32 CD box set - suggestion

[Dondy]

Dear Andy,

you recently were so open to mention you are currently working on a 32 CD box set.
I'm not dreaming, am I? If not that would be simply AWESOME news.

There are still a lot of unused live recordings in the vaults which may be interesting. I know that for the "DISTILLATION" box Martin and Gary C. worked their way through the four shows that were taped for LIVE DATES. There were obviously several numbers that could not be used neither in 1973 not in 1996/1997 due to various reasons, such as SO MANY THINGS TO SAY, EVERYBODY NEEDS A FRIEND or DOCTOR. However, with today's digital technologies one might be able to salvage them. And I don't think they need to be 100% perfect, either - they are live recordings and the box will be bought only by long-standing Wishbonatix.

Also, there should be a lot material left off from the 1976/1977/1978 and 1980 tours that were recorded for LIVE DATES II. And there are of course the excellent BBC IN CONCERT shows of which a few tracks were used for the "Tracks" series.

One particular thing though: There is one BBC in Concert show that was never issued on vinyl by Aunty -Ted's "last" show from Feb. 21, 1974. It was first b'cast on Feb 23, 1974, re-aired on Aug. 24, 1974 - and obviously *never* again. Hence, only so-so off-air mono copies have made their rounds in collecting circles and IMHO this show just screams for a stellar stereo and complete release (and maybe there were even a few more tracks recorded and not b'cast as it was often the case with these one hour-only BBC in Concert shows).

In 2007, in the wake of the ARGUS deluxe release, MCA obviously planned a deluxe-kind-of release of LIVE DATES with 5 bonus tracks from that show but seemingly that project was scrapped for good. Grrrr, BTW!

Maybe there is a chance to license off said show from The Beeb. Countless BBC recordings have been released officially over the past 20+ years (and most often in pristine quality), so Aunty seems to be generally willing to license off their recordings. Plus, a lot of these releases are on minor labels so BBC also seems to have acceptable licensing fees...

I hope my idea is not too brainy - I'm just a long-time Wishbone victim, you know. )

WA ahoy!
Th:-)mas
PS: Since you were so open to reveal you are working on this box, I hope you don't get bombarded/pestered with suggestions for the box set such as mine...

PPS: Maybe you can even get hold of the studio "PERSEPHONE" with your entire end solo (that fade-out midway through has always driven me nuts).

[PJAY]

Fully support this.
Especially the end of the studio version of Persephone.

[Dondy]

Fully support this.
Especially the end of the studio version of Persephone.

Thanks a lot for your support, mate! I just can't imagine that Andy stopped playing exactly at the fade-out and the number didn't have a natural ending.

Dear Andy, any chance my suggestions & ideas may have an effect on your monster box set project?
In the appendix of your autobio, there is there info that The Beeb obviously still has Ted's "last" reel-only show in their vaults, and therefore it should be of ex audio quality (I strongly assume).

Any reply from your end would be super-appreciated.

Wishbone ahoy!
Th:-)mas

[ashhq]

Hi Dondy

Thanks for your considered response to this box set concept. It will in the end be produced by committee i.e all original band members and Snapper records themselves. I will have a one part input into it all. I will pass on all your ideas though, for sure. I can tell you that the BBC recordings will not be a part of it all. The catalogue to be explored will only go up to the last period involving any of the original 5 band members. Certainly there will be outtakes, alternate live recordings from Live Dates etc. I'll know more as things progress. It will be an excellent presentation. This I can say, based on other releases I've seen by this company.

That's it for now. Best regards ~ A.P.

Fully support this.
Especially the end of the studio version of Persephone.

Thanks a lot for your support, mate! I just can't imagine that Andy stopped playing exactly at the fade-out and the number didn't have a natural ending.

Dear Andy, any chance my suggestions & ideas may have an effect on your monster box set project?
In the appendix of your autobio, there is there info that The Beeb obviously still has Ted's "last" reel-only show in their vaults, and therefore it should be of ex audio quality (I strongly assume).

Any reply from your end would be super-appreciated.

Wishbone ahoy!
Th:-)mas

[Mallyboy]

Wow: this sounds incredibly exciting. I really hope there is plenty of live work 'in the can' especially from the Mk 2 period, circa '74 - '77 with Laurie's early attempts to grapple with the 'Argus' numbers as well as hearing live gems like 'Silver Shoes' & 'Hometown' from TTR as well as rarities from the 'Locked In' & 'New England' period. The band was also HOT on the '77 tour with its famous ironic 'boring old farts' advert: the Marquee ROCKED the night before the band sold out Wembley Empire Pool (now Arena).

Those were the days my friends ...

[dayglo]

good to see that reply from AP and am sure we all look forward to more info when possible

am curious as to how the number of 32 can be decided upon when we don't know what is going in it - if there is a surplus why not 35 cds for example?

I also hope it is more along the lines of Roadworks than the Tracks series, ie complete or mostly complete shows rather than odd tracks all over the place.

Perhaps as well as getting consent from the band members there should also be some fan input into "giving us what we want" as we are the ones buying this mammoth collection - hopefully!

I do know that a decent copy of Ted's last show has bugged Thomas for many years so hopefully it will be stuff that is not already out there as bootleg material as I respectfully suggest we're not going to pay big bucks for stuff we have already got.

[Dondy]

Dear Andy,

thank you VERY MUCH for your reply and elaborate info. This sure sounds like something to *really* look forward to and to save some bucks for.

Too bad though of course that you all and your record company don't consider that fabulous opportunity to finally make the "lost "BBC IN CONCERT" show available. SIGH! Humm, do you imagine The Beeb might license that show to me as a private person if I'm willing to pay a (payable) fee and if I obligate myself not use it commercially?

All the best and many wishboneish wishes,
Th:-)mas
---------------------------------------------------

Hi Dondy

Thanks for your considered response to this box set concept. It will in the end be produced by committee i.e all original band members and Snapper records themselves. I will have a one part input into it all. I will pass on all your ideas though, for sure. I can tell you that the BBC recordings will not be a part of it all. The catalogue to be explored will only go up to the last period involving any of the original 5 band members. Certainly there will be outtakes, alternate live recordings from Live Dates etc. I'll know more as things progress. It will be an excellent presentation. This I can say, based on other releases I've seen by this company.

That's it for now. Best regards ~ A.P.

Fully support this.
Especially the end of the studio version of Persephone.

Thanks a lot for your support, mate! I just can't imagine that Andy stopped playing exactly at the fade-out and the number didn't have a natural ending.

Dear Andy, any chance my suggestions & ideas may have an effect on your monster box set project?
In the appendix of your autobio, there is there info that The Beeb obviously still has Ted's "last" reel-only show in their vaults, and therefore it should be of ex audio quality (I strongly assume).

Any reply from your end would be super-appreciated.

Wishbone ahoy!
Th:-)mas

[slipkid]

Holy crap!

Haven't been up here in a while, and what do I see surfing in today - talk of a 32 disc box set of rarities? That would be amazing to say the least. Don't know if I would be able to afford it but bring it on anyways....

[dayglo]

the latest on this seems to be a 22 cd set that will include rarities, rather than be a box set of rarities. and it will include a coffee table book?

would welcome any more info on this. hope we don't have to buy a load of stuff we already have in order to get a small amount of new stuff.

[french fan]

the latest on this seems to be a 22 cd set that will include rarities, rather than be a box set of rarities.

Damn it, not released yet and already 10 CDs vanished !