Metamatic Forums John Foxx John Foxx Miles Away alt. version

I'm a bit surprised that with all the bonus tracks on the re-issue CDs we never get to hear the version of Miles Away which can be found on the Japanese Burning Car compilation vinyl album. I'm 100% sure that it's a different recording/mix than the 7" version.
Robin, 12 years ago I gave you a copy of my Some Of Them compilation CD (if you still remember ) which contains this track. Is it possible to find out the story behind this track? I surely would like to see it remastered on CD since I like it better than the single release.
But perhaps the Metamatic 2003 Japan release has this version on it?

Is this the same version that was used for the video?

Well I don't have a VCR anymore so I can't check my original Virgin tape but as far as I remember the answer is no. The version from the Japanese EP is a bit slower, sounds heavier (or fuller, difficult to describe). Oh and because it's slower the running time is also longer.

[edit] Just checked the video on youtube and that's definitely not the same version as the one on the EP. [/edit].

It would be nice to hear this - it would certainly be suitable for inclusion on the remastered Garden. Otherwise I guess it'll be consigned to the vaults forever...

Was its alternate name Kilometers Away?

LOL, yeah it's the Metametric version
Am I allowed to post 10 seconds of the track so everyone can hear the difference or will Robin hang me from the highest tree for copyright infringement if I do?

I don't think Rob has hung anybody yet, but there's always a first time!

I'd consider the wellbeing of your neck, if I were you!

LOL!!

I guess "A few feet away" didn't quite work either.

Just think, John could have made a few bob by reworking the lyrics and selling it to haemorrhoid cream manufacturers for use in adverts.

..."Piles Awaaaay..."

Sorry. I'll get me coat......

Miles Away was never going to be included on the recently re-released edition of Metamatic as it was felt that there were already enough extra tracks. Instead it's been ear-marked to appear as an extra track on the forthcoming expanded edition of The Garden.

There are two key versions of Miles Away - the single version and the re-mix which appeared on the Japanese Burning Car mini-album. All things being equal we're looking to formally release BOTH versions. As for the version (which is only VERY slightly different) which appeared on the Virgin Vaults video - we also have plans for that as well.

It's just a re-mix - in the same way that there are a couple of versions of A New Kind of Man and No-One Driving. The 2003 Japanese version of Metamatic is identical (as far as the music is concerned) to the 2001 UK edition .

So, not wanting to be a complete killjoy, I would REALLY appreciate it if no samples of this track (ten seconds or otherwise) were posted.

Thank-you.

Rob

Thanks for all the info Rob. That certainly explains everything.
Sure, now that you've explained all the details there's no need for that anymore. And I would never have done it without asking anyway

But do you perhaps know why the remix was made when it wasn't supposed to be released here anyway? I can't imagine they did it just for the Burning Car EP?