PiL
- Manchester, Russell Club, UK
(aka The Factory)
June 18th, 1979 (2
reviews)
Review #1: (Soundboard Version)
Running Order:
1. Chant
2. Swan Lake (aka Death Disco)
3. Memories
4. Public Image [false start #1]
5. Public Image [false start #2]
6. Public Image
7. Annalisa
8. No Birds Do Sing
Running Time:
45 minutes (approx)
Sound Quality:
(8.5) Excellent Mixing Desk Recording
Tape Gradings Explained here
review by SCOTT M
Notes:
This recording misses the beginning of the first track, 'Chant'…
'Albatross' which was also played after 'No Birds Do Sing' is unfortunately
missing. Although 'No Birds Do Sing' fades at the very end it doesn't
actually miss any of the song. Update: Some copies of this recording do feature 'Albatross'.
Review:
This recording surfaced on the internet sometime in 2004 and having
never appeared on bootleg before, it's a real find. Obviously
recorded from the mixing desk, despite a little hiss, the quality is
excellent throughout. Easily the best quality early bootleg in existence.
This gig at the pre-Hacienda 'Factory' was arranged at the last minute while PiL were in Manchester to record two tracks for Granada TV, and as John comments it is effectively a live rehearsal. This was the first time they had played any new material from 'Metal Box' and four new tracks are premiered; 'Death Disco', 'Memories', 'No Birds Do Sing' & 'Albatross'.
It was also Richard Dudanski's first live appearance with the band, though despite Wobble saying during the show he had only been in the band 3 days, Dudanski had joined up to six weeks before. He was obviously more familiar with the new material. Despite a few shaky moments, most notably on 'Public Image', the band are in good spirit and joke along with the audience about the situation, "We admit our mistakes, we know we have many…"
While technically it might not be the greatest gig ever, it is still a great document. When they click, they really click. You can literally hear the new songs coming together. Parts of 'Swan Lake' & 'No Birds' are outstanding, and with the looseness and relaxed nature of the set, it is a truly unique PiL recording. An absolute must have for 'Metal Box' fans…
PiL - Manchester, Russell
Club, UK
(aka The Factory)
June 18th, 1979
Review #2: (Audience Recording)
Running Order:
1. Chant
2. Swan Lake (aka Death Disco)
3. Memories
4. Public Image [false start #1]
5. Public Image [false start #2]
6. Public Image
7. Annalisa
8. No Birds Do Sing
9. Albatross
Running Time:
56 minutes (approx)
Sound Quality:
(6) Poor Audience Recording
Tape Gradings Explained here
review by SCOTT M
Notes:
Almost a full recording, this version includes 'Albatross', but features
a break during 'Chant'.
Review:
It's the old cliche, you wait ages for one, then… This recording
was taped (apparently "under a table") by a fan who was lucky
enough to be at the gig. The bootlegger gave Clinton Heylin a copy (which
he used for information in his abortion of a PiL book 'Rise/Fall') but
has remained under wraps ever since, much to the surprise of the bootlegger…
The first thing to point out is that the sound quality is very poor. The difference between this version and the soundboard couldn't be more obvious. Recorded on an old mono cassette player this tape was never going to be the greatest even back in the seventies. Since then the master cassette has been badly creased causing a warble effect throughout almost the entire recording. There is also a break after the beginning of the recording through to the middle of the first track, 'Chant'. The break lasts approx 1 minute and was caused by a bad fold in the master cassette.
On the plus side this recording includes the last track played, 'Albatross', which was missing from the soundboard, and also features John's intro where he states "I don't know what you expect but this is just a rehearsal…" It also features John and Wobble talking the crowd after 'Albatross'.
The sound quality does improve slightly towards the end of the tape with 'No Birds…' & Albatross being the best of a bad bunch. Between this tape and the soundboard you will have the entire gig, but this really is for hardcore fans only…