"Secret Messages" on The Orchestra's No Rewind album?
Jul 10, 2014 19:05:43 GMT
sundown, orioles70, and 1 more like this
Post by ShardEnder on Jul 10, 2014 19:05:43 GMT
I've found myself warming to Part II/The Orchestra so much lately that I recently compiled a personal "best of" disc for my daily commute, and upon examining tracks from No Rewind it's surprised me just how many little hidden bits were slipped onto that album. While they're not Jeff Lynne style backward phrases or subtle musical quotations, I still think many of these deserve to be looked at in depth...
First of all, as pointed out in the No Rewind promotional video, there's a voice (presumably not Louis Clark, as in the aforementioned clip) heard during the introduction of Jewel & Johnny announcing this as being take one. Considering its status as the opening song of No Rewind, my guess is that it's meant as more of a reference to this position, since it's clear the track was definitely more than an early studio creation. Then again, maybe it was built up from the first take - who am I to say for certain?
Later in the same song, this voice returns to present the guitar solo, which actually reminds me of something Jeff did on a few occasions in a live setting, particularly for the Heart Beat '86 concert. At the end, we hear one last instance, bringing the story to a rather fitting end. However, buried deep at approximately 3:14 there appears to be yet another instance. I'd sure love to know if this is another intended message or just some genuine leakage that slipped through!
Next, we have one of two examples that's only applicable to the original 2001 issue of No Rewind, appearing right after Twist And Shout. A short and heavily layered request to "listen to the next one," it blends seamlessly into the beginning of following track, Can't Wait To See You. For some reason, on later versions of the album this was replaced by applauding crowd noises, though I've no idea why it ended up being changed.
As for the last such Easter egg, early pressings had a lengthy hidden piece situated after Before We Go that starts with radio sounds before cutting into a fly-on-the-wall type conversation between members of The Orchestra, with someone trying to get a dog barking. After this, we're treated to a brief piano and blue violin instrumental that's clearly based on the chorus of Jewel & Johnny, ending with what sounds very much like a dog toy bouncing around the studio.
My guess is that final treat was dropped from later releases because within the chopped up radio samples you can make out a portion of Confusion, so it's possible Jeff Lynne or his lawyers noticed this, serving a cease and desist order. On the other hand, maybe it was just to give early buyers something exclusive, since the earliest pressing is described as a limited edition? Either way, the 2001 release is definitely one for the collectors based on this and other differences.
P.S. Let's not forget Vixen or The Leaving from No Rewind's predecessor, Moment Of Truth, though to be fair both of these were always listed as standalone tracks, making them far less obscure.
First of all, as pointed out in the No Rewind promotional video, there's a voice (presumably not Louis Clark, as in the aforementioned clip) heard during the introduction of Jewel & Johnny announcing this as being take one. Considering its status as the opening song of No Rewind, my guess is that it's meant as more of a reference to this position, since it's clear the track was definitely more than an early studio creation. Then again, maybe it was built up from the first take - who am I to say for certain?
Later in the same song, this voice returns to present the guitar solo, which actually reminds me of something Jeff did on a few occasions in a live setting, particularly for the Heart Beat '86 concert. At the end, we hear one last instance, bringing the story to a rather fitting end. However, buried deep at approximately 3:14 there appears to be yet another instance. I'd sure love to know if this is another intended message or just some genuine leakage that slipped through!
Next, we have one of two examples that's only applicable to the original 2001 issue of No Rewind, appearing right after Twist And Shout. A short and heavily layered request to "listen to the next one," it blends seamlessly into the beginning of following track, Can't Wait To See You. For some reason, on later versions of the album this was replaced by applauding crowd noises, though I've no idea why it ended up being changed.
As for the last such Easter egg, early pressings had a lengthy hidden piece situated after Before We Go that starts with radio sounds before cutting into a fly-on-the-wall type conversation between members of The Orchestra, with someone trying to get a dog barking. After this, we're treated to a brief piano and blue violin instrumental that's clearly based on the chorus of Jewel & Johnny, ending with what sounds very much like a dog toy bouncing around the studio.
My guess is that final treat was dropped from later releases because within the chopped up radio samples you can make out a portion of Confusion, so it's possible Jeff Lynne or his lawyers noticed this, serving a cease and desist order. On the other hand, maybe it was just to give early buyers something exclusive, since the earliest pressing is described as a limited edition? Either way, the 2001 release is definitely one for the collectors based on this and other differences.
P.S. Let's not forget Vixen or The Leaving from No Rewind's predecessor, Moment Of Truth, though to be fair both of these were always listed as standalone tracks, making them far less obscure.