The Smiths – unearthed, rare recording of preproduction/rehearsal for debut album

Rumours have been flying around for years about a possible Smiths reunion, but Morrissey isn’t budging and Johnny Marr is doing his own thing. I was lucky enough to see The Smiths a few times and I am a huge fan.

So when I discovered this early, extremely rare cassette tape recording of a rehearsal on Youtube I thought I would share it. Before I knew it Mike Joyce had tweeted it via original Oasis guitarist Bonehead and the NME were on the phone.

‘The Pablo Cuckoo Tape’ as told by bellapintura c/o http://smithstorrents.co.uk.

Unearthed, Very Rare Rehearsal Recording
{Awash with Unusual idiosyncrasies & early lyrics}
Recorded at Crazy Face, 13~15 Chapel Walks, Manchester.
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You’ve Got Everything Now
Accept Yourself 04:26
What Difference Does It Make 08:46
Reel Around The Fountain 12:52
These Things Take Time 19:28
I Don’t Owe You Anything 22:37
Hand In Glove 28:06
Handsome Devil 31:04
Miserable Lie 34:11

In May 1983 (exact date unknown), while preparing to record their debut album, The band ran through & recorded a selection of songs at a rehearsal in band manager, Joe Moss‘ jeans warehouse (Crazy Face).
The cassette tape was recorded for Troy Tate in order to give him something to work with before going into the studio
It’s pretty rough, but considering it was recorded on cassette with a stereo Mic pointing into the room, the quality isn’t too bad.
Morrissey‘s vocals are a bit distorted – maybe singing too close to the mic or maybe the cassette Mic was too close to the PA but everything else is surprisingly clear.
There is some tape flutter at various points.
I was lent the master cassette by a source close to the band who made the recording, let’s call him Pablo Cuckoo in 1997 with a view of trying to put it out as a semi-official release.
As it was recorded before the band had signed to Rough Trade, technically he had the rights to the recording.
But a combination of poor sound quality & threats from Warner Bros meant that the idea was shelved.
~
Free & Safe HQ lossless audio download available at the ever excellent Smiths Torrents http://www.smithstorrents.co.uk/forum…Courtesy of the very generous bellapintura.
~
The Moz & Joe Moss picture is sourced from, The Arcane Old Wardrobe http://foreverill.com/gallery/details… A Morrissey & The Smiths Photo cornucopia lovingly maintained by the indispensable Comtesse DeSpair

The Rainband – Rise Again

Impact Date: OUT NOW

Rise Again is the new single from The Rainband and is released in tribute to MotoGP legend Marco Simoncelli on 17 June with profits going to the charitable foundation named in his memory.

With a live tribute to Simoncelli already in mind for their June gig in front of 60,000 race fans at Silverstone, The Rainband were approached by the newly formed Marco Simoncelli Foundation and agreed to write a song to help raise funds to build disabled care homes across the world, a cause close to the racing hero’s heart.

The Rainband were booked to play at Silverstone after event organisers got in touch following the band’s sell out hometown show at Manchester’s HMV Ritz at the end of last year.

Martin Finnigan, lead singer of The Rainband, said
:

“Being invited to open the British and Italian MotoGPs is a big honour for us. When we met Marco’s dad Paolo he talked about his vision for the Foundation. I agreed straight away to donate everything from the single to the work of the Foundation. It’s a great cause, in the name of a great man and I am proud we are involved. MotoGP champion and friend of Simoncelli, James Toseland plays keyboard on the single, another huge honour. It’s also wonderful that so many sport and music personalities have agreed to get behind the track including; Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber, Jensen Button, Bradley Button, Guy Garvey, Elbow, Johnny Marr, Mike Joyce, Ocean Colour Scene, James, Kaiser Chiefs, Simple Minds…”