The opening line of:-
Cloud Nine – Revenge (mp3)
The period after the release of ‘Technique’ was a strange time for New Order.
Factory Records and the Hacienda had major financial problems that unsettled the band. Barney was enjoying himself far more alongside Johnny Marr in Electronic, while Hooky was living his dreams of all-out leather-clad rock-star in Revenge. Gillian & Steven even produced a record of their own as The Other Two.
Some of the results of the spin-off projects would not have been out of place in any New Order discography. Well, maybe not too much of the Revenge output – but ‘Cloud Nine‘, taken from the appallingly named ‘Gun World Porn EP’ was better than OK.
I know from reading other blogs and opinions that Electronic has long divided fans of New Order and The Smiths alike. For what it’s worth, I thought the early singles and 1st album were magnificent and that some of the later stuff was more than reasonable, if a bit patchy. Electronic might not have toured very much, but I’m happy to say that I did get to see them at the Glasgow Barrowlands in late 1991, and it is a concert that remains a very happy memory. To be able to watch two of my favourite musicians perform on stage together at close quarters was a real treat. I also think that Johnny’s influence led to Barney becoming a more outgoing performer in the 90s with New Order…..but then again, other influences may have also played a part.
A particular favourite track of mine is an instrumental which in places reminds me of New Order in the ‘Low Life’ era and also makes me wonder just what direction Johnny would have taken his original band had they either not split up or indeed reformed in some shape or form. I don’t think however, that Morrissey would have come up with any decent lyrics for the funk/disco style his former best pal was turning out.
Freewill – Electronic (mp3)
But of all the records the band members released in other guises, there is an almost flawless piece of fluff, and who would have reckoned that the quiet couple would have produced it?
Tasty Fish (12″) – The Other Two (mp3)
(sorry for the poor quality photo of the record sleeve, but it has been taken inside the fabled cupboard where the vinyl sat feeling unloved for so many years)
Given that the songs you can listen to today are not strictly New Order songs, I’ve decided not to feature a cover version. Instead, I’m going to load the best New Order song that the band didn’t write….
In Betweendays – The Cure (mp3)
More perfect pop tomorrow.
Oh, I almost forgot. While going through the Vinyl Cupboard, I discovered a very rare and difficult to obtain New Order track. It’s the third cut on the 12″ version of ‘Perfect Kiss’. As far as I know, it’s never made any compilation on a CD, but at not much more than just over 1′ 20 secs long, it doesn’t matter too much except to completists. However, if you’re ever looked out for it, I’m glad to be have been of some help:-
Perfect Pit – New Order (mp3)
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