The Smiths - Unreleased Demos & Instrumentals [Bootleg Vinyl Rip]

[southpawlord]

Moz is god! What a great xmas gift!!!!! Thank you god morrissey, and all the other gods (mike, andy & johnny). Happy xmas to everyone

 

[PregnantForTheLastTime]

What becomes clear to me after listening to all this is how the band made the right call almost every time. For years, not hearing these unreleased versions, but always being reminded of their existence, always seemed to hint that the official releases were conservative and dull.

Now that I've heard them, I can say that part of the genius of The Smiths was taking the right course in the studio. The demos show experimentation and even expose some of the weaknesses of the band, but the versions that ultimately ended up on official release were great versions.

The story of The Smiths has already been etched in stone, and hearing these incomplete and alternate recordings don't detract from my impressions of the band, they only remind me how good they were.

Yes. These rougher, not-quite-right versions only highlight the perfection of the versions that we already know. Sheila with a Sitar? Lovely and intriguing, but not quite right. The sitar jars against the cheerful bump-and-grind of the bass. The light that never goes out is better with less definition. While immeasurably beautiful when seen in the loved one's eyes, it's better left out there in mysterious space.

Somebody loves us.

 

[ringrosso]

This is GOLD.

I am thoroughly rigid.

 

[freakparty]

I wonder why the Rubber Ring demo wasn't added?

I was just wondering the same thing!

great stuff none the less... been waiting a long time for these.

merry xmas

 

[freakparty]

Here ya go.


Rubber Ring (demo)
http://rapidshare.com/files/439014557/Rubber_Ring.mp3

 

[bobbydriver]

At the moment these rarities of The Smiths have seen the light:

- Ask (Pre-remix Version)
- Death of a Disco Dancer (Monitor Mix)
- Frankly, Mr Shankly (Trumpet Version)
- Girl Afraid (Glasgow 02-03-84) Department Of Enjoyment NME Various Artists Compilation Album 1985
- Girlfriend In a Coma (Monitor Mix)
- Girlfriend In a Coma (Alternate Rare Version)
- Heavy Track (Instrumental)
- I Misses You (Instrumental)
- Is It Really So Strange? (Single Version)
- Miserable Lie (Oxford 18-03-85) Rough Trade Compilation Various Artists Album 1986
- Pait a Vulgar Picture (Monitor Mix)
- Reel Around The Fountain (Final Troy Tate Album Version)
- Rubber Ring (Monitor Mix)
- Rusholme Ruffians (Electric Version)
- Shakespeare's Sister (Los Angeles 27-06-85) Rarities Vol.2 Various Artists Album 2003
- Sheila Take a Bow (Porter Version)
- Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (Without Fade-In)
- Suffer Little Children (First Demo Version) Decibel Studios 1982
- The Cowbell (Instrumental)
- The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (John Porter Monitor Mix)
- The Queen Is Dead (Full Version)
- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (Take 1)
- This Night Has Opened My Eyes (Studio Version)
- Unloveable (Inverness 01-10-85) Soundcheck. This song was never performed live
- What Do You See In Him? (Manchester 04-02-83) Wonderful Woman early version
- What She Said (Oxford 18-03-85) Poll Winners Free EP with NME 1985
- William, It Was Really Nothing (Oxford 18-03-85) Meat Is Murder Aborted Live EP 1985

Is correct friends?
This list is permanent update.
The Smiths have returned. Christmas has arrived after twenty-three years !!

It's missing the alternate vocal take of How Soon Is Now that turned up on the Italian 12" pressing by accident

 

[winker]

Thanks a million. Superb.

 

[Raised on prisoner's aid]

Just to be clear, these are the pretty much the only demos we now have of Smiths recordings apart from Troy Tate, right?

Reading all these posts is getting me incredibly excited to hear this!!

 

[SweetFA]

Just to be clear, these are the pretty much the only demos we now have of Smiths recordings apart from Troy Tate, right?

Reading all these posts is getting me incredibly excited to hear this!!

Pretty much.
There's the Decibel demo of "Suffer Little Children" and an instrumental excerpt known as "Cowbell track" and the "Rubber Ring" demo plus 2 different sets of Troy Tate demos, and another set of Rough Trade/Troy Tate Demos that seem to mainly be rougher versions of the best-known set of Troy Tate demos, less overdubs though Jeane is a new take iirc.

Both sets of Troy Tate demos and the "Rough Trade" demos are all on Smithstorrents.

 

[Uncleskinny]

In The Guardian today, on their F&M playlist section ('our music team pick the songs or albums, old or new, they just can't turn off'), the first entry is the following:

The Smiths - Reel Around The Fountain

A collection of Smiths demos that circulated on the web this week offered a reminder of what a phenomenon they were; a band who emerged semmingly fully formed, with a coherent world view and melodies to melt for.

Michael Hann

P.

 

[Ben Budd]

Thanks for sharing these. I really appreciate it.

 

[Raised on prisoner's aid]

Pretty much.
There's the Decibel demo of "Suffer Little Children" and an instrumental excerpt known as "Cowbell track" and the "Rubber Ring" demo plus 2 different sets of Troy Tate demos, and another set of Rough Trade/Troy Tate Demos that seem to mainly be rougher versions of the best-known set of Troy Tate demos, less overdubs though Jeane is a new take iirc.

Both sets of Troy Tate demos and the "Rough Trade" demos are all on Smithstorrents.

Ah, thanks a lot, I thought as much

I've got the Troy Tate sessions and absolutely love them to bits, probably going to listen to these new ones tonight!

 

[murder and desire]

It's missing the alternate vocal take of How Soon Is Now that turned up on the Italian 12" pressing by accident

Are all of these on a collection?

 

[waltark]

Thank you so much for this!

Just finding it, and downloading now.

Cheers!

-w

 

[DavidA]

At the moment these rarities of The Smiths have seen the light:

- Ask (Pre-remix Version)
- Death of a Disco Dancer (Monitor Mix)
- Frankly, Mr Shankly (Trumpet Version)
- Girl Afraid (Glasgow 02-03-84) Department Of Enjoyment NME Various Artists Compilation Album 1985
- Girlfriend In a Coma (Monitor Mix)
- Girlfriend In a Coma (Alternate Rare Version)
- Heavy Track (Instrumental)
- I Misses You (Instrumental)
- Is It Really So Strange? (Single Version)
- Miserable Lie (Oxford 18-03-85) Rough Trade Compilation Various Artists Album 1986
- Pait a Vulgar Picture (Monitor Mix)
- Reel Around The Fountain (Final Troy Tate Album Version)
- Rubber Ring (Monitor Mix)
- Rusholme Ruffians (Electric Version)
- Shakespeare's Sister (Los Angeles 27-06-85) Rarities Vol.2 Various Artists Album 2003
- Sheila Take a Bow (Porter Version)
- Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (Without Fade-In)
- Suffer Little Children (First Demo Version) Decibel Studios 1982
- The Cowbell (Instrumental)
- The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (John Porter Monitor Mix)
- The Queen Is Dead (Full Version)
- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (Take 1)
- This Night Has Opened My Eyes (Studio Version)
- Unloveable (Inverness 01-10-85) Soundcheck. This song was never performed live
- What Do You See In Him? (Manchester 04-02-83) Wonderful Woman early version
- What She Said (Oxford 18-03-85) Poll Winners Free EP with NME 1985
- William, It Was Really Nothing (Oxford 18-03-85) Meat Is Murder Aborted Live EP 1985

Is correct friends?
This list is permanent update.
The Smiths have returned. Christmas has arrived after twenty-three years !!

That's an odd collection, because some are officially released, some are bootlegs and some are leaked from the studio.

I'm not sure about the labelling. e.g. I have an alternate version of Paint a Vulgar Picture which was on Breakfast With The Smiths, but I don't know if it's a monitor mix.

 

[croch2]

NEW UPDATED LIST OF RARITIES OF THE SMITHS (24 Dec.2010):
The information has been redesigned and perfected.

- Ask (Pre-remix Version)
- Death of a Disco Dancer (Monitor Mix)
- Frankly, Mr Shankly (Trumpet Version)
- Girl Afraid (Glasgow 02-03-84) Department Of Enjoyment NME Various Artists Compilation Album 1985
- Girlfriend In a Coma (Monitor Mix)
- Girlfriend In a Coma (Alternate Rare Version)
- Heavy Track (Unreleased Instrumental)
- How Soon Is Now? (Unfinished Studio Take) Italy 12" "William,It Was Really Nothing" 1984
- I Misses You (Unreleased Instrumental)
- Is It Really So Strange? (Unreleased Studio Take)
- Miserable Lie (Oxford 18-03-85) Rough Trade Compilation Various Artists Album 1986
- Paint a Vulgar Picture (Monitor Mix)
- Reel Around The Fountain (Final Troy Tate Mix)
- Rubber Ring (Monitor Mix)
- Rusholme Ruffians (Early Electric Version)
- Shakespeare's Sister (Los Angeles 27-06-85) Rarities Vol.2 Various Artists Album 2003
- Sheila Take a Bow (Original John Porter Version)
- Shoplifters Of The World Unite (Instrumental Studio Outtake 1)
- Shoplifters Of The World Unite (Instrumental Studio Outtake 2)
- Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (Without Fade-In)
- Suffer Little Children (First Demo Version) Decibel Studios 1982
- The Cowbell (Unreleased Instrumental)
- The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (John Porter Monitor Mix)
- The Queen Is Dead (Original Full-Lenght Unedited Version)
- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (Early Take)
- This Night Has Opened My Eyes (Unreleased Studio Take)
- Unloveable (Inverness 01-10-85) Soundcheck. This song was never performed live
- What Do You See In Him? (Manchester 04-02-83) Wonderful Woman early version
- What She Said (Oxford 18-03-85) Poll Winners Free EP with NME 1985
- William, It Was Really Nothing (Oxford 18-03-85) Meat Is Murder Aborted Live EP 1985

IMPORTANT: NOT INCLUDES "THE TROY TATE DEMOS"

Merry Christmas friends !!!!!!!

Thank You motorways, Thank You Stephane and Thank You bobbydriver.

 

[Irregular Regular]

NEW UPDATED LIST OF RARITIES OF THE SMITHS (24 Dec.2010):
The information has been redesigned and perfected.

- Ask (Pre-remix Version)
- Death of a Disco Dancer (Monitor Mix)
- Frankly, Mr Shankly (Trumpet Version)
- Girl Afraid (Glasgow 02-03-84) Department Of Enjoyment NME Various Artists Compilation Album 1985
- Girlfriend In a Coma (Monitor Mix)
- Girlfriend In a Coma (Alternate Rare Version)
- Heavy Track (Unreleased Instrumental)
- How Soon Is Now? (Unfinished Studio Take) Italy 12" "William,It Was Really Nothing" 1984
- I Misses You (Unreleased Instrumental)
- Is It Really So Strange? (Unreleased Studio Take)
- Miserable Lie (Oxford 18-03-85) Rough Trade Compilation Various Artists Album 1986
- Paint a Vulgar Picture (Monitor Mix)
- Reel Around The Fountain (Final Troy Tate Mix)
- Rubber Ring (Monitor Mix)
- Rusholme Ruffians (Early Electric Version)
- Shakespeare's Sister (Los Angeles 27-06-85) Rarities Vol.2 Various Artists Album 2003
- Sheila Take a Bow (Original John Porter Version)
- Shoplifters Of The World Unite (Instrumental Studio Outtake 1)
- Shoplifters Of The World Unite (Instrumental Studio Outtake 2)
- Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (Without Fade-In)
- Suffer Little Children (First Demo Version) Decibel Studios 1982
- The Cowbell (Unreleased Instrumental)
- The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (John Porter Monitor Mix)
- The Queen Is Dead (Original Full-Lenght Unedited Version)
- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (Early Take)
- This Night Has Opened My Eyes (Unreleased Studio Take)
- Unloveable (Inverness 01-10-85) Soundcheck. This song was never performed live
- What Do You See In Him? (Manchester 04-02-83) Wonderful Woman early version
- What She Said (Oxford 18-03-85) Poll Winners Free EP with NME 1985
- William, It Was Really Nothing (Oxford 18-03-85) Meat Is Murder Aborted Live EP 1985

IMPORTANT: NOT INCLUDES "THE TROY TATE DEMOS"

Merry Christmas friends !!!!!!!

Thank You motorways, Thank You Stephane and Thank You bobbydriver.

Could you please share the 'alternate rare version' of Girlfriend In A Coma with us?
I am only aware of the demo/monitor mix version included in the link posted by Motorways...

Cheers,

I.R

 

[2-J]

Just want to say a big thankyou to the uploader and anyone else involved in bringing this material to us.

Like some others have posted, it's not that these versions surpass the released ones, but they are fascinating and a great listen.

Great early Christmas present,

thanks again

 

[DavidA]

Nice writeup on these demos on Extra Track.

http://smithsrecycle.blogspot.com/2010/12/news-followup.html

 

[November'sMonster]

Thank you very much indeed, christmas is now complete.