Consider the enigma of the Mona Lisa. If there were photographs of the painting in progress, would you want to see them? Surely they would provide a magical insight to the artist's mind. As we wait ever-so-patiently for the new Duran Duran Duran album to come out, I think it's a great time time to dig into the archives and unearth some forgotten treasures.
The Manchester Square demos on the recent Rio re-issue are cream puffs, and led me to wonder in an earlier post whether or not we would see demos on the Seven and the Ragged Tiger re-issue. Alas, the track listing has been released... and no demos will be included on 7ATRT. The Rio demos were obviously chosen for being polished enough to bring to the fancy soiree, but the 7ATRT demos out there but might be better suited for a basement makeout party.
I think we all know which kind of shindig is more fun, so I've decided to put together a series of "Demolition" posts, robbing the grave and sucking the delicious marrow from the bones that became the masterpieces. In the days forthcoming, I'll be serving up demo selections from Seven and the Ragged Tiger, Notorious, Big Thing, Medazzaland, as well as a few surprises.
Appropriately, I shall start with a track called "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" which, as you know, did not make it on to the album. There are two iterations here, the first and rougher of which has our beloved Andy (or is it John?) singing, which always warms my heart. What stands out most interestingly to me in this secret shadow of a gem is the recurring bit that obviously turned into "The Seventh Stranger."
Listen to Seven and the Ragged Tiger Demo - Version 1
The second version is further evolved, though the recording is poor. It's quite the sticky pop gem, and if I ever develop a sitcom about a band of merry and mischievous misfits, this will certainly be the theme song.
Listen to Seven and the Ragged Tiger Demo - Version 2
I hope you enjoy this series. In closing, I will leave you with a photo of Simon with his zipper down at the British Fashion Awards last month.
I had never heard the first of the demos. It is more polished that the second version. I do feel like they are hiding something, when not releasing the early demos. Duran is all about image, and some demos are akin to Mr. Rhodes stepping on stage witout his mascara and lipstick. Rough isn't how they like it packaged. Unfair to those of us who will take it and love it in all it's dirty beauty.
ReplyDeleteAs for the picture...makes one wonder what exactly did happen....
yeah, I got that 2CD set "Night Version Companion" w/ the 7ATRT demos. There was much debate if they were real or not but "Andy's" version of the song "7ATRT" is the one on the disc. If they are real, it seems Andy is singing on all the tracks.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it looks like it could be fake cos on "Union", "New Moon", they took the extended versions, reverbed the crap out of it and has "someone" sing over it with other instruments.
Version 1 is FAKE FAKE FAKE!
ReplyDeleteVersion 2 is REAL REAL REAL!
A little more background: Version 1 clearly isn't John or Andy. It's the guy who created all the fake 7&TRT demos. He just re-recorded the real demo (Version 2) to make the rest of his terrible "demos" seem more legit.
Version 2 is LEGIT. Simon is singing.