Jason wrote:

---

I love the Freaks lp as it is.
Yeah, it sounds a little ropey in places. But i really don't imagine a 'lost' mix of the lp could be radically different or better than the eventual release.

---

I know what you mean. No doubt Freaks is flawed for all sorts of reasons (not just the quality of the mix) but it is what it is, for better or worse - it's not like anyone can 'fix' it all these years down the line. We've all made friends with it on its own terms.

That said, I'd still like to hear this other mix!

Jason wrote:

---

Yep, definately agree.
The only track i kind of dislike a bit is 'don't you know?
Not really sure why.
I think i prefer the Sudan Gerri version.

---

I've never been able to make my mind up on that one; I think the album version fits in better due to the keyboards being louder and the "la, la, la" bit being instrumental but the demo could have been fleshed out into something better. As Sturdy says above, it's a bit too late to find out 30 years down the line. I do, however, think that "Sudan Gerri" versions of "The Will to Power" and "Blue Glow" are better, I think that they were perhaps trying too hard with the final versions and the earlier takes come out a little better.

I think the best tracks on "Freaks" are "Fairground" and "Being Followed Home", the former makes you sit up and listen whether you like it or not and certainly succeeds in dragging you into the depressing world of "Freaks" and the latter benefits from the atmosphere it creates.

Also, I think that although "The Never-Ending Story" sounds great within the context of the album itself, it wasn't going to convince people to rush out and buy a copy of the album. They played it on BBC Radio Sheffield in 1987 when it was released but I think that there were at least 7 other songs that could have done the job a lot better. It's always struck me as one of those songs you would enjoy discovering on an album but not something you would hear on the radio.