Anyone who has followed Bill Nelson's solo career over the past 40 years would not be surprised by his changes in direction. But the Sound On Sound album divided a lot of fans on its 1979 release. In truth this had started earlier with the last Be Bop Deluxe album, Drastic Plastic. The Axe Hero had largely left his axe at home for that album, excellent though it is.
Sound On Sound lost a good deal of the Art Rockers who loved 13 minute versions of Blazing Apostles and after a DJ Survey in the States panned it, the album didn't get a US release. The following years changed attitudes amongst both fans and newcomers and the die hards all laughed smugly, content in the knowledge they had always got the intent.
In the accompanying booklet intro, Steven Wilson makes an interesting point stating that the sound and direction of the album wasn't that new. A lot of it does sound like XTC's Go 2 and at other times, Devo spring to mind. The album's influence though had a long reach, most notably with Cardiacs.
One of the real revelations here though is the Live In Leicester CD which shows the album did have real commerciality. The harder edge to the live Guitar sound combined with some splendid Drumming (Nelson played drums on the majority of the album) showed a more commercial angle to the material. The Live album is amazing and one of the reasons for getting the 6 Disc set.
There is also a disc of the Bill Nelson home demos which all fans will want. They are essential and very different to the eventual recording. I know fans, including me, are always wary of the spate of new mixes. You like an album as you originally heard it. So a new mix has to be essential, few are. Stephen W Tayler has done a great job with the new Stereo Mix. You hear plenty that you hadn't before.
The 2 DVDs add a 5.1 Mix and the video of the three songs live on The Old Grey Whistle Test and the Promo Video For Revolt Into Style. Also included in the set are the two B Sides from the Furniture Music EP, plus four further songs from the Sound On Sound Sessions including the previously unreleased, My Light.
There is also a four song BBC Radio 1 Session for The Friday Rock Show (TV On The Radio reminisces ahoy!) I really underline how great the De Montfort Hall Set is. New listeners may want to listen to that first which allows the studio album to have greater effect.
So Bill Nelson went New Wave. I've always loved this album, but I do and did always take on the new and different. The years since have seen Nelson play with many genres and there are still fans who ask is this a guitar album for every solo release.
The set isn't cheap, but well worth the admission. There is a 2 disc set available, although all the goodies aren't on it. The likes of For Young Moderns, Stay Young and Don't Touch Me (I'm Electric) still sound as fresh and relevant now as they did then.
You can buy the 6 disc set everywhere, but more relevantly from Cherry Red
here. You can buy the 2 disc set
here.
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