The Compilation: Ultravox "The Collection"

Ultravox's classic 1984 compilation The Collection has been massively expanded and will be released in December as a 4CD + 2 x Blu-ray deluxe edition.

The Collection featured the 14 singles Ultravox released between 1980 and 1984 and sold over two million copies worldwide, going triple platinum in the UK. It includes hits such as "Vienna", "All Stood Still", "The Voic", "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" and what at the time was a brand new single "Love's Great Adventure " which was recorded specifically for The Collection.

This newly remastered compilation includes a remastered version of the original compilation and adds The Collection II with a further 14 singles, alternative and unreleased versions from 1986 to 2024; The Remixes which features newly created 80s-style extended mixes by the likes of Midge Ure, Steven Wilson, Blank & Jones; and a disc of B-sides collected together for the first time.

The two blu-rays are packed, offering over four hours of footage between them, including 27 promo videos, Top of the Pops appearances, live performances and more.

The Collection Deluxe Edition is limited to 5,000 units worldwide and comes in a large format 12-inch box with rigid-board slipcase and two 20-page booklets, with lyrics and photos.

Other formats include a 4LP deluxe pressed on clear vinyl which features audio from the first two CDs in the box set over eight sides of vinyl. It is housed in a die-cut sleeve with interchangeable images within a four-page insert. There’s also a 2LP half-speed edition on black vinyl (original 14 tracks) and a single CD version with 19 tracks. 

Ultravox the Collection Deluxe Edition 4CD+2xBluRay

 

CD 1: The Collection

 

1. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Single Version]

2. Hymn [Single Version]

3. The Thin Wall [Single Version]

4. The Voice [Single Version]

5. Vienna [Single Version]

6. Passing Strangers

7. Sleepwalk

8. Reap The Wild Wind

9. All Stood Still [Single Version]

10. Visions In Blue [Single Version]

11. We Came To Dance [Single Version]

12. One Small Day

13. Love’s Great Adventure

14. Lament [Single Version]

 

CD 2: The Collection II

 

1. All Stood Still [Alternative Version]*

2. The Thin Wall [Steven Wilson Single Mix]

3. Serenade [2025 Single Remix]*

4. White China [Steven Wilson Remix Edit]

5. Brilliant [Radio Edit]*

6. Same Old Story [Radio Edit]*

7. Hymn [Alternative version]*

8. New Europeans [Moments From Eden Live]

9. Rise [Live]

10. Live [Single Edit]

11. Lament [Alternative version]*

12. All Fall Down [Radio Edit]*

13. All In One Day [Single Edit]

14. Vienna [Alternative Version] *

*previously unreleased

 

CD 3: The Remixes

 

1. Hymn [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]*

2. Sleepwalk [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix] *

3. The Thin Wall [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]*

4. Visions In Blue [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]*

5. Reap The Wild Wind [12” Re-Mix Extra]*

6. Love’s Great Adventure [Blank & Jones so8os Reconstruction]*

7. All Stood Still [Midge Ure 12” Re-Mix*

8. New Europeans [Extended Re-Mix Extra]*

9. Same Old Story [12” Re-Mix]*

10. We Came To Dance [12” Re-Mix]*

 *previously unreleased

 

CD 4: The B-sides

 

1. Waiting

2. Passionate Reply

3. Herr X

4. Alles Klar

5. Keep Talking (Cassette Recording During Rehearsal)

6. I Never Wanted To Begin

7. Paths And Angles

8. Hosanna (In Excelsis Deo)

9. Monument

10. Break Your Back

11. Overlook

12. Easterly

13. Building

14. Heart Of The Country [Instrumental]

15. Man of Two Worlds [Instrumental]

16. 3

17. All In One Day [Instrumental]

18. Dreams?

19. Stateless

 

Blu-ray #1 – Promotional Videos

 

1. Passing Strangers

2. Vienna [Uncut Version]

3. The Thin Wall

4. The Voice

5. Reap The Wild Wind

6. Hymn

7. Visions In Blue

8. We Came To Dance

9. One Small Day

10. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes

11. Lament

12. Love’s Great Adventure

13. Same Old Story

14. All Fall Down

15. Rise [Live]

 

Additional Videos

 

1. Vienna [Live In St Albans 1980]

2. Sleepwalk [Live In St Albans 1980]

3. Vienna [Uncut Version]

4. Reap The Wild Wind [Extended Version]

5. Visions In Blue [Uncensored Version]

6. The Thin Wall [Steven Wilson Single Edit]

7. Reap The Wild Wind [Steven Wilson Stereo Edit]

8. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Piano Version]

9. Quartet [Australian Electronic Press Kit August 1982]

10. Extended Special Re-Mix [Part 1]

11. Extended Special Re-Mix [Part 2]

12. The Collection [TV Advert]

 

Blu-ray #2: At The BBC

Top of the Pops

 

1. Sleepwalk [Top Of The Pops 14.8.1980]

2. Vienna [Top Of The Pops 15.1.1981]

3. All Stood Still [Top Of The Pops 11.6.1981]

4. The Thin Wall [Top Of The Pops 27.8.1981]

5. The Voice [Top Of The Pops 12.11.1981]

6. Hymn [Top Of The Pops 16.12.1982]

7. We Came To Dance [Top Of The Pops 8.6.1983]

8. One Small Day [Top Of The Pops 9.2.1984]

9. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Top Of The Pops 31.5.1984

10. Lament [Top Of The Pops 5.7.1984]

11. Love’s Great Adventure [Top Of The Pops 18.10.1984]

 

Performances

 

1. Mine For Life [Old Grey Whistle Test 5.11.1982]

2. Visions In Blue [Old Grey Whistle Test 5.11.1982]

3. Hymn [Old Grey Whistle Test 5.11.1982]

4. Billy Currie Interview [Riverside 1/11/1982]

5. Hymn [The Kenny Everett Show 28.12.1982]

6. Visions In Blue [ORS 18.2.1983]

7. Hymn [ORS 18.2.1983]

8. I Remember (Death In The Afternoon) [ORS 18.2.1983]

9. One Small Day [ORS 2.3.1984]

10. White China [ORS 2.3.1984]

11. Man Of Two Worlds [ORS 2.3.1984]

12. White China [One For The Road 18.8.1984]

13. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [One For The Road 18.8.1984] /

14. Love’s Great Adventure [Saturday Superstore 20.10.1984]

15. Same Old Story [Wogan 12.9.1986]

16. All Fall Down [Wogan 14.11.1986]

Rocktrospectiva: The Fine And Recommended "Vienna" Turns 45

Released on 11 July 1980 "Vienna" was the fourth studio album by British new wave band Ultravox, it was the band's first album with their best-known line-up, after Midge Ure had taken over as lead vocalist and guitarist following the departures of John Foxx and Robin Simon, as well as the group's first release for Chrysalis. The album peaked at number 3 in the UK Albums Chart. and reached the top ten in Australia, New Zealand and several European countries. The album spawned four singles "Sleepwalk", "Passing Strangers", "Vienna" & "All Stood Still". 

Vienna was produced by German producer Conny Plank who had also produced Ultravox's previous album Systems of Romance, and mixed at Plank's studio near Cologne, Germany. Ultravox changed pace, style and audience with the arrival of Ure, who had already participated in the formation of Visage with Ultravox's keyboard and viola player Billy Currie. Many different styles are in use on the album; "Astradyne" is a long instrumental featuring sweeping, majestic synthesizer arrangements throughout, while "Mr. X" is a simpler, much sparser Kraftwerk pastiche. The lyrics to the album's songs were mainly written by Ure and drummer Warren Cann, who also takes a rare lead vocal on "Mr. X".

Writing and rehearsing the songs for the album began in autumn 1979, shortly after Midge Ure had joined the band. Among the first tracks written were "Astradyne", "Mr. X" and "New Europeans". As opposed to the band's previous albums, the music was written collectively by the four members by throwing ideas back and forth between them and then working on the ideas and turning them into song structures. Warren Cann contributed to the lyric writing as Ure, who would later write more of the band's lyrics, was still settling in as a new member. Cann wrote the bulk of the lyrics to "Sleepwalk", "Mr. X", "Private Lives", "All Stood Still" and "New Europeans". Following a live gig in London in February 1980 Chrysalis Records had become interested in the band and gave them studio time to record some demos. The band decided to concentrate on one song and record it properly. They recorded "Sleepwalk" and were offered a contract by Chrysalis.

The tracks for the album were then recorded at RAK Studios in London and later mixed in Conny Plank's studio in Germany. The song and later one of the most recognizable tracks by the band "Vienna", which had been written quickly in early 1980, was seen by the band as the musical high point of the album and the song that best represented what they wanted to do, so they decided to make it the title track of the album. 

The album had a slow start, but the release in January 1981 of the title track as the third single from the album heralded the band's commercial breakthrough worldwide and led to healthy sales throughout 1981. Reviews for Vienna were mixed, with Ure's introduction and the move towards mainstream pop dividing critics. Some critices praised the album considered enthusiastic and emotive music for all the cleverness of the arrangements and the technical skill that has gone into the playing and production... Synthesizer music with backbone and muscle. Others were divided and althought felt the album was good felt it contained weak moments,  the album was also full of conventional electronic rock songs which are beautifully executed but never inspiring. Perhaps its legacy was the winning formula of cold futurism and big rock textures, that took Ultravox out of the margins and into the big-haired '80s mainstream.

 

Vienna Track List:  

 

1. Astradyne

2. New Europeans

3. Private Lives

4. Passing Strangers

5. Sleepwalk

6. Mr. X

7. Western Promise

8. Vienna

9. All Stood Still 

Rocktrospectiva: El Emocional "Lament" Cumple 40 Años

 

Lanzado el 6 de Abril de 1984 "Lament" fue el 7mo., álbum de estudio de la banda Inglesa Ultravox, y sería a la postre el último que tendría en sus filas al baterista original Warren Cann, del álbum se lanzaron tres singles "One Small Day", "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" y finalmente "Lament", y logro alcanzar notables posiciones en diferentes mercados.

 

El título sugería que el disco era triste y lleno de todos grises en comparación del existencial álbum que lanzaron previamente, aunque tenía ciertos matices, ya que el título era más orientado a la melancolía en donde lo emocional tomaba más preponderancia que nunca justo en donde el romance se había jodido para siempre, y eso se notaba en tracks como "When The Time Comes" o la exquisita e ilustrada "One Small Day", pero también había otras notables entregas en donde la banda buscaba escapar de su pasado en "Man Of Two Worlds" en donde los llevaban de vuelta a su gloriosa época romantizada por los Celtas, pero el mundo moderno y su terror también hacía su aparición con la emocional "A Friend I Call Desire" y la global "White China", en donde advertían desde entonces sobre los peligros de siniestro comunismo, la que llamaba a proteger a sus ciudadanos del Estalinismo en "Heart Of The Country.

 

Y es que en el disco se puede notar ese sentimiento de amenaza, de terror a la aniquilación, y eso es más notable que nunca en la mini épica "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes", en describía a los líderes del primer mundo apropiarse y arruinar el mundo por completo, probablemente este fue el último disco de la banda en plena forma en muchas maneras, y bien podría funcionar como su epitafio perfecto con un sonido hermoso pese a la temática desoladora y destructiva. 

 

Lament Track List:

 

1. White China

2. One Small Day

3. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes

4. Lament

5. Man Of Two Worlds

6. Heart Of The Country

7. When The Time Comes

8. A Friend I Call Desire

In Memoriam: Ha Muerto "Chris Cross" Bajista Y Miembro Fundador De Ultravox

El que fuera el bajista y miembro fundador de la banda Británica Ultravox, ha muerto a los 71 años, según ha confirmado su colega y compañero de banda Midge Ure, la causa de la muerte no fue especificada, falleció el pasado 25 de Marzo pero la noticia trascendió hasta el pasado 1ero., de Abril. 

 

Nacido en Londres en 1952, su nombre real era Chris Allen, y se unio a la banda Tiger Lily en 1974 con el cantante Dennis Leigh que luego sería conocido como John Foxx, la banda firmó un contrato en 1976 y luego se cambiaron el nombre a Ultravox!, y después quitarían el signo de exclamación y siguieron adelante. 

 

Los camaradas de Cross comentaron: "Hicimos canciones juntos, tocamos juntos y dirigimos videos juntos, nos volvimos amigos instantáneamente, Ure llegó a Ultravox en 1979 cuando Foxx se fue y juntos comenzaron a escribir grandes canciones entre las que se cuentan, "Vienna" que fue No. 2 en el Reino Unido y No. 1 en Bélgica, Irlanda y Paises Bajos, además de otros grandes temas como "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes", la llegada de Ure ayudo a establecer la banda en el top ten entre 1980 y 1986. 

 

Cross se retiro de la banda y siguió de gira con el tecladista Billy Currie lanzando música juntos, hasta que Ure y Cross se reunieron en el 2008 saliendo de gira y lanzando música, comentaban que a pesar que todos estos años pasaron sin contacto, se las arreglaron para sentirse como que si eso no hubiera pasado jamas, era como la goma que mantenía a la banda unida, la lógica en la locura y la locura de nuestras vidas, fue grato conocerte y crecer contigo, fuiste amado y seras extrañado viejo amigo, fue lo que Ure comentó al final.

La Reedición: Vienna 40th. Anniversary

El icónico disco de Ultravox "Vienna" de 1980, será reeditado con motivo de su 40avo., aniversario y de manera extensa incluirá 5CD+DVD en un box set que incluye un montón de material inédito en una mezcla cortersía de Steven Wilson en stereo 5.1, también disponible para los formatos en vinilo.

 

Producido en su momento por Conny Plank, fue el primer disco para el sello Chrysalis y el primer en tener en su line-up a Midge Ure en las vocales, originalmente llegó al No. 3 en el Reino Unido de la mano del track auto-titulado "Vienna" que llegó al top ten en Junio de 1981.  

El box set contiene lo siguiente, un total de 66 tracks de los cuales 44 son inéditos entre grabaciones, mezclas y reediciones ordenados de la siguiente manera:

• CD 1 – Original 1980 album (newly mastered from production tapes)
• CD 2 – New Steven Wilson stereo mix of album and B-sides
• CD 3 – A-sides, B-sides, 12-inch mixes and live tracks
• CD 4 – Cassette rehearsals
• CD 5 – Live from St. Albans 1980 (newly mixed)
• DVD – 5.1 Steven Wilson mix (+ 24/96 hi-res stereo of new mixes) + B-sides. Also hi-res stereo of original album and original mixes of B-sides!

Además de los discos, vienen imágenes inéditas de Midge Ure y Chris Cross de su colección personal y 4 litografías A4, mientras que en la edición para vinilo, viene el disco originales y un bonus LP que incluye una selección de versiones para singles, lados B, y directos, así como la edición radial para Estados Unidos de "Vienna" que nunca llegó a lanzarse comercialmente hablando.

Vienna 40th anniversary 5CD+DVD Super Deluxe Track List:

CD1: Vienna [Original 1980 Analog Master]

01. Astradyne
02. New Europeans
03. Private Lives
04. Passing Strangers
05. Sleepwalk
06. Mr. X
07. Western Promise
08. Vienna
09. All Stood Still

CD2: Vienna [Steven Wilson Stereo Mix] *

01. Astradyne
02. New Europeans
03. Private Lives
04. Passing Strangers
05. Sleepwalk
06. Mr. X
07. Western Promise
08. Vienna
09. All Stood Still
10. Waiting
11. Passionate Reply
12. Alles Klar
13. Herr X

CD3: Rarities: Singles/B-Sides/Live

01. Sleepwalk [Early Version]
02. Waiting
03. Face To Face [Live in St Albans 16/8/1980]
04. King’s Lead Hat [Live at The Lyceum 17/8/1980]
05. Vienna [Single Version]
06. Passionate Reply
07. Herr X
08. All Stood Still [Single Version]
09. Alles Klar
10. Keep Talking [Cassette Recording During Rehearsals]
11. All Stood Still [12” Mix]
12. Sleepwalk [Soundcheck, The Lyceum 17/8/1980]
13. All Stood Still [Soundcheck, The Lyceum 17/8/1980]
14. Vienna [Live Video Version, St Albans City Hall 16/8/80] *
15. Sleepwalk [Live Video Version, St Albans City Hall 16/8/80] *

CD4: Cassette Recordings During Rehearsals 1979/80 *

01. Astradyne
02. New Europeans (Instrumental)
03. Private Lives (Instrumental)
04. Passing Strangers (Instrumental 1)
05. Sleepwalk (Version 1)
06. Mr. X
07. Western Promise
08. Vienna
09. All Stood Still (Instrumental 1)
10. Sound On Sound
11. Animal
12. Sleepwalk (Version 2)
13. Sound On Sound (Instrumental)
14. Passing Strangers (Instrumental 2)
15. All Stood Still (Instrumental 2)

CD5: Live in St. Albans 1980 (2020 Mix) *

01. Astradyne
02. New Europeans
03. Passing Strangers
04. Quiet Men
05. Face To Face
06. Mr. X
07. Western Promise
08. Vienna
09. Slow Motion
10. Hiroshima Mon Amour
11. All Stood Still
12. Sleepwalk
13. Private Lives
14. King’s Lead Hat

DVD: Vienna
Vienna album – Steven Wilson Mix *
– 96/24 5.1 Surround Sound Mix
– DTS 96/24 5.1 Surround Mix
– DOLBY AC3 5.1 Surround Mix
– 96/24 LPCM Stereo Mix

B-sides – Steven Wilson Mix *
– 96/24 5.1 Surround Sound Mix
– DTS 96/24 5.1 Surround Mix
– DOLBY AC3 5.1 Surround Mix
– 96/24 LPCM Stereo Mix

Vienna album – 1980 Original Analog Master
– 96/24 LPCM Stereo Mix

B-sides – 1980 Original Analog Master
– 96/24 LPCM Stereo Mix

*Previously Unreleased.

Vienna 40th Anniversary 2LP Vinyl (half-speed mastered) Track List:

LP 1

Lado A

1. Astradyne
2. New Europeans
3. Private Lives
4. Passing Strangers
5. Sleepwalk

Lado B

1. Mr X
2. Western Promise
3. Vienna
4. All Stood Still

LP  2

Lado A

1. Waiting
2. Face To Face  (Live in St Albans 16/8/80)
3. King’s Lead Hat  (Live at The Lyceum 17/8/80)
4. Vienna (US Promotional Edit)
5. Passionate Reply

LP 2

Lado B

1. Herr X
2. All Stood Still (Single Version)
3. Alles Klar
4. Keep Talking (Cassette Recording During Rehearsals)

Vienna 40th Anniversary 4LP clear vinyl box (official store exclusive)

Lado A

01. Astradyne
02. New Europeans
03. Private Lives
04. Passing Strangers
05. Sleepwalk

Lado B

01. Mr. X
02. Western Promise
03. Vienna
04. All Stood Still

Lado C

01. Waiting
02. Face To Face [Live in St Albans 16/8/1980]
03. King’s Lead Hat [Live at The Lyceum 17/8/1980]
04. Vienna [US Promotional Edit] *
05. Passionate Reply

Lado D

01. Herr X
02. All Stood Still [Single Version]
03. Alles Klar
04. Keep Talking [Cassette Recording During Rehearsals]

LP 2: Live in St. Albans 1980 

Lado A

01. Astradyne
02. New Europeans
03. Passing Strangers
04. Quiet Men

Lado B

01. Face To Face
02. Mr. X
03. Western Promise
04. Vienna

Lado C

01. Slow Motion
02. Hiroshima Mon Amour

Lado D

01. All Stood Still
02. Sleepwalk
03. Private Lives
04. King’s Lead Hat