Five versions of Radio Free Europe by R.E.M., plus an unearthed rarity, to enliven your weekend.
Racing ahead at the top is the most familiar, the Don Dixon & Mitch Easter produced version opening R.E.M.'s debut album Murmur in 1983, with video approved by I.R.S. (the label that is, not the Internal Revenue Service).
Close behind is the original video by Arthur Pierson, who provides this fascinating back story
"I "directed" this video for Michael and the band.
Really he was in charge.
The president of the label, said that
it would be on MTV over his dead body
and we were forced to recut it
together with some crap video from a county fair or something.
When the band released their "Succumbs" collection,
much to my gratification,
they included this original version.
Saw Michael years later
and he greeted me like an old friend.
True artists."
Next up is R.E.M.'s debut UK TV appearance, performing on Channel 4's The Tube. Radio Free Europe was one of three songs played live, the others being Talk About The Passion and So. Central Rain.
All of this preamble leads to Friday's release of Radio Free Europe 2025, a 5-track EP "honoring Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty [...] with proceeds from the vinyl pressing to benefit RFE/RL on its 75th anniversary & World Press Freedom Day".
The lead track is a brand new remix by Garret 'Jacknife' Lee, who previously co-produced R.E.M.'s final two studio albums, Accelerate (2008) and Collapse Into Now (2011). Lee also has a CV of artists he's worked with that would take several posts just to list.
To be honest, Radio Free Europe 2025 (Jacknife Lee Remix) is the least exciting version on the EP. He ramps up the bass, tones down the rest and plays around with the intro a bit. For all that, it sounds more like a studio soundcheck, Mike Mills hogging the mike (excuse the pun) whilst the others play away in the background.
You also get both sides of the original HIb-Tone single (Sitting Still being the B-side), which are far more satisfying propositions. I've owned both of these since I bought the 2CD collection And I Feel Fine...The Best Of The I.R.S. Years 1982-1987 back in 2006, so I'm pleased that these are available again on this new EP.
Of the greatest interest is Radio Free Dub, a remix by Mitch Easter dating from 1981. Nothing can surpass the single or album versions, but this is a lot of fun. Still very demo sounding, though hearing Stipe's vocals occasionally put through the effects blender is a hoot.
Brilliant- in each and every form
ReplyDeleteYes, and your companion post shows that Radio Free Europe sounded every bit as brilliant in a live setting. Thanks, Adam!
DeleteI think this may well be the release in which I finally temper my vinyl addiction and not to rush out and buy or order things I already have - albeit this does have a couple of 'new' mixes.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great idea to issue the EP and have the proceeds go to such a worthy cause, but £25 plus P&P is just too steep, notwithstanding it has a fine sleeve and the orange vinyl is eye-catching. It's something I'd buy, play once and put away on a shelf. The fact I'm also running out of storage space is another factor.
No doubt I'll kick myself later in the year and regret the decision!
For someone who grew up buying far nore vinyl singles than albums, it's been a complete U-turn for me. I now get a steady supply of LPs each year (mainly via LNFG) but I wouldn't even contemplate buying a new 7" or 12" single these days because it's way out of my reach financially.
DeleteSadly, having trawled a few record shops and charity shops recently, this also appears the case with secondhand vinyl where the price doesn't seem to reflect the quality and condition of the record and sleeve!