Gary Numan Digest Thu, 20 Jun 96 Volume 1 : Issue 237 Today's Topics: Fury and Strange Charm reissue news Gary for sale! Gary Numan Digest V1 #236 Just wondering? Like a Refugee Lyrics NTSC VIDEO RECEIVED ! Numan Box Set - Latest news NUMAN VIDEOS PAL to NTSC Videos response from Derek "Sir Gary" Langsford REVIEW: Gary Numan/Tubeway Army - The Premier Hits Subscribe Video update: Double rewards! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996 10:53:32 -0700 From: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu (Derek Langsford) Subject: Fury and Strange Charm reissue news To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I was looking at Gary's Interview section on NuWORLD and found this that might be of interest to fans who missed "The Fury" and "Strange Charm" on CD the first time around: ---- Q/ WILL THE NEW 'THE FURY' CD BE THE EXTENDED CASSETTE VERSION OR THE ORIGINAL CD RELEASE? We are just getting that together now strangely enough and we feel that it should be the extended version. It's only about ten minutes longer than the original CD version anyway so there's not much in it. Before we can get it pressed however we have to get the original quarter inch master tape baked. The problem with having such a long career is that tapes made during the earlier parts of it are now in trouble, shedding layers, that kind of thing, so they have to be baked in a special oven for about five days. After that it's best if you transfer them onto fresh tape or another form of media altogether. When we've done that, and checked that the sound quality is still okay, we can get the new CD pressed. I also have to redo the artwork as all the original artwork plates have gone missing which, sadly, is typical. The 'Don't blink or it's a souvenier' syndrome. We hope to have 'The Fury' pressed and available by the end of August, maybe even sooner, with 'Strange Charm' following on about two months after that. ---- This is confirmation that the extended mixes are being used and from the horse's mouth. While not my favourite album this is welcome news and I will get it just for the outro to "God Only Knows" which is markedly different to the original vinyl/CD release. What can they do to make "Strange Charm" worthwhile for fans who alreday have the original CD? How about adding the 12" mixes of "New Thing From London Town" and "I Can't Stop", both of which are not available on CD so far? I might suggest it to Gary. Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Dept. of Biology Tel. (619) 594 2885 San Diego State University Fax (619) 594 7831 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 13:11:26 -0400 From: Dumpo712cd@aol.com Subject: Gary for sale! To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Greetings from Dumpo! Summertime blues getting you down? We have just the cure. Visit our web-site and find all the Numan CDs/Vinyl you need to turn those pouty frowns upside down! Check us out at ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 14:37:51 +0100 From: stefano@hynet.it (Stefano Meneghetti) Subject: Gary Numan Digest V1 #236 To: numan@cs.uwp.edu (Gary Numan) Dear Derek. I have to admit thet I didn't buy Sacrifice...I was just a bit disappointed about his latest artistic (journey). I don't know how to explain, but for me Mr Gary is into Replicants, Warriors etc. to see his attempts doing something for the masses, for the dance foors is...unnatural. Probably I am a nostalgic, but I think that some one can grow up even with the same music style. I will follow your advice and I will by Sacrifice. You are always wellcome over here. Ciao ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 21:53:58 -0800 From: qm8c-fdl@asahi-net.or.jp (Christopher Fidel) Subject: Just wondering? To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Fellow Numanoids: I have a couple questions that I would like to get answered. If any of my fellow numanoids will be so kind to answer the following questions, I'd be most appreciative. 1. I recently purchased "Premeir Hit's". After listening to "We take mystery (to bed)", I noticed a familliar bass style. Since I do not own "I, Assassin" and knowing that Numan played with Mick Karn at one time, is it on this album that he played? 2. Thanks to the digest, a member was kind enough to sell me his CD copy of "Automatic". Now I know it's not cared for by many of you, but maybe someone can answer this question: Who played bass on the song "Change Your Mind"? I had always thought it was a synth bass line, but recently I bought a Razormade collection (Vinyl) with a mix of "CYM" on it. In the liner notes of the collection, it asked people to stop bothering for the bass samples, that it was a real bass player on "CYM". The liner notes for "Automatic" has no mention of who plays bass on "CYM". If anyone knows will you please enlighten me. 3. In a back issue of GND it mentioned that "Berserker" was being re-released. Is it already out? I've been looking for it here in Osaka, but have been unlucky. I've seen Asylum 1 & 2, Exhibition...etc. on CD but no Berserker. 4. Are there any Numan video collections? I've only seen the video's for "Cars" and "Down In The Park", the latter off "Urgh! A Music War". I'd like to see the video's for "Change Your Mind", "Are Friends Electric", "Love Need's No Disguise"...etc. If a video collection does exist, is it still available? What is it called? Thank you C. Fidel Osaka, Japan. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Jun 96 08:29:00 PDT From: Arron Clague Subject: Like a Refugee To: "'Numan Digest'" Hello there ! Just before I left the UK, I picked up a CD single called "Like a Refugee" by some group who were unknown to me at the time, but featured Gary Numan on lead Vocals.(And had a picture of him dressed in his Machine & Soul outfit on the cover). I cant remember the name of the band, or the CD number (My collection is still in the UK due to some problems with South African customs). Does anyone have any further info on this item, and how it came about ? Also, I have asked before, but got no reply, (Perhaps this one should be submitted to Gary's Questions) does anyone know what the "7.4" on the lyrics sheet for Are Freinds Electric? on the replicas sleeve mean ? I have often wondered if it is a reference to the emotional numbering system refered to in Gary song "DownStat" and also in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep ? by Phillip Dick, which seems to be a strong influence on Gary's SF period (Replicas,Pleasure Principle and parts of Telekon) and also the various Numan links to Bladerunner, which was the aproximately translated film of the book. I assume it is not an error, as it appears on both original BB pressings of Replicas, and also apperars on the lyrics for the double CD release. Hope someone can shead some light ! Thanks, Arron Clague Ex Isle of Man Now South Africa Thanks, Arron Clague ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 03:57:41 -0400 From: Estella158@aol.com Subject: Lyrics To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Could anyone with lyrics please send me copies. I've tried terribly hard but there are some songs I can't seem to decipher. Thanks in advance. Heather Pippin ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1996 22:32:31 2000 From: oktobria@netaccess.on.ca Subject: NTSC VIDEO RECEIVED ! To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Note regarding NTSC videos, Just a note for numan fans ordering NTSC videos..... I have not had any complaints regarding delivery of videos. I sent my order out from Canada May 10th .....I waited for the credit card service to be functioning first..... and I just received my copy of "Dream Corrosion"on June 10 th! I am sure its only a delay....the video is worth the wait I am sure !!!! I have already ordered my next one. NuWorld : Good to hear there are new supplies of NTSC videos as I for one will be ordering some more. Thanx Ruth Balansche ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 1996 09:46:29 -0700 From: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu (Derek Langsford) Subject: Numan Box Set - Latest news To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Courtesy of Matthew Holbrook's Nu-Zone: Numan Box Set - Latest news Release date for UK: Monday 24 June or Monday 8 July. We have waited a considerable time for Receiver Records to take up their option on a third Numan compilation album - after "The Other Side of Gary Numan" and "Here I Am". The release has now been made and it has already been spotted on import in Los Angeles. Receiver records have in fact decided to issue a three CD box set entitled "Story So Far..." and the contents seem to be more than a little bizarre. Two of the CDs include 14 tracks each - various Numa singles, album tracks and 'B' sides. The first is called "My Dying Machine" - a not terribly appropriate title. The second is called "Live - The Sleeproom" - a non live album. 17 of the tracks on these albums were on the previous two albums. The best news comes with the third CD. This is entitled "A Time To Die" - another strange choice of title. This includes 16 live tracks including five thought to be from the "Isolate" tour. The other tracks on this album are from the previously released "Ghost" album The recording is not quite in the normal Numa style - with some very tight editing and certainly no talking. But there are plenty of errors to mar the release. Here is the full track listing: Disc 1 "My Dying Machine" 1. Berserker. 2. My Dying Machine. 3. Call Out The Dogs. 4. Your Fascination. 5. Miracles. 6. I Still Remember. 7. I Can't Stop. 8. This Is Love. 9. Machine And Soul. 10. My Breathing. 11. Emotion. 12. The Skin Game. 13. A Child With The Ghost. 14. Generator. [Derek's comments: This includes all Gary's Numa singles from his leaving BB until "A Question of Faith" except for "New Thing From London Town". If tracks 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 are the 7" versions, they will be new to CD. If tracks 1 & 2 are the vinyl versions, they will be new to CD. Most likely is that they are the versions already mastered for CD, in which case this will be complete retread.] Disc 2 "Live - The Sleep Room" (Booklet claims this is a live album - but it is not) 1. Poison. 2. In A Glasshouse. 3. She Cries. 4. Time To Die. 5. We Need It. 6. Strange Charm. 7. The Need. 8. Creatures. 9. Pump It Up. 10. The God Film. 11. Cold Warning. 12. The Sleeproom. 13. God Only Knows. 14. Love Isolation. [Complete retread unless they use the extended version of "God Only Knows" (which will be on "The Fury" CD rerelease later this year) or the album version of "Cold Warning".] Disc 3 "A Time to Die" (live) (The CD lists only 16 tracks but there are 17) 1. Me! I Disconnect From You Ghost 2. Call Out The Dogs Ghost 3. Emotion Isolate Tour 4. Are 'Friends' Electric? Ghost 5. We Are Glass Ghost 6. U Got The Look Isolate Tour 7. Your Fascination Isolate Tour 8. Time To Die Isolate Tour 9. Cars Ghost less introduction 10. The Skin Game Isolate Tour 11. I Die, You Die Ghost less introduction 12. My Breathing Ghost 13. Down In The Park Ghost 14. My Shadow In Vain Ghost 15. We Take Mystery (To Bed) Ghost 16. Berserker Ghost 17. I Can't Stop Ghost [Numa still intend to release the Isolate Tour on CD so this CDs novelty may be short-lived.] ------- Overall, this looks like Receiver, fulfilling their original contract and trying to take advantage of Gary's devout fans before 'The Isolate Tour", "The Fury" and "Strange Charm" are (re)released on CD. Unless it has the specific versions of the tracks noted and has spectacular packaging (Receiver's record is poor on that front and indications are they were careless with this too) I can't see this doing very well or being a very worthwhile purchase for those with any patience. Of course completists will snap it up. Can someone please review it when they get a copy. I doubt I'll be getting anytime soon, if at all. Not a completist, Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Dept. of Biology Tel. (619) 594 2885 San Diego State University Fax (619) 594 7831 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 23:07:11 CST From: "ROBERT L. HARVEY JR." Subject: NUMAN VIDEOS To: NUMAN@cs.uwp.edu I TOO ORDERRED THE NUMAN VIDEOS AS SOON AS THE CREDIT CARD DEAL WAS SOLID. THEN I WAITED, AND WAITED, AND WAITED, AND........FINALLY, I WAS COMPELLED TO EMAIL NUWORLD TO INQUIRE. TONY WEBB PROMPTLY REPLIED TO MY INQUIRY AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAD JUST RECEIVED THE NTSC? VIDEOS AND THAT HE WOULD MAIL THEM THAT WEEKEND. SO I WAITED, AND WAITED, AND WAITED, AND......THREE WEEKS LATER THEY ARRIVED. HE HAD MAILED THEM IMMEDIATELY BUT DID MAIL THEM THE WEEK THATA HE HAD WRITTEN ME. POSTAL TIME FROM ENGLAND TO US CUSTOMS IN CHICAGO TO MY KANSAS CITY DOORSTEP WAS FIVE DAYS! VERY IMPRESSIVE. THE DRUG DOGS MUST HAVE RUBBER STAMPED THEM ON THROUGH. TO THOSE WHO ARE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THEIR VIDEOS: HANG IN THERE, THEY ARE WELL WORTH THE WAIT. THE DREAM CORROSION VIDEO IS TWO HOURS LONG AND HAS A SHORT INTERVIEW AT THE END (I ACTUALLY HAVE NOW HEARD GARY'S NORMAL SPOKEN VOICE!) THE SHADOW MAN VIDEO IS GOOD BUT IT WAS NOT RECORDED IN STEREO (MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT). THERE IS ALSO AN ANNOYING HUM IF THE VOLUME IS HIGH. CONSIDERING WE IN THE USA HAVE VERY LITTLE VIDEO FOOTAGE TO VIEW AND A SNOW BALL'S CHANCE OF SEEING HIM LIVE, THE VIDEOS ARE THE BEST SUBSTITUTE. I'VE BEEN LURKING LONG ENOUGH. GLAD TO SEE THERE ARE OTHERS LIKE ME, LEE ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 16 Jun 96 17:18:22 CST From: bbeving@subrec.mn.org (Bradley Beving) Subject: PAL to NTSC Videos To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I work for a duplication company in St. Paul, Minnesota. We have the capability to transfer video formats. I don't know if anyone would be interested, but if it sped up people's orders to get PAL copies I could then transfer them for whoever wanted. I can do it for free, so I would not charge for this service, only the return postage. If anyone is interested please e-mail me directly at either: bbeving@emcp.com or gash@subrec.mn.org Bradley Beving gash@subrec.mn.org ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 1996 10:08:50 -0700 From: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu (Derek Langsford) Subject: response from Derek "Sir Gary" Langsford To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Joey has anionted me Derek "Sir Gary" Langsford for getting all 20 of the sound snippets in his web site contest. Still, I might not win the contest if others make the full 20 and there is a tie-breaker. However, I would likeit be known that should I win, I will pass on the prize of web space to the runner-up as others are more likely in greater need than I. So, even if you can't get all 20, you may still come out the winner. While I am gratified to have identified all 20, it was not easy. I had to do some detective work and logical deduction to be able to identify them all. But I did manage it without bringing my Discman in to work, which is the only place I can listen to the files. I entered mainly for fun and also as a challenge to my Numan musicology. I have to take a break from my dissertation now and then. All the details of how to enter are at: http://www.netway.ab.ca/worldwidewebb/contest/index.html As for Gemma's pants, I can just see my 38 inch waist (I know I need to lose weight) getting into a pair of shapely ladies underwear or trousers (were you using the UK or US definition?). Besides, I am not into cross dressing, and I am also happily married, thank you. Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Dept. of Biology Tel. (619) 594 2885 San Diego State University Fax (619) 594 7831 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996 11:23:41 -0700 From: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu (Derek Langsford) Subject: REVIEW: Gary Numan/Tubeway Army - The Premier Hits To: numan@cs.uwp.edu As priomised, here is my full review of "The Premier Hits". This review will be posted to rec.music.reviews and alt.music.synthpop and rec.music.misc. GARY NUMAN/TUBEWAY ARMY THE PREMIER HITS POLYGRAM TV 531-149 2 (UK) 3:39 Cars (Premier Mix) (orig. rel. as E.Reg Model in '87) 3:42 I Die: You Die 5:23 Are 'Friends' Electric? 4:23 Down In The Park 4:46 We Are Glass 3:53 Bombers 3:42 We Take Mystery (To Bed) 4:56 She's Got Claws 3:11 Complex 3:40 Music For Chameleons 3:20 That's Too Bad 5:23 This Wreckage 4:08 Warriors 4:38 Love Needs No Disguise (Dramatis featuring Gary Numan) 3:36 White Boys And Heroes 5:01 Sister Surprise 4:53 Stormtrooper In Drag (Paul Gardiner and Gary Numan) 3:55 Cars (Original version) 76:20 Total time Gary Numan is an artist that seemingly all but his rabidly loyal fans pretend to hate. Nevermind that hundreds of thousands are secretly hiding copies of "The Pleasure Principle" in their collections. Ridicule cannot hide the fact that he produced some of the best synthesizer based songs of the early 80s. They continue to hold up well even today. To date, Numan has been well served by CD compilations of his 1978-83 period on the Beggars Banquet label in the UK (Exhibition, Collection, Document Series Presents Gary Numan, Best of Gary Numan 1978-83) but this CD is one in which more casual buyers will be interested, especially in the UK where Numan is experiencing greater exposure and recognition than he has done for a decade. Prompted by the use of a 1987 remix of "Cars" being used in a lager ad on UK TV and in Cinemas, this is the definitive singles collection for his Beggars Banquet days with no album tracks or obscure b-sides to "dilute" them as is the case on the other previously noted releases. While not necessarily collectible for the fan, this CD will provide an excellent sample of what Numan was all about for people who liked "Cars" but didn't really follow the rest of his early career. Lavishly packaged with multiple pictures of the 7" covers, years of release and UK charting info, one can only compliment Polygram TV for their effort. In addition, an intelligent commentary piece by Steve Malins reflects more acurately the career of Numan up to the present day than you'll find in any psycophantic fanzine or the often acerbic UK music press. Pictures from all of Numan's images during his BB career are also included. The a-sides include Numan's contrived but successful efforts to land a recording deal in the heyday of punk (That's Too Bad, Bombers), the stunningly successful electronic chartbusters (Are Friends' Electric?, Cars) and the Jazz and funk influenced singles that were released as Numan's career started to wind down (She's Got Claws, Music for Chameleons, Warriors). Also included are such electronic classics as the "I Die: You Die", "We Are Glass" and "Down in the Park". Also included are Numan's collaborative singles with his backing band "Dramatis" and his Tubeway Army bass player. Numan was the first synthesizer based artist to appeal to the UK masses for more than one release. Bands such as Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Ultravox might not have succeeded were it not for Numan's ear for a catchy hook presented without the use of guitars. Numan pioneered the European electropop field with the first number one of it's kind, the first commercial music video release, and the first electronic ballad. But Numan's huge success was relatively short-lived as sales dropped, the press took every opportunity to criticise him and and Numan's relationship with the media deteriorated. That antagonism extended to BBC Radio 1 which has unoffically and unfairly boycotted all of Numan's work since 1986. While Numan has continued to make music since then, and has even won over new fans with his most recent album (Sacrifice, 1994), "Premier Hits" is a splendid retrospective that allows the listener to relive some of the best electronically based music from the early 80s. The songs have also been newly remastered for CD making it essential for anyone who wants to include a broad sample of one of the founding members of the synth revolution in popular music in their collection. Rating +2 for fans (nothing new for them) +3 otherwise (using the Erland -5 to +5 scale) Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Dept. of Biology Tel. (619) 594 2885 San Diego State University Fax (619) 594 7831 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996 14:52:00 +0100 From: A FLATMAN GBFXT MIS Subject: Subscribe To: numan@cs.uwp.edu (Numan) Pls can you re-sub me to list. Seem to have been un-subscribed. Thanks. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 12:28:27 CST From: "Janet Newlands" Subject: Video update: Double rewards! To: numan@cs.uwp.edu After inquiring about the length of time it takes to get the videos, and not knowing until reading #236 that the NTSC videos have been backordered, I decided that indeed the mail had been lost and I resent the order, this time by fax, on 6-10. I called my credit card company and they told me that there was a charge pending of 79.00 (the $ I expected) on 6-11. Great! On 6-13 I went to my PO Box and the videos were there. I was amazed at the speed and wished that I had faxed the original order when I noticed the postmark... 6-5. So it looks like I'll be getting two copies of everything due to my impatience and bad timing. That's OK, though, since I have a home already for the second set. So those of you who have ordered the NTSC videos: relax, they're on the way! Janet ------------------------------ End of Gary Numan Digest ******************************