Comments on: a few Perfect Ways http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/ the Scritti Politti source Sat, 17 May 2008 03:28:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Mike N http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-60061 Mike N Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:45:24 +0000 http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-60061 Coming back to this discussion months later, when I've been trying to put together a complete 'digital archive' of my entire Scritti Politti collection, I'm struck by the fact that we haven't resolved very much about what versions are to be found where. From recording and research so far, I've only really got as far as knowing that there are between six and ten versions of Perfect Way (look at http://www.discogs.com/artist/Scritti+Politti to find some fairly clear listings). I have five versions - possibly six - but I believe that the US 12" A-side (Way Perfect Mix) and the US 7" B-side (Way Perfect Edit) are also different from any I have. The bits above about different versions on different editions of the album are complex and don't all agree with each other, but I'll try to check the differences as my archiving continues... Then again, has anyone actually already got a list of all the versions anywhere? Coming back to this discussion months later, when I’ve been trying to put together a complete ‘digital archive’ of my entire Scritti Politti collection, I’m struck by the fact that we haven’t resolved very much about what versions are to be found where. From recording and research so far, I’ve only really got as far as knowing that there are between six and ten versions of Perfect Way (look at http://www.discogs.com/artist/Scritti+Politti to find some fairly clear listings). I have five versions - possibly six - but I believe that the US 12″ A-side (Way Perfect Mix) and the US 7″ B-side (Way Perfect Edit) are also different from any I have. The bits above about different versions on different editions of the album are complex and don’t all agree with each other, but I’ll try to check the differences as my archiving continues…

Then again, has anyone actually already got a list of all the versions anywhere?

]]> By: AAM http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-22692 AAM Sat, 14 Jul 2007 07:38:29 +0000 http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-22692 The demo version is an earlier version with several textural and harmonic elements missing that were eventually added into to final track/versions. Also, Green's vocal riffing ("Ooos") are more rampant in the demo and only occur specifically and sparingly (on the 3rd beats, generally) in the later versions. The demo version is an earlier version with several textural and harmonic elements missing that were eventually added into to final track/versions.
Also, Green’s vocal riffing (”Ooos”) are more rampant in the demo and only occur specifically and sparingly (on the 3rd beats, generally) in the later versions.

]]> By: Marco Raaphorst http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-11252 Marco Raaphorst Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:52:53 +0000 http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-11252 Perfect Way is a perfect song. I am sure it made Paddy McAloon crazy. In a positive way that is :) Perfect Way is a perfect song. I am sure it made Paddy McAloon crazy. In a positive way that is :)

]]> By: Jimbo http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-11176 Jimbo Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:34:24 +0000 http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-11176 I think the most obvious addition in the final mixes is the reverse gate effect on the Fairlight drums, which makes the lead in to the verse so dramatic and euphoric. Also, there are some major eq changes to the Fairlight bass, which may have been doubled up with a Yamaha DX7. On my European CD copy of Cupid and Psyche, the bridge is not 'broken down', and the space created in the promo version is not there, which is a shame. Furthermore, on some single versions the dark guitar sample bars before the 'happy' fairlight piano sample middle 8 is missing, I am not sure if this improves the flow or not. Perfect way really is a lesson in how to produce a great pop song, it has been a joy to rediscover the album, and appreciate the trickery in arrangement and production that accompanies the genuinely cerebral songwriting. I think the most obvious addition in the final mixes is the reverse gate effect on the Fairlight drums, which makes the lead in to the verse so dramatic and euphoric. Also, there are some major eq changes to the Fairlight bass, which may have been doubled up with a Yamaha DX7.

On my European CD copy of Cupid and Psyche, the bridge is not ‘broken down’, and the space created in the promo version is not there, which is a shame. Furthermore, on some single versions the dark guitar sample bars before the ‘happy’ fairlight piano sample middle 8 is missing, I am not sure if this improves the flow or not.

Perfect way really is a lesson in how to produce a great pop song, it has been a joy to rediscover the album, and appreciate the trickery in arrangement and production that accompanies the genuinely cerebral songwriting.

]]> By: Roger Kirby http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-528 Roger Kirby Tue, 04 Jul 2006 19:15:13 +0000 http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-528 I bought Cupid & Psyche on cassette in 1987 and enjoyed Perfect Way as it was then. Bought it on CD in '89 and detected no difference, apart from the sharper sound of CD. Still worth rocking too. I bought Cupid & Psyche on cassette in 1987 and enjoyed Perfect Way as it was then. Bought it on CD in ‘89 and detected no difference, apart from the sharper sound of CD. Still worth rocking too.

]]> By: John http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-445 John Tue, 27 Jun 2006 02:05:40 +0000 http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-445 Thaks for posting these. I very much ejoyed them. Made the more poignant as I have just learned that Arif Mardin (Green's "avuncular" figure from the C&P recordings) has just passed away. Thaks for posting these. I very much ejoyed them. Made the more poignant as I have just learned that Arif Mardin (Green’s “avuncular” figure from the C&P recordings) has just passed away.

]]> By: Free Moral Agent http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-439 Free Moral Agent Sun, 25 Jun 2006 15:36:34 +0000 http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-439 I have the demo version on a Japanese pressing of Cupid. By far though, the best, absolute killer remix of perfect way is without a doubt the U.K. 12" "version" remix. agree? I have the demo version on a Japanese pressing of Cupid. By far though, the best, absolute killer remix of perfect way is without a doubt the U.K. 12″ “version” remix. agree?

]]> By: Roberto http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-435 Roberto Sat, 24 Jun 2006 08:57:20 +0000 http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-435 If Green owns the masters, then given his propensity to shun his past, maybe never :( I agree though, that a nice Scritti ReMastered Album Box Set is a nice idea ;) But the fact that three albums (Songs To Remember/Early/WBBB) are on Rough Trade, and the other three (C&P85/Provision/A&B) are on Virgin, might cause more legal problems. Something along the lines of the Adam Ant remasters would be really good, with the remastered album and a collection of related demo's/out-takes/b sides on the same CD. Check out the Ant collection here.... http://www.adam-ant.net/2004remastered.html In my opinion, that collection, along with Ant Box is a definitive set. A Scritti version would be just as definitive and important. If Green owns the masters, then given his propensity to shun his past, maybe never :(

I agree though, that a nice Scritti ReMastered Album Box Set is a nice idea ;) But the fact that three albums (Songs To Remember/Early/WBBB) are on Rough Trade, and the other three (C&P85/Provision/A&B) are on Virgin, might cause more legal problems.

Something along the lines of the Adam Ant remasters would be really good, with the remastered album and a collection of related demo’s/out-takes/b sides on the same CD. Check out the Ant collection here…. http://www.adam-ant.net/2004remastered.html

In my opinion, that collection, along with Ant Box is a definitive set.

A Scritti version would be just as definitive and important.

]]> By: Kirk http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-434 Kirk Sat, 24 Jun 2006 08:35:50 +0000 http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-434 I agree, the version of Perfect Way on my old US vinyl album is superior to the one on the cd currently available. When will C&P (and Provision) get a remaster? I agree, the version of Perfect Way on my old US vinyl album is superior to the one on the cd currently available. When will C&P (and Provision) get a remaster?

]]> By: Ellen http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-427 Ellen Fri, 23 Jun 2006 15:39:29 +0000 http://bibbly-o-tek.com/2006/06/22/a-few-perfect-ways/#comment-427 I bought C&P (vinyl) as a present for a friend in 1987-88 or so. To my surprise there was a different Perfect Way version on it, compared to the one i bought in 85. I can't check what version that is, sadly. It was a present. Still regret not having bought something else for him! I bought C&P (vinyl) as a present for a friend in 1987-88 or so. To my surprise there was a different Perfect Way version on it, compared to the one i bought in 85. I can’t check what version that is, sadly. It was a present. Still regret not having bought something else for him!

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