"Is The Peel Session Version Really Better?!"

((me at Peel's attic, where the 7" Singles were stored ... circa 1989))

Good evening comrades,

I was wondering recently whether I’m all alone in my opinion that the vast majority of songs recorded for John Peel’s BBC program is way better than their “regular” versions, the ones you and me know by heart.  There might often be just minor differences, I admit, but those differences make the Peel Session versions somewhat special.

Recently I had one of those rare evenings when Little Loser slept early without making all too much fuzz beforehand plus Mrs Loser was out, so I took the chance and compiled a little mix thing of old punk and punk/wave related stuff … there shouldn’t be a single tune included which you can’t sing along to if you are approaching your 50^th birthday:  something which by and large is true for each and every reader of this blog, I’m afraid (apart from JC who is even older, but there you are …). This of course meant that I could forget about preparing a second mix, one with the original versions, because, so I’m sure, you all know them anyway.

 I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent on preparing this mix and I hope you’ll enjoy it too!

So almost all of you should easily be able to compare when you listen to the mix. I’m sure it’ll bring back memories … and perhaps there might even be one or two amongst you who’ll find something brandnew in it. I doubt that though …

Three little remarks:

1. If ANYONE of you English guys is able to provide me with the lyrics of the first tune, I’d be eternally grateful: I will include you in my last will and testament, promised!!
2. The sound quality of the second track is rather dodgy (compared to the rest), but don’t let that put you off and shut the thing down: this tune is so good (and this version is not heard all too often) that I definitely wanted to include it.
3. I am by no means a mixing professional (as you will easily be able to tell very soon), this was “recorded” in one take with some cheap freeware, plus I had two bottles of beer along with it, so bear with me please!

So HERE we go, an hour and a bit of pure unadulterated fun for you and your families … pogo time even ... if your back agrees:

 

1. Basement Five – ‘Last White Christmas‘ (1980)
2. The Rezillos – ‘Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight’ (1978)
3. Ian Dury & The Blockheads – ‘Sweet Gene Vincent’ (1977)
4. Madness – ‘The Prince’ (1979)
5. The Members – ‘Sound Of The Suburbs’ (1979)
6. The Only Ones – ‘Another Girl  Another Planet’ (1978)
7. Joy Division – ‘Transmission’ (1979)
8. Sisters Of Mercy – ‘Alice’ (1982)
9. Siouxsie & The Banshees – ‘Mirage’ (1977)
10. The Fall – ‘Container Drivers’ (1980)
11. The Adverts – ‘Looking Through Gary Gilmore’s Eyes’ (1977)
12. Stiff Little Fingers – ‘Suspect Device’ (1978)
13. Sham 69 – ‘Hey Little Rich Boy’ (1977)
14. The Buzzcocks – ‘ESP’ (1979)
15. The Jam – ‘In The City’ (1977)
16. Magazine – ‘The Light Pours Out Of Me’ (1978)
17. Wire – ‘I Am The Fly’ (1978)
18. The Undertones – ‘Here Comes The Summer’ (1979)
19. The Slits – ‘Love And Romance’ (1977)
20. The Flys – ‘Love And  Molotov Cocktail’ (1978)
21. Swell Maps – ‘Read About Seymour’ (1978)
22. UK Subs – ‘Stranglehold’ (1978)
23. The Stranglers – ‘Somethin’ Better Change’ (1977)
24. The Cure – ‘Fire In Cairo’ (1978)
25. X-Ray Spex – ‘Warrior’ (1978)
26. The Beat – ‘Ranking Full Stop’ (1979)

 

Please let me know what you think: is it just me or are these versions really better/more interesting/superior?

Any comment is highly appreciated, of course!

Take good care,

Dirk