I have acquired this recently, and some of you have seen this from Omega. I have also started to digitize this (as seen on the link).
I think the story from the person who owned this (which I interviewed after I got this tape) is quite delightful.
From my post:
This came from Steve Clarke, who co-ran Drone Studios (along with Paul Roberts), where The Smiths recorded this single. Steve was also the engineer during the production of this song. This was the first tape that came out of that session, which was used for further mastering to the final product.
The sound is definitely a lot rougher than the released version(s), and has an extra round of instrumentals near the end which was cut in the final mix (making this have a length of 3:23 instead of 3:15).
According to Steve regarding this tape:
“In early summer 1985 I got a call from Paul Roberts who told me that The Smiths were in the studio, they'd been in for about three days an(d) the band weren't getting on too well. I recall Paul saying "Steve, I really need a break from 'Dorothy' (aka- Morrissey), can you come down, I feel like a peace envoy running out of love". He was frustrated and tensions were high as Rough Trade hadn't paid the bill from a session two weeks before. I arrived to find them routining three songs; I cannot recall the other two but the Boy with the Thorn in his Side was the stronger of the three. I routined the band in the afternoon until they were tight enough to commit to tape. Johnny Marr asked me later in the day which song I thought was the strongest. They were seemingly at odds and I was not keen to involve myself. But, he pushed, so I said The Boy is best. At that point Morrissey wasn't entirely convinced but as the tracks were layered he started to come round.”
Also a funny story according to Steve:
“During the session I remember Morrissey asking Paul who, in his opinion was the best band to come out of Manchester? Paul being a big sixties fan said "The Hollies", Morrissey was livid and told Paul he was absolutely wrong and that The Buzzcocks were easily the best. The debate went on for some time!”
This also include two other tracks, which are physically separate tapes (just the same spool). Steve said that this was purely from a financial reason and the studio wasted nothing during its time.
Note: Similar content previously mentioned two weeks ago in the Strange/unexpected Moz references thread by Famous when dead.
I think the story from the person who owned this (which I interviewed after I got this tape) is quite delightful.
From my post:
This came from Steve Clarke, who co-ran Drone Studios (along with Paul Roberts), where The Smiths recorded this single. Steve was also the engineer during the production of this song. This was the first tape that came out of that session, which was used for further mastering to the final product.
The sound is definitely a lot rougher than the released version(s), and has an extra round of instrumentals near the end which was cut in the final mix (making this have a length of 3:23 instead of 3:15).
According to Steve regarding this tape:
“In early summer 1985 I got a call from Paul Roberts who told me that The Smiths were in the studio, they'd been in for about three days an(d) the band weren't getting on too well. I recall Paul saying "Steve, I really need a break from 'Dorothy' (aka- Morrissey), can you come down, I feel like a peace envoy running out of love". He was frustrated and tensions were high as Rough Trade hadn't paid the bill from a session two weeks before. I arrived to find them routining three songs; I cannot recall the other two but the Boy with the Thorn in his Side was the stronger of the three. I routined the band in the afternoon until they were tight enough to commit to tape. Johnny Marr asked me later in the day which song I thought was the strongest. They were seemingly at odds and I was not keen to involve myself. But, he pushed, so I said The Boy is best. At that point Morrissey wasn't entirely convinced but as the tracks were layered he started to come round.”
Also a funny story according to Steve:
“During the session I remember Morrissey asking Paul who, in his opinion was the best band to come out of Manchester? Paul being a big sixties fan said "The Hollies", Morrissey was livid and told Paul he was absolutely wrong and that The Buzzcocks were easily the best. The debate went on for some time!”
This also include two other tracks, which are physically separate tapes (just the same spool). Steve said that this was purely from a financial reason and the studio wasted nothing during its time.
Note: Similar content previously mentioned two weeks ago in the Strange/unexpected Moz references thread by Famous when dead.
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