Metamatic Forums John Foxx John Foxx Glimmer: The Best Of

The version of No-One Driving that appears at Track 03 on Disc One of Glimmer is the single version. This version also appeared on Modern Art .

The other version of No-One Driving which appears on Glimmer (Track 13 of Disc Two) is an Early Version which is featured here (in its entirety) for the first time.

The lyrics to No-One Driving were not changed from Someone's gone liquid in the sheets ( album version) to Someone's gone missing in the sheets ( single version) because of pressure from the BBC.

Rob

Sounds promising - I really like the "normal" version.

Not all of the tracks will be as different as the version of Cities of Light 5 which appears on Glimmer. But the whole of the album (The Pleasures of Electricity) will have been remastered, so it's likely that some parts of it will sound quite different to the original version.

Rob

Correct me if its wrong Rob, but i thought this 'Glimmer' version of 'Cities Of Light 5' sounded different, not from being remastered, but because it was simple a different version altogether.
I loved 'TPOE' and all its tracks as they were, so was hoping for a remaster, plus any other track versions, (recorded later) to be added as bonus tracks. In a sense to make up for a lack of material to fill the disc.

Will the same apply to 'Shifting City's remastered tracks too?

You're correct insomuch as this track hasn't just been remastered. Instead, it's a 'new mix' of Cities of Light 5 which will (with the re-release of The Pleasures of Electricity) be regarded as the definitive version. I get the feeling that this is more akin to how John and Louis wanted the track to sound when they originally recorded the album. So, part of the album will be 'tweaked' here and there (like on Cities of Light 5), while the overall sound will benefit from being remastered.

I know that Shifting City has now been remastered, but I don't know if there's been any significant 'tweaking'.

Rob

Okay thanks Rob. As its Johns material i guess he ultimately decides how best to re-present it. Furthermore on the subject of album track changes, i thought the new tracklist for 'IMW' did flow better than the original.

Firstly, Alex, I very much hope things pick up for you regarding "the 'f' word" so that you can get Glimmer in your collection. I know your situation well.

I too hope it reaches new fans, but with only two copies in HMV that seems a little unlikely, though slightly more possible with you not buying half the copies in the shop. Unless several copies had already been sold.

The version of "No-one Driving" on Glimmer is surely just the single remix - it has some extra synths and backing vocals going "ooh-ooohoooh!" and stuff?

As for the "early version" - yeah, Foxxy's voice is clearly speeded up - easily done by simply recording as a slightly slower tape speed then playing back at normal speed.

EDIT - ah, I see Rob has confirmed this above.

Dammit, I go to Manchester for a visit and miss all of the Glimmer Explosion It didn't arrive before I left, and the ipod was fully loaded with my selection of several hours of Foxx/Louis for the train journey

Its all really very tasteful, and great to leave lying out on show.
Last night on the bus back from work I finaly managed to enjoy some tracks on the ipod, and did a little bit of lingering a moment on some others, I’m saving fully hearing some old songs until the remastered albums arrive.

Cities Of Light 5, Wow, I completely love this funky version, its definitely one of the main highlights on Glimmer.

I just can’t wait to hear the remastered TPOE.


No One Driving, (track13):

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up when I heard this version, the strange newness of it transported me back to my youth, like hearing Foxx for the first time all over again, “vapour trails go by, voices on the line…”


Hiroshima Mon Amour:

I loved John’s singing, so beautiful, “riding intercity trains…”
musically though I still think the original has the edge.


Twilights Last Gleaming, have to agree, hearing some of it again took me by surprise a little, but I’m saving listening to it fully until GS arrives.


Endlessly, well in many ways I’ve always preferred the direction of this earlier one to the latter testosterone charged GS version, but I have to agree today that the sitar at the end is a tad boring now to my ears, not having heard it in a very long time!

Glimmer has even managed to find its way into the HMV store in Telford. One copy all on its own. I didn't buy it - mine's on its way from ASDA online.

HMV pricing policy is interesting: they also had one copy each of the remastered Ultravox albums at £12.99 a piece. The same albums are available on the HMV webiste at £8.99 delivered!