Cabaret Voltaire

[SonicBoom]

I only know 4 songs by these guys (Sensoria, Do Right, Nag Nag Nag, and Don't Argue.)



I've heard and read lots of good things about them, and I'd like to learn more. What's their best albums, songs etc.??

[Max Murdoc]

It depends....their sound changed a bit through their career. I have "Voice of America" which I love but it's not for everyone. Kinda like a early industrial sound but primitive, then there's "Code" which came much later and it sounds quite unlike "VOA" with samples and melodies.

http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/cabaret_voltaire

Read the reviews.

[Sensoria]

My favourite band alongside The The. Hence my nick! [:)]

If you're a starter I'd recommend you to start with the compilations first and then turn over to the official studio album releases you'd find attractive the most. As Max Murdoc said already, their sound changed through their career. They were in their so-called heavy industrial and highly experimental phase during the '70s and the early '80s that certainly is not for everyone indeed. They moved to a more danceable terrain in the mid '80s and made some groundbreaking electro stuff like "Sensoria" et al. Their last phase (1990 - 1994) was marked by the progressive and abstract acid house sound.

So taking from it all, the best way to start with them are these two compilations: "The Original Sound Of Sheffield '78/'82" (2002) and "The Original Sound Of Sheffield '83/'87". (2001) The latter sounds catchier and more acceptable, and collects all the 12-inchers released between 1983 and 1987.

As for the album releases, "Micro-Phonies" (1984) and "Code" (1987) would be great to start with.
But unfortunately I still don't know what are their best ones at all as all are great stories for themselves.
There's 13 official long play album releases behind them.

Any more questions?

[elviscaprice]

The old schoolers like all the old cabaret, which I also do, but,
The Covenant, The Sword and The Arm of the Lord - 1985 is my all time favorite Cab album. Start there!!
Elvis

[elviscaprice]

Speaking of Cabaret Voltaire, anybody have the laserdisc of Gasoline in Your Eye. Maybe we could do a trade or outright purchase. Have it on VHS.

[Sensoria]

[quote][i]Originally posted by elviscaprice[/i]
<br>The old schoolers like all the old cabaret, which I also do, but,
The Covenant, The Sword and The Arm of the Lord - 1985 is my all time favorite Cab album. Start there!!
Elvis
[/quote]

That was the album I started my relationship with them. It was circa 1987. It is the one I listened to the most as well. But "Micro-Phonies" and "Code" are a bit catchier to listen to which is why I went with them first.

[Sensoria]

[quote][i]Originally posted by elviscaprice[/i]
<br>Speaking of Cabaret Voltaire, anybody have the laserdisc of Gasoline in Your Eye. Maybe we could do a trade or outright purchase. Have it on VHS.
[/quote]

I don't. Unfortunately. But in an interview of circa 6 months back Richard H. Kirk said it would be probably reissued in DVD form soon. I really can't wait for it now. It was about time. ...That's good idea, actually. I have it on VHS too.

[eighties]

[quote][i]Originally posted by elviscaprice[/i]
<br>Speaking of Cabaret Voltaire, anybody have the laserdisc of Gasoline in Your Eye. Maybe we could do a trade or outright purchase. Have it on VHS.
[/quote]
I have the laserdisc and have converted 2 tracks for club use.
When I have some time I'll capture the whole thing and see how it looks.

All the best,
eighties

[korova1]

In a nutshell, the CB albums I listen to the most are:

12 X 45
The Crackdown
Covenant, The Sword, Arm of the Lord
Microphonies
Code
Drinking Gasoline EP


This was their most productive era. One of the great neglected 80;s bands... (remasters anyone?) Some of the most cutting edge music of the 80's. As far as splicing sounds and mixing beats they left all the others in the dust. IMHO of course.

As somebody else mentioned earlier there are many different sounds to this group as they crossed genres multiple times through the years... so start with these 6 and if you like these, move on to the earlier raw industrial stuff. There is an interesting odds and ends comp on Mute called "Listen Up" which I like, and the Sheffield comp spanning the late 80's with all of the 12 inch mixes and b sides is a must-have.

However, I would avoid Laidback, Groovy, and Nasty... unless you like overproduced commercial house music. The 90's stuff is mostly instrumental and chill out music. As far as songs go this band has too many good ones to count. Someday they will get the recognition they deserve, their only problem was being ahead of their time over and over again. Amazing group.

[elviscaprice]

Somehow I thought you might have that laserdisc eighties. Should have asked you first. Check out my list of Cab vids, might be something on their you don't have, but then again you probably don't need. Hard to find the appropriate moment these days to cut a cab song on the dance floor. Not to many younger gens are in to it, not even the goths. A shame, was one of my favorite dance groups.
Elvis

[elviscaprice]

That would be good news, Sensoria. Would love to see them remaster that tape and rerelease it on DVD along with some other goodies.[8D]
Elvis

[Sensoria]

[quote][i]Originally posted by korova1[/i]
<br>In a nutshell, the CB albums I listen to the most are:

12 X 45
The Crackdown
Covenant, The Sword, Arm of the Lord
Microphonies
Code
Drinking Gasoline EP


This was their most productive era. One of the great neglected 80;s bands... (remasters anyone?) Some of the most cutting edge music of the 80's. As far as splicing sounds and mixing beats they left all the others in the dust. IMHO of course.

As somebody else mentioned earlier there are many different sounds to this group as they crossed genres multiple times through the years... so start with these 6 and if you like these, move on to the earlier raw industrial stuff. There is an interesting odds and ends comp on Mute called "Listen Up" which I like, and the Sheffield comp spanning the late 80's with all of the 12 inch mixes and b sides is a must-have.

However, I would avoid Laidback, Groovy, and Nasty... unless you like overproduced commercial house music. The 90's stuff is mostly instrumental and chill out music. As far as songs go this band has too many good ones to count. Someday they will get the recognition they deserve, their only problem was being ahead of their time over and over again. Amazing group.
[/quote]

Their mid '80s/early '90s material has to be remastered as soon as possible, as far as I'm concerned. Especially the "Covenant, The Sword...", "Code" and "Groovy, Laidback And Nasty" albums and the "Drinking Gasoline" EP. But the biggest problem in that is EMI's business policy I just can't stand at all. They deleted "Code" shortly after it came out which is odd as it is the best selling album in their entire career ever. Seems that money and big corporate business sometimes just don't go hand in hand with each other. There are some other things related to that as well.

They were using samples and cut-up images long before others. Richard H. Kirk was even accused of inventing techno and house. They'll be always ahead of any time as what they did is hardly achievable. But I don't expect recording industry to give them recognition at all. Especially not today when it's going down the pan anyway you look to. 95 per cent of the artists to appear over the last 30 or sth years owe their existence to them. They invented so many (crossover) genres.

[Sensoria]

[quote][i]Originally posted by elviscaprice[/i]
<br>That would be good news, Sensoria. Would love to see them remaster that tape and rerelease it on DVD along with some other goodies.[8D]
Elvis
[/quote]

Yes, ...and "Just Fascination", "Trust In The Lord", "I Want You", "Shakedown (The Whole Thing)", "Don't Argue", "Here To Go", "Hypnotised", "Keep On" and "Colours" videos as well, Elvis! [8D]

[elviscaprice]

Have all those other vids except two, Sensoria, but would love to see them remastered. Hypnotized and Keep On, what source were they released on?
Elvis

[Sensoria]

[quote][i]Originally posted by elviscaprice[/i]
<br>Have all those other vids except two, Sensoria, but would love to see them remastered. Hypnotized and Keep On, what source were they released on?
Elvis
[/quote]

Excellent, Elvis! I'd be so overjoyed to have them as well but unfortunately don't. Couldn't find them anywhere I was searching for. All I know is that "Just Fascination" appeared on the various artist video compilation "TV Wipeout" (1984) whereas "Trust In The Lord" ended up on the similar "It's Clean, It Just Looks Dirty" one of 3 years later.
Others were issued separately including "Hypnotised" and "Keep On" as well. Only EMI have them in their archives.
They should be remastered on the possible deluxe editions of the albums they were taken from. If only that could happen. I'd give everything for that.
Which version of "Don't Argue" do you have, short one or long one, by the way? [:)]