Claudia, Susanne, and producer Steve Lipson performed the best album of the second half of the 80s in March
Yikes! I just became aware of this two days ago, but if you will remember the gripping xPropaganda show we discussed in March, that was enough to blindside me severely. Now comes the news that of course the show was recorded and producer/guitarist Steve Lipson has seen fit to take it to disc. This Friday, October 26th, sees the release of the live album of that show that no one [save for Logan Sky and SimonH who commented on that thread] was able to get tickets to. It’s entitled “A Secret Place” and it features the full show with Susanne Freytag, Claudia Brücken, and Steven Lipson along with a full band [and select laptop interjections] finally bringing the last great album of the 80s to the stage.
There[there] | UK | CD | 2018
- Dream Within A Dream
- The Murder Of Love
- Jewel
- Duel
- Frozen Faces
- p:Machinery
- Sorry For Laughing
- Dr. Mabuse
- The Chase
- Strength To Dream
- Disziplin
- Femme Fatale
There were 1000 copies of this CD produced. 300 were signed by Brücken, Freytag, and Lipson. Those are already long gone. There remains 700 standard copies. These are currently for sale in the band’s Bandcamp store for the no-questions-asked price of £12.00 [$15.50] plus shipping. So I know where my discretionary stipend is going from tomorrow’s paycheck. Buy in haste, or regret in leisure: here. If you miss the CD the unlimited DL is £7.00 [$9.04] so there is always hope. And since it’s from Bandcamp, the preferred DL vendor, you have your choice of lovely digital formats… or MP3s if you are not particularly picky.
It was a full eight piece band that night and the layout of talent shows no quarter given. Album alumni in red.
- Susanne Freytag: voice and simmons drums
- James Watson: MD, keyboards, guitar, bass and additional snare
- Philip Larsen: keyboards
- Sam Tate: trumpet
- Luís Jardim: percussion
- Stephen Lipson: guitar
- Paul Jones: drums
- Claudia Brücken: voice, pitched percussion
I was impressed that they managed to have a live horn player for the concert instead of relying on synths. I had opined earlier that Paul Jones might have been the ex-Manfred Man vocalist who also sang on the first B.E.F. album in 1982, but he’s almost 80 and has become born again thanks to the ministrations of Sir Cliff Richard, so it’s probably a different Paul Jones. Seeing this reminds me that I’m two albums behind in my Claudia Brücken listening! I still need the “Where Else” album and the recent “Beginn” album as well! Perhaps some day. Just not very soon.
– 30 –
![Chris Cross: 1952-2024 [part 2]](https://i0.wp.com/postpunkmonk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ultravox-cross.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1)
Post-Punk Monk 
Shame the signed copies had already gone, still have ordered, as the remaining 700 won’t hang around long I suspect.
LikeLike
SimonH – You can say that again! So it will be interesting for you to get a CD of the gig that you attended though probably not the same night. The show seems to have been taken the first show on March 24th. I’m guessing you saw the second show due to the ticket sellout the first night, yes? I thought it may be pulled from both nights. Knowing that Lipson was in charge, I’d fully expect that. It’s producer thinking.
Has anyone ever seen a gig that came out as a live album other than the modern “instant bootleg” trend? The first time that I saw Man…Or ASTROman was at the Covered Dish, a club in Gainesville, Florida that I went to for a few shows. That night was later immortalized as their live album “Live: Transmissions From Uranus.” That’s the one that I can point to.
LikeLike
Actually I was at the March 24th show, so that’s good!
It’s happened a few times for me over the years, most recently the Iggy Royal Albert Hall gig. There’s also an Only Ones live DVD where you can see the back of my head:)
LikeLike
I’ve been on at least one “official” live album. I saw The Doobie Brothers at the Berkeley Greek Theater in 1982, which at the time was their farewell show (they regrouped about a half decade later). That show comprises much of their 1983 “Farewell Tour” double album.
Thanks for the post; I’ve ordered “A Secret Place”.
LikeLike
Mark Moerman – That was some faux retirement! Not a fan of Michael McDonald, but without him, Rick Moranis’ brilliant skewering of him on SCTV would not exist.
LikeLike
It was, in effect, the farewell of the Michael McDonald version of the group, as he has not been involved with any subsequent iteration. I’m much more a fan of the Tom Johnston version of the group, so while I don’t dislike the McDonald material, I don’t miss it either!
LikeLike
Hooray–I saw the photos on Facebook and have been waiting for the announcement. Thanks for the heads-up–just bought it now.
LikeLike
Jon – Save one for me! I get paid tomorrow!
LikeLike
Ordered! Appreciated!
LikeLike
Hmmm. I was at the show the night before on the 23rd. And I love Propaganda, but felt the sound was kind of lacklustre. Live band with some lower quality samples from a CD in the background is what I took away that night. Don’t get me wrong, it was great to see them, but the sound was underwhelming, which makes me a bit cautious about buying this.
Doesn’t seem to be any previews of the tracks like there usually is on Bandcamp, or am I missing something?
LikeLike
Thanks for the heads up though!
LikeLike
grahamb23 – Welcome to the comments! I suspect that Steven Lipson has touched this up a bit. The credit for him says “Post-production and mix by Steve Lipson.” At any rate it becomes an alternate look at a best loved album. And I’m fine with that.
LikeLike
Just listened to the pMachinery taster on the Bandcamp page – he certainly has cleaned the sound up a bit. And I like the live drums – think I may invest :)
LikeLike
grahamb23 – “p:Machinery” is the least of it. I really appreciate “Dream Within A Dream.” It seems to be largely live and less reliant on playback. Lipson’s guitar was nicely different from the famous Howe solo and there’s more of it throughout the song. I’m still not over listening yet.
LikeLike
I just received my copy and am digesting it at my office today, and I officially declare it to be Big Fun. ‘Tis a worthy addition to the collections of any and all who appreciate the majesty and swellness of “A Secret Wish.”
LikeLike
Mark Moerman – I am still waiting for my copy. I hoped it would be in the grande mailbox [large enough to receive a 5″ thick LP mailer box – I double checked before buying it] today but alas, it was not.
LikeLike