - I would definitely download the files while you can. Compared to vinyl, I know it all seems a bit mechanical and cold, but when played through something appropriate, they do sound great. Burgers - I have to admit I feel very positive about Domino in general around the release of these box sets, but I see your point with the downloads -maybe they should have promoted them a bit more as it seems many were unaware of the option, and it seems some cards were lost/binned by accident. | ||
| Gordon Fraser Unregistered guest |
Being in the US I received mine today. It came with a book as I pre-ordered immediately after the news got out. I received "Scenes from the Homefront" from a certain Sara Vogan. The other stuff? It's gorgeous, of course. | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 78 Registered: 05-2005 |
Tallulah sounds amazing. It's mastered very loud, but it works. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 9081 Registered: 05-2005 |
I picked up the package today. No Grant book in it. Oh, well. The music matters more. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 9083 Registered: 05-2005 |
My review of the box set is here https://www.irishnews.com/arts/2019/12/1 3/news/albums-the-go-betweens-liam-payne -camila-cabello-and-will-samson-1787775/ | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 9089 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'm downloading the WAV files. I have high speed broadband. The files are coming at 125kbps. It will take 16 hours. I am not downloading anything else. There is no reason for it to be that slow other than that Domino is somehow choking the speed, maybe through using an inferior service. | ||
| Fred Tadrowski Member Username: Ftadrowski Post Number: 110 Registered: 03-2015 |
I finally received the boxset today; it took 14 days to be shipped only 258 miles. I already knew that I missed receiving one of Grant's books by a couple of hours. Oh well! But I am impressed with the boxset and will be enjoying it for awhile. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 1236 Registered: 03-2007 |
Robert in conversation with Peter Paphides https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMx0na1z vVs | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 9116 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thank you for that link, Hugh. What a wonderful interview. I laughed out loud when Robert critiqued the 16 Lovers Lane cover. I won't spoil the gag, Everyone is just going to have to watch and wait for it. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 4295 Registered: 03-2005 |
Great great video. Thanks Hugh. Coincidentally, I was sent the following link by a former board participant. Robert's first two albums are getting the vinyl reissue treatment. Maybe everybody else knew about this. I did not. https://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/ robert-forster-danger-in-the-past-and-ca lling-from-a-country-phone-reissued/ | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 612 Registered: 08-2005 |
This doesn't really belong in this thread, but there's a sealed version of the first box set on eBay at the moment – presently at £510 with a day to go!! Yikes. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G-Stands-For- Go-Betweens-Anthology-Volume-1-new-seale d/254489704692?hash=item3b40c4b8f4:g:ijA AAOSwk5FeKHEF | ||
| Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 134 Registered: 05-2005 |
Judging by the prices on Discogs the sealed feature doesn’t particularly affect the price. I think volume 1 had the download code inside the sealed box whereas volume 2 had it outside. That may mean that there are more volumes 2s which are sealed. My volume 2 is still sealed but I will open it at some point. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 613 Registered: 08-2005 |
It went for £745. Yowza! | ||
| Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 135 Registered: 05-2005 |
I suppose the price reflects the fact that most copies were bought by fans and few of them are interested in selling. | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 349 Registered: 05-2005 |
The first batch of the Vol 2 Box set sold out on the Domino website about a month ago. For slower coaches like me (who initially wonder whether the four songs they don't already have are worth 165 euros), the good news is that a second batch is now on sale on the Domino website. The postman always rings twice. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 4316 Registered: 03-2005 |
fsh, some of the demos are very interesting. I found the Liberty Belle ones especially so. And there's the booklet. But, yes, you will be buying your umpteenth copy of the included albums. Nice new ones though! | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 614 Registered: 08-2005 |
We have to keep Robert in the luxury to which he is accustomed... or something like that! | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1324 Registered: 04-2005 |
Cheers fsh ! I just didn't have the money at the time of the first batch. But I've sold the cat for cruel medical experiments, smashed the childrens' piggybanks and forced my partner into working more hours. And my order is now placed. | ||
| Andreas Severins Member Username: Andreas_severins Post Number: 465 Registered: 11-2007 |
good ideas--- | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 350 Registered: 05-2005 |
I had a cat once but it gave me terrible indigestion. | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 352 Registered: 05-2005 |
Volume 2 of the Box set is now 'out of stock' again on the Domino site. That's it, I'd say. I'm going trade mine in against a Maton Fyrbyrd. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1336 Registered: 04-2005 |
Got my box Friday ! A very lovely object indeed and lots to investigate. It was really nice to find that I was actually at the gig that is the double live album. I went on a hunt for ticket stubs in the attic and came across quite a few music paper articles that I had forgotten about...must get round to scanning them and sharing them somehow ! From my memoirs "I find myself in good company at the Town and Country Club in London ‘87. Looking to my left are Everything But the Girl and to my right the Cocteau Twins. Good grief, these pop stars are small. The Go-Betweens arrive on stage, the sartorially elegant Robert Forster sporting a full length tartan cape. After the first song a roadie enters and carefully removes the cape. I view this as a tribute to James Brown on the T.A.M.I. show, but I could be mistaken. There is more wandering around in the crowd, this time whilst crooning “When People Are Dead”." | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 9189 Registered: 05-2005 |
Were you impressed with Robert’s height, Andrew? Great description of the show, btw. How cool that it’s the one in the box set. | ||
| Ric Member Username: Ric Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2019 |
Tracy Thorn's 'Bedsit Disco Queen' has the tale of the cape | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 9879 Registered: 05-2005 |
In Uncut magazine's round up of the year, G Stands For Go-Betweens Vol 2 is ranked 24th best archive release. | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 84 Registered: 05-2005 |
If they'd just released it, it would probably have been in the top 3. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 9901 Registered: 05-2005 |
In Mojo’s list it’s at number six in their rereleases of the year chart. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 517 Registered: 05-2005 |
If interested, a traduction of the Peter Walsh liner notes in french here : https://section-26.fr/bande-a-part-1-3/# more-14430 | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1399 Registered: 04-2005 |
Over on https://www.facebook.com/gobetweens there's an "informal poll" to gauge interest in a repressing of Vol 1. It went up this morning and there are already over 250 comments. |