Search - Klaatu :: Sun Set: 1973-1981

I wish it could have been a 3-CD or 4-CD box,but....

Philip A.Cohen | Bay Harbor Islands, Florida United States | 06/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After 4 years of negotiations with the 3 (somewhat) feuding group members and their attorneys,and 2 years of cancelled release dates,"Sun Set" has finally been released,albeit only as a 2-CD set(not as the originally promised 3-CD + DVD set),because the selections on this 2-CD edition are the only ones that all 3 members could agree on.But don't get me wrong,what's left is excellent,even if you're left with the impression that they're holding back(I know for a fact that John Woloschuk held back 2 unreleased songs,to possibly re-record them someday,if he ever opts to record again.He's been a music industry accountant for 20 years,since leaving the music industry).Disregard the complaint from one reviewer that certain "parts" are missing on a few songs.The versions of "Sub Rosa Subway","Doctor Marvello" & "California Jam" are the original Canada single mixes,which have never been heard outside Canada before or on CD anywhere before.The group's early singles are from 1973-75,and before the songs were released on their 1976 debut album,the original 16-track masters were trasfered to 24-track and numerous overdubs and re-recordings were done to produce the familiar versions.The set opens with the original Canada single version of "Hanus of Uranus" later totally remade(in a new arrangement for the debut album as "Anus of Uranus").You also get a previosly unreleased early version of "Cherie"(dating to the time of the debut album),a simpler and more appealing arrangement than the one which appeared on the group's 3rd albm "Sir Army Suit".Also included:early working versions of "Sir Bodsworth Rubblesby" and "Little Neutrino" with the singer's normal voices instead of the electronically altered,octave-modified vocal on "Sir Bodsworth Rubblesby" & the vocoder vocal on "Little Neutrino" heard on the regular released versions.I assume that the early alternate version of "Calling Occupants...",lacking some parts and with some different vocals at the end,is probably a version that had been considered for Canada single release.The further re-working (for the released version) really improved an already great track.Then you get an entirely alternate version of the "Hope" album,with more orchestral parts and very different instrumental parts(and some different lead vocals) versus what was eventually released.This is the version that record company execs originally heard,but when there had to be a 6-month release postponement,the group took the recordings back into the studio,replacing some of the London orchestral parts with synthesizers,re-recording and re-arranging some vocal and instrumental parts,and turned several songs into suites with seemless segues.The running order in this alternate "Hope" is slightly different,and you get the unreleased "Epilogue".However,it is disconcerting to hear the abrupt fade-out on "We're Off You Know".Disc two provides material of varying quality relating to the group's "Sir Army Suit","Endangered Species" & "Magentalane" sessions,ranging from full-fidelity alternate studio versions(some longer unedited versions of "Magentalane","December Dream","Mrs Toad's Cookies" & "I Can't Help Myself"),and some home demos from 4-track or cassettes of middling fidelity.The demos for the "Endangered Species" show that the arrangements were largely in place,and their was no legitimate reason for producer Christopher Bond to replace the group with sessionmen on this ill-advised Capitol Records effort to Americanize the group's sound.The home demos also include the previously unheard,Beatlesque "There's Something Happening".Speaking of Beatles,as with Klaatu's heroes The Beatles(and their "Anthology" series),this is fascinating to hear the alternate arrangements of familiar songs,but you come away realizing that the group's quality control mechanism was excellent,and they never failed to select the correct and best version for release.By the way,there are no Terry Draper(drummer,occasional vocalst/writer) outtakes in this set because Terry has included his Klaatu outtakes in his solo albums "Light Years Later" & "Civil War"(both on Canada's "Bullseye" label).Today,Terry is a highly versetile multi-instrumentalist,and is now a quite capable keyboardist,bassist,vocalist & rhythm guitarist...and a prolific writer.His "Light Years Later" later provides the closest thing to the Klaatu sound,until and unless John Woloschuk(The vocalist/keyboardist/bassist/acoustic guitarist & writer of 75% of Klaatu's songs) opts to record again.Incidentally,lead guitarist Dee Long also records for the "Bullseye" label.Overall,this set doubles the amount of Klaatu music in circulation.That's cause for celebration."

Amazing!

Steven M. Schmidt | Vadnais Heights, MN USA | 12/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"HOPE is one of my all-time favorite recordings, particularly the Lighthouse Keeper suite. Therefore, I approached this disc with some apprehension - how would it compare?



To my utter amazement, I find that I actually like these recordings BETTER than what I've been listening to since Hope was released in 1977. Many of them sound much more natural, particularly the authentic harpsichord intro to "Long Live Politzania."



To be sure, this collection is not for the Klaatu novice - if you are, you should probably start elsewhere."

Klaatu's Anthology

M. Williams | Fuquay Varina, NC United States | 01/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a Klaatu fan, then this 2 CD collection is a must. Similiar in concept to the Beatle's Anthology compilation, this set includes unreleased material, live recordings (great version of Older), basic rhythm tracks and alternate versions / mixes of songs. Liner notes are very informative. One of the most under-rated bands of all time. They were never able to climb over the Beatles re-united rumor after the release of their first album, 3:47 EST with it's overt Beatle sound on some of the songs (Sub Rosa Subway a McCartney inspired tune and Doctor Marvello sounding very much like John Lennon). Nonetheless, Beatles, Queen, Pink Floyd and SciFi fans in particular will find Klaatu's music an exceptional listening experience. Klaatu fans know of the bands reputation for crystal clear recordings and superb production. Not all great bands made the big time. Klaatu is one of those bands."