ONE ABOVE GROUND & A BUNCH BELOW

Joy Division- In the Studio with Martin Hannett [Dandelion/Ozit Morpeous Records 2008]

This one's for absolute completists only. There are not many JD/New Order fans who need 16 minutes of "Synth Ambiance Warm Up" or 15 minutes of "Cups Smash 'Synth Filter Sweeps', Take 1". Not even me! The heirs to Martin Hannett's vast collection of studio tapes have seen to it that even the most arcane moments recorded in the studio as set up and preparation for Joy Division tracks like "Digital", "Glass", "Atmosphere" and "Ice Age" are now available to the curious. Now count me in as someone who looks at car wrecks when he drives by, but even the avid devotee will find little in this 2CD set. It's all legal and everything, but looking at Michelangelo's crumpled paper scraps does not the Sistine Chapel make.

Much more interesting and vital are the number of sound checks, studio practices and soundboard recordings recently leaked to the obscure corners of the internet. New Order sound man Duncan, was there at the beginning and toured for years, serving as the fifth pair of ears to make things clear and interesting. Such intimate knowledge of the band, through repeated listening and watching the band's growth trajectory makes him the man of the hour. These well preserved cassette tapes are what should be easily available!

"Glastonbury, June 20, 1981" is an interesting start, with an excellent recording but ultimately bad early performance with a drunk Bernard forgetting the words and merging songs. What is interesting here is how the rest of the band works to hold it together. For fans of train wrecks...

"The Venue, Blackpool 8/30/1982" is an unusual performance because it's missing the trusty AMS Delay that defined so much of the JD/New Order sound. The premier of 'Age of Consent' and this short, tight set make this soundboard recording worth searching out.

"New Order Basement Tapes 80-84" is the mother of insight into the inner workings of the band. These liberated recordings feature the first New Order demo in July 1980, and a wealth of very interesting practice jams that resulted in songs like 'Hurt', 'Ultraviolence', 'Ecstasy' and one completely unknown excellent 11 minute instrumental track. Start here if you are a fan of in-studio creation at its best.

"Duncan's Scandinavia 1981 Outtakes" is highly recommended if you only have time for one of these unreleased tapes. It offers up five extended sound checks serving as workouts for new and re-invented material performed before gigs in Stockholm and Gothenburg. Tracks like 'ICB', 'E.G.G.' and 'Senses' are 15 minute explorations. The highlight here of course is both the set-up/sound check and gig versions of 'Everythings Gone Green', You get to hear the gated tremolo synth set-up, played with the fury and inventiveness that defined the dance-punk genre. Good stuff for moderns, and old farts!

"New Order - Heaven Ultradisco, London Feb 9, 1981" Tying this all up with a nice bow, this soundboard recorded by Duncan, with Martin Hannett at the mixing desk, gives us a chance to hear the band at it's best. It's the sound checks included with deconstructed performances of 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', 'Atmosphere', 'Walk In Line' and 'Ceremony' that bring it all back to the beginning. 'Ultradisco...' like A Clockwork Orange, indeed!

Uncle Jeff

All Rights Reversed. For an excellent source of information and gigiagraphy, visit www.new-order.net