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Alex Robertson Sparks Guru
Joined: 11 Jan 2002 Posts: 41378 Location: Crawley,West Sussex
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Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2024 11:19 am Post subject: |
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The Noel “unreleased tracks” are really rather good…I Never Want To Be A Mother is really catchy…makes me wonder what the success of the album would’ve been like if all the tracks were single length and had more tracks on it.
So glad to have this album back in my collection,loved it then and love it now |
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SteveBoyce Sub-Deity
Joined: 17 Jan 2002 Posts: 768
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deadcalm Sparks Guru
Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 2781 Location: Kidderminster West Mids UK
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 2:17 am Post subject: |
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"I never want to be a mother" should of been released as a single . Its like some sort of Disco , Punk rock , hybrid track . It could of been a hit with both camps with some alternative arrangements . _________________ I Think that went very Well |
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Henry McHenry Junior Groupie
Joined: 23 Jun 2021 Posts: 42 Location: Germany
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 11:11 am Post subject: |
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Sparks are great
but the Noel Album was
trash for me in 1979
and it‘ s still now |
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dinky Sparkologist
Joined: 26 Jul 2003 Posts: 708
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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Henry McHenry wrote: | Sparks are great
but the Noel Album was
trash for me in 1979
and it‘ s still now |
Harsh, but fair. |
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Crabby Groupie
Joined: 26 Feb 2024 Posts: 154 Location: Belfast
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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I wasn't going to buy it, but then l weakened and bought it and it's like...... Well..... OK.....not a classic!
Im still a bit bemused that Sparks who really don't like to reminisce (and l ADORE them for that attitude) have pushed this so far forward.... But as always the brothers enjoy leaving us all in a state of disarray...😱 |
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Brightonian Sub-Deity
Joined: 22 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Brighton, UK
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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Crabby wrote: | I wasn't going to buy it, but then l weakened and bought it and it's like...... Well..... OK.....not a classic!
Im still a bit bemused that Sparks who really don't like to reminisce (and l ADORE them for that attitude) have pushed this so far forward.... But as always the brothers enjoy leaving us all in a state of disarray...😱 |
Definitely not a classic, but I'm really pleased this finally got a CD/digital issue ... and for all the bonus tracks, including the inclusion of the guide vocals.
I really appreciate R&R's openness in sharing the latter, as they are a fascinating insight into the creative process behind the making of the album. They really didn't have to do this, but all credit to them for doing so.
As for the album itself, both now and when I originally bought it in early 1980, it felt a bit half-baked compared to the stark, brutally uncompromising majesty of No 1 in Heaven.
We have to remember, R&R were new to producing other artists and didn't pursue this avenue for more than a couple of years after the Noel album; I'm also wondering if there was very restricted studio time: the album feels a bit underdeveloped ... nevertheless, there's certainly no doubting the quality of the song-writing).
It's also great to finally know the identities other musicians involved (percussion, backing vocals and sax) ... all of whom make amazing contributions.
Imagine how the album might have sounded with Keith Forsey on drums (instead of the drum machine) and with a just bit more drive and urgency ... and increased lower range ... on the synths! |
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Crabby Groupie
Joined: 26 Feb 2024 Posts: 154 Location: Belfast
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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I totally agree we have to view this work within context and as such it has a certain value but l'm a bit intrigued (in a good way) that this has been promoted and apart from one comment from official sources the 50 years of Kimono My House was sort of played down....
Don't misunderstand me, l love the fact that the 50th anniversary of KMH wasnt announced with bells and whistles .. that's what l love about the Maels... Maybe l'm missing the point (wouldn't be the first time!) but l don't understand the whole ethos behind this reissue..... But, hey l bought it anyway and it's perfectly OK!!! 😂 |
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SteveBoyce Sub-Deity
Joined: 17 Jan 2002 Posts: 768
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Alex Robertson Sparks Guru
Joined: 11 Jan 2002 Posts: 41378 Location: Crawley,West Sussex
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2024 6:40 am Post subject: |
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There’s always going to be naysayers, regardless of the topic but I’m so glad this got a rerelease…well deserved imo…and I’m loving it even more 2nd time around.
There is no way I could persuade someone who didn’t like the original to give it another try except to say, the bonus tracks alone make this a worthwhile purchase. |
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Brightonian Sub-Deity
Joined: 22 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Brighton, UK
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2024 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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Alex Robertson wrote: | There’s always going to be naysayers, regardless of the topic but I’m so glad this got a rerelease…well deserved imo…and I’m loving it even more 2nd time around.
There is no way I could persuade someone who didn’t like the original to give it another try except to say, the bonus tracks alone make this a worthwhile purchase. |
Agreed |
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Oscar Power Groupie
Joined: 10 Oct 2002 Posts: 423
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2024 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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Sure, it's not an amazing album or anything, but it's really nice to have high-quality digital versions of these songs after years of mostly listening to tracks ripped from vinyl. (I've had the original vinyl for a long time too, but can't listen to that in the car.) Especially The Night They Invented Love / Au Revoir, which I've praised here before.
I'll admit I was hoping the guide-vocal versions would basically be the final versions of the songs but with Russell singing instead of Noel. They're very much...not that, but interesting to listen to once.
Of the other bonus tracks, I like "I Just Want to Be Seen with You" quite a bit, and the other two previously unreleased songs are okay. |
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Spyke Sparks Guru
Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 2399 Location: Brum, UK
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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I quite liked the album, and it's a shame that it didn't lead to a bigger career for Noel: she's got a decent voice which fits in well with the songs. The format of the long tracks and how they held together made the album more interesting than it otherwise would have been. The bonus tracks compare well with the album proper, and the guide vocals were a nice insight into how the songs developed. The Dancing Is Dangerous video is very much of its time, which is a good thing! _________________ "but we can hear what others can't hear..." |
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aussie Sparks Guru
Joined: 09 Jul 2012 Posts: 2438 Location: Melbourne Australia
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Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 3:44 am Post subject: |
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Henry McHenry wrote: | Sparks are great
but the Noel Album was
trash for me in 1979
and it‘ s still now |
I agree with you, I just don't get what all the fuss is about. If Ron and Russell had nothing to do with the Album would it still be good _________________ -------------------
I HAVE WON LOTTO [again] |
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dinky Sparkologist
Joined: 26 Jul 2003 Posts: 708
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Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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Ordered the 45th Anniversary bundle that was supposed to be released on 14th June and haven't received it yet. Took the money quick enough though |
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Eric Murray Sparks Guru
Joined: 12 Jan 2002 Posts: 9454 Location: Kirkcaldy,Scotland
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Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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@ Dinky - same here
On the Official store page " due to unfortunate manufacturing delays, will ship late July 2024 " |
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Eric Murray Sparks Guru
Joined: 12 Jan 2002 Posts: 9454 Location: Kirkcaldy,Scotland
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Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 9:03 am Post subject: |
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A further update - the Wall Clock is the item in delay - if requested - the order can be shipped now and the clock will follow at the end of July. |
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dinky Sparkologist
Joined: 26 Jul 2003 Posts: 708
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Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 9:14 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Eric
Wouldn't have taken a minute for them to send an email to tell us. |
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Eric Murray Sparks Guru
Joined: 12 Jan 2002 Posts: 9454 Location: Kirkcaldy,Scotland
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Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 10:08 am Post subject: |
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I received an email this morning. |
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dinky Sparkologist
Joined: 26 Jul 2003 Posts: 708
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Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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Nothing here |
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