9 replies to this topic

[tanzplagen]

Hi.  I've been searching this site, the web, etc... for information regading r.e.m. demo tapes, or the original mitch easter 1981 tape and I can find nothing.

Has anyone seen one, have a copy, know the history of how they were distributed.  As you may guess, I think I have one, I've had it for a while (got it during my major r.e.m. buying period as a gift! bought at a charity auction)

I spoke to someone at the record store next to the 40 watt in Athens, when doing a pilgramage 10 years ago...

I'm not sure what to do with it, as I can't find any images of it, or stats, I question if it is real, and honestly what it is worth.

If I can get some shared knowledge I'd appreciate it, I'll post some images soon.

Thanks for the help.

[Kuaffman]

Is that the Demo Tape ft 3 Tracks 1) Sitting Still 2) Radio Free Europe and 3) Sitting Still ?. If so then the "Q" R.E.M. special lists it with a value of £250, however if i remember correctly an edition of "record collector" magazine listed it as around £2000 since most of the tapes were discarded by uninterested radio stations.

[Driver Nate]

Unfortunately I'm unable to assist you in your quest but I do find it funny that I came across this post just now as I spoke with someone last night that claims to have taken part in R.E.M.'s early sessions with Dixon and Easter. I have no doubt that this person was indeed there as they spoke with complete sincerity but I do have reason to believe their memory is somewhat faulty. This person says R.E.M. were so inept at their instruments at the time that Dixon actually ended up playing most of the instrumentals parts on the finished version of Murmur. Of course all of here know that is completely untrue but it was still interesting to hear the tales from those days nonetheless.

Jonathan

[beatadrum]

Driver Nate said:

This person says R.E.M. were so inept at their instruments at the time that Dixon actually ended up playing most of the instrumentals parts on the finished version of Murmur. Of course all of here know that is completely untrue but it was still interesting to hear the tales from those days nonetheless.

Jonathan

I'd find that very hard to believe. Dixon DID play on some tracks but in most cases that was purely to allow a take to be done live. He played bass on Perfect Circle for example as Mike was on keys and Peter the guitar. Where Peter maybe wasn't up to scratch, MIKE stepped in (Talk About The Passion 'solo'). But as REM has being playing live for 2 years prior to recording Murmur, the live tapes show they could play perfectly well. Mike and Bill were regarded as better musicians that PB, but PB was really one to tlak himself down in interviews, then and now. He claimed he could barely play in interviews - while he's no lead guitar hero in any way shape or form, he, even then, was a creative rhythm player.

[tanzplagen]

I assumed this was there only demo tape... Some more info.

It is labeled "cassette set", specifically r.e.m. cassette set.inside it notes, r.e.m. cassette set, 3 (three) tunes
produced by mitch easter + r.e.m.
engineered by mitch easter
@ m.e.d.i.s.w.s.n.c.

the cassette jack is a black and white photo copy, montage, black with grainy line on the outside.  the inside has small images of the band playing, as well as contact info for the band, a p.o. box and a phone number.  also included were two small coplor photo copies, one of bill and mike's bass and the other of mike, michael and peter, but heads cropped off.

the cassette itself is a black cassette with a label on one side listing the three songs. the back side has a smaller label saying "ok"

1. sitting still
2. radio free Europe
3. wh. tornado ( includeds second take included short take with mike saying "ok") could be considered two tracks
4. radio free europe, unlisted alternate mix with a lot of effects and edits.

I'll take photos. I only listend to the tape twice, when I got it and then made a digital copy with my brother-in-law.


So I ask are kauffman and aquila talking about different tapes?

And has anyone seen a copy of this in person?  Or could someone suggest some one to contact regarding the tape?





again, thanks for everyones help!!!

[twistedkitemike]

Was this the cassette that was sent out to various record stations, record companies, etc., with the sticker on it saying; "Do Not Open"?

Hence, many of them were immediately stored in the cyclindrical gunmetal filing cabinet; without further thought?






Mike.......................................................................

[Driver Nate]

A few years ago someone here did have a copy of at least one of the cassettes in question in this thread, or at least claimed to. As I recall, they had burned it to disc but felt that wasn't an accurate way to trade it since there was no way it could be faithful to the original cassette packaging.

Jonathan

[Mr Abstract]

The person to contact is Tim Abbott, he has a copy (not an original though).

kohoutek@skynet.co.uk

Weird RFE remix which you've listed as track 4 is Radio Dub, as Aquila has correctly pointed out. This was available on the bootleg "Smokin' In The Boys Room".

I never heard any of the other cuts, so I don't know they relate to hibtone or other circulated versions either on bootlegs or officially released.

[halfaworldaway]

I have it on cd, i borrowed a copy of it about 2 years ago to transfer it to cd, not sure if i posted it here or not.

[sousa]

halfaworldaway said:

I have it on cd, i borrowed a copy of it about 2 years ago to transfer it to cd, not sure if i posted it here or not.

It would make me very happy if you could post this on murmurs tracker...