It’s another month, another 23rd and of course another KLF re-release, this time the 1990 version of The White Room, bridging the 1989 original version with Kylie Said To Jason and the 1991 actual release. I actually prefer the 1989 version to the Stadium House Greatest Hits-a-thon that was what was actually released.
I remember I was disappointed when I first heard it in 1991 – it seemed to chop and change, and ironically the biggest hit at that time, 3am Eternal was a short edit so it was kind of worst of both worlds, the hits but also mixed together so you actually go less of them, like those old megamixes.
It’s interesting to hear a hybrid of the two – starting with the best song that was never on the final album ‘Go To Sleep’ although I thinl remixed parts and vocals appeared. And finally a proper release – at least on streaming services of the track that only appeared on bootlegs and briefly on the original version of the film – Madrugada Eterna (Club Mix). It’s a remix of the track from Chill Out but it’s excellent, that bassline….And also Lovers Side, which I think appeared as a 12″ b-side. it is a little dated now, I guess it was dropped to make way for Last Train To Trancentral which was a good call, I love that track and bought it day of release on 7″.
Otherwise it seems quite similar to what was released in 1991 but less crowd noise and more restrained, closer to Chill Out?. No Born Free from the 1989 version, which is just as well, that really hasn’t aged well.
And I’d have to listen to the 1989 version again but I seem to remember that some of the other tracks changed a lot – No More Tears? Build a Fire? Certainly we lost more of Church of KLF which was ace on the first version and went rather Mike and Mechanics ‘Silent Running’ in this and the 1991 version! And ending on the best version of Justified And Ancient with Black Steel – sorry Tammy, it was way better.
Maybe some of those version will appear on Pure Trance or later releases.
And in related news – Blacksmoke have a single out as well today, the topical Kill The Bill. – dunno if Cauty is involved with this, but it sounds like it. Also note the 23 on the Met badge.
Leave a Comment! Be nice….