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?

I agree - it's unlikely to have been 're-recorded' / 're-mixed' specifically for the Burning Car mini-album. I reckon that the 'alternative' version already existed and John was happy for this different mix to also get a release.

Rob

I have the alternate version of Miles Away (from the 'Some of Them' cd). It was given to me years ago. Yes, there are very subtle differences to it from the original single version. I actually do prefer the alternate version too.

Thanks Rob. Miles Away is my favourite John Foxx song, so I'm happy to have as many versions of it as possible ...

Huh? You have the actual CD (with artwork & label)? I made that CD for private use over 10 years ago (when an empty CDR disc still set you back £3). I digitised all vinyl tracks which hadn't been released onto CD back then.
Anyway, I think the difference isn't really subtle. I actually owned the Burning Car EP before I had the 7" and was surprised at how the 7" version lacked "oomph".

Hi John - I don't have the actual cd with artwork, etc. But a guy gave me a cd of various songs & that version of Miles Away was one of them.

When I listen to the alternative version, it appears to have an extra layer of John's vocals which I like very much. But overall, I love both versions of Miles Away, love John's vocal style in the song & I think the synths sound superb.

Many years ago I was lucky enough to win an EV competition. The prize? A 1-sided acetate of Miles Away signed by John! I've played it once and it's the same version as appears on the Burning Car Jap 12". I don't do this often but I'll have to disagree with Rob calling this a "remix" (sorry mate)as it has slightly different lyrics... see this thread http://www.metamatic.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=000115#000000

John: Would you mind providing a tracklisting for your Some Of Them compilation, if you still have a copy or a reference to it? I'm just curious ...

Cheers ...

I have to agree with you that the EP version sounds like a different recording, not a remix. It's definitely slower than the other versions and remember that back in those days it wasn't simple to alter the tempo of a recording while keeping the same pitch.

You're quite right - I'd forgotten about the change in the lyrics. So I suppose that this puts it in the same 'category' as the single version of No-One Driving which was classed as being re-recorded.

Rob

Sure Rodney. Here it is, together with the packaging.

Cover Inside Booklet Back

01 - Tiger Lily - Ain't Misbehavin'
02 - Tiger Lily - Monkey Jive
03 - Ultravox - Slip Away (Live At The Rainbow)
04 - Ultravox - Hiroshima Mon Amour (B-Side Version)
05 - Ultravox - Quirks
06 - Ultravox - Modern Love
07 - Ultravox - The Wild, The Beautiful And The Damned (Retro Live EP)
08 - Ultravox - My Sex (Retro Live EP)
09 - Ultravox - Young Savage (Retro Live EP)
10 - Ultravox - The Man Who Dies Every Day (Retro Live EP)
11 - Ultravox - Quiet Men (12'' Mix)
12 - John Foxx - No-One Driving (7'' Mix)
13 - John Foxx - Glimmer
14 - John Foxx - Mr. No
15 - John Foxx - My Face
16 - John Foxx - Miles Away (Different Version)
17 - John Foxx - Swimmer I
18 - John Foxx - Endlessly (Early 7'' Version)

Thanks very much for that, John. I presume you created the artwork yourself? Can I ask what software you used, although this was 12 years ago? What sort of paper do you print on?


Cheers ...

The cover was made with Photoshop and the rest was put together in Quark Xpress. I'm still using Photoshop nowadays but Xpress has been replaced with Indesign. I would have made a colour version these days but back then colour printing was still pretty expensive. This was printed on a black and white laser printer on fairly thick paper.