Wednesday 1 October 2008

Missing. Presumed dead in the water: Torment & Toreros

Where IS this seminal album? According to Marc Almond's former label, Some Bizarre, it was meant to be reissued on CD over a month ago. If you follow this circuitous route from their website here, to the newly created MySpace, specifically for the Torment & Toreros album here and the info therein here, you'd think the CD re-issues of both the Mambas albums were already out. Wrong. The first, Untitled, is the 1992 version and the Torment and Toreros album is from 1997, now priced everywhere at the ridiculous sum of £130!

Marc's work, especially this album, which was originally released in 1983, deserves better. Current reissues of his solo work have been patchy and ill thought out. His website said this, way back in June: "It is important that past albums are re-issued, to have them available in the shops. Too much of Marc's vast back catalogue has only been sporadically available. Marc would like them to be available at all times in good pressings with decently printed covers and the correct, relevant B sides and extra's included. This hasn't happened in the past. Marc apologises for what must be frustrating to some fans but despite Marc's good intentions, it really is out of his hands." It's obvious there are wranglings with Marc and Stevo (the Some Bizarre supremo). Out of all of Marc's work, this has to be one of the best, therefore it's a shame the reissue is turning out to be quite messy.

Once the album is eventually available to everyone again, there'll be a post devoted to it. Until then...

3 comments:

V said...

Hi Phil,
I was so happy to finally find this release (not a re-issue) at a used CD store and will certainly buy it again. I listened to this album so much. Songs like "Black Heart," "Torment," "Catch a Fallen Star" and "My Little Book of Sorrows" with Matt are such classics. The album is full of raw emotions. I will definitely devote a post when this is re-issued proper.

Phil said...

There's a real spat between Stevo and Marc over the re-issues. If you look at his website, he's been providing new material for the fans and for some reason, it's not been included. It's such a shame that both sides can't sit down and sort something out properly...

Joseph said...

Don't get me started. These issues have been going on for such a long time. I was lucky enough to get the 1997 versions at the time but even then Marc wasn't happy about them and they were expensive and impossible to find. Marc's been with so many labels that his stuff is scattered everywhere. EMI re-released his (in my opinion) two best solo albums (The Stars We Are and Enchanted) a couple years ago and didn't really do anything to them except put them back in print (which is a start...I guess). I worry that his recorded legacy will never get its due and the Mambas/Willing Sinners stuff has gotten particularly shoddy treatment. I just wish some comprehensive plan for his 80s solo stuff could be worked out but getting all parties to agree on anything seems to be a nightmare.

Meanwhile, that video is wonderful. I'd never seen it so thanks!