New Wave Outpost Forum

Almacantar now lists both Expression releases, the self-titled LP and Conscience, for CD release on 3-28-06. I think it mentioned they were just awaiting final approval on the artwork??

[quote]Originally posted by Grunch
[br]Almacantar now lists both Expression releases, the self-titled LP and Conscience, for CD release on 3-28-06. I think it mentioned they were just awaiting final approval on the artwork??


[/quote]

Thanx for the info, let's wait for the track listings 2 C if there are some bonus tracks![;)]

The Aussie version of the S/T cover is far superior to the one on the N.A. release. It is more in keeping with the artwork on their second release, Conscience. My guess is that there will be bonus tracks: there are only 3 or 4 non lp tracks. (B-sides to the singles) As long as they stick "More like a Feeling than a Taste" on one of them, I'd be happy.

I do wonder however if these releases will be the latest in the crappy vinyl restoration efforts being peddled. The upside is that Mushroom Records is still in existence, so the tapes should also be kicking around.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/eight.gif"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/number6.gif">

Hi all,
I have just discovered this site! In fact, I found it when I googled for the Expression, which for some reason I decided to do one night after running out of research energy.

Anyway, I thought I would post as I have something which may be of interest to any Expression fans out there (well, two things actually)

First, I have known the band since 1982, and have had sporadic contact since those halcyon days. After finding this site with the references to the Expression I decided to call Tom Haran, who lives near me in Western Australia...and it was a great re-union.

I also found out that Stephen Manassah, the bass player, has a record label here in Perth http://www.whatitisrecords.com/wiir.asp

and is in the process of building a recording studio here. Both Tom Haran and Neville Dowling, the Expression Keyboard player and co-writer, have albums available. These albums are very different to the Expression, however. Very 'ambient'.(I believe Tom is developing some new material though...I heard some the other night over a couple of beers when I visited his warehouse/rehearsal space. I am just finding out about new stuff myself but if there is anything interesting I will report [:D]

The other thing is maybe more interesting. I happen to have a copy of the original Expression demo tape with the original band members recorded in 1982!!! And it has what I think is a better version of Total Eclipse. This is a cassete...but it sounds great(a direct dub from the half inch demo master tape). I don't want to distribute material off it until I get the OK from the guys...I might even be able to get Stephen Manassah to 'remaster' it![:D]

I haven't asked him yet...I don't think it will ever sound as good as the remastered albums but it is great just for the original band arrangements, which are quite different in some cases.

The tracks are:

With Closed Eyes. (Tom Haran)
Total Eclipse. (Neville Dowling)
Dawn, Day, and Sleep. (Andrew Wong Yen...original guitarist)
Three Four Day. (The Expression)
Right To A Slice. (Tom Haran)

If There is any interest in this let me know. It may be that Stephen will want to release it on his record label as a 'rarity' reissue or whatever??? I will see if it is OK to upload a sample or 2. (I have to ask the guys because they are my friends...and they know where I live [:D]

Cheers all!

Fantastic earthloop, keep us informed. I would love to hear these![8D]

Thanks for the great post earthloop. The Expression has been one of my favorite bands since the early 80's. Unfortunately, I've only been able to find one of Tom Haran's solo cd's ("Calling")....I've been looking forever for some other source to get his other cd's but can't seem to find them.

The Expression "demo tape" is simply too good to be true. I certainly would pay to have a copy of those great tracks in demo format. If there is any way you can pull that together for some fans that would be great!! Please keep us posted with any developments or any ideas how to obtain more Tom Haran solo cd's.

Looking forward to more info and thanks again for the great information.

Hi New-waverians!!!

More news!!

First...Mike...Tom says he thinks he knows of you? poss. from this site? Anyway, that means I will have to be careful about loose gossip now because he has the URL!(so does Stephen) [;)]

Anyway, to the important bits...Steve Manassah has copied my demo tape to CD for 'cleaning up'in Protools!! He suggested that it might be worth releasing for sale on his own label...(if he doesn't I will bootleg it...but don't tell! [:p] )

http://www.whatitisrecords.com/wiir.asp

... watch this space! lets see what happens!

So great to see Stephen again, after, what, 20 odd years??? (my god! how old am I?? [:I] )

So Ocean...I think maybe you may soon be able to get a copy of 'The Palm Sessions' (working title!). (or whatever they end up calling it)

Now for the latest gossip! [:D]


I just spent the day at Stephen Manassah's place with Tom Haran and a drummer friend of Tom's named Mike!...recording new material...and if you loved the Expression...you will LOVE this new stuff!! BEAUTIFUL songs!!!!! A new Tom Haran album...Rocking!!!(not ambient fluff [:)]...)

It is not EXACTLY the same (close)...but you will relate to it in the same way (well, I did! [:D] )


Anyway, I could go on and on but I won't. What I will say is that from what I have heard today (drum tracks, vocals, guitar and some synth bits) there are at least three very wickedly good songs coming together...and more in the wings!

Cheers for now!

[i]If[/i] there's any interest? Oh, you kidder. I'd give my left nut for a demo of "With Closed Eyes!" Hell, I'd give my right nut, too, but I already gave that one for The Motels' "Apocalypso."

By the way, do you know how many promo videos they cut? "WCE" was the only one that was released here (in January, 1984 or thereabout), after which A&M gave up. On all Aussie bands. I watched a few seconds of a really poor vidcap of "Total Eclipse" on Tom's former site, as well as one other one I've forgotten ("Nothing Changes" maybe). Wish I could see them in their entireties. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge...

@somebody somewhere...I don't know about videos. Never thought to ask!

For everyone's interest...the guys are going to create an Expression website, to document the bands history/achievements etc etc. You know, biographies...where are they now etc!

They want to ensure that there is a reliable presence on the web for posterity (and why not! [8D] )

Maybe there will be stuff available via that site as it will be more appropriate for Expression stuff, as Stephen Manassah's site will be more about more contemporary stuff.

I don't know the time frame for this as I just didn't think to ask at the time. Last friday was the first time I had seen Stephen for, as I said in the last post, maybe 20+ years, so there were other things to talk about. Besides, it was a 'working day', as Tom was recording !!

Cheers!

[quote]Originally posted by Grunch
[br]Almacantar now lists both Expression releases, the self-titled LP and Conscience, for CD release on 3-28-06. I think it mentioned they were just awaiting final approval on the artwork??

[/quote]

Hmmmm, cool! I only have the full s/t album on mp3, yay!

*Standing by for more info*

[quote][i]Originally posted by SomebodySomewhere[/i]
<br>[i]If[/i] there's any interest? Oh, you kidder. I'd give my left nut for a demo of "With Closed Eyes!" Hell, I'd give my right nut, too, but I already gave that one for The Motels' "Apocalypso."

[/quote]

[:D][:D][:D]

Got my notice today from Almacantar - The Expression signed off on the releases, and they are now in the mail, both Expression releases on CD.

Thanks for the update, Grunch!

Thanks for that somebodysomewhere! Haven't seen that clip for many years.

Now here is a little bit more for you (and everyone else of course [:D]).

Remember the Expression demo tape I mentioned? Well, I gave it to Stephen Manassah who dubbed it to CD...and he has just told me that he is looking at releasing the demos with some live recordings he has managed to dig up as a 'rare and live' (tentative title) CD on his own label and distributed through Almacanter.

I hope he doesn't mind me posting this in advance...it is not done yet...Cheers for now.

Unfortunately, when the rights revert back to an artist from a major label, the label will many times hold onto the master tapes. Though the rights are available for the artists to hand off to someone else to re-release, it will then be up to the label, Cherry Red, Almacantar, Captain Oi, Etc... to hire a sound engineer who specializes in vinyl remastering. No, that's not an advertisement, but you can hire a high paid engineer who wins awards for his work with master tapes, though when it comes to vinyl he may be a total novice. It's a whole different battlefield between tape and vinyl.