Michael Head & The Strands - The Olde World (rare promo CD)

The Olde World
promo-only CD
recorded c. 1993-1995
  

* VERY RARE ALBUM; exclusive to this blog *

  
studio recordings (sound quality: Ex)
  

   

OLDE WORLD is a companion to this CD

ROB SEZ:  This is not the authorized, officially-released Magical World of the Strands, but it is the nearly mythical companion collection from the same 1993-1995 recording sessions. It contains outtakes as well as alternate mixes of the commercially-released tracks. Originally, the plan was to release Olde World along with with a remastered & expanded version of Magical World. The latter appeared in 2015. Promo copies of Olde World were pressed and sent out to reviewers as planned (find reviews of both collections HERE). But then came an unnamed sticking point between Michael Head and Megaphone, his Paris-based record label. Today, Olde World remains a very rare, promo-only item. Recently, I paid dearly for a copy I bought online, which gives me the chance to share it with you here. Fans of Nick Drake and similar artists will want to check out the official album, but fans of the Head brothers' 21st century musical projects will also love this collection. The download folder includes extras such as reviews and a track-by-track rundown from Piccadilly Records in Manchester. Please enjoy.
  
FLAC
  
MP3@320
  

Learn more about the music of Michael (Mick) Head 
at AllMusic and this FB page

    

Michael Head & Shack - Demos, Rare & Live

Michael Head & Shack
demos, rare & live mega post
1990-2012 
via shacknet.co.uk

* 2 SEPARATE DOWNLOADS *

  
FM & web stream captures (sound quality range: VG- to VG+)

  

• Shack - Radio Clyde Session 1990 - 4 songs

• Shack - BBC Radio 1 Session May 1999 - 4 songs

• Shack - BBC Radio 6 Session Sept. 2003 - 3 songs

• Shack - BBC Radio 2 Session Sept. 2003 - 3 songs

• Pale Fountains - BBC Radio Merseyside Session Jan. 2008 - 2 songs

• MH & Red Elastic Band - BBC Radio Merseyside Session Sept. 2008 - 2 songs

• MH & Red Elastic Band - BBC Radio Merseyside Session Feb. 2012 - 2 songs

  

MP3@VAR (varying bit rates, 128 - 320 kbps)

ROB SEZ: I've admired Michael ("Mick") Head's music, usually partnering with his brother John, since their days in the fabulous alt-pop/rock group Shack. I'm especially fond of Head's Nick-Drake-esque Michael Head & The Strands project. A couple of years ago, I collected all the Head-related rarities I could find, including some from the Shacknet.co.uk site. But the latter now appears to be gone or inaccessible. So here they are for those who might enjoy them: in-session live tracks plus interviews. BIG THANKS to Gary Foreman & all at Shacknet for sharing.
  
Michael Head & The Strands

Michael Head - lost in the music, 2016

Demos & Alternate Takes
c. 1993-1995
  
soundboard recordings (quality: VG to VG+)
  
01 Glynys & Jaqui 

02 The Prize

03 And Luna

04 Fontilan

05 X Hits the Spot

06 Poor Jill

07 Wanda

08 Hockens Hey

09 It's Harvest Time

10 Poor Jill 2

11 Queen Matilda

12 The Prize (der der)

13 Glynys & Jaqui

14 Green Velvet Jacket (B-side) 

15 Queen Matilda (Alt. Take 3) 

16 Queen Matilda (Alt. Take 4) 

17 Queen Matilda (Demo) 

18 Something Like You (Live 1998)

19 (mystery bonus track)

MP3@192 (best available bit rate)
   

Learn more about the music of Michael (Mick) Head 

at AllMusic and this FB page