Stephen wrote:

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How come there's no Everybody's Problem/There Was being included here? They might have actually sold some copies if they were included...

Still not entirely sure what market these are aiming for.

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They own the Everybody's Problem single, but nothing else. That's why their It reissue got swiftly pulled.

If you're interested in the backstory, what happened was that Tony K (ex-Red Rhino boss, now sadly deceased) sold the entire Red Rhino back catalogue to Cherry Red in the early '90s sometime. The It album, of course, had been released on Red Rhino so they assumed that it was part of the package they'd bought, and thus they put it out on CD (mastered from vinyl as they didn't have the actual tapes). However, it turned out that Red Rhino had never actually owned that particular album - the recording had been originally financed by Tony Perrin, who co-owned it with Pulp and just licensed it to Red Rhino back in '83. Therefore in '94 Perrin teamed up with Fire Records (who also had some sort of claim on the Pulp back catalogue), stepped in and got the Red Rhino CD stopped.

Where it gets complicated is that Red Rhino did solely finance the Everybody's Problem single. Thus they owned the recordings, and the rights to those do indeed now sit with Cherry Red rather than Fire or anyone else. Want to do a reissue of Everybody's Problem on your own label? Then you can - just go over here and give them some money!

LeoVK wrote:

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I have noticed before that sound quality deteriorates slightly as the tracks get nearer to the centre of a vinyl record.

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 I think that's because the grooves are closer together. The single version of My Lighthouse is better, more upfront.

Neve's Brother wrote:

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Fire are so into Pulp, that they got Steve's surname wrong!

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 Yup. And it was even printed incorrectly on all releases of the "Separations" album!

Neve's Brother wrote:

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Just been on to the fire site and I noticed an error! LOL!!

 

Fire are so into Pulp, that they got Steve's surname wrong!

 

Now that's what I call dedicated to the band.

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 This phenomenon is the genesis of my user name. Steve's surname was misspelled all over the place. Imagine how annoying this would be: Separations finally comes out after five years, turn to the rear of the sleeve and the buggers have spelled your name incorrectly.

The question mark is not the err that I picked up on (But you're right, they did miss it out!), they have actually ballsed up the track name too!

They have put it as "In This House" instead of "Is This House"

And Island also made another error on the Second Class bonus CD
They put on the sleeve "Your's Sisters Clothes" instead of "Your Sisters Clothes"

But, hey! I'm not a nit-picker (or If we give it to Fire Records, I might be a Knit-Pickler)

No probs buddy!

And now the release dates have slipped again, to 24th October... whatever could they be up to?

Sturdy wrote:

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And now the release dates have slipped again, to 24th October... whatever could they be up to?

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Not impressed, Sturdy! 

Yeah, I was looking through Truth And Beauty and Pulpwiki for info on Sink Or Swim... It was originally demoed in August 1982 under the title Taking The Plunge. Boats And Trains is the only song from this session that appeared on 'It'. Sickly Grin appeared a decade later on the Caff records limited release of My Legendary Girlfriend. The remaining song, The Heat Of The Day is unreleased (described by Sturdy as vaguely Velvet Underground like - indicating the demos from this session still exist - or did in the early 00's...though he could be going off a 20 odd year recollection from David Hinkler).  As you say though Mark, Sink or Swim is likely to come from the main album sessions.

Your book mentions the original Blue Girls being quite differen - guitar, faster and louder (subsequently wiped apparently) - it's arrangement on piano courtesy of Peter Boam, came later. Presumably the alternate version will be quite similar to the definitive one.

The one demo session of unreleased songs from the early days that looks likely to remain out of reach is the recording made in Rotherham in spring '82 http://www.pulpwiki.net/Pulp/RotherhamDemo 
Again Truth and Beauty gives good descriptions of the fours songs, quoting some lyrics so they presumably exist somewhere and maybe will see the light of day at some stage.

A different group with a different sound wrote and recorded this session to that which was involved in the 'It' sessions barely six months later so in fairness to Fire, we can't expect much more on the 'It' reissue.

So does Fire's digging for 'It' give any hope for further treasures on the 'Freaks' and 'Separations' reissues?

Well, there were plenty of the nascent Pulp #3 sessions made during 1984 with many songs that have never seen official release though have been kindly circulated thanks to John Nicholls and possibly Mark and others over the years. Maureen alone fully deserves a proper remix/master. Going by 'It', Fire may just be releasing whatever was recorded during official album sessions, (to avoid ownership claims if these releases are without Pulp's involvement as is likely) and they do have all the b-sides from Little Girl/Dogs Are Everywhere/They Suffocate At Night/Master Of The Universe to bulk-up the Freaks reissue so unfortunately it looks likely that the unreleased Sudan Gerri songs among others will remain so (officially).

The reissue of Separations would be improved no end with the inclusion of the aborted Death Come To Town single. That song and Rattlesnake should of course have been a crucial part of the Pulp story. These of course, were recorded at FON with no input from Fire with whom things had soured and so will have no claim on these recordings. A real shame that neither song are ever likely to get a proper release. Yeah Death Goes To The Disco is included but it's a bit shit really, isn't it? That aside, there was a demo session for much of the songs on Separations prior to the album sessions proper http://www.pulpwiki.net/Pulp/TheDemo - it would be good if they threw these on for curiousity sake and to make the release more enticing. The only possible unreleased song from the Separations session is Going Back To Find Her. Possibly sans vocal but again, in any form, intriguing for curio value (which is what these reissues are partly about, after the remastering) alone.

Who knows if there are other undocumented sessions from these years - crucially Fire-financed sessions, as they I imagine, are the only ones that can be culled for the reissues.
Maybe there'll be a couple of more surprises - who knew a couple of months ago that footage from a mid-80's gig existed with a hitherto undocumented song, The Day That Never Happened?!

Sturdy wrote:

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I'm pretty sure Pulp are involved with these reissues - I don't think Fire would have access to the It outtakes otherwise. So in terms of other stuff that could be included, the sky's the limit potentially.

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 If that's the case, I'm hoping that some nice new liner-notes from Jarvis might be included then.

Sturdy wrote:

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I heard the Spice and Rotherham demos courtesy of Wayne Furniss, who kept a lot of tapes from his time in the band. He was happy for me to listen to them at his house (and scribble copious notes), but wouldn't let me have copies!.

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 I hope he's got a fire proof safe in his house, assuming there's no other copies it could be a disaster if the worst were to happen!

"I hope he's got a fire proof safe"

real fire or fire the record label? 

superchob wrote:

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Wouldn't it be rather neat if Fire released a single or two to promote these albums?

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 Singles?!!!??! What century are you living in grandad?

Looks like the release date for It has now slipped to November 28... no mention of Freaks or Separations either...

this is an email I received today from Fire:

Good Afternoon,

As you have either purchased, or shown an interest to purchase one of the Pulp reissues that were announced at the start of the summer, we have some important updates to give you.

I want to explain the delays/postponements that have occurred. These have been due to production decisions we have had to make as we looked into producing the best possible release/s we can. This has involved going over old audio in the files to find the best possible, as well as potential bonus tracks, as some of you will have no doubt noticed a few changes to track listings along the way. The main delay was caused by our decision to re-master the audio for each release. This decision, and the delays which result, has impacted on our thoughts on how to release the titles. As a series, or individually.

We have decided release the titles as they come in release order, rather than as a set at the same time. This was how they were originally released of course but it also helps minimise further delays.

With this now explained I can confirm that It is now due for a January 2012 release, with the Freaks (2012) and Separations (2012) to follow when they are completed.

We understand that changing /finalising the release details and track listings to those previously announced may cause grievance if you have pre-ordered and with this in mind we fully understand if you would like a refund. If so, please let me know.

I want to apologise for the delays and for not keeping you as updated as we could and thank you for your understanding with us as we look to reissue these as best we can. We are really excited about these as they shape up so Im sure you will not be disappointed!

Do not hesitate to contact me on any of the points raised.

Kind regards,

Michael

Thanks for the info! Other than Fairground, do you know which other multitracks no longer exist? Any more details of the 'original' mix of Freaks you mentioned?

Bump.

Full details of the three reissues - (they now will be released concurrently just like their more successful little brothers were when Island put out the deluxe versions) have now been made available.Looks like we finally have a definitive date, February 13th being the day.
Freaks - the perfect Valentines gift for all you emo goths....

Unfortunately there is no further unreleased material on them than previously indicated (Sink or Swim will be the only new/old song to us). In fact, there is one disappointment in that the version included of Please Don't Worry, which was originally thought to be from the 'It' sessions, is actually from the 1981 Peel session begging the question of why it's being included at all.

I thought they might be a bit more adventurous and generous in lost-song excavating after going to a bit more effort with 'It', but the very early 80's (Spice/Rotherham sessions) and mid-80s (Sudan Gerri/Ping Pong Jerry) demos are absent, presumably owned by the band. Maybe they didn't allow their use, who knows? Where's that official release for Coy Mistress?! Even Silence remains locked in the cupboard.

Remastered versions is of course potentially great news, though on the Freaks preview they don't mention a remaster, in fact stating that it has been ''unaltered'' but I imagine that it is.




PULP REISSUES CONFIRMED FOR FEBRUARY
Posted by Fire Records on 12/12/11

IT, FREAKS AND SEPARATIONS REMASTERED AND REPACKAGED WITH BONUS TRACKS AND LINER NOTES FROM EVERETT TRUE.

Fire Records will be reissuing the first three Pulp albums in February 2012 as part of their Embers series. Constituting three very different stages in the development of the band, the albums cover a staggering sonic range from the pastoral, acoustic sounds of 'It', to the darkly romantic 'Freaks' and the disco-tinged 'Separations'. They point to Jarvis Cocker's varied sources of musical inspiration and show a band in the process of finding their own unique voice, whilst hinting at the greatness that would follow. All three come newly re-mastered and beautifully repackaged, complete with additional bonus material and brand new liner-notes by Everett True.




See more here:

http://www.firerecords.com/site/index.php?page=artists&artistid=00000000067

Eamonn wrote:

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And if the inclusion of Death Comes To Town means they had access to the FON session, how in God's name is Rattlesnake, the best recording and song they'd done to that point, not included?

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Rattlesnake and DCTT are from different sessions - Jul and Dec '87 respectively. It may well be that Fire have access to one and not the other (especially as they've already released Death Goes to the Disco).

I woundn't necessarily blame Fire alone for the long wait and lack of exciting extras. I don't know what's happened, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if they'd got Jarvis on board, he'd provided some extras for It, said he'd do the same for the others, then kept them waiting while he ummed and aahed, and eventually got his people's people to tell them he'd changed his mind and wouldn't be co-operating any further. I'm completely guessing there, but it wouldn't seem entirely out-of-character!

The version of Please Dont Worry is similar to the John Peel version, but the organ is more prominent and there is no reverb over the whole thing. Not sure what the crashing sound is at the end....

Sink and Swim is quite pleasant. Not what I expected, but I suppose it sits quite well on It.  Mid-tempo, latin feel (bossa-nova style) with brass overdubs.

Havent compared the different versions of Blue Girls side by side yet, but the alternative version seems to have more prominent piano (or a different piano take), and less volume on the backing vocals. A nice variation! Unfortunately, it sounds like there is some damage to the master tape of this mix though at least on the online streaming mp3s on the Fire website. The recording gets a bit choppy for about 10 to 20 seconds during the flute solo section, before the final verse.

-- Edited by sbazb on Monday 13th of February 2012 01:27:25 PM

Eamonn wrote:

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Thanks sbazb, interesting observations.

salmon92 - any comment on the packaging/liner notes? Everett True have anything of interest to say, any rare photos etc.?

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The physical discs haven't arrived yet, but as soon as they do, I will report back with more information. Also, is anyone else having trouble downloading "In Many Ways" and "They Suffocate At Night" from the Fire website? I get "File not found" when I try to download them.

I'm only listening to the online stream on the Fire website, but Seperations sounds great. Finally has some proper volume and the presence of the bass end of the sound is a lot better.

Freaks sounds a lot cleaner than usual too, although, in my opinion, this  actually highlights the shortcomings of the recordings a bit too much. As we know, the recordings were done very quickly and on a low budget, and some of the tracks on the album are actually rough mixes, as the studio wiped the multitracks before the band could make the changes they wanted. Unfortunately, I think this shows through quite a bit more than usual in this remaster... To my ears anyway...