Entertainment For Lively Minds
A genuinely rare record
Ferris Collier wanted to know what had happened to the only album by The Bhutan Philharmonic, the mysterious outfit formed by Neil Arthur out of Blancmange. We'd had a track on our Now Hear This CD a couple of years ago but then it appears that the record never actually came out.
We asked the label Sunday Best what had happened and this is what they said:
We were let down by the artist over a few legal things. It became impossible to release the album so we had them all destroyed. It’s a shame as it was clearly a strong album.
"Destroyed"? It's not often labels do that. Sounds to us like some samples that were supposed to be cleared weren't actually cleared to their satisfaction and they couldn't afford the risk that somebody would come looking for massive damages.
I tend to think the whole "rare records" thing is rather overrated but in this case I think I'll move house and take my promotion copy with me. Is it any comfort to know that it's really good, Ferris?
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Well of course...
... it would be a terrible crime if someone was to accidentally, sort of, you know, upload it to a Rapidshare account and then thoughtlessly place a download link on the interweb somewhere without a care for the law and common decency.
According to a book of record collectors valuations I was flicking through the other day the most expensive record you can buy is an original copy of an LP called Out of the Bachs by a 60s garage band called The Bachs. I can't remember how much it was but it was a fair few grand. So if you find that one in your attic one day then mine's a Babycham please.
Crime
Indeed it would be a terrible crime Niks. Killing the music you never heard and all that !
Thank you for investigating...
..and I am indeed taking some small comfort from the knowledge that it’s a great album and that there is at least one person out there able to enjoy it. I wonder how many copies escaped before they decided to pulp it? Wouldn't surprise me if somebody stuck it on the interweb for us all to share!
Retroactive
I'm assuming all the samples used in the track featured on the Word CD are fine? Or do we have to start destroying them as well?
Just
snapped mine into very small pieces.......don't want the royalty police round at my house!
I'll give you 48 hours
It's here.
Cheers you old rebel.
Now its off to jail for you.
Fine Fella
you are sir.
Nice one Mr H.
You are a gentleman and a scholar.
Thank you, sir
Blancmange were one of the great underrated bands of the 80's. I remember seeing Neil Arthur and his then new band live at the Moles club in Bath a year or so after Blancmange split. I can't remember what they were called, and I don't recall any recorded output materialsising, but they were a departure from the synth pop sound of the 'mange, so I'm intrigued as to what this sounds like.
Incidentally, a friend of mine has it on good authority that Blancmange will be reforming very soon. Anyone know anything about this?
Bingo!
I just won an eBay auction for a still-sealed copy of "Bhutan Philharmonic", at long last. Only £6.40 including postage. I'm feeling rather pleased!