A Cabaret Voltaire thread...

markl · 05-30-2005, 01:47 PM

Been exploring early UK electronica lately, and here's another minimalist out-there band ripe for re-discovery.

All I have so far are the following:

1. Original Sound Of Sheffield: '78-'82. These are apparently 12" mixes released on Mute 2002. Sound quality is very good, given the source material.

2. Original Sound Of Sheffield '83-'87. More 12" mixes on Mute 2002, again very good sound quality.

3. Living Legends (2002 Mute). sadly, not remastered, but contains the original versions of their so-called "hits". Sound quality is so-so, adequate, but not as good as the other two.

MikeT · 05-30-2005, 02:08 PM

I am a big Cabaret Voltaire fan - and you have to get "Red Mecca". A favorite of mine, yet it doesn't always seem to get great reviews, is "Voice of America". For later years, when the Cabs went more "dance" oriented, "The Crackdown" is the one to get. I also like "Micro-phonies" but it isn't as good as "The Crackdown".

Later albums like "Plasticity", "The Conversation" and "International Language" are much different than the early periord CV, as well as the middle period "dance" oriented CV. I would stay away from these three albums until you sampled more of their early stuff.

jamesc · 05-30-2005, 04:54 PM

They had some excellent 12" mixes in those days. They used the 12" mix in the video for Sensoria and that was a trippy one. I remember they played it all the time at Medusa's in Chicago long ago.

I will have to check out MikeT's recommendations since they've been on the backburner for too long for me.

aswyth · 05-31-2005, 01:54 AM

1. Original Sound Of Sheffield: '78-'82. These are apparently 12" mixes released on Mute 2002. Sound quality is very good, given the source material.

Nothing on this release is actually a 12" mix - they are the same as the normal versions found on various albums and singles. This release takes you up to (and includes selections from) "2x45" - and up to that point, Cabaret Voltaire never did any remixes or anything like that. A couple of tunes were on 12", but they were either totally unique to that format or identical to the 7" or LP versions. Sound quality aside, you'll have everything on this release if you have all their studio work up to this point.

Here's a brief discography:

***Living Legends (Mute CD) collects all the a- and b-sides from their 7" releases.
***1974-76 (reissue of Industrial Records cassette, Mute CD)
**Methodology '74-'78: The Attic Tapes (Mute 3xCD of early experiments)
***Mix-Up (studio album, Mute CD)
***Live At The YMCA 27.10.79 (Mute CD)
***The Voice Of America (studio album, Mute CD)
***Three Mantras (album-length 2 song 12", now Mute CD)
**Live At The Lyceum (Mute CD)
***Red Mecca (their finest hour, Mute CD)
**2x45 (Mute CD reissue of double 12")
*Hai! Live In Japan (Mute CD)
*8 Crepescule Tracks (out of print, I think)
*The Drain Train/The Pressure Company Live In Sheffield (2 EPs on one Mute CD)

Here's a key:
*** - definitely worth owning
** - if you're digging the first stuff, this is a little more experimental (but good!)
* - some merit, but less originality and creeping "industrial dance" vibes

I would start with either "Living Legends" or "Red Mecca"

Beyond the titles listed above, don't bother. Although "Original Sound Of Sheffield 78-82" is a good compilation if you only want one CD.

93curr · 05-31-2005, 06:48 AM

be aware that the 'Hai!" live CD is mastered from a pretty lousy vinyl copy. never heard an explanation why.

also be aware that the US (EMI Manhattan) 'Code' CD not only sounds lousy, but it lacks the two bonus tracks that are on the UK Parlophone issue.

also; don't forget to pick up the 'Doublevision Presents' DVD collection of their promo videos. (so old I used to own it on betamax) it's pretty cool.

at this point, almost all of their catalog has made it to CD. I believe the only things left are the 12" mix of 'Yashar' (Crepuscule sadly duplicated the album version on the 'Eight Tracks' CD) and the 'Empty Walls' b-side, which has been left by the wayside, presumably forogotten like a cold, frightened puppy waiting for its master to return and lavish affection upon it.

'Three Mantras' was always my favorite, but they were good right to the last drop. their final album 'The Conversation' is essential. they bowed out with dignity.

ChrisM · 05-31-2005, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93curr

also be aware that the US (EMI Manhattan) 'Code' CD not only sounds lousy, but it lacks the two bonus tracks that are on the UK Parlophone issue.

I'm quite partial to the early stuff, myself. That said, I really enjoy Code. I have a Canadian vinyl copy that sounds wonderful. Too bad the CD is a botch job.

Early faves include Red Mecca, Voice of America and Three Mantras.

Cheers,
Chris

05-30-2005, 01:47 PM	#1
markl Forum Icon Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: cyberspace Posts: 2,421	A Cabaret Voltaire thread... Been exploring early UK electronica lately, and here's another minimalist out-there band ripe for re-discovery. All I have so far are the following: 1. Original Sound Of Sheffield: '78-'82. These are apparently 12" mixes released on Mute 2002. Sound quality is very good, given the source material. 2. Original Sound Of Sheffield '83-'87. More 12" mixes on Mute 2002, again very good sound quality. 3. Living Legends (2002 Mute). sadly, not remastered, but contains the original versions of their so-called "hits". Sound quality is so-so, adequate, but not as good as the other two.

05-30-2005, 02:08 PM	#2
MikeT Forum Cretin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 7,311	I am a big Cabaret Voltaire fan - and you have to get "Red Mecca". A favorite of mine, yet it doesn't always seem to get great reviews, is "Voice of America". For later years, when the Cabs went more "dance" oriented, "The Crackdown" is the one to get. I also like "Micro-phonies" but it isn't as good as "The Crackdown". Later albums like "Plasticity", "The Conversation" and "International Language" are much different than the early periord CV, as well as the middle period "dance" oriented CV. I would stay away from these three albums until you sampled more of their early stuff. __________________ Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king. Bob Dylan

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05-30-2005, 04:54 PM	#3
jamesc Formerly Known as Undertow Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: South of Canada Posts: 1,222	They had some excellent 12" mixes in those days. They used the 12" mix in the video for Sensoria and that was a trippy one. I remember they played it all the time at Medusa's in Chicago long ago. I will have to check out MikeT's recommendations since they've been on the backburner for too long for me.

05-31-2005, 01:54 AM	#4
aswyth Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 696	1. Original Sound Of Sheffield: '78-'82. These are apparently 12" mixes released on Mute 2002. Sound quality is very good, given the source material. Nothing on this release is actually a 12" mix - they are the same as the normal versions found on various albums and singles. This release takes you up to (and includes selections from) "2x45" - and up to that point, Cabaret Voltaire never did any remixes or anything like that. A couple of tunes were on 12", but they were either totally unique to that format or identical to the 7" or LP versions. Sound quality aside, you'll have everything on this release if you have all their studio work up to this point. Here's a brief discography: *Living Legends (Mute CD) collects all the a- and b-sides from their 7" releases. 1974-76 (reissue of Industrial Records cassette, Mute CD) Methodology '74-'78: The Attic Tapes (Mute 3xCD of early experiments) Mix-Up (studio album, Mute CD) Live At The YMCA 27.10.79 (Mute CD) The Voice Of America (studio album, Mute CD) Three Mantras (album-length 2 song 12", now Mute CD) Live At The Lyceum (Mute CD) Red Mecca (their finest hour, Mute CD) 2x45 (Mute CD reissue of double 12") Hai! Live In Japan (Mute CD) 8 Crepescule Tracks (out of print, I think) The Drain Train/The Pressure Company Live In Sheffield (2 EPs on one Mute CD) Here's a key: - definitely worth owning - if you're digging the first stuff, this is a little more experimental (but good!) * - some merit, but less originality and creeping "industrial dance" vibes I would start with either "Living Legends" or "Red Mecca" Beyond the titles listed above, don't bother. Although "Original Sound Of Sheffield 78-82" is a good compilation if you only want one CD.

05-31-2005, 06:48 AM	#5
93curr Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,113	be aware that the 'Hai!" live CD is mastered from a pretty lousy vinyl copy. never heard an explanation why. also be aware that the US (EMI Manhattan) 'Code' CD not only sounds lousy, but it lacks the two bonus tracks that are on the UK Parlophone issue. also; don't forget to pick up the 'Doublevision Presents' DVD collection of their promo videos. (so old I used to own it on betamax) it's pretty cool. at this point, almost all of their catalog has made it to CD. I believe the only things left are the 12" mix of 'Yashar' (Crepuscule sadly duplicated the album version on the 'Eight Tracks' CD) and the 'Empty Walls' b-side, which has been left by the wayside, presumably forogotten like a cold, frightened puppy waiting for its master to return and lavish affection upon it. 'Three Mantras' was always my favorite, but they were good right to the last drop. their final album 'The Conversation' is essential. they bowed out with dignity.