Customer Reviews

Sun Set: 1973-1981

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After 4 years of negotiations with the 3 (somewhat) feuding group members and their attorneys,and 2 years of cancelled release dates,"Sun Set" has finally been released,albeit only as a 2-CD set(not as the originally promised 3-CD + DVD set),because the selections on this 2-CD edition are the only ones that all 3 members could agree on.But don't get me wrong,what's left is excellent,even if you're left with the impression that they're holding back(I know for a fact that John Woloschuk held back 2 unreleased songs,to possibly re-record them someday,if he ever opts to record again.He's been a music industry accountant for 20 years,since leaving the music industry).Disregard the complaint from one reviewer that certain "parts" are missing on a few songs.The versions of "Sub Rosa Subway","Doctor Marvello" & "California Jam" are the original Canada single mixes,which have never been heard outside Canada before or on CD anywhere before.The group's early singles are from 1973-75,and before the songs were released on their 1976 debut album,the original 16-track masters were trasfered to 24-track and numerous overdubs and re-recordings were done to produce the familiar versions.The set opens with the original Canada single version of "Hanus of Uranus" later totally remade(in a new arrangement for the debut album as "Anus of Uranus").You also get a previosly unreleased early version of "Cherie"(dating to the time of the debut album),a simpler and more appealing arrangement than the one which appeared on the group's 3rd albm "Sir Army Suit".Also included:early working versions of "Sir Bodsworth Rubblesby" and "Little Neutrino" with the singer's normal voices instead of the electronically altered,octave-modified vocal on "Sir Bodsworth Rubblesby" & the vocoder vocal on "Little Neutrino" heard on the regular released versions.I assume that the early alternate version of "Calling Occupants...",lacking some parts and with some different vocals at the end,is probably a version that had been considered for Canada single release.The further re-working (for the released version) really improved an already great track.Then you get an entirely alternate version of the "Hope" album,with more orchestral parts and very different instrumental parts(and some different lead vocals) versus what was eventually released.This is the version that record company execs originally heard,but when there had to be a 6-month release postponement,the group took the recordings back into the studio,replacing some of the London orchestral parts with synthesizers,re-recording and re-arranging some vocal and instrumental parts,and turned several songs into suites with seemless segues.The running order in this alternate "Hope" is slightly different,and you get the unreleased "Epilogue".However,it is disconcerting to hear the abrupt fade-out on "We're Off You Know".Disc two provides material of varying quality relating to the group's "Sir Army Suit","Endangered Species" & "Magentalane" sessions,ranging from full-fidelity alternate studio versions(some longer unedited versions of "Magentalane","December Dream","Mrs Toad's Cookies" & "I Can't Help Myself"),and some home demos from 4-track or cassettes of middling fidelity.The demos for the "Endangered Species" show that the arrangements were largely in place,and their was no legitimate reason for producer Christopher Bond to replace the group with sessionmen on this ill-advised Capitol Records effort to Americanize the group's sound.The home demos also include the previously unheard,Beatlesque "There's Something Happening".Speaking of Beatles,as with Klaatu's heroes The Beatles(and their "Anthology" series),this is fascinating to hear the alternate arrangements of familiar songs,but you come away realizing that the group's quality control mechanism was excellent,and they never failed to select the correct and best version for release.By the way,there are no Terry Draper(drummer,occasional vocalst/writer) outtakes in this set because Terry has included his Klaatu outtakes in his solo albums "Light Years Later" & "Civil War"(both on Canada's "Bullseye" label).Today,Terry is a highly versetile multi-instrumentalist,and is now a quite capable keyboardist,bassist,vocalist & rhythm guitarist...and a prolific writer.His "Light Years Later" later provides the closest thing to the Klaatu sound,until and unless John Woloschuk(The vocalist/keyboardist/bassist/acoustic guitarist & writer of 75% of Klaatu's songs) opts to record again.Incidentally,lead guitarist Dee Long also records for the "Bullseye" label.Overall,this set doubles the amount of Klaatu music in circulation.That's cause for celebration.

HOPE is one of my all-time favorite recordings, particularly the Lighthouse Keeper suite. Therefore, I approached this disc with some apprehension - how would it compare?

To my utter amazement, I find that I actually like these recordings BETTER than what I've been listening to since Hope was released in 1977. Many of them sound much more natural, particularly the authentic harpsichord intro to "Long Live Politzania."

To be sure, this collection is not for the Klaatu novice - if you are, you should probably start elsewhere.

If you are a Klaatu fan, then this 2 CD collection is a must. Similiar in concept to the Beatle's Anthology compilation, this set includes unreleased material, live recordings (great version of Older), basic rhythm tracks and alternate versions / mixes of songs. Liner notes are very informative. One of the most under-rated bands of all time. They were never able to climb over the Beatles re-united rumor after the release of their first album, 3:47 EST with it's overt Beatle sound on some of the songs (Sub Rosa Subway a McCartney inspired tune and Doctor Marvello sounding very much like John Lennon). Nonetheless, Beatles, Queen, Pink Floyd and SciFi fans in particular will find Klaatu's music an exceptional listening experience. Klaatu fans know of the bands reputation for crystal clear recordings and superb production. Not all great bands made the big time. Klaatu is one of those bands.

Covers the whole spectrum of Klaatu recordings from
beginning to end. For You Girl a former b-side shows
up for the first time on cd. This, and the unreleased
There's Something Happening are great tracks that
show the bands range of sounds.
There are so many differences on these songs that
it's sure to please ANY die-hard Klaatu fan. Keep in
mind that these are not always the best versions of
these tunes, but you'll always enjoy their differences.
I really enjoyed it.

Not much more that I can say here that hasn't already been said except to point out that the guy who commented that these songs sound re-recorded obviously didn't read the liner notes. All of the mixes here pre-date the final recordings. Of course the vocals sound different...because they are. Sometimes it takes recording vocals and the effects that are applied to them many, many transitions. There were 14 mixes of "Calling Occupants" to chose from in the band's vault. I picked the version that had the original tag line at the end "Anti-Adversary Craft" that was excised from the released version...but left in the lyric sheet in every pressing of '3:47 EST'.

And that's what the boxed set is all about. ALTERNATE versions. With that in mind, I recommend true die-hards check out the 13 song vinyl LP "Raarities" which features even more of these anomylous outtakes...plus a live version of "Hot Box City" and the previously unreleased Woloschuk song "Come One, Come All" originally slated for the 'Hope' LP but never completed.

Amazon should be carrying shortly from US distributor Burnside.

If you are a fan of Klaatu, this is a great CD set. I have all of the Klaatu albums, so this is a great addition to the list. There is only one song that I had never heard before though. This CD is great for the fact that almost every song is an alternate take from the albums. This set rivals "Brian Wilson presents Smile" as MY favorite album/CD of this decade.

If you are new to Klaatu you should start with Peaks not here. That said this is a must have for all Klaatu fans! Some of the songs have a subtle difference, some others a huge difference. For instance the vocals are not as stunning on Calling Occupants as on the album cut, and Juicy Lucy and Mister Manson are dreadful renditions of the cuts we Klaatu fans are used to.
However, the Long Live Politzania is better than the origional in my opinion. They left off one of my favorites A Million Miles Away thus the 4 star rating.
Klaatu fans go for it, a different feel on some of our favorites, but well worth it!!!

i went through a great deal of trouble to get this disc collection i ended up getting it through amazon ca.but it was worth all the waiting its a collection mainly of alternate versions of almost all of KLAATU'S songs with a few exceptions.but it also contains a few unreleased tracks
that are complete jems.the quality is marvelous the package it great.and its only a couple years old,i can't understand why the avalability of this collection is so poor.any fan of klaatu would want to own it.the versons of most of these songs are as good if not better than the released
ones.

If you have never heard Klaatu before the Peaks compilation CD is a better introduction. If you are already an admirer of this fine band there is not much here that is not better enjoyed than on the original releases. It is an interesting listen once through but in the end I will keep going back to the old familiar and better versions. As well I found the booklet to be lacking in quality of images and new insights into the music. But the intent of the band has always been to let the music speak for itself. Well I love this band but must admit the music expressed itself best in the original releases.

Im a huge klaatu fan, i remember staying up late to listen to there debut album on the radio. The songs on this set sound like they re-recorded every song. The vocals sound nothing like the originals. Any effect that was used back then is now gone. there is no dynamics at all. If you hav'nt heard the originals then your fine. but for a fan. save your money