Category Archives: Bill Nelson

Bill Nelson’s Red Noise “Art/Empire/Industry – The Complete Red Noise” 6CD Remastered Box Set Available August 26, 2022

For Immediate Release

Bill Nelson’s Red Noise “Art/Empire/Industry – The Complete Red Noise” 6CD Remastered Box Set Available August 26, 2022

• A NEW SIX DISC BOXED SET OF THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS MADE BY BILL NELSON’S RED NOISE – COMPRISING FOUR CDs AND TWO DVDs (NTSC/REGION FREE).

• FEATURING A NEWLY REMASTERED EDITION OF THE ALBUM ‘SOUND ON SOUND’, ALONG WITH NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND AND NEW STEREO MIXES BY STEVEN WILSON.

• INCLUDES A PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED CONCERT RECORDED IN LEICESTER IN FEBRUARY 1979 NEWLY MIXED FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK TAPES, PLUS BILL NELSON’S HOME DEMOS, ADDITIONAL SESSION TRACKS AND A BBC RADIO SESSION FROM 1979.

• WITH BONUS VIDEO CONTENT OF THE PROMOTIONAL VIDEO OF ‘REVOLT INTO STYLE’ AND A SESSION FILMED FOR BBC TV’S OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST IN 1979.

• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY-ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH EXTENSIVE ESSAY BY BILL NELSON AND A FOREWORD BY STEVE WILSON, A FACSIMILE TOUR PROGRAMME, POSTER AND FOUR POSTCARDS.

Following the release of the album “Drastic Plastic” and tour, Bill Nelson disbanded Be-Bop Deluxe. Aware of the emergence of the New Wave artists and out of a desire to continually evolve, he announced the formation of Red Noise.

Working with co-producer John Leckie, Bill recorded a new wave masterpiece, a record that would influence a new generation of musicians with its intelligent and punchy material. “Sound On Sound” and the subsequent live shows would divide opinion of both fans and critics, but with the passage of time, the album is now regarded as one of Bill Nelson’s finest works.

This boxed set features the complete Red Noise recordings; the original album newly remastered by Steven Wilson from the original master tapes, along with stunning new stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound mixes.

The set also includes an outstanding complete live concert recorded in Leicester in 1979, newly mixed from the original 24-track tapes, a session recorded for BBC Radio One and a further Red Noise studio session from May 1979 plus a bonus CD of Bill Nelson’s home demos. The set also includes video material, including the video for “Revolt Into Style” and the band’s session for the BBC TV show “The Old Grey Whistle Test” from February 1979.

Track Listing:

DISC ONE
SOUND ON SOUND REMASTERED
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric)
2 For Young Moderns
3 Stop / Go / Stop
4 Furniture Music
5 Radar in My Heart
6 Stay Young
7 Out of Touch
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone
9 Substitute Flesh
10 The Atom Age
11 Art / Empire / Industry
12 Revolt into Style Bonus tracks
13 Wonder Toys That Last Forever
14 Acquitted by Mirrors (B-side of ‘Furniture Music’ EP)
15 Stay Young (BBC session 17.02.1979)
16 Furniture Music (BBC session 17.02.1979)
17 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (BBC session 17.02.1979)
18 Out of Touch (BBC session 17.02.1979)

DISC TWO
LIVE AT THE DE MONTFORT HALL, LEICESTER 1979
PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (live)
2 For Young Moderns (live)
3 Furniture Music (live)
4 Out of Touch (live)
5 Stop-Go-Stop (live)
6 Atom Age (live)
7 Possession (live)
8 Superenigmatix (live)
9 Substitute Flesh (live)
10 Phantom Zone (live)
11 Radar in My Heart (live)
12 Art / Empire / Industry (live)
13 Revolt into Style (live)
14 Stay Young (live)
15 For Young Moderns (Encore) (live)

DISC THREE
SOUND ON SOUND NEW STEREO MIX
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric)
2 For Young Moderns
3 Stop / Go / Stop
4 Furniture Music
5 Radar in My Heart
6 Stay Young
7 Out of Touch
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone
9 Substitute Flesh
10 The Atom Age
11 Art / Empire / Industry
12 Revolt into Style Bonus tracks
13 Wonder Toys That Last Forever
14 Acquitted by Mirrors
15 My Light (previously unreleased) Recorded for the “Sound on Sound” sessions
16 Instantly Yours
17 Ideal Homes
18 Disposable

DISC FOUR
SOUND ON SOUND
96 kHz/24-BIT 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX
NEW STEREO MIX ORIGINAL STEREO MIX
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (5.1 mix)
2 For Young Moderns (5.1 mix)
3 Stop / Go / Stop (5.1 mix)
4 Furniture Music (5.1 mix)
5 Radar in My Heart (5.1 mix)
6 Stay Young (5.1 mix)
7 Out of Touch (5.1 mix)
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone (5.1 mix)
9 Substitute Flesh (5.1 mix)
10 The Atom Age (5.1 mix)
11 Art / Empire / Industry (5.1 mix)
12 Revolt into Style (5.1 mix)

DISC FIVE
ADDITIONAL RED NOISE SESSIONS
96 kHz/24-BIT 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIXES
NEW STEREO MIXES ORIGINAL STEREO MIXES
1 Wonder Toys That Last Forever (5.1 mix)
2 Acquitted by Mirrors (5.1 mix)
3 My Light (5.1 mix) Recorded for the “Sound on Sound” sessions
4 Instantly Yours (5.1 mix)
5 Ideal Homes (5.1 mix)
6 Disposable (5.1 mix)
RAK Studios, London May 1979

VIDEO CONTENT
PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
1 Revolt into Style (Promotional video 1979)
2 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test – 1979)
3 Furniture Music (BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test 1979)
4 Stay Young (BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test 1979)

DISC SIX
BILL NELSON RED NOISE DEMOS 1978 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
1 Acquitted by Mirrors (demo)
2 For Young Moderns (demo) 3 Stop Go Stop (demo)
4 Furniture Music (demo)
5 Radar in My Heart (demo)
6 Stay Young (demo)
7 Out of Touch (demo)
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone (demo)
9 Substitute Flesh (demo)
10 The Atom Age (demo)
11 Revolt into Style (demo)
12 Waiting for the Night (demo)
13 My Light (demo)

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/bill-nelsons-red-noise-art-empire-industry-the-complete-red-noise-6cd-remastered-box-set/

Bill Nelson’s Dreamsville official website: https://www.billnelson.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” Deluxe 16 Disc Limited Edition Boxed Set Available For Pre-order

For Immediate Release

Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” Deluxe 16 Disc Limited Edition Boxed Set Available For Pre-order

Esoteric presents Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” – an expanded edition of the classic 1977 live album!

• A DELUXE 16 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC 1977 LIVE ALBUM BY BE BOP DELUXE
• THE ORIGINAL ALBUM IS NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES RESTORING THE CORRECT ALBUM
RUNNING ORDER
• WITH AN ADDITIONAL 14 CDs FEATURING EVERY CONCERT RECORDED ON THE BE BOP DELUXE UK TOUR OF
FEBRUARY & MARCH 1977 ALL NEWLY REMIXED FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK TAPES BY STEPHEN W. TAYLER
• INCLUDES A BBC RADIO ONE JOHN PEEL SESSION FROM JANUARY 1977
• ALSO INCLUDES A DVD (NTSC / REGION FREE) OF THE STAR RIDER IN CONCERT TV FILM FIRST SCREENED IN 1977,
RELEASED HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME
• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH MANY PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHS & NEW ESSAY BY BILL NELSON
• ALSO INCLUDES POSTCARDS AND A REPLICA POSTER

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce a new re-mastered super-deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition release (comprising 15 CDs and a DVD) of “Live! In The Air Age” by Be-Bop Deluxe. This legendary live album was released in July 1977 and would prove to be the band’s most successful album, peaking at number 10 in the UK charts. The album was issued at a time of growing commercial success for the band and followed on the heels of two highly acclaimed studio albums in thirteen months, Sunburst Finish and Modern Music, both of which reached the top twenty of the UK album charts. Live! In the Air Age would be the band’s only live record and was recorded on a series of dates in the UK in February and March 1977 on the Rolling Stones mobile unit with John Leckie, who had engineered and co-produced the band’s previous two albums, supervising the location recordings.

The band’s UK tour began in late January and was an audio-visual extravaganza that featured the use of projection screens and excerpts from the 1927 German silent film Metropolis, director Fritz Lang’s striking science fiction masterpiece. Continuing into February, the first concert to be recorded was at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester on the 12th of that month. The following two nights saw concerts at the Grand Theatre in Leeds which were both captured on tape and saw Bill Nelson perform to an enthusiastic home audience. However, at this juncture fate would intervene to cause a postponement to the remainder of the tour. Travelling to a concert in Bristol on 15th February 1977, Bill Nelson and John Leckie were involved in a car accident which resulted in them being hospitalized at Huddersfield Infirmary. Thankfully, all involved recovered quickly from their injuries, but as a result of the accident, the remaining concerts were postponed until the end of March. The tour began again with two concerts at Hammersmith Odeon in London on March 25th and 26th 1977 which revealed the band to be on top form, feeding off the tremendous warmth of the audience. Further shows in Bristol and Bournemouth on the 27th and 28th March respectively also contained many fine moments. Bill Nelson and John Leckie selected the best performances for mixing at Abbey Road and Advision studios in London and “Live! In The Air Age” was released in July 1977.

Research of all of the Be-Bop Deluxe master tapes revealed that multi track tapes of all the shows recorded on the UK tour of 1977 had survived. After digitizing and listening through to all of the Rolling Stones mobile unit 24-track tapes it was decided to include each concert in its entirety in this expanded boxed set. The concerts were mixed over a period of several months by Stephen W. Tayler and are presented here for the very first time. They reveal the improvisational side of Be-Bop Deluxe, particularly on pieces such as “Shine” and “Blazing” Apostles which made each concert unique.

This set features the original album, newly remastered from the original master tapes, and restores the correct running order of the original LP release and has three bonus tracks drawn from a BBC Radio One JOHN PEEL SHOW session from January 1977. This box also adds an NTSC / Region Free DVD of STAR RIDER IN CONCERT – BE-BOP DELUXE, which was first screened on television in 1977 and appears exclusively in this boxed set for the first time. Finally, this limited-edition boxed set includes an illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes postcards and a replica poster. This special deluxe limited-edition boxed set of “Live! In The Air Age” is a fitting tribute to a fine live band and the creative vision of Bill Nelson.

Released August 27, 2021


To pre-order:
Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” 15CD/1DVD Limited Edition Box Set: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-live-in-the-air-age-15cd-1dvd-limited-edition-box-set/
Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” 3CD Remastered & Expanded Edition: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-live-in-the-air-age-3cd-remastered-expanded-edition/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Bill Nelson and John Leckie Interview with Mix

Classic Tracks: ‘Ships in the Night’ by Be-Bop Deluxe

MATT HURWITZ – UPDATED ON MAY 7, 2019

By 1975, British rockers Be-Bop Deluxe had recorded and released two albums on EMI’s Harvest label without much notice in the States. The first, Axe Victim in 1974, produced by Ian McClintock and recorded at AIR Studios in London, was succeeded by Futurama in June 1975, recorded at Rockfield Studios. Produced by the prolific Roy Thomas Baker, the album, which yielded two hit singles in England, “Sister Seagull” and “Maid in Heaven,” had little impact here.

But with Bill Nelson, the group’s leader/mastermind guitarist, taking the producer’s chair for the first time, alongside Abbey Road engineer (and now co-producer) John Leckie, at Abbey Road Studios in 1975, they were poised to break the ice worldwide with the recording of their third LP, Sunburst Finish, and its hit single, “Ships in the Night.” The song set the stage for fans to be introduced to Nelson’s complex songwriting and production, evidenced by another standout track, “Sleep That Burns,” which closed the album’s first side.

The album was recently reissued by Esoteric Recordings in England in a deluxe edition, featuring both stereo and 5.1 surround remixes by Stephen W Tayler. It also includes early versions of several of the album’s songs.

Drummer Simon Fox and New Zealand-born bassist Charlie Tumahai had joined the band the year before, with guitarist Nelson tracking keyboards himself during the Futurama sessions. For touring, a true keyboardist was required, so a young player, Simon Clarke, from a band in Sheffield called Mother’s Pride, was added to the lineup (after being asked to adopt his middle name, Andy, under “We already have a Simon” band rules…).

“We advertised for a keyboard player, and Andy turned up,” Nelson recalls. “He had been a church organist at one time, and was the most technically able. He was very much into bands like Emerson, Lake and Palmer and King Crimson—prog was his bag. The only problem we had with him was that he looked like a stereotypical hippie—very, very long hair, mutton chops and an Afghan coat! We said, ‘C’mon, Andy, get a haricut, smarten yourself up,’” he laughs. “He refused. He said, ‘I’m a musician. I’m not dressing up.’”

For the rest of the interview, please visit the Mix website!


Be-Bop Deluxe FUTURAMA 3CD/1DVD Limited Edition Deluxe Boxset To Be Released May 3, 2019

For Immediate Release

Be-Bop Deluxe FUTURAMA 3CD/1DVD Limited Edition Deluxe Boxset To Be Released May 3, 2019

• A DELUXE 4 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC 1975 ALBUM BY BE BOP DELUXE
• NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES
• FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL 36 BONUS TRACKS DRAWN FROM NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND & STEREO MIXES FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES, BBC RADIO SESSIONS FROM 1975 (INCLUDING A PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED “LOST” BBC IN CONCERT PERFORMANCE FROM MAY 1975), PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED OUT-TAKE FROM THE ALBUM SESSIONS, AND A PREVIOUSLY RELEASED 1975 HARVEST RECORDS PROMO VIDEO OF “MAID IN HEAVEN” & A BBC TV OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST APPEARANCE FROM JULY 1975
• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED 68 PAGE BOOK WITH MANY PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHS &
NEW ESSAY BY BILL NELSON
ALSO INCLUDES A REPLICA RECORD STORE POSTER, POSTCARDS AND ALBUM TRACK SHEETS

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new re-mastered four disc deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition (comprising 3 CDs and a DVD) of FUTURAMA the legendary 1975 album by BE-BOP DELUXE.

Recorded in the first two months of 1975 at Rockfield studios (with some sessions also taking place at SARM studios in London), FUTURAMA was the second album by Be-Bop Deluxe and the first to feature the line-up of BILL NELSON (vocals, guitars, keyboards), CHARLIE TUMAHAI (bass, vocals) and SIMON FOX (drums). Produced by Roy Thomas Baker (who at the time was also working with Queen), FUTURAMA was an album of immense musical inventiveness and creativity and was a huge leap forward in creative terms for Bill Nelson.

The album gained much praise thanks to Bill Nelson’s composition skills and his highly innovative guitar playing. Featuring such wonderful material as ‘Maid in Heaven’, ‘Sister Seagull’, ‘Music in Dreamland’, ‘Sound Track’, ‘Between the Worlds’, ‘Jean Cocteau’ and ‘Swan Song’, the album would see Be Bop Deluxe heralded as one of the most accomplished acts of 1975.

This expanded reissue has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes and features an additional 36 bonus tracks drawn from a stunning new 5.1 surround sound & stereo mixes from the original multi-track tapes by award winning engineer Stephen W. Tayler, a previously unreleased out-take from the album sessions, a previously unissued BBC Radio “In Concert” performance from May 1975 (thought “lost” for some years), a rare John Peel Show session from March 1975, along with a previously unreleased 1975 Harvest Records promotional video for ‘Maid in Heaven’ and a session for BBC TV’s “Old Grey Whistle Test” show from July 1975.

Another highlight of this limited edition boxed set is the lavishly illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes a facsimile Record Store poster for FUTURAMA, replica track sheets, and postcards. This special deluxe limited edition boxed set of FUTURAMA is a fitting tribute to a fine band, the creative vision of Bill Nelson and a wonderful album.

DISC ONE: CD
FUTURAMA
THE ORIGINAL ALBUM REMASTERED:

1. STAGE WHISPERS
2. LOVE WITH THE MADMAN
3. MAID IN HEAVEN
4. SISTER SEAGULL
5. SOUND TRACK
6. MUSIC IN DREAMLAND
7. JEAN COCTEAU
8. BETWEEN THE WORLDS
9. SWAN SONG
BONUS TRACKS
10. BETWEEN THE WORLDS (SINGLE VERSION)
11. LIGHTS

DISC TWO: CD
FUTURAMA
THE NEW STEREO MIX:

1. STAGE WHISPERS (NEW STEREO MIX)
2. LOVE WITH THE MADMAN (NEW STEREO MIX)
3. MAID IN HEAVEN (NEW STEREO MIX)
4. SISTER SEAGULL (NEW STEREO MIX)
5. SOUND TRACK (NEW STEREO MIX)
6. MUSIC IN DREAMLAND (NEW STEREO MIX)
7. JEAN COCTEAU (NEW STEREO MIX)
8. BETWEEN THE WORLDS (NEW STEREO MIX)
9. SWAN SONG (NEW STEREO MIX)
BONUS TRACKS
10. BETWEEN THE WORLDS (SINGLE VERSION) (NEW STEREO MIX)
11. LIGHTS (NEW STEREO MIX)
12. MUSIC IN DREAMLAND (PHONOGRAM STUDIOS VERSION)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
13. BETWEEN THE WORLDS (ALTERNATE SINGLE VERSION)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

DISC THREE: CD
BBC RADIO ONE “JOHN PEEL SHOW” SESSION
11th MARCH 1975:

1. STAGE WHISPERS (BBC SESSION MARCH 1975)
2. SISTER SEAGULL (BBC SESSION MARCH 1975)
3. MAID IN HEAVEN (BBC SESSION MARCH 1975)
4. LIGHTS (BBC SESSION MARCH 1975)

BBC RADIO ONE “IN CONCERT”
23rd MAY 1975 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED:

5. STAGE WHISPERS (BBC IN CONCERT MAY 1975)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
6. THIRD FLOOR HEAVEN
(BBC IN CONCERT MAY 1975)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
7. ADVENTURES IN A YORKSHIRE LANDSCAPE
(BBC IN CONCERT MAY 1975)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
8. SISTER SEAGULL (BBC IN CONCERT MAY 1975)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
9. PIECE OF MINE (BBC IN CONCERT MAY 1975)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
10. MAID IN HEAVEN (BBC IN CONCERT MAY 1975)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
11. AXE VICTIM (BBC IN CONCERT MAY 1975)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

DISC FOUR: DVD
FUTURAMA
THE NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX, NEW 96 KHZ / 24-BIT STEREO MIX AND 96 KHZ / 24-BIT ORIGINAL STEREO MIX

1. STAGE WHISPERS (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
2. LOVE WITH THE MADMAN (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
3. MAID IN HEAVEN (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
4. SISTER SEAGULL (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
5. SOUND TRACK (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
6. MUSIC IN DREAMLAND (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
7. JEAN COCTEAU (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
8. BETWEEN THE WORLDS (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
9. SWAN SONG (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
BONUS AUDIO MATERIAL
10. BETWEEN THE WORLDS (SINGLE VERSION) (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
11. LIGHTS (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
12. MUSIC IN DREAMLAND (PHONOGRAM STUDIOS VERSION) (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
BONUS VIDEO MATERIAL
13. MAID IN HEAVEN (OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST)
14. SISTER SEAGULL (OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST)

BBC TV “OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST” SESSION
19th JULY 1975

15. MAID IN HEAVEN
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED PROMO VIDEO)

1975 HARVEST RECORDS PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

Released May 3, 2019

To pre-order Be-Bop Deluxe FUTURAMA 3CD/1DVD:
https://www.amazon.com/Futurama-BE-BOP-DELUXE/dp/B07P2JBRKD

Also Available As a 2CD Expanded & Remastered Edition

Bill Nelson’s official website: www.billnelson.com

Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Distribution is being handled in the US exclusively by Amped Distribution www.ampeddistribution.com and wholesale inquiries can be made to Alex Jimenez at alex@ampeddistribution.com


New BE-BOP DELUXE “SUNBURST FINISH” Documentary Featuring Bill Nelson and Producer John Leckie

For Immediate Release

New BE-BOP DELUXE SUNBURST FINISH Documentary Featuring Bill Nelson and Producer John Leckie

Esoteric Recordings has recently released a new re-mastered four disc deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition (comprising 3 CDs and a DVD) of SUNBURST FINISH the legendary 1976 album by BE-BOP DELUXE. Founding band member, guitarist and songwriter Bill Nelson and legendary producer John Leckie, who co-produced the album with Bill, are featured in a new documentary about the SUNBURST FINISH sessions. Filmed in York, England at Bill’s residence, the documentary was researched & directed by Matt Bristow. Filmed & Edited by Mark J. Freeman (markjfreeman.co.uk) for Cherry Red Records.

Watch the documentary here: 
https://www.goldminemag.com/features/goldmine-premiere-of-be-bop-deluxe-documentary

Recorded in the Autumn of 1975 at Abbey Road studios (with some sessions also taking place at AIR studios in London), SUNBURST FINISH was the third album by Be-Bop Deluxe and the first to feature the line-up of BILL NELSON (vocals, guitars, keyboards), CHARLIE TUMAHAI (bass, vocals), ANDY CLARK (keyboards) and SIMON FOX (drums). It was also the first BE-BOP DELUXE album to be co-produced by BILL NELSON and JOHN LECKIE. An album of immense musical inventiveness and creativity, SUNBURST FINISH was one of the finest albums of its era, a perfect cohesion of ten classic songs written by BILL NELSON (featuring his highly imaginative guitar playing) and a stylized and striking artwork package. Featuring such classic material as “Heavenly Homes”, “Crying to the Sky”, “Sleep that Burns”, “Life in the Air Age”, “Crystal Gazing” and “Blazing Apostles”, the album also spawned the hit single “Ships in the Night” and launched BE-BOP DELUXE as one of the major breakthrough acts of 1976.

This expanded reissue has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes and features an additional 39 bonus tracks drawn from a stunning new 5.1 surround sound & stereo mixes from the original multi-track tapes by award winning engineer Stephen W. Tayler, previously unreleased out-takes from the album sessions, a BBC Radio “In Concert” performance from January 1976, a rare John Peel Show session from February 1976 (unavailable on CD for over twenty years), along with an unissued and previously unreleased 1976 Harvest Records promotional video for “Ships in the Night” and a session for BBC TV’s “Old Grey Whistle Test” show from January 1976.

Another highlight of this limited edition boxed set is the lavishly illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes a facsimile of the 1976 SUNBURST FINISH tour programme, postcards and a replica poster. This special deluxe limited edition boxed set of SUNBURST FINISH is a fitting tribute to a fine band, the creative vision of Bill Nelson and a wonderful album.

Released November 23, 2018.


To order BE-BOP DELUXE SUNBURST FINISH 3CD/1DVD Limited Edition Deluxe Boxed Set:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunburst-Finish-BE-BOP-DELUXE/dp/B07GRM8SQ7

Also Available As a 2CD Expanded & Remastered Edition

Bill Nelson’s official website: www.billnelson.com

Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Distribution is being handled in the US exclusively by Amped Distribution www.ampeddistribution.com and wholesale inquiries can be made to Alex Jimenez at alex@ampeddistribution.com


Esoteric Recordings To Release BE-BOP DELUXE SUNBURST FINISH 3CD/1DVD Limited Edition Deluxe Boxed Set – November 23, 2018

For Immediate Release

Esoteric Recordings To Release BE-BOP DELUXE SUNBURST FINISH 3CD/1DVD Limited Edition Deluxe Boxed Set – November 23, 2018

NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES

FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL 39 BONUS TRACKS DRAWN FROM NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND & STEREO MIXES FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES, BBC RADIO SESSIONS FROM 1976, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED OUT-TAKES FROM THE ALBUM SESSIONS, ALONG WITH A PREVIOUSLY RELEASED UNISSUED 1976 HARVEST RECORDS PROMO VIDEO OF “SHIPS IN THE NIGHT” & A BBC TV OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST APPEARANCE FROM FEBRUARY 1976

INCLUDES A LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED 68 PAGE BOOK WITH MANY PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHS & NEW ESSAY BY BILL NELSON. ALSO INCLUDES A FACSIMILE OF THE 1976 SUNBURST FINISH TOUR PROGRAMME, POSTCARDS AND A REPLICA POSTER

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new re-mastered four disc deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition (comprising 3 CDs and a DVD) of SUNBURST FINISH the legendary 1976 album by BE-BOP DELUXE.

Recorded in the Autumn of 1975 at Abbey Road studios (with some sessions also taking place at AIR studios in London), SUNBURST FINISH was the third album by Be-Bop Deluxe and the first to feature the line-up of BILL NELSON (vocals, guitars, keyboards), CHARLIE TUMAHAI (bass, vocals), ANDY CLARK (keyboards) and SIMON FOX (drums). It was also the first BE-BOP DELUXE album to be co-produced by BILL NELSON and JOHN LECKIE. An album of immense musical inventiveness and creativity, SUNBURST FINISH was one of the finest albums of its era, a perfect cohesion of ten classic songs written by BILL NELSON (featuring his highly imaginative guitar playing) and a stylized and striking artwork package. Featuring such classic material as “Heavenly Homes”, “Crying to the Sky”, “Sleep that Burns”, “Life in the Air Age”, “Crystal Gazing” and “Blazing Apostles”, the album also spawned the hit single “Ships in the Night” and launched BE-BOP DELUXE as one of the major breakthrough acts of 1976.

This expanded reissue has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes and features an additional 39 bonus tracks drawn from a stunning new 5.1 surround sound & stereo mixes from the original multi-track tapes by award winning engineer Stephen W. Tayler, previously unreleased out-takes from the album sessions, a BBC Radio “In Concert” performance from January 1976, a rare John Peel Show session from February 1976 (unavailable on CD for over twenty years), along with an unissued and previously unreleased 1976 Harvest Records promotional video for “Ships in the Night” and a session for BBC TV’s “Old Grey Whistle Test” show from January 1976.

Another highlight of this limited edition boxed set is the lavishly illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes a facsimile of the 1976 SUNBURST FINISH tour programme, postcards and a replica poster. This special deluxe limited edition boxed set of SUNBURST FINISH is a fitting tribute to a fine band, the creative vision of Bill Nelson and a wonderful album.

Released November 23, 2018.

DISC ONE:
SUNBURST FINISH
THE ORIGINAL STEREO MIX RE- MASTERED:
1. FAIR EXCHANGE
2. HEAVENLY HOMES
3. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT
4. CRYING TO THE SKY
5. SLEEP THAT BURNS
6. BEAUTY SECRETS
7. LIFE IN THE AIR AGE
8. LIKE AN OLD BLUES
9. CRYSTAL GAZING
10. BLAZING APOSTLES

BONUS TRACK
11. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT (SINGLE VERSION) A-SIDE OF SINGLE

DISC TWO:
SUNBURST FINISH
THE 2018 STEREO MIX:
1. FAIR EXCHANGE (NEW STEREO MIX)
2. HEAVENLY HOMES (NEW STEREO MIX)
3. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT (NEW STEREO MIX)
4. CRYING TO THE SKY (NEW STEREO MIX)
5. SLEEP THAT BURNS (NEW STEREO MIX)
6. BEAUTY SECRETS (NEW STEREO MIX)
7. LIFE IN THE AIR AGE (NEW STEREO MIX)
8. LIKE AN OLD BLUES (NEW STEREO MIX)
9. CRYSTAL GAZING (NEW STEREO MIX)
10. BLAZING APOSTLES (NEW STEREO MIX)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED BONUS TRACKS
11. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT (FIRST VERSION)
12. BEAUTY SECRETS (FIRST VERSION)
13. THE MYSTERY DEMO
14. CRYSTAL GAZING (ALTERNATE VOCAL VERSION)
15. CRYING TO THE SKY (FIRST VERSION)
16. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT (ALTERNATE VOCAL VERSION)

DISC THREE:
BBC RADIO RECORDINGS
1. LIFE IN THE AIR AGE (LIVE)
2. SISTER SEAGULL (LIVE)
3. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT (LIVE)
4. MAID IN HEAVEN (LIVE)
5. THIRD FLOOR HEAVEN (LIVE)
6. BLAZING APOSTLES (LIVE)

BBC RADIO ONE “IN CONCERT” 15TH JANUARY 1976
7. CRYING TO THE SKY (BBC JOHN PEEL SESSION)
8. PIECE OF MIND (BBC JOHN PEEL SESSION)
9. BLAZING APOSTLES (BBC JOHN PEEL SESSION)
BBC RADIO ONE “JOHN PEEL SHOW” SESSION 10th FEBRUARY 1976

DISC FOUR: DVD
SUNBURST FINISH
THE NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX, NEW 96 KHZ / 24-BIT STEREO MIX AND 96 KHZ / 24-BIT ORIGINAL STEREO MIX
1. FAIR EXCHANGE (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
2. HEAVENLY HOMES (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
3. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
4. CRYING TO THE SKY (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
5. SLEEP THAT BURNS (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
6. BEAUTY SECRETS (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
7. LIFE IN THE AIR AGE (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
8. LIKE AN OLD BLUES (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
9. CRYSTAL GAZING (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
10. BLAZING APOSTLES (5.1 SURROUND MIX)

BONUS VIDEO MATERIAL
1. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT (OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST)
2. FAIR EXCHANGE (OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST)
BBC TV “OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST” SESSION 13TH JANUARY 1976
3. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT (UNRELEASED PROMO VIDEO) 1976 HARVEST RECORDS UNISSUED PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

To pre-order BE-BOP DELUXE SUNBURST FINISH 3CD/1DVD Limited Edition Deluxe Boxed Set:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunburst-Finish-BE-BOP-DELUXE/dp/B07GRM8SQ7

Also Available As a 2CD Expanded & Remastered Edition

Bill Nelson’s official website: www.billnelson.com

Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Distribution is being handled in the US exclusively by Amped Distribution www.ampeddistribution.com and wholesale inquiries can be made to Alex Jimenez at alex@ampeddistribution.com


Bill Nelson’s “Dreamy Screens: Soundtracks From Echo Observatory” 3-Disc Boxed Set Available December 1, 2017!

For Immediate Release

Bill Nelson’s “Dreamy Screens: Soundtracks From Echo Observatory” 3-Disc Boxed Set Available December 1, 2017!

Now available for pre-order

London – Esoteric Recordings’ imprint Cocteau Discs, dedicated to the work of BILL NELSON, are proud to announce the release of a deluxe 3 disc clamshell boxed set limited edition collection titled “Dreamy Screens: Soundtracks from the Echo Observatory.” The set features three albums, all recorded at Bill Nelson’s Yorkshire home studio, the Echo Observatory, in 1981 and 1982 – “Sounding the Ritual Echo” (originally issued as a limited edition bonus LP with Bill’s 1981 album “Quit Dreaming and Get On the Beam”), “Das Kabinet” (a soundtrack to a production of “The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari” by The Yorkshire Actors Company issued as an LP on Bill’s Cocteau label in 1981) and “La Belle et La Bete” (a soundtrack to a stage production of Jean Cocteau’s classic 1946 film “Beauty & the Beast,” first issued as a limited edition bonus LP with Bill’s 1982 album “The Love That Whirls”).

All of the recordings featured in this set demonstrate Bill’s creativity utilising primitive recording equipment by today’s standards. As Bill has stated, “The music was recorded on a domestic four track machine. A high degree of self-discipline was in order.”

All of the recordings forming “Dreamy Screens” have now become highly regarded in the prolific discography of Bill Nelson.

Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. Annunciation
2. Sounding the Ritual Echo
3. Sleep
4. Near East
5. Emak Bakia
6. My Intricate Image
7. Endless Orchids
8. The Heat in the Room
9. Another Willingly Opened Window
10. Vanishing Parades
11. Glass Fish (For the Final Aquarium)
12. Cubical Domes
13. Ashes of Roses
14. The Shadow Garden
15. Opium

Disc: 2
1. The Asylum
2. Waltz
3. The Fairground
4. Doctor Caligari
5. Cesare the Somnambulist
6. Murder
7. The Funeral
8. The Somnambulist and the Children
9. Caligari Disciplines Cesare
10. Caligari Feeds Cesare
11. Caligari Opens the Cabinet
12. Jane Discovers Cesare
13. The Attempted Murder of Jane
14. The Dream Dance of Jane and the Somnambulist
15. Escape Over the Rooftops
16. The Unmasking
17. The Shot
18. The Cabinet Closes

Disc: 3
1. Overture
2. The Family
3. Sisters and Sedan Chairs
4. In the Forest of Storms
5. The Castle
6. The Gates
7. The Corridor
8. The Great Hall
9. Dreams (The Merchant Sleeps)
10. Fear (The Merchant Wakes)
11. The Rose and the Beast
12. Magnificent (The White Horse)
13. Beauty Enters the Castle
14. The Door
15. The Mirror
16. Candelabra and Gargoyles
17. Beauty and the Beast
18. Transition No. 1
19. Transition No. 2
20. The Hunt
21. The Gift
22. The Garden
23. Transition No. 3
24. Transition No. 4
25. The Tragedy
26. Transition No. 5
27. The Enchanted Glove
28. Tears As Diamonds (The Gift Reverses)
29. The Beast in Solitude
30. The Return of the Magnificent
31. Transition No. 6 (The Journey)
32. The Pavilion of Diana
33. Transformation No.1
34. Transformation No. 2
35. The Final Curtain

To pre-order Bill Nelson’s “Dreamy Screens: Soundtracks From Echo Observatory” 3-Disc Boxed: 
Cherry Red webstore: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/dreamy-screens-soundtracks-from-the-echo-observatory/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dreamy-Screens-Soundtracks-Echo-Observatory/dp/B075TQS3F4

Bill Nelson’s official website: www.billnelson.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Bill Nelson’s “Chance Encounters In The Garden Of Lights” 2CD Remastered & Expanded Edition With Bonus Tracks To Be Released July 28!

For Immediate Release

Bill Nelson’s “Chance Encounters In The Garden Of Lights” 2CD Remastered & Expanded Edition With Bonus Tracks To Be Released July 28!

New remastered & expanded 2CD edition of the classic 1987 ambient double album with 21 bonus tracks drawn from the original 1988 CD edition & a rare limited edition EP

London – Esoteric Recordings’ imprint Cocteau Discs, dedicated to the work of BILL NELSON, are proud to announce the release of a deluxe 2 disc digipak limited edition of the classic collection “Chance Encounters in the Garden of Lights.”

Originally issued on Bill’s Cocteau label in 1987, the double set featured two distinct works; “The Angel at the Western Window” and “The Book of Inward Conversation.” In his note for the original release Bill Nelson declared; “The music presented on these two albums marks the consolidation of several years of musical and philosophical practice. Almost every piece was conceived during moments of intense stillness or ‘magical vacuity.’ Of all the music I have made, this is, perhaps, the most personal and yet the least demonstrative.”

“Chance Encounters in the Garden of Lights” has now become a highly regarded collection of beautifully evocative ambient music in the prolific discography of Bill Nelson. Long out of print, this Cocteau Discs remastered limited edition presents this wonderful double album once again, restoring the original artwork in the collection in a deluxe 2CD digipack set.

It also features 21 bonus tracks drawn from the 1988 CD edition and a rare limited edition EP included with the very first LP pressing of the double album.

TRACK LIST:

DISC ONE:
THE ANGEL AT THE WESTERN WINDOW
1. WEST KEEP
2. THE SPIRIT CANNOT FAIL
3. PILOTS OF KITE
4. SEVENTH SEAL
5. PHANTOM GARDENS
6. THE ANGEL OF HEARTH AND HOME
7. VILLEFRANCHE INTERIOR
8. NIGHT TIDES
9. FIRST MEMORY
10. AZURE EXTENSION
11. RADIANT SPIRES
12. THE EVENING PEAL
13. THRENODIA
14. A SHORT DRINK FROM A CERTAIN FOUNTAIN
15. BODY OF LIGHT
16. AT THE CENTRE
17. SELF-INITIATION
18. THE WORD THAT BECAME FLESH
19. THE HERMETIC GARDEN
20. REVOLVING GLOBES
21. THE FOUR SQUARE CITADEL
22. LITTLE DAUGHTERS OF LIGHT
23. ORIENT OF MEMPHIS
24. THE ANGEL AT THE WESTERN WINDOW ADDITIONAL

BONUS TRACKS NOT ON ALBUM OR CASSETTE RELEASE:
25. THE PIANO ROOM
26. RAIN DANCE
27. ACHING HEART
28. ARISING
29. WELCOME TO REALM SEVEN
30. WITHOUT A BLUE HORIZON
31. FEMALE NEBULA
32. DEMON RAISING
33. BURNING THE GROVE OF SATYRS
34. THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
35. REALM OF ARCHONS
36. THE ROSSETTI EFFECT
37. INFINITE STATION
38. PIANO ANGELICA

DISC TWO:
THE BOOK OF INWARD CONVERSATION
1. MY DARK DAEMON
2. THE DOVE CONSUMED (THE SERPENT SLUMBERS)
3. CALLING HEAVEN, CALLING HEAVEN, OVER
4. PATH OF RETURN
5. THEURGIA
6. STAIRCASE TO NO PLACE
7. EVOCATION OF A RADIANT CHILDHOOD
8. THE KINGDOM OF CONSEQUENCE
9. THE DIVINE RAPTURES OF SISTERHOOD
10. BRIGHT STAR (MOONLIGHT OVER OCEAN BLUE)
11. A BIRD OF THE AIR SHALL CARRY THY VOICE
12. CLOTHED IN LIGHT AMONGST THE STARS
13. GNOSIS
14. BRINGERS OF LIGHT TO THE FEAST
15. HASTENING THE CHARIOT OF MY HEART’S DESIRE
16. TRANSCENDENT
17. CONSOLAMENTUM ECCLESIA GNOSTICA (MUSIC FOR THE INTERIOR CHURCH)
18. SET ME UP AS A SEAL UPON THINE HEART
19. MYSTERIUM
20. KATHAROS
21. DAY OF ETERNITY
22. EVENING ADORATION
23. ECCLESIA GNOSTICA
24. YOUNG ANGELS BY AN ANCIENT RIVER
25. FINIS GLORIA MUNDI

(TRACKS 18 – 25 TAKEN FROM THE 7-INCH EP ORIGINALLY AVAILABLE WITH THE FIRST LP PRESSING OF “CHANCE ENCOUNTERS IN THE GARDEN OF LIGHTS”)

Release date July 28, 2017

For more information:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/chance-encounters-in-the-garden-of-lights-2cd-remastered-expanded-edition/

Bill Nelson’s official website: http://www.billnelson.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Bill Nelson’s “After The Satellite Sings” To Be Reissued By Esoteric Recordings September 29, 2014

Bill

For Immediate Release

Bill Nelson’s “After The Satellite Sings” To Be Reissued By Esoteric Recordings September 29, 2014

London, UK – ESOTERIC RECORDINGS imprint Cocteau Discs, the home of BILL NELSON’s catalogue between 1971 and 2001, continues their series of ongoing releases with the release of a newly remastered edition of the album, “AFTER THE SATELLITE SINGS”.

The album was recorded in 28 days at Fairview Studios in East Yorkshire in 1995 and saw Bill push his constantly evolving musical boundaries still further. A collection of fine songs and three instrumental pieces, “After the Satellite Sings” is a fine album that remains fascinating and engaging nearly two decades on from its first release.

The Cocteau Discs edition fully restores the original album artwork and features a new note by Bill Nelson.

“ ‘After The Satellite Sings’ is an interesting album on many levels and I’m pleased to see it being given a re-release.” – Bill Nelson

• NEW REMASTERED EDITION OF THE CLASSIC 1995 ALBUM BY BILL NELSON – UNAVAILABLE FOR MANY YEARS
• BOOKLET WITH FULLY RESTORED ARTWORK & NEW ESSAY

TRACK LIST:

1. DEEPLY DAZZLED
2. DREAMSTER 2 LR
3. FLIPSIDE
4. STREAMLINER
5. MEMORY BABE
6. SKULL BABY CLUSTER
7. ZOOM SEQUENCE
8. ROCKET TO DAMASCUS
9. BEAUTIFUL NUDES
10. OLD GOAT
11. SQUIRM
12. WOW! IT’S SCOOTERCAR SEXKITTEN!
13. PHANTOM SEDAN (THEME FROM TAIL-FIN CITY)
14. ORDINARY IDIOTS
15. V-GHOST (FOR HAROLD AND ELLEN)
16. BLINK-AGOG

For more information: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4807

Bill Nelson’s official website: http://www.billnelson.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Goldmine Review of Getting the Holy Ghost Across by Bill Nelson

Bill Nelson Getting the Holy Ghost Across

Bill Nelson – not Be Bop, but still Deluxe

March 12, 2014 | Dave Thompson

Be Bop Deluxe were an interesting band. Regardless of whether or not you actually liked them (and a lot of people didn’t, which is why they remained a defiantly second division act in terms of rock history), they never failed to fascinate; and, in so doing, erected an aura around themselves that defied you to ever reject them out of hand.

They certainly traced a fascinating musical trajectory, from the studied-chic glam of their debut Axe Victim, to the icicle new wave of their farewell Drastic Plastic, Be Bop essentially delineated the course that British rock’s most potent obsessions would trace through the decade, and did so with just enough of a head start that only David Bowie could really claim to have topped them as an influence.

“Ships In The Night,” their sole major hit single, remains a pristine moment of pomp amid the drudgery of 1976, and Modern Music, their best-selling album (#12, fact fans) prefigured punk with a potency that only Zig’s Low could otherwise reach for. And that came out a few months later.

As Brian Eno probably didn’t really say about the Velvet Underground, but that hasn’t stopped people repeating it, not many people listened to Be Bop Deluxe. But everyone who did formed a synthipop band – and, in so doing, translated the angular cool of their role model into something that even your gran could tap toes to.

They split in 1978, which was both the right time and the wrong. Right, because it meant frontman Bill Nelson could move on to something else, something more in tune with the demands of the time… Red Noise. And wrong, because Be Bop surely had more to offer, if only because their albums-so-far had skirted across so many crucial issues that who knows what they might have posited next?

For the rest of the review, please visit the Goldmine website!