Readers who pore over the comments will already have seen negative1ne mentioning releases coming up on November 24th for Record Store Day’s slightly less showy cousin, RSD Black Friday. While RSD in April has the world at its feet, Black Friday competes with every other business, so sometimes the 2nd music event in the buying year gets short shrift, but with the titles on offer this year, we should look more closely.

THE [ENGLISH] BEAT: I JUST CAN”T STAND IT [EXPANDED]

The [English] Beat – I Just Can’t Stop It [expanded] – US – 2x clear LP [2023]

It’s annoying that both the US and UK RSD sites, do not list any of the contents of the rarities, alternate and live versions on the second of the clear vinyl discs to this, the ultimate 2nd Wave Ska album [there… I said it!]. I’m suspecting that all of the material on disc 2 of this was also on the 2012 DLX 2xCD+DVD RM of the title. But if you lack this, then here’s your chance.

INXS: SHABOOH SHOOBAH RARITIES GOLD LP

INXS; Shabooh Shoobah Rarities – US – gold LP [2023]

1. The Sax Thing
2. Long In Tooth
3. The One Thing (Extended Mix)
4. Black and White (Extended Mix)
5. Here Comes II
6. Go West
7. Phantim of the Opera
8. Soul Mistake (Live from the US Festival, 1983)
9. Here Comes (Live from the US Festival, 1983)
10. Spy of Love (Live from the US Festival, 1983)
11. Old World New World (Live from the US Festival, 1983)

Here’s one that negative1ne had difficulty posting about, but in the light of INXS inability to give us all of their outstanding B-side material on DLX RMs [that don’t exist] this mat be of high interest to me. Rhino/Atlantic is pressing 3500, so this might be easy to buy. After checking my collection, only “Go West” is the only track I don’t have an original single for. But it’s only on the Australasian copies of “Don’t Change” so the cost of this LP might be cheaper than sourcing a battered, 40 year old record from Oz. Color me interested. For everyone else, it’s COMPLETELY WORTH WHATEVER THE COST so that you can have the magnificence of “The Sax Thing” [my favorite INXS track] in the comfort and security of your own home!

DAVID J: TRACKS FROM THE ATTIC 3xLP

DAVID J: Tracks From the Attic – US – 3xLP [2023]

David J has hit his archives to bring a 3xLP of unreleased song material in demo form that is probably worth our time, but sadly, the particulars of the tracks included for Bauhaus + Love + Rockets obsessives is m.i.a. The one thing we can state for a fact is that only one track, “This Town.” has ever been released in some form. There’s only 500 of these pressed, so caveat emptor to the David J fans. Which should include everybody.

SPARKS: LIVE AT THE RECORD PLANT ’74 LP

SPARKS: Live At The Record Plant ’74 – US – clear LP [2023]

1. Hasta Manana Monsieur
2. Something For The Girl With Everything
3. Talent Is An Asset
4. Thanks God It’s Not Christmas
5. B.C.
6. Here In Heaven
7. This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us
8. Amateur Hour

I swear I’ve heard of this before but I might have been clouded by the several bootleg copies of this show over the years. This one may be the first one that’s legit. It was recorded with the “Kimono My House” lineup of Ian Hampton, Dinky Diamond, and Trevor White in the band. Heaven help us on the day that Sparks decide to ever unleash their half-century of live archives!

ULTRAVOX: QUARTET STEVEN WILSON 2.0/INSTRUMENTAL MIXES 2xCD/2xLP

Ultravox: Quartet [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix/Instrumental Mix] – US – 2xCD/2xLP [2023]

Disc 1: The Album [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]

1. Reap The Wild Wind [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]
2. Serenade [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]
3. Mine For Life [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]
4. Hymn [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]
5. Visions In Blue [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]
6. When The Scream Subsides [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]
7. We Came To Dance [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]
8. Cut + Run [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]
9. The Song [We Go] [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix]

Disc 2: The Album [Steven Wilson Instrumental Mix]

1. Reap The Wild Wind [Steven Wilson Instrumental Mix]
2. Serenade [Steven Wilson Instrumental Mix]
3. Mine For Life [Steven Wilson Instrumental Mix]
4. Hymn [Steven Wilson Instrumental Mix]
5. Visions In Blue [Steven Wilson Instrumental Mix]
6. When The Scream Subsides [Steven Wilson Instrumental Mix]
7. We Came To Dance [Steven Wilson Instrumental Mix]
8. Cut + Run [Steven Wilson Instrumental Mix]
9. The Song [We Go] [Steven Wilson Instrumental Mix]

And of course we’re getting this one! For the third Black Friday in a row we have the Wilson remix/instrumental remix album from Ultravox getting …a US RSD release?? Please, don’t wake me up… the dream is too pleasant! 1500 LPs but only 700 CDs, so I may have to go outside the local ecosystem to get my copy. This sadly reminds me that I’ve had the “Quartet” ultrabox for months now but have lacked the quality time to dive in for a review. What you must think of me.

This BF list is better than many normal full RSD lists. So we’ll see where I end up at. We know that we will buy the Ultravox CD in any case.

-30-