As many of you know, Steven Wilson has been doing ‘knock ’em dead’ remix work on albums that he loves. Those, over time, have included Jethro Tull, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes, Tears For Fears, Simple Minds, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Opeth, and XTC. For XTC, Steven Wilson has remixed Drums & Wires, Nonsuch, and Oranges and Lemons. One of the hopeful remixes that seemed to be impossible due to the inability to locate master tapes was Skylarking. However, the master tapes were discovered (according to an A Partridge tweet). And so, work goes on.
On October 10, Skylarking, with new Steven Wilson Stereo remixes, and new 5.1 Surround mixes, will finally be made available to long-waiting fans. in addition to the tracks that are found on the original, there will be four additional tracks from the Skylarking sessions. Three of those tracks have been mixed for the very first time! They include “Extrovert” (b-side to “Grass”), “Let’s Make A Den”, “The Troubles”, and “Little Lighthouse”.
Here’s the breakdown:
– 5.1 surround album mix in 24bit/96khz in LPCM and DTS HD MA
– The new stereo album mix in 24bit/96khz LPCM audio
– The four additional songs from the album sessions in both stereo and 5.1
– The original (uncorrected polarity) stereo album mix hi-res stereo
– The original (corrected polarity) stereo album mix in hi-res stereo
– Instrumental versions of all new mixes in 24bit/96khz LPCM audio
– A complete alternate album in demo form
– Numerous additional demo & work tape sessions showing the evolution of the album and associated recordings
– Promo films for “Dear God and “Grass”
All work on this album have been with the complete approval of Andy Partridge.
The CD/BD-Audio package will be specially packaged with an expanded booklet and new notes by Partridge, Moulding, and Gregory.
Skylarking (SW Remix) – XTC
01 Summer’s Cauldron
02 Grass
03 The Meeting Place
04 That’s Really Super, Supergirl
05 Ballet for a Rainy Day
06 1000 Umbrellas
07 Season Cycle
08 Earn Enough for Us
09 Big Day
10 Another Satellite
11 Mermaid Smiled
12 The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul
13 Dear God
14 Dying
15 Sacrificial Bonfire
Bonus Tracks
16 Extrovert (B-side to “Grass”)
17 Let’s Make a Den (Newly mixed for first time)
18 Little Lighthouse (Newly mixed for first time)
19 The Troubles (Newly mixed for first time)
(Thanks to Jim B for the update!)